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

thin,
black gloves. Above the upturned collar of his cloak was the brim of a slouch
hat, that completely shaded the features beneath them. Only the piercing glow
of firelike eyes was visible.
The Shadow, master sleuth who battled men of crime, had arrived in
Dorchester. He was here to pit his skill against that of the slayer who had so
recently dealt double death.
There was definite reason for The Shadow's presence in this city. Recent
events in Dorchester had forewarned him that crime might soon be due.
Financial
conditions in that prosperous city had undergone some curious changes.
One by one, big business men had entered into unaccountable transactions,
that had brought them great losses. None had explained their actions, although
the Dorchester newspapers had sought interviews with them. The latest event -
more astonishing than any before - had been Meldon's seemingly insane
sacrifice
of a controlling interest in Dorchester Light & Power. That event had brought
The Shadow to Dorchester.
Gaining some clue that linked Meldon with Lenning, The Shadow had reached
the notary's office, but only after death had struck.


A BRIEF view of the scene told The Shadow that a murderer had cunningly
contrived to cover the crimes. Noting the muzzle of the revolver held by
Meldon, The Shadow saw two chambers that contained used cartridges. Beside
Meldon was the opened desk drawer; in it, a box of cartridges of the gun's
caliber.
Circumstances indicated that Meldon had come here and engaged in a
quarrel
with Lenning. The scene gave the impression that Meldon had slain Lenning,
vainly tried to stow the notary's body in the closet, then, losing his nerve,
had committed suicide. There were details, though, that immediately told The
Shadow how the scene had been faked.
Chief of these was the position of Meldon's body.
The dead man's chair was too close to the desk. If he had voluntarily
shot
himself, Meldon would have jolted back with the impact of the bullet. Toppling
forward later, he would not have reached the desk. It was obvious, therefore,
that Meldon had been placed upon the chair and shifted forward to assume his
present position.
While The Shadow pictured the exact way in which the murder had been
done,
he noticed the letter and the notebook beside Meldon's arm. Spreading the
letter, The Shadow observed that it was a brief one, neatly typed on paper
that
bore no letterhead. It was addressed to Ludwig Meldon, and was couched in
definite terms.
The letter read as follows:

DEAR SIR: On or before the 12th of this month, you will openly dispose of