Shadow 072 - The Dark Death 02-15-34, 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 two men went out to the truck. The vehicle was a small one: for Nicky Donarth had intended it only for the purpose of removing his gambling equipment in a hurry, should police raid his joint.

They brought out the same box that Willington and Brophy had carried downstairs from the inventor’s private laboratory. They had no difficulty getting it into the elevator where the roulette table stood.

“The other truck was at the house when I got there this morning,” remarked Tony Luggeto. “I had to go around and pick up the key that you left in the envelope at Soulard’s restaurant. I had the other fellows take the luggage to storage. One of the truckmen helped me get this crate into my truck.”

“Good,” assured Willington. “Nicky didn’t know you took out the truck?”

“Not a chance.”

“All right. Slide upstairs while I plant this machine in the roulette wheel. Where’s the floor plug?”

“Right here. Shove back the edge of the carpeting. Don’t you want me to help?”

“No. I want to be sure that Nicky isn’t around.”

“All right, boss.”

Tony left. As his footsteps died on the stone stairs, Willington opened the box. He managed to hoist the machine from its container; for without the weight of the box, the task could be accomplished by one man.

It required an effort to get the Q-ray machine into the space in the roulette pedestal, but Willington succeeded.

He attached the floor plug. Then he tested the machine. The crimson tubes sparkled. A smile appeared upon Willington’s pale face as his eyes spied an opening at the back of the pedestal. He turned about the machine and adjusted it so that the lever projected from the open space.

Then he put the roulette wheel back in place. He lifted the empty crate, carried it out and set it in the truck. He returned to the passage just as Tony Luggeto reappeared from the steps.

“Any sign of Nicky?” whispered Willington.

“Not yet.” Tony shook his head. “But he’s due soon. Got the thing planted?”

“Yes.” Willington stooped to indicate the lever, now hidden by the surface of the roulette wheel. “But don’t fool with it, Tony. It’s set just the way I want it.”

“But how does it work?”

“You won’t have to know. Leave that to me. When I give the signal once” - Willington crossed two fingers - “you press the lever all the way. A signal twice - push it back. I’ll play the right numbers. We’ll bust Nicky Donarth tonight.”

“Did you put the crate back in the truck?”

“Certainly. So you can get the machine out all alone. Load it in the crate and move the truck out tomorrow. Nicky will never know how we trimmed him.”

“Where will I take it?”

“I’ll tell you later.”

“All right,” nodded Tony. “But remember one thing. Keep out of Nicky’s office. Gyp and Turk may be around tonight. They won’t touch you in the gambling room. But in the office -“

“Don’t worry about me, Tony.”

“I’ve got to warn you. There’s two ways out from that place.

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