"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 101 - The Gray Ghost" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

footprints.

“Inasmuch as Windler often retired at eight o'clock, the investigation was confined to these grounds,
despite the fact that Windler's hat and overcoat were in the bedroom. It was not until later that we
learned of Windler's intention to go out this evening. He had an appointment with Martin Debrossler, a
banker who lives about a mile from here. Cardona can tell us what occurred at Debrossler's.”

Cardona nodded. He added a brief statement to Weston's.

“I was coming past Debrossler's at twenty minutes of nine,” declared Joe. “A butler stopped my car. He
was Furbison, who works for Debrossler. Trouble in the house; I entered and found Debrossler and his
lawyer, Pennybrook.

“Both were in the second floor study. They'd been bowled over by a robber who answered the
description of the Gray Ghost. The fellow had gone out the window with a hundred thousand dollars
intended for Windler.

“No footprints there. We've searched all the roads between this house and Debrossler's. Patrol cars have
covered highways, stopping cars leaving this area. The crook was too fast for us. He made a get-away.”

THERE was a pause following Cardona's statement. Then Weston continued the summary.

“Police boats have also patrolled the Sound,” declared the commissioner. “We have given them a fair
description of Culden; but the details are meager. Lempe and Lee Wan class him as of medium height,
slender build, dark complexion and with brown eyes and dark hair. That, however, could fit any number
of persons.
“Since Lempe did not see Culden leave the house, there is a chance that he remained here. We suspect
him of being the murderer; also of having played the part of the Gray Ghost. Having lived on Long Island
for several months, Culden could be the man responsible for previous robberies.

“There was time for him to murder Windler; then go to Debrossler's on foot; therefore, he may have had
no car. To leave Holmwood, without an automobile or a boat, Culden would have had to take the train.
Cardona, give me the report of your visit to the railroad station.”

Cardona produced a wadded paper and a local time-table.

“A train went in to the city at seven twenty-six,” stated Joe. “The next was at eight twenty-six. Culden
couldn't have taken either of them. He was here at eight o'clock and at Debrossler's at eight-thirty.”

“Precisely,” approved Weston. “Proceed, Cardona.”

“There was a train at nine twenty-six,” continued Cardona, “but Culden wasn't on it. The station agent
was out on the platform; only three people went aboard and he knew all of them. There's another train at
ten twenty-six; a last one at eleven twenty-six. I've posted men to watch both of them.”

“Culden will not be on either train,” predicted Weston. “He would have been a fool to leave here by
railroad. We can count upon it that he will not appear at the station to-night. Nevertheless, we shall leave
the men on duty.

“Come. Let us go to Debrossler's. You may accompany us, Cranston.”