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

Now he was safe—free from any avenging hand. He could write a warning letter to Bruce Duncan from
the Middle West; and could keep on to California; then to Australia.

These thoughts were in Berchik's mind as he rounded a long curve, on the side of a hill. Below him, at the
right, yawned a deep ravine.

"Prince Zuvor is clever," murmured Berchik. "This is the plan he chose for escape. They are watching
him—as they watched me. But there is no danger for me now. I am safe. They cannot strike me."

He turned the wheel to the left, as the curve increased. From the back of the car he heard a slight click.
He wondered what it meant. Then came a second click.

A sudden fear came over Berchik. He thrust his foot forward to the brake pedal.

But his action was too late. Before Berchik could save himself from the unknown danger, a terrific
explosion came from the rear of the car.

The back of the light coupe was lifted upward as though by a giant hand. The shattered automobile
hurtled forward and crashed through the fence at the side of the road.
Rolling in its plunge, the car fell over and over into the ravine below, leaving a trail of wreckage as it
went. It smashed into a large tree, and its course ended there.

In ten brief seconds, the speeding automobile had become a battered hulk, and in the mass of twisted
metal and broken glass lay the dead body of Berchik.

CHAPTER II. ONE HOUR TO LIVE
THE young reporter glanced nervously at his wrist watch as he sat by the window in the waiting room.
Nearly four o'clock. He had been waiting half an hour.

He looked out the window and studied the myriad buildings that lay below. Manhattan was an amazing
spectacle when viewed from the thirty-eighth floor of the Farworth Building; but his eyes scarcely saw the
scene.

He was anxiously waiting his interview with Jonathan Graham, the millionaire importer.

The reporter started suddenly as a quiet, somber man approached and spoke to him.

"I am Mr. Berger," explained the man. "I am Mr. Graham's secretary. What can I do for you?"

The reporter arose and fumbled nervously with his hat.

"Stevens is my name," he said. "Reporter on the Morning Sphere. I'd like a private interview with Mr.
Graham."

"He is very busy," replied the secretary smoothly. "I usually take care of these matters for him."

"I must see him personally."

The secretary shrugged his shoulders.