The Shadow 053 Tower of Death by Maxwell Grant

Author:Maxwell Grant [Grant, Maxwell]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Street & Smith
Published: 1934-05-21T22:00:00+00:00

Egyptian, I presume?”

“Yes,” responded Raleigh. “My father had this work done; he obtained the titles from some plant where work had been done for a museum. The inscription, I understand, was supplied by an Egyptologist.”

“What is its significance?”

“It is a rather somber message.” Jarvis Raleigh was cackling nervously as he pointed a scrawny finger toward the floor. “I do not know the individual characters; but the entire inscription”—his finger was describing a circle—“is to this effect:

“’Ye living men who love life and hate death; ye who will pass by this spot shall sacrifice to me.’“

“Was there a hidden purpose in that message?” questioned Cranston, mildly. Jarvis Raleigh was moving toward the inner door. He paused there, his clasped hands doubled on his bosom. His tones were harsh as he stated this conclusion:

“My father, Mr. Cranston, was a man of sharp practice. He and I had nothing in accord. I never approved of his grasping methods. That explains why I have sought outside capital to finance my inventions.”

Quarley had arrived with the bags. Lamont Cranston’s tall figure appeared in the corridor, following Jarvis Raleigh. Behind the pair came Quarley. Stokes Corvin, standing at the door of the library, saw the tall visitor between the other two. He caught the flash of a pair of searching eyes as Cranston chanced to glance along the hallway toward the library.

Then Jarvis Raleigh and the visitor were gone along the central passage toward the stairs. Quarley remained to bolt the inner door. The servant picked up the bags and followed the path toward the stairs.

STOKES CORVIN strolled back into the library. He noted anxious looks upon the faces of Barbara Wyldram and Sidney Richland. He spoke in reassuring tones.

“Our first visitor has arrived,” declared Corvin. “It is Lamont Cranston, the millionaire. He has gone upstairs with Jarvis Raleigh.”

Barbara seemed pleased as she resumed her reading. Richland sat down with an air of relief. His nervousness was dispelled.

“Perhaps I was wrong about Lockwood,” he decided. “It may have been a hoax. Your theory, Stokes—”

“My theory,” interposed Corvin, quietly, “may be entirely wrong. The letter from the detective makes it seem that Lockwood actually disappeared from this house.”

“Another hoax, perhaps.”

“I hardy think so. The matter looks serious to me. One of us, Sidney, must make sure that this detective actually arrives.”

“It will be my turn, Stokes.”

“You are still nervous—”

“Not at all. Quarley might become antagonistic if you appeared again. This time I shall watch from the passage.”

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