"004 (B004) - The Polar Treasure (1933-06) - Lester Dent" - читать интересную книгу автора (Robeson Kenneth)

A thumping growl came out of the cab.



"Pipe down! You've already shipped with this crew, matey! Lay to an' do your bit of the dirty work!"



Now that the man in the taxi spoke excitedly, one thing about his speech was even more noticeable. He had been a seafaring man in the past! His speech was sprinkled with sailor lingo.



The small man shuffled away from the cab. He entered the stage door of the concert auditorium.



Victor Vail had finished his violin playing. The audience was applauding. The hand-clapping was tremendous. It sounded like the roar of Niagara, transferred to the vast hall.



The flat-chested man loitered backstage. Applause from the delighted audience continued many minutes. It irked the man.



"De saps!" he sneered. "You'd t'ink Sharkey had just kayoed Schmeling, or somethin'!"



After a time, Victor Vail came to his dressing room. The blind maestro was surrounded by a worshipful group of great singers and musicians.



But the loitering man shouldered through them. His shoving hands, none too clean, soiled the costly gowns of operatic prima donnas, but he didn't care.



"Victor Vail!" he called loudly. "I got a message for yer from Ben O'Gard!"



The name of Ben O'Gard had a marked effect on Victor Vail. He brought up sharply. A smile lighted his artistic features.



Victor Vail was tall, distinguished. He had hair as white as cotton, and almost as fine. His formal dress was immaculate.