"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 290 - Death has Grey Eyes" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

encouraged among my associates - my ruse was not suspected."
At least Dick could offer Greug a hand-shake, which he did, and found it
warmly received. Then:
"That makes twice you've saved my life," Dick affirmed, "but if Eric was
working on Friedrich's side, why did he try to kill me tonight?"
"Because Eric suspected the truth. He was the one man that I feared might
recognize who you really were."
"That's right." Dick rubbed his chin as he gave a reflective nod. "Eric
saw me at the prison camp. I suppose I didn't change enough - or Friedrich
couldn't have become quite enough like me - to fool Eric."
Greug's bow acknowledged the accuracy of Dick's analysis. The doctor was
pouring a refill from the wine bottle when Dick put another question:
"What could Eric hope to gain by murdering me?"
"Much. Very much," specified Greug. "It would have been quite easy to
prove your true identity after death. Your army finger-prints, for instance,
are records which so far have not been reached. The Nazis would have rewarded
Eric highly, once they learned that he was right."
"And they'd have hounded you the rest of your life."
"Which might not have been very long," declared Greug, as though that was
some slight solace. "Hence it was quite on my own account that I preferred to
have you live."
"Then the sharpshooter across the way was yours?"
"Unfortunately not." Greug's tone was a trifle sad. "I should have
arranged that little plan myself, all for Eric's benefit. Instead, others
arranged it for you."
"They mistook Eric for me?"
"Of course. Because of the dressing gown. Only they have already mistaken
you for Friedrich, just as I understand they did when you were crossing the
mountain gorge into Switzerland."
No wonder that gap across the street had seemed familiar. Dick realized
now that the shape on the parapet hadn't been a chimney, but an assassin like
those who had tried to blast the cable line. Linking this fact with Greug's
earlier statements, Dick put the question:
"You're talking about this Dolbart and his crew?"
Greug responded with a nod.
"And they're trying to kill Friedrich?"
"To reinstate themselves with the Underground, yes," replied Greug. "But
they would probably kill you instead, if they were offered the right price.
The
difference between Dolbart and Henwood is that Dolbart requires payment in
advance."
With that, Doctor Kurtz Greug delivered a convincing smile, an expression
that he had reserved until he was sure Dick Whitlock would not need it and
therefore would appraise it at face value.
Dick Whitlock was already convinced that in Doctor Greug he had a
powerful
friend, though not the only one who could help him through his present
complications.
There was one other: The Shadow!