Shadow 067 - The Unseen Killer 12-01-34, The by Maxwell Grant

Author:Maxwell Grant [Grant, Maxwell]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Street and Smith
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

THE commissioner arose and walked toward the rear wall, where the safe stood open. The others followed him. They formed a keenly interested group. Norgan placed the black box in Barth’s hands. The commissioner inserted it in the wall safe.

The strong box was a fair-sized one, with a metal-lined interior that was recessed slightly at the sides, top and bottom. The box, however, was plainly in view, even though its bottom was slightly below the level of the door.

Barth swung shut the metal front. He closed the door and turned the knob. The safe was locked. Warlock approached with an envelope. He bent back the flap and sealed it to the front of the safe. Then he produced a folded paper from his desk.

“The combination,” he explained. “I typed it on this paper.”

He inserted the folded sheet in the envelope. Only a corner of the paper protruded. As Warlock stepped away, Norgan moved up and started to take out the paper. Warlock shot out a hand; Norgan dropped the paper and it fluttered to the floor. Lamont Cranston picked it up and held it.

“Let me see that combination!” challenged Norgan. “That should be my privilege.”

“Perhaps,” retorted Warlock, “I have a right to see the contents of your black box.”

“Not at all!” snarled Norgan, thrusting out his square chin. “That box is property that belongs to myself and Amboy.”

“And the combination of this safe is mine,” retaliated Warlock.

“Why quibble?” demanded Barth. “Let me decide this matter. Do you mind, Warlock, if Cranston or I see the combination?”

“No,” returned Warlock. “But Norgan -“

“Open the paper, Cranston,” interjected Barth. “We can assure Norgan that all is in order.”

Cranston complied. Barth nodded when he saw the opened paper. Cranston folded it carefully and tucked it in the envelope. His long fingers pressed the envelope flat. His thumb finished the task by poking the paper out of sight.

It was nearing half past eight. Barth ordered the doors open. All left the room. While the others waited, Barth and Cardona conducted a brief tour of inspection. Warlock’s study had three doors; one to a bedroom at the front, a second to a small hall at the rear. The third was the door to the main upstairs hall.

The commissioner stationed detectives - one in the bedroom, one in the side hall; a third at the rear. He then dispatched a pair of dicks to the third floor. Speaking to the men about Warlock’s study, he warned them not to block the doorways.

Leaving Cardona in charge, Barth ushered the other persons to the ground floor. They assembled in Warlock’s gloomy living room. Barth stationed detectives at the door. Then he delivered an order.

“I shall go up and down at times,” said the commissioner. “The rest of you must remain here - with the exception of Cranston. I want him to do as he pleases. Perhaps he may be here when I am upstairs and vice versa. He and I can maintain contact with those above.”

So saying, the commissioner departed.

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