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

“Yes. In my big car. Towden, the chauffeur, was driving. We called Towden from another house, a short
while ago. I talked to him at the Manhattan garage where he always parks the car.”

“What did he have to say?”

“Simply that he had driven straight into the city and reached the theater before nine o'clock. He delivered
all four passengers in time for a late movie.”

“I see. What time did the young men arrive here?”

“At seven o'clock, for dinner. They were here until half past eight. My daughters can vouch for that,
commissioner.”

THERE was an unpleasant pause. Debrossler seemed piqued because Weston had quizzed him
concerning persons who could not have had a part in either crime. It was The Shadow who ended the
pause; he delivered a remark in the quiet tone of Cranston.

“One point is evident, commissioner,” he stated. “Any one who left Holmwood and went directly to the
city would have a perfect alibi covering a period of at least one hour.”

“It only takes thirty minutes to drive into town,” objected Weston.

“And thirty to return,” added The Shadow. “Of course”—he paused, speculatively—“if one went by
train, the period would be longer. Let me see that time-table, Cardona.”

The Shadow secured the train schedule.

“Yes, I am right. The railroad trip requires forty minutes. In by train, out by automobile, at least
seventy-five minutes. One hour and a quarter—”

“That has nothing to do with the matter, Cranston,” interrupted Weston, testily. “Your calculations are
unnecessary. Why concern yourself with the time element?”

The Shadow smiled. In Cranston's fashion, he glanced at his watch.
“It is nearly eleven,” he remarked. “I wish to be in New York before midnight. Hence I must leave you,
commissioner. May I use your telephone, Mr. Debrossler?”

Then, before the banker could reply, The Shadow corrected himself.

“Ah, I had forgotten. Your wire has been cut. Very well, I shall call the club from a store in Holmwood.”

THE SHADOW departed. Weston reviewed his summary for the benefit of Debrossler and
Pennybrook. The commissioner made his exit with Cardona. They started toward the town of
Holmwood. Not far past the street to Windler's, they heard the tinkling of a grade-crossing bell. Cardona
pointed to flashing lights.

“That's the eleven twenty-six,” said Cardona. “Just starting into town. We can stop and tell the two men
to go off duty, commissioner.”

Weston agreed. The chauffeur swung the car into a driveway beside the old-fashioned station that