Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 053 by Maxwel l Grant

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

CHAPTER XII. NEW MYSTERY

WHILE people downstairs were concerning themselves with the arrival of a second visitor at Montgard, Jarvis Raleigh was deeply engaged with a demonstration in his experimental laboratory.

This room was on the second floor. It was situated between Jarvis Raleigh's bedroom and his workshop.

Closed doors indicated those other rooms. Lamont Cranston was looking on with interest, while the owner of Montgard stood beside a square-shaped tank.

The large container was filled with briny water. Above it rested a cylindrical device that was purring with the sound of an electric motor. A tube ran from the cylinder to a hinged cubical container.

The noise of the motor was sufficient to drown out all foreign sounds. In this closed room, it was impossible for the keenest ears to detect the noise which had been heard in the living room: the arrival of an automobile in the front driveway.

“This is the gold extractor.” Jarvis Raleigh was speaking in a loud tone as he pointed to the closed cylinder. “This is where the actual process takes place. Fundamentally, Mr. Cranston, my system of extraction is like those which have already been developed.”

“I understand,” nodded the visitor. “But how, Mr. Raleigh, can you manage to make the process a commercial possibility?”

“Through this vaporizer.” Raleigh smiled cunningly as he tapped the cylinder where the motor buzzed. “It reduces the liquid content of the brine.”

He placed his hand in front of an exhaust pipe at the side of the buzzing cylinder. He nodded as he drew his hand away. Cranston's hand moved to the spot indicated. The visitor could feel a moist vapor coming from the pipe.

There was a loud rap at the door. Jarvis Raleigh did not appear to notice it. Lamont Cranston listened intently, then attracted Raleigh's attention. Jarvis Raleigh appeared annoyed; then, nodding in recollection, he smiled sourly.

Pressing the switch that brought the motor to a dying whir, he went to the door of the laboratory and opened it. Quarley was standing there, his face totally unexpressive.

“Mr. Helmsford is here, sir,” he announced.

“Very well,” declared Jarvis Raleigh, sullenly. “I shall come down to see him. Wait here, Quarley.”

The owner of Montgard turned and entered the door to the bedroom. While Quarley stood somberly at the door in the hallway, Cranston studied the tank and its machine with keen, steady gaze.

TWO minutes later, Jarvis Raleigh reappeared. He had changed coats, leaving his white laboratory jacket in the bedroom. His eyes were suspicious as they fell on Cranston. Evidently, Raleigh did not like the close inspection that the visitor was making.

Cranston's gaze turned. In a trice, the keen eyes detected Jarvis Raleigh's expression. The Shadow knew what was passing in Raleigh's mind. The owner of Montgard was in a dilemma. He did not know whether to leave Cranston here in the laboratory or to invite him downstairs. A thin, almost imperceptible smile appeared as Cranston's lips voiced words that decided the issue.

“I chanced to hear your servant's announcement,” came the remark. “He said that Mr. Helmsford was here.

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