"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 249 - Five Ivory Boxes" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

it.

Last of the lot was Peter Harlingen, the noted scientist whose experiments with X rays had won him
awards as a humanitarian. But if Harlingen had any regard for the human race, it was embodied all in
himself. He was as selfish as the rest, perhaps more so.

With these four, it was one for all and all for one, each with the desire to be the final one. If anyone could
find an easy way of eliminating all the others, Talbor included, that individual would do it. Each man
wanted the magnificent Siamese ruby for his own prize; they were willing to share, however, only
because there was no other way.

"My price still stands, gentlemen," announced Talbor blandly. "At that, I am offering you a bargain. This
long-sought ruby is worth half a million dollars, to the right purchaser, with no questions asked. By
pooling your resources, you will stand in line for a sizable profit. My only purpose is to get my proper
share."

Closing the ruby within the smallest box, Talbor began to put the nest together, watching the other men as
he did, and noting their typical reactions.

Glowering, Glenlake was thinking only of the ruby. Trevose, eyes alert, was studying the way the boxes
fitted. Philmont's gaze was distant, through his spectacles. As for Harlingen, he waited until the largest
box had clicked shut, then observed the fitted nest as a whole, as though an idea had struck him.

"You can't get away with this, Talbor!" boomed Glenlake. "Can he, Trevose?"

"Impossible!" responded Trevose, in the dry style of a consulting attorney. "We happen to know the
lengths to which Talbor went to acquire the ruby."

"One word from any of us," announced Philmont, in an important tone, "and your game is up, Talbor!"

"And we shall speak that word," reminded Harlingen, "if you insist upon forcing the issue!"

Rising, Talbor picked up the five nested boxes with a satisfied smile. He stepped to a corner of the room,
removed a picture from the wall and disclosed a small safe behind it. Speaking while he turned the dial,
Talbor gave his final verdict.

"We share a common secret," he declared. "One that none of you would dare to reveal. Admitting that
we were partners in our venture, each of you can be held liable for the bribery, and resulting crimes—
including murder—that my effort to gain the ruby required."

Opening the safe as he finished, Talbor looked across his shoulder. One pair of eyes shifted hastily; they
belonged to Wilbur Glenlake.

From his angle, Glenlake had been watching Talbor turn the safe knob— something that had not
interested the rest; partly because they lacked Glenlake's advantage, partly because their minds turned to
subtler plans.

Putting the nested boxes in the safe, Talbor closed the door and twirled the knob. He reiterated his
intentions, with the precise statement: