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

marked important.
Judge Noy opened the letter. A strange expression came to his kindly
face.
The Shadow observed the tenseness of Noy's eyes. He knew immediately what the
letter meant.
Judge Noy had received a threat from Intimidation, Incorporated.


WATCHING the judge, The Shadow gained an inkling to the message. It was
obvious that the judge had been warned to render a decision one way or the
other. That would have caused Judge Noy no concern, if the demand called for
the proper decision. At this moment, it was obvious that when Clewiss finished
his plea, the judge would have to decide in favor of Ray Kroot. The inventor's
cause would be established as soon as proper arguments were heard.
Judge Noy looked shaky as he laid the letter aside. The Shadow knew at
once what Intimidation, Incorporated, had demanded. Under threat of death,
Judge Noy had been told to decide the case against the inventor.
For a short while, it looked as though the judge had weakened. His
countenance told all to The Shadow. Then the elderly jurist became more firm.
Gripping his gavel, he rapped for order and looked toward Elwood Clewiss. It
was plain to The Shadow that Judge Noy was ready to defy the threat of
Intimidation, Incorporated.
Elwood Clewiss arose with a confident smile. He stated that, in his
summary, he would refer to certain documents to prove conclusively that Ray
Kroot should be awarded damages. He sorted through papers that he had picked
up
from those on the table. Suddenly, he stopped; let all drop but one.
Again, The Shadow saw an expression of bewilderment. Elwood Clewiss had
lost all signs of confidence. His eyes were bulging; his rugged face had
paled.
His firm mouth twitched; there was a sag to his iron jaw.
Again, The Shadow knew his answer.
Elwood Clewiss had found a strange document among the papers that formed
his own brief. He, like Judge Noy, had received a letter from Intimidation,
Incorporated. Its order was unquestionably identical with the one that had
been
delivered to the judge's bench.
Unless Clewiss let the verdict go against his client, he would rest under
a threat of death!
It was half a minute before Clewiss spoke. When he finally found words,
his voice was weak. Crumpling the letter, he thrust it into his pocket. In
strained tones, he made the statement that his client's case had been fully
heard; that he simply asked that justice be awarded to Ray Kroot.
Slumping at his table, Clewiss buried his head in his hands. Triumph
showed at the table opposite, where the corporation lawyers gloated. A buzz
swept the courtroom while Kroot gripped wildly at his lawyer's arm, trying to
rouse him.
Watching Judge Noy, The Shadow saw the elderly jurist shake his head in
saddened fashion. Judge Noy knew why Clewiss had fluked the case. Under the
circumstances, the judge could do nothing but award the verdict to Interstate