"Альфред Бестер. The Flowered Thundermug (англ.)" - читать интересную книгу автора

"So. Peter has paid you already?"

"And pledged you to secrecy?"

"I gave my word."

"Grazie. Then if you will excuse us, we have much
work to do."

As De Sica handed Muni the coil of rope, binoculars and
snub-nosed gun, Miss Garbo said, "No."

De Sica gave her an inquiring glance. "Is there something
else, cara mia?"

"You and Horton go and do your vork somevhere else," she
growled. "Peter may have paid him, but I have not. Ve vant to
be alone." And she beckoned Professor Muni to the bearskin.



In the ornate library of the Clifton Webb mansion on
Skouras Drive, Detective Inspector Edward G. Robinson
introduced his assistants to the Little Group of Powerful Art
Dealers. His staff was lined up before the exquisitely
simulated trompe-l'oeil bookshelves, and were rather
trompe-l'oeil themselves in their uniforms of household
servants.

"Sergeant Eddie Brophy, footman," Inspector Robinson
announced. "Sergeant Eddie Albert, second footman. Sergeant Ed
Begley, chef. Sergeant Eddie Mayhoff, second chef. Detectives
Edgar Kennedy, chauffeur, and Edna May Oliver, maid."

Inspector Robinson himself was in the uniform of a butler.
"Now, ladies and gents, the trap is baited and set, with the
invaluable aid of the Police Costume, Prop and Makeup
Department, Deputy Commissioner Eddie Fisher in charge, than
which there is none better."

"We congratulate you," De Sica said.

"As you very well know," Robinson continued, "everybody
believes that Mr. Clifton Webb has bought the Thundermug from
Duke Stratford for two million dollars. They are well aware
that it was secretly shipped to Hollywood East under armed
guard and that at this very moment the art treasure reposes in
a concealed safe in Mr. Webb's library." The inspector pointed
to a wall, where the combination dial of a safe was artfully
set in the navel of a nude by Amedeo Modigliani (2381-2431),