The Shadow 043 The Crime Clinic by Maxwell Grant

Author:Maxwell Grant [Grant, Maxwell]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Street & Smith
Published: 1933-11-30T23:00:00+00:00

Sarborn’s eyes became keen. The traveler sipped from a glass, and stared at his companion. Bart Melken felt a bit uneasy. He tried to curb his restlessness.

“What have you been doing, Farrell?” he questioned, when his friend made no comment. “Seeing much of South America?”

Sarborn chuckled.

“South America,” he declared, “is responsible for my being in this apartment. If I hadn’t been there, I probably would be living at the Ritz. As it is, I have to keep a place where my pets can stay.”

“Your pets?”

“Yes.” Sarborn arose and beckoned. Melken followed him into an unfurnished room. There, in a long, wide cage, Melken observed a dozen green plumaged birds that were sitting solemnly on perches.

“Parakeets,” remarked Sarborn. “I made quite a study of them, and brought these along with me.”

“Do they chatter much?” asked Melken.

“Not these,” returned Sarborn, “but there’s the baby that does - when he feels in the mood.”

Melken turned toward the corner of the room. There, perched upon a metal bar set in the front of a deep window sill, was one of the most beautiful birds that he had ever seen. Its plumage was of a vivid red; the size of the bird was also remarkable. It measured nearly three feet from head to tail.

“A great scarlet macaw,” explained Sarborn. “A rare species for one to find in captivity. This bird is worth more than the whole cageload of parakeets.”

“Does the macaw talk?”

“Yes. When coaxed. I have trained him.”

SARBORN approached the bird. He reached up and scratched the macaw’s head. The big bird began to ruffle its throat feathers and open its bill, but no sound came. Sarborn continued the treatment. He nodded to Melken, and motioned him toward the door.

“Bustle up toward the bird,” he ordered. “Make out that you are threatening it. Stop short, though, before you arrive too close.”

The macaw was watching Melken as it moved its bill. The young man followed Sarborn’s instructions. As he made a fierce advance, a shrill warning came from the scarlet macaw.

“Keep away! Keep away!”

Melken stopped suddenly as he heard the high falsetto cry. Sarborn, still scratching the macaw’s head, laughed at his friend’s surprise. He gave another order.

“Be more affable,” he said. “Then stroll away and pretend that you are going out the door.”

Melken followed instructions. As he hesitated at the door, another call came from the macaw’s trembling beak.

“Come back!” shrilled the bird. “Come back!”

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