"020 (B026) - Death in Silver (1934-10) - Lester Dent" - читать интересную книгу автора (Robeson Kenneth)

The last crime committed by the Silver Death's-Heads


was the cold-blooded sinking of the liner Avallancia,


pride of the Transatlantic Company, in New York


harbor.




Bedford Burgess Gardner, president of the


Transatlantic Company, has not been able to explain


what motive could have been behind the sinking


of the Avallancia.



"Wild stuff," commented Monk.



"Typical newspaper sensationalism." Ham clipped, agreeing with Monk because he still resented being questioned by the reporters. "Silver Death's-Heads! Imagine that! What rot!"



"Too melodramatic to have much foundation in truth," Monk added. "I doubt if there are really any men called the Silver Death's-Heads. This particular tabloid colors its news to beat the band."



The two men had been making no effort to pitch their voices low, and a number of the Seven Seas office employees huddled in the room of the antique dealer overheard what was being said. Among those who could not help but catch the words was Clarence Sparks.



Mention of the Silver Death's-Heads caused Clarence to stiffen visibly, then look undecided. He hesitated, mustering up his nerve. As yet, he had not told any one of what he had overheard outside the door of Paine L. Winthrop's private office, but hearing Monk state his belief that there were no such individuals as Silver Death's-Heads apparently moved Clarence to speak. He sidled over to Monk and Ham.



"You - you gentlemen are mistaken," he said hesitantly.