The Shadow - 103 - The Crime Oracle by Maxwell Grant

Author:Maxwell Grant
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Street & Smith
Published: 1936-06-21T22:00:00+00:00

“All can be seen by the eyes of Zovex,” it announced. “I have viewed the place where the diamonds lie.

They are where they can now be regained.”

Hal gaped. His first observation had given him two theories regarding the Oracle. One, that Professor Caglio was a ventriloquist. That idea was shattered. Hal was standing closer to The Head than was Caglio. The professor could not have simulated the voice. Not on this occasion, at least. Ventriloquism was impossible, under present conditions.

Hal’s second theory was that of a mechanical head. The previous statements had sounded like set remarks. The present utterance was too prolonged, too sustained to be that of a mere machine. Hal tried another question.

“When can the diamonds be regained?”

“Tomorrow,” responded Zovex, “I shall speak again.”

“You will know the answer at that time?”

“Yes. I shall speak when the moment arrives.”

“And you will know about the diamonds? Where they are?”

“All will be known to Zovex.”

Hal was convinced that The Head lived. Professor Caglio was plucking at the visitor’s sleeve.

Persistently, the young man put another question to the Oracle.

“Since you know the future,” queried Hal, “why is it necessary to wait?”

“Zovex has spoken,” grated The Head. Eyes glared; their gleam lifelike. “When fools hear words of wisdom, they should not expect added explanation!”

The tone was a harsh rebuke.

Caglio was tugging Hal away.

“Come!” cautioned the professor. “Do not offend the Oracle! Zovex will speak again tomorrow. Come!

We can talk together in my study.”

Hal followed the professor from the room. Hal’s head was in a whirl. His second theory was flattened.

His chance questions, particularly the last, were ones that could not have been accurately anticipated. No phonographic records could have accounted for those sharp responses. The Head was alive!

WHEN they reached the study, Hal slumped in a chair. He was totally bewildered. He was positive that he had viewed the same head that he had seen upon the clumpy man in New York. Yet this head had rested in a box upon a table; and the pedestal leg of the table was less than two feet square.

Professor Caglio must have noted his guest’s bewilderment. He clamped a friendly hand upon Hal’s shoulders.

“Wait here,” he remarked. “I shall bring the models of some new inventions that will interest you. We shall have time to discuss them, since you will remain overnight.”

“No!” Hal was on his feet before Caglio reached the door. “I must go into New York. Positively! I can come out tomorrow.”

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