"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 020 - Kings of Crime" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

the voice of a man who had authority.

Other voices responded. One was friendly—another was gruff—a third was wheedling. A friendly laugh
of greeting broke into the conversation.

A sudden lull followed. Then, amid subdued murmurs, came the rapping of a solid object upon a table. A
meeting was in order. The buzzing died away.

A clock began to chime. Its slow strokes sounded nine. A few snatches of low conversation were
interrupted by another warning series of raps.

With complete silence gained, the important-sounding voice began to speak. No one interrupted. Quiet
listeners were intent.

Among those listeners was The Shadow!

CHAPTER II. THE SHADOW'S WARNING
"IT is nine o'clock. Let us attend to business."

The speaker was Rufus Cruikshank, newly elected mayor of Seaview City. Firm-faced, immaculate in
attire, important in bearing, he commanded the respect of those about him.

Cruikshank was seated at a large table in the Green Room of the new Hotel Pavilion. Congregated about
him were the most important citizens of Seaview City. These men constituted the Public Safety
Committee of the prosperous shore resort.

"Our new administration," declared Cruikshank, in his dignified tone, "faces a most important task.
Seaview City, gentlemen, has grown to remarkable proportions. It is our task to govern it with wisdom
and discretion.

"We have at our disposal a capable police force, headed by an excellent officer. I believe that we all have
confidence in our police chief, George Yates. He is here to-night to cooperate with us in our conference."


Cruikshank ceased speaking to turn to the end of the table, where a stalwart, red-faced man in uniform
was sitting in an uncomfortable pose. The chief's beefy countenance reddened even more as he saw all
eyes turned in his direction. Yates uttered a gruff acknowledgment of the mayor's introduction.

"We can rely upon Chief Yates," resumed Cruikshank. "He has orders to report directly to me in every
matter. It is my duty to take up all his important findings with this committee. Therefore, gentlemen, I
think that it would be wise for us to hear what the chief has to say."

Chief Yates arose at these words. He was tall and heavily built, and made a good figure despite his
bulkiness. Once on his feet, he experienced little difficulty in talking.

"Policing this city," he said, in a booming voice, "is a special kind of matter that is different from a lot of
places. People come here to enjoy themselves. We've got to take that into consideration.

"There's restrictions we've got to enforce, and the more sensible they are, the better. That's what I've
found out. It's up to you, gentlemen, to decide what you want done, and I'm the fellow to do it. But if I