Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 083 by Maxwel l Grant

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

CHAPTER XI. AT THE CAPITAL

THIRTY hours had passed since The Shadow's brief visit to the Hotel Goliath. Evening was settling above the city of Washington when The Shadow entered the lobby of a cumbersome, old-fashioned hotel known as the Barlingham.

As before, The Shadow was clad in street attire. He was wearing that same masklike countenance that had impressed Captain Hilder and the clerk at the Goliath. When he entered the Barlingham elevator and announced his destination as the sixth floor, the operator nodded to himself.

This stranger looked like a visitor to the sixth. For on that floor was the suite of Senator Ross Releston, the most distinguished resident of this old-fashioned establishment.

The Shadow knew his way when he reached the sixth floor. He had been here before. He entered a corner suite and stepped into a large lounge room. A secretary bowed in recognition.

"Good afternoon. Mr. Cranston," The man stated. "Senator Releston is awaiting you. In his office, sir."

The Shadow strolled leisurely through a hallway. He turned left and entered a large room that served as the senator's office.

Releston was seated at a large desk. He arose to give hearty greeting to his visitor.

"My apologies, Cranston," declared the senator. "It is seldom that I have been forced to keep you waiting for an appointment."

A quiet smile appeared upon The Shadow's thin lips. As Lamont Cranston, millionaire globe-trotter, he was always a welcome guest at Releston's. Actually, Senator Releston had never met the real Lamont Cranston. That gentleman was usually engaged in travel. During his absence, The Shadow adopted Cranston's personality.

"Glad to see you in Washington again," resumed Releston, warmly. "But you certainly chose a time when I am busy. These committee activities are problems, Cranston."

As his guest seated himself, the senator picked up a copy of a New York morning newspaper and pointed to the headlines. The Shadow took the journal and nodded as he read it. The front page contained an account of an interview that a Washington correspondent had held with Releston.

"Munitions and armaments are predominant," stated the senator, as The Shadow turned pages to continue reading. "Too much publicity has been given to such matters. We have been fortunate, however.

The manufacturers, themselves, have combined under one head.

"That enables us to watch the development of new inventions. Take the improved process for atmospheric nitrogen, as an example. It has possibility as a strictly commercial product. If it were shared by numerous concerns, it would be impossible to guide its future. But it happens to be controlled by the Super Process Corporation, now a subsidiary of Wesdren Enterprises.

"The same is true of the Galloy Aircraft Company, which has developed a form of tubular construction in metal. Likewise the Paragon Tractor Company, which has obtained the contract to build dreadnought tanks.

"All are under common supervision. Plans and models are held by the Wesdren Enterprises. Every point of manufacture will be supervised by the proper governmental authorities. We deal directly with one man.

Caleb Wesdren, and he is here in Washington."

THE SHADOW completed his perusal.

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