"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 056 - The Crime Crypt" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

man, I checked what was known about the famous international crook, Duke Larrin. I learned sufficient
to identify him as you."

"I quit the Duke Larrin stuff for a while."

"Because you knew it was becoming unsafe."

"Yes. I landed back in Mexico - my hide-out - nearly broke. That's why I -"

"Why you came here. It was clever of you. A wise step, Martin. It has paved the way to wealth for both
of us."
"Through theft?"

"Yes. Murder, also."

"What is our game?"

"To acquire objects," smiled Armsbury, "that are worth nothing."

HAVELOCK stared. Again he felt the impression that his old uncle had lost his mind. Armsbury saw the
look and chuckled.

"Articles worth nothing," repeated the old man. "That is why they must be gained. You may think that you
are clever, Martin. You cannot match your uncle. I have left a trail of strange swindles in my path. Once it
is covered, our way is clear to tremendous gain. Theft and murder are required."

The old man arose with surprising agility - a further proof that his presumed illness had been a pretense.
He crossed the living room and locked the door. Striding to the far wall, he reached into the huge
fireplace and pressed a hidden switch.

Martin Havelock stared as he saw the rear of the fireplace slide upward like a panel. The space revealed
was of considerable size. Stooping, the old man entered. He turned and beckoned. Havelock joined him.
Armsbury pressed another switch. The floor of the fireplace descended like an elevator, into blackness.

Then came light - a dim glow that showed a small vaulted room. An iron door lay beyond. Armsbury led
the way. He pressed at the side of the door. It slid away and showed a crypt beyond.

Into this larger chamber went uncle and nephew. Their footsteps awoke hollow echoes in the dim crypt.

Each wall had a door. Cecil Armsbury opened the farther one. His nephew gasped at the sight of
gleaming objects that flashed even in this dull light. Golden Buddhas with glittering emerald eyes; strange
scrolls of yellow metal; these were samples of the treasure that lay revealed.

"STOLEN goods," chuckled Cecil Armsbury. "Spoils from Chinese palaces; from Hindu temples; from
Persian mosques. Some are worth much because of the precious metal and jewels which they contain.
Others have value because of their rarity. The time has arrived, Martin, to turn the contents of this crypt
into cash. But before we can do so, we must steal - and slay!"

"Why?"