"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 064 - The Death Sleep" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

"I promised Tanning we'd drop in after the theater," interposed Doring. "Only the Westcotts are there.
Seth said they would be tired of bridge by the time we arrived."

With this remark, Doring rapped at the door. The sounds of merriment increased. The rap was not heard
by those within. Doring waited a few moments; then pounded with increased vigor. Again, his summons
passed unheard.

"It's a stout door," laughed Doring. "I don't think I shall smash it. So here goes."

Clenching his fist, he delivered three terrific smashes against the panel. The sound of the blows echoed
along the corridor. Yet the laughter kept on.

Doring drew back to resume his pounding. He stopped with upraised fist. The hubbub from the
apartment had come to a sudden finish.

"That did it," said Doring to his wife. "Seth must have heard those knocks. He will be here in a minute, to
let us in."

THE visitors waited patiently. Doring's minute passed. Complete silence pervaded. Yet no one came to
open the door. Doring glanced toward his wife in puzzled fashion.

"Perhaps, Clark," suggested Mrs. Doring, "they only thought they heard someone knocking. They may be
waiting to hear you rap again."

Doring nodded in agreement. He delivered several sharp raps upon the panel; then paused for the
answer. Silence persisted during another minute. Doring became impatient. He pounded.

"Curious," observed Mrs. Doring. "I wonder what can have made them behave in such odd fashion?"

Doring shook his head. He was puzzled. He decided to knock again, when an unexpected sound broke
the silence that lay within. It was the ringing of a telephone bell, quite close at hand.

"The phone in the entry," stated Doring. "Someone will come to answer it from the living room. Then I
shall rap again."

The dingle of the bell came with monotonous regularity. Like Doring's raps, it went unanswered. Doring
looked at his wife, more puzzled than ever. One minute - then the ringing ceased.

"Ah!" said Doring, listening. Then, in an awed tone: "That's more curious than ever, Mabel!"

"What, Clark?"

"I heard no footsteps coming to the door. No one is speaking at the telephone -"

Doring broke off as the ringing of the telephone bell resumed. It continued for another minute; then
stopped. Again, there was a short interval. After that, the bell sounded its mechanical call, ring after ring.

When the bell stopped for the third time, both Doring and his wife were breathless. They still expected
some response, yet none came. Even the telephone bell had silenced this time. Two tense minutes
passed. Doring pounded the door; then stopped and shrugged his shoulders.