The Three Brothers by Maxwell Grant & Walter Gibson

Author:Maxwell Grant & Walter Gibson [Grant, Maxwell & Gibson, Walter]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Espionage, Fiction, Thrillers
Publisher: Street & Smith
Published: 1939-05-18T08:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER XI. LINKS TO THE PAST

ARRIVING at Pennbury before Howard Caxter's dinner hour, The Shadow had no trouble in gaining admittance. Howard, it seemed, had heard of Lamont Cranston, and was quite willing to meet a man whom he regarded as a fellow millionaire.

But the visitor was not conducted to Howard's study. Instead, The Shadow found himself guided through huge hallways in the main portion of the house, until he arrived in a vast library.

Howard Caxter was there to greet him, more amiably, even, than he had received Wydell. Tonight, the gaunt man was dressed in a tuxedo, which made him appear thinner than when in normal day wear. At close range, however, The Shadow could tell that Howard's frail build was not the result of ill health.

The eldest Caxter had a strong handshake; his figure was wiry, not weak. Having heard Norman Selwood describe how Howard had developed from a puny youth into a mature man, The Shadow considered him in such terms. Taken accordingly, Howard could be classed as a man of sound physique.

As Selwood had also stated, brain counted with Howard. Though he had not learned the reason for Cranston's visit, his knowing smile told that he had guessed it.

“You are welcome, Mr. Cranston,” greeted Howard, cordially, “although I can foresee that we shall have unpleasant business to discuss. You have come, no doubt, from my brother Gregg.”

“Not exactly,” was Cranston's quiet reply. “I happen to be a minor shareholder in the Caxter Chemical Corporation, which makes my situation more in common with yours.”

Howard's response was a hearty chuckle. Though he knew that no one individual outside the Caxter family held more than one percent of the chemical corporation stock, he knew that Cranston's argument was technically correct. Since Gregg controlled more than fifty percent of the corporation, the other Caxter brothers had no real voting power in the company.

Of course, there was the matter of the patents, which they held as a club over Gregg. But anyone–Cranston, for instance–might have been able, some way, to gain a similar advantage.

“I believe that we shall get along well together,” decided Howard, as he proffered a box of choice cigars. “Of course, I must insist that you have dinner with me, Mr. Cranston. Otherwise, we shall not find time to talk.”

“I should be glad to accept the invitation,” returned The Shadow, “if I did not feel that I would be out of place among the guests at a formal dinner party.”

“No, no,” insisted Howard. “There will be only one other guest besides yourself; a person who will overlook the fact that you are attired in business clothes.”

“Very well, then. I accept.”

While they puffed their cigars, Howard showed Cranston about the library, which contained a remarkable collection of rare books. At moments, Howard gazed toward the door, as though expecting someone; finally, just as dinner chimes sounded, he heard the approach of light footsteps.

“Here is our other guest,” announced Howard. “Come this way, Mr. Cranston, and I shall introduce you to Miss Selwood.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.