"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 139 - The Sealed Box" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

admitted that he did not know the mysterious being's identity.
Belver was impressed. As he arose from his deep chair, he expressed his
willingness to be ready in the morning. He was considering names of men for
his
committee, when a sudden thought occurred to him. He questioned:
"Does any one else know that you have received this box?"
"My niece, Eunice." Whilton was referring to the girl who still stood,
unnoticed, outside the study door. "I showed her the box and told her what it
was. Eunice can be trusted."
"What about the servants?"
"They know nothing." Whilton paused; then added: "It happens, though,
that
Rufus Vosgle was here this evening."
"In this room?" demanded Belver, anxiously. "Where he could see the
sealed
box?"
"Vosgle was here," admitted Belver. "Alone, for a few minutes, while we
were finishing dinner. Afterward, I talked with him -"
"But where was the box during that time?"
 "In the desk drawer, all the while."
"Was the drawer unlocked?"
"Yes. I remember that, because I opened the drawer after Vosgle had gone.
That was when I showed the box to Eunice."


BELVER paced the floor. His lips were compressed, as though holding back
some statement. Whilton saw it.
"I know you do not approve of Vosgle," said the old man. "Nor do I,
Belver. I must admit, though, that I have always found him to be a competent
attorney. He is the best lawyer in this city."
"Certainly," agreed Belver, "if you call the smartest the best. Plenty of
crooks have found Vosgle a good lawyer. That's why they hire him to defend
them."
"I know it. To-day, I would never choose Vosgle as a counselor. It simply
happens that he was my attorney before he went into criminal practice.
Ethically, he had a right to do so. He and I have argued the point, often."
Belver shook his head.
"Perhaps I am prejudiced," he admitted. "I cannot tolerate crime in any
form. If I were a lawyer, I would never defend a criminal. Somehow, I feel
that
a lawyer who does so should be branded as a crook himself. But since you trust
Vosgle, I am satisfied."
Belver shook hands with Whilton. Eunice took that opportunity to slide
away from the door. She was on the stairs when her uncle and his visitor came
out through the hall. When the big front door closed, Whilton went back to his
study, without a glance toward the second floor.
Stealing upstairs to her room, Eunice reached the other side of the
house.
She heard the rhythm of Belver's smooth-motored car. She watched the
taillights