"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 108 - Terror Island" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

TWO minutes later, Lovett ushered the visitor into the study. George Dalavan was a man of heavy build,
brisk in manner and of military appearance. His hair was short clipped; so was the black mustache that
he wore. His whole face was ruddy; the color was natural and not the effect of sunburn. Most
conspicuous, however, was the narrowness of his eyes.

They peered sharply from each side of a thin-bridged nose, as Dalavan darted a look toward Bagland,
who was now seated at a table in the corner. Then Dalavan concentrated upon Tolwig; he gave a cheery
smile as he reached across the desk to shake hands with the millionaire.

"I've brought it," announced Dalavan, in a smooth tone. He lifted a square-shaped suitcase and placed it
upon the desk. "The tiara once owned by the Princess de Lamballe, favorite of Marie Antoinette."

Opening the case, Dalavan removed a glittering coronet. Diamonds gleamed brightly in the light. Tolwig
received the tiara with both hands; he nodded as he studied the magnificent crown-like object.

"I saw this tiara once before," remarked Tolwig, dryly. "That was in Paris, when the tiara was the
property of the Duke of Abragoyne. I doubted that he would ever part with it."

"You know those French nobility," returned Dalavan. "They hang on to their jewels, until they go broke.
Then they part with them for a song. Fifty thousand dollars is small money for a piece like this one, Mr.
Tolwig."

"Quite true," agreed Tolwig. He opened a desk drawer and drew out a sheaf of bills. "Here is the exact
amount. Count the money, Dalavan, and give me a receipt for it."

Dalavan counted the money, which was all in bills of high denomination. He threw a restless glance
toward Bagland. The secretary's back was turned; for Bagland was busy at his table.

Dalavan reached into his pocket and pulled out a sheet of paper. Hurriedly, he thrust it out of sight; found
another sheet and used it to write a receipt. Tolwig received the written paper and slowly shook his
head.

"This is not sufficient," declared the millionaire. "The receipt merely states that you have received fifty
thousand dollars for a jeweled tiara. You should specify more than that, Dalavan. You should call it the
Lamballe tiara."

"Why?" laughed Dalavan. "You, yourself know that it is the Lamballe tiara."

"Suppose," conjectured Tolwig, "that I should show the tiara to the Duke of Abragoyne? Suppose that
he should tell me that it had been stolen from him?"

DALAVAN'S lips tightened; then the mustached man demanded:

"Why should you show the tiara to the duke?"

"Ah!" exclaimed Tolwig. "You admit, then, that the tiara was stolen?"

"I admit nothing, Mr. Tolwig. I have sold numerous curios. People never question where and how I
obtained them."