"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 004 - The Red Menace" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

Prince Zuvor gazed intently at Berchik.

"I believe I recognize you," he said. "I remember you now. It is many years since you came to my palace
in Petrograd, with your master -"
The tall man ended his sentence abruptly, as though loath to mention the name that was upon his lips.
Berchik nodded to show that he understood.

"Your master is dead," said Prince Zuvor quietly.

"Yes," replied Berchik, in a voice choked with emotion.

"He was not so fortunate as I," continued Zuvor. "All of my wealth has been saved. He lost much; but I
have heard that he managed to retain a considerable portion of his valuables."

Berchik nodded.

"That is why I have come here to-night," he said eagerly. "I am in danger, your excellency. You are the
only one to whom I can turn for help."

Prince Zuvor smiled sympathetically.

"When Prince"—Berchik caught his words—"when my master died, he left me with a singular mission. I
was to bring what remained of his vast wealth here to America, to divide it among men who had
befriended my master when he was in trouble."

"Did you succeed?"

"Yes. After difficulties. I dealt with one man alone—the man who had been appointed by my master to
divide the wealth among the others.

"But since then, I have been hounded. Agents of the Reds have been upon my trail. I have not dared to
attempt an escape."

"What do they want of you? Do you still have any of your master's wealth?"

"None of it. I have some money of my own enough to enable me to escape."

"Why do they seek you then?"

"To learn the name of the man to whom I delivered the jewels," explained Berchik. "They seek to capture
me, to torture me; that I may betray my trust.

"For if they learn the name of that man—a name which I alone know - they will seek to take his portion
from him."

"He received more than the others?" questioned Prince Zuvor.

"Yes," replied Berchik, "he gained twice as much as any other; and he knows the names of all to whom
he delivered a share."