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

can help by giving any suggestions, I'll do it when I'm called on."

Yates looked around him questioningly. He seemed to be awaiting interrogation. A sharp-faced man
seated beside the mayor took up the opportunity immediately. This was Louis Helwig, one of the
principal promoters of Seaview City.

"What about the closing hours on night clubs?" he questioned.

"There's an ordinance says one o'clock," responded the police chief. "It hasn't been regularly enforced.
The way it's worded don't make it official, unless we want to put the clamps on. Then we've got it to
use."

"Can you use it?"

"Yes."

"On what basis?"

"On complaints. It don't affect any except the ones we've got the complaints on."

"That appears satisfactory." Louis Helwig nodded as he spoke.

His nod was taken up by a man who sat beside him. This individual was a square-faced, businesslike
man, Raymond Coates by name. He was the principal real-estate dealer in Seaview City.

MAYOR CRUIKSHANK alone appeared doubtful. He shook his head slowly.

"It seems to me," he announced, "that varied interpretation of a closing ordinance can lead to both trouble
and criticism. We must have an effective weapon to deal with public nuisances.

"The license suspension covers that, your honor," prompted Chief Yates. "We can close them up tight on
complaint. We've done it quick enough, when we've been told to. The only trouble"—his face became
grim—"is, that we've been kept off too much."

"That was during the past administration," declared Cruikshank coldly. "I can assure you, chief—and all
others present—that such circumstances shall not exist while I am in office."

"What about hotels?"

The question came from a sallow, suave-faced man. Graham Hurley was the owner and manager of the
luxurious Hotel Pavilion, in which this meeting was being held. He was frank in his question, seeming to
admit that it applied to his own interests.

"We don't bother the hotels," responded Yates, "unless a lot of trouble breaks out. Then they generally
call us in before it gets bad. They've got to keep their business right. That's the way it works out."

"Gentlemen"—Rufus Cruikshank's cold voice was stern—"we are going to administer Seaview City so
that it will become the greatest resort in this country!"

"It's that already!" interposed one of the committeemen.