Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 224 by Maxwel l Grant

Author:Maxwel,l Grant
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf

CHAPTER XII. THUNDER OVER MANHATTAN

THE Mohawk Building was an old one, a five-story relic, in one of those halfway areas where old

Manhattan blended with the new. The boom days of the '20s had raised much taller structures in the neighborhood; then the building wave had stopped, leaving an unsightly architectural medley that people had begun to regard as permanent.

Rent was cheap in the Mohawk Building, and the top-floor had skylights, as well as windows, which was why Martin Orvis had located his offices there. The Orvis Engineering Corp. employed a corps of draftsmen, and they found the skylights helpful to their work.

The drafting rooms were located on the side away from higher buildings. Orvis' own private office was in another corner, and from its window he could look across the street to the blank wall of a thirty-story building, which made the Mohawk Building look like a pygmy beside a giant.

An elderly man, with a tired expression, Orvis often commented on the blank view from his window.

At present, Orvis had a visitor named Cranston, who had never been in the Mohawk Building before.

Quite naturally, Orvis was pointing out the view across the way.

"I like it," said Orvis, "because it cuts off my view of everything else. If it didn't, I would have to look at the architectural monstrosities in this neighborhood. How I hate them!" He shuddered, as if the mere thought grated his nerves. "I have to walk with my eyes set straight ahead, every time I enter this building or leave it."

Cranston gave a sympathetic nod. He glanced at two other men in the office. One was Orvis' nephew, Claude Orvis, a junior partner in the business; the other, the head draftsman, Tilton. In Cranston's tone, The Shadow inquired:

"How soon do you expect Mr. Kelber?"

"Almost any time," returned Martin Orvis. "He is stopping off to get Fralingham and Darrison. Do you know" - Orvis wagged his head seriously - "I think that Kelber is bringing Fralingham here to impress both myself and Darrison."

Cranston's eyes went quizzical. Orvis explained.

"Kelber warned Fralingham to protect the Asbestile plant," stated Orvis. "Nevertheless, disaster struck it.

Universal Industries lost a most important adjunct as a result, but Kelber managed to find a way out. He has taken over the Asbestile formula, and will be able to manufacture the product himself.

"But he is worried about these plans." Orvis spread large sheets of drawings that were on his desk. "They cover the cantilever construction for the bombproof manufacturing units that Kelber has to build. They are practically complete, and though Kelber does not need them until the end of the month, he is afraid that something may happen to them.

"How could anything happen? I know every detail of these plans. So do Claude and Tilton. I told Kelber that there is no need for worry. He has approved the rough plans in duplicate, and knows that we can deliver everything they call for. It is the most profitable job that we have undertaken; so naturally, we are anxious to complete it.

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