"077 (B041) - Merchants of Disaster (1939-07) - Harold Davis" - читать интересную книгу автора (Robeson Kenneth)

Chapter 2



A CALL FOR HELP





THE story told by Quinan's secretary had no significance to the police. Even when the girl told them her notebook was lone, detectives could see no connection between the jumbled Letters Quinan had dictated and his murder.



Since the girl did not know where Quinan had gotten those Letters, or what they meant, the detectives could not be blamed overly much.



They never did connect the murder with what happened at the army proving ground that afternoon.



The proving ground was the center of more than ordinary interest.



The site was used for testing new inventions, new explosives and other developments in warfare. Theoretically, it was so located that it could not be spied upon by civilians.



Actually, it was possible to see the grounds, although from quite a distance, if high-powered binoculars were used.



The two men, well hidden, who were watching the activity on the proving ground had high-powered binoculars. And they appeared just as well pleased that they were considerable distance away.



They were the two who had offices across from that of the late Les Quinan.



Conversation lagged between them. They already knew what was going to occur. They were interested merely in seeing that everything went as expected. But even their features became more tense as drama unfolded before them.



At least two hundred soldiers and officers were on the field. They stood at ease, waiting for the test to begin.