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

NOY went out to the elevator with Bursard. The Shadow waited; it was
several minutes before the judge returned.
Meanwhile, a taxicab sped away along the street below, carrying Bursard
in
the direction of the building where MXDO was located. It was not far to the
radio station; The Shadow estimated that Bursard could make the trip in about
five minutes. It was lucky that his trip was a short one, for the clock on
Judge Noy's mantel showed twenty minutes after eight. In ten minutes, Bursard
would be on the air.
Judge Noy seemed quite at ease when he returned to his sitting room. He
had evidently contacted the detective who served as elevator operator. To make
sure that both headquarters men were on the job, he picked up a telephone and
asked for the doorman. The Shadow heard the judge ask if all was well. His
smile showed that he had received an affirmative reply.
It was twenty-five minutes after eight. Judge Noy turned on the radio; he
twisted the dial to await the broadcast from MXDO.
The Shadow waited no longer. Edging along the wall, he raised himself
upon
one of the lion's heads and managed a stretch to the edge of the penthouse
roof.
A few moments later, he swung atop the penthouse and lay rested by a small
hedge
that fringed the gardenlike summit.
The roof was arranged like an Italian garden, in artificial pathways that
led beneath sculptured arches. There were benches; also a little fountain that
tinkled softly as the water dripped from its bowled center. Just past an
archway were a pair of railings; between them, the flat door that afforded
entrance to the interior of the penthouse. Keeping to stretches of darkness,
The Shadow approached the trapdoor.
 He found it fastened from the inside, but loose enough to be jimmied
without difficulty. Here was the weakness to Judge Noy's stronghold; one that
would certainly be known to any one who was at all acquainted with the
penthouse.
From the way that Noy had spoken, The Shadow was convinced that
Wrightley,
Clewiss and Radbourne had probably paid visits here in the past. They, as much
as Bursard, could know that the penthouse might be reached from above.
The word had gone around the circle of four. All knew that Judge Noy
expected Bursard to expose Intimidation, Incorporated, over the radio. Among
themselves, they were certain that Bursard would not do so; but they also knew
that Judge Noy would notify the press if Bursard failed him.
Four men - all impelled by a desire for silence. Three, because they
feared; a trio that would sit by helplessly despite their desperation. But the
fourth, who also wanted silence, was inspired by a different reason.
He was Intimidation, Incorporated; a master crook who knew the facts, who
would not hesitate to deliver death where bluff failed. That powerful criminal
had but one measure upon which he could rely. That was to silence Judge Noy
forever, before nine o'clock tonight. To reach the judge, the supercrook could
choose but one route. He would have to pass through this portal on the roof,