"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 116 - Intimidation,Inc" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

listen to any proposal that is made. Very well" - the financier turned
abruptly
to Wrightley - "let us have a motion regarding the contract."


MAYOR WRIGHTLEY drew himself up in pompous fashion. He rapped with a
little gavel that lay on the table, then spoke in a compromising tone.
"As Mayor of Dorchester," announced Wrightley, "it would be my duty to
ignore this letter. It is plain that the criminal who signs himself
Intimidation, Incorporated, intends to profit, if the stadium contract goes to
Ralph C. Markallan. We can assure ourselves that the Markallan company knows
nothing of this matter; that Markallan will, himself, be threatened later.
Under such circumstances, I -"
"Give us the motion!" pleaded Radbourne. "There is no time for oratory,
your honor."
"Let us have the motion," added Clewiss, his tone as stressed as
Radbourne's. "Time is short!"
"I must finish my statement," insisted the mayor. "Under the
circumstances
mentioned, I feel that I cannot give my assent. However, as chairman of this
committee, I am willing to reserve my vote. The motion is made to give the
contract to Ralph C. Markallan."
"Seconded."
The expression came simultaneously from Radbourne and Clewiss. Promptly,
Mayor Wrightley put the matter to vote.
"All in favor -"
"Aye!"
The word was chorused by Radbourne and Clewiss. Wrightley added:
"All opposed -"
"No!" Hugh Bursard came to his feet, as he shouted the dissenting vote.
"We can't go through with this! It is robbery; we will be publicly denounced!"
"What does that matter?" demanded Radbourne. "It is better to be
denounced
than be dead."
"Sit down, Bursard," snapped Clewiss. "You have been outvoted. The
contract goes to the Markallan company."
"Not yet." Bursard turned triumphantly toward Wrightley. "You still have
a
vote, your honor."
"I am neutral," pleaded the" mayor. "I announced myself to that effect."
"You said that you would reserve your vote," reminded Bursard. "You have
done so. I now call upon you to use the vote that you reserved. Remember, too,
that you expressed yourself as against the motion."
The mayor looked troubled. So did Radbourne, but the financier could find
no argument. It was Clewiss who took up cudgels with Bursard.


"I SEE what you're after," declared the lawyer. "You think that the crook
won't go through with it. Maybe you're right, Bursard; but you're taking a
long