Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter IV
”
“Oh,maybeit’saweddingpresent,”exclaimedHilma,hereyessparkling.
“Well,maybeitis,”returnedherhusband.“Here,m’son,helpmeinwiththis.”
AnnixterandyoungVaccaborethecaseintothesitting-roomofthehouse,andAnnixter,hammerinhand,attackeditvigorously.Vaccadiscreetlywithdrewonsignalfromhismother,closingthedoorafterhim.Annixterandhiswifewereleftalone.
“Oh,hurry,hurry,”criedHilma,dancingaroundhim.
“Iwanttoseewhatitis.Whodoyousupposecouldhavesentittous?Andsoheavy,too.Whatdoyouthinkitcanbe?”
Annixterputtheclawofthehammerunderneaththeedgeoftheboardtopandwrenchedwithallhismight.Theboardshadbeenclampedtogetherbyatransversebarandthewholetopoftheboxcameawayinonepiece.Alayerofexcelsiorwasdisclosed,andonitaletteraddressedbytypewritertoAnnixter.Itborethetrade-markofabusinessfirmofLosAngeles.AnnixterglancedatthisandpromptlycaughtitupbeforeHilmacouldsee,withanexclamationofintelligence.
“Oh,Iknowwhatthisis,”heobserved,carelesslytryingtorestrainherbusyhands.“Itisn’tanything.Justsomemachinery.Letitgo.”Butalreadyshehadpulledawaytheexcelsior.Underneath,intemporaryracks,weretwodozenWinchesterrepeatingrifles.
“Why—what—what—”murmuredHilmablankly.
“Well,Itoldyounottomind,”saidAnnixter.“Itisn’tanything.Let’slookthroughtherooms.”
“Butyousaidyouknewwhatitwas,”sheprotested,bewildered.“Youwantedtomakebelieveitwasmachinery.
