"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 237 - Alibi Trail" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

Purnell was a man who thrived on high finance; but, with all his reputed wealth, he lived in Spartan
simplicity.

Even in Manhattan, Purnell drove his own car, instead of depending on taxicabs or keeping a chauffeured
limousine, both of which he regarded as too expensive. He didn't like the subways because he was too
often recognized. Very probably, Purnell was having trouble, at present, getting through traffic to the
Hotel Metrolite. If so, he would be doing a lot of grumbling, for Purnell was noted for his habit of
punctuality; and on this occasion, he would be late.

There was a doorman out front, who would certainly take charge of the car when Purnell appeared;
nevertheless, the financier would be in glowery mood, which was something else that Margo wanted to
see.

"I didn't know that Purnell belonged to the association," remarked Margo to Cranston. "How important is
he?"

"He runs it," Cranston responded. "It's fortunate he does, or the association might degenerate into a
racket."

Margo paused on lookout duty to give Cranston a puzzled gaze. His statement was doubly surprising.
She didn't expect him to toss bouquets to Purnell; nor could Margo picture Cranston, himself, connected
with anything that resembled a racket. For Margo Lane was quite convinced that Lamont Cranston was
none other than The Shadow, master foe to crime. His business was cracking rackets, not establishing
them.

Which made the situation more intriguing, as Margo considered it. Cranston's membership in the
association could mean that he was handling the case from the inside. She hoped that her sudden
expression of interest would cause Cranston to tell her more. He did.

"QUITE a title, the Manufacturers Security Association," spoke Cranston in his calm, even-toned style.
"It was formed by independent manufacturers, to insure themselves against unusual conditions arising
from the demands of national defense projects."

Margo put a query:

"You mean these manufacturers are engaged in supplying defense materials?"

"Just the opposite," corrected Cranston. "These men represent ordinary everyday industries, and want to
preserve their status. Let me give you an example, Margo. Suppose the government should demand all
the aluminum in the country, what would happen to a manufacturer who makes aluminum kitchenware?"

"He would go out of business, of course."

"Not if he belonged to the M.S.A.," stated Cranston, using the abbreviated term for the Manufacturers
Security Association. "The other manufacturers would take care of him."

"But - how?"

"That seems to be a problem." Cranston smiled, reflectively. "Some say that orders should be assigned,
pro rata, by other members of the association. Others think the individual members should be insured,