"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 114 - The Strange Disappearance Of Joe Cardona" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

"What about that skylight?" demanded Weston. "Couldn't the murderer have
come in that way, Cardona?"
"No," replied Joe. "He would have had to go right through the studio
while
Tabor was working here. Besides, the skylight was locked when I examined it.
Jammed so tight that I decided it hadn't been opened for months."
"Why did you open it?"
 "I wasn't passing up anything, commissioner. I went out to take a look at
the roof. I couldn't clamp the skylight afterward. I'd bent the bar opening
it."
"Mention all that in your report."
Briskly, Weston marched about the room, studying strewn papers, looking
in
obscure corners. Joe and the detective watched him. Neither glanced again
toward
the skylight.
There, motion occurred. The skylight inched upward. Solid blackness
seemed
to dominate the space, there was no influx of expected sleet. Gradually, the
skylight lowered into place. Outside, a hidden watcher was on hand; some being
whose ways were as impenetrable as those of night itself.
A few minutes later, Weston finished his inspection. He turned to Cardona
and queried.
"What do you think of the time element? When would you say that Tabor
died?"
"I have no clue," returned Cardona. He paused, then added, "Only a
hunch."
"I though so," smiled Weston. "You always have hunches, Cardona. I used
to
ridicule them, but sometimes they proved good ones."
"Thanks, commissioner," laughed Cardona. "Since you ask for it, I'd say
that Tabor died at about half past eight."
"Why?"
"Because the murderer would naturally have tried to get him as soon as
possible. Tabor drank one cup of coffee in the lunch room, at eight o'clock.
Let's say he took the next at eight fifteen. The murderer had to wait until
then to load the poison in the coffee that Tabor left. If Tabor took his next
cup at eight thirty, that was when it finished him off."
Weston mused over Cardona's statement.
"Fifteen minute intervals," remarked the commissioner. "Not too short for
a habitual coffee drinker. Perhaps you are right, Cardona."
"What's more," added Joe, "if the killer knew that Tabor was due home at
ten o'clock, he'd have planned to get him quick. Tabor would have had to leave
here about nine thirty to get home at ten. Maybe he'd have gone before then.
Maybe at nine."
Weston nodded, impressed. Then, with a smile, he said:
"This time, Cardona, your hunch will have opportunity to prove itself. I
shall remember what you said and check it with Professor Murkden's test
results
to-morrow night."