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Grant, Maxwell - The Shadow 018 (32-11-15) - Dead Men Live - Walter
Transcript of Grant, Maxwell - The Shadow 018 (32-11-15) - Dead Men Live - Walter
DEADMENLIVE
byMaxwellGrant
Asoriginallypublishedin“TheShadowMagazine,”November15,1932.
Deadmenlivesothatcrimecanbeking!Nothingistoogreattostopthemasterschemeronhispathtopower!Nothing-untilhemeetsTheShadow!
CHAPTERI
AMANWITHAMESSAGE
THEglaringheadlightofthebiglocomotivecametoaslowstopastheWestShoreExpresspulledintotheWeehawkenTerminal.Astationattendantpulledopentheexitgate.Dimfiguresofalightingpassengersappearedupontheplatformandbecameanadvancingthrong.Theattendantidlywatchedtheapproachinggroup.
Twomenwerestandingashortdistancefromthegate.Awayfromtheglimmerofthelocomotiveheadlight,theywereobscureandunnoticed.Liketheattendant,theywerewatchingthepeoplecomingdowntheplatform.
“He’llbehereinhalfaminute,Jake,”saidoneinanundertone.“We’vegottospothimthesecondheshowsup.Rightontheferrywithhim.”
“Igotyou,Biff,”wasJake’sreply.
Thetwomenwaited.Althoughtheyweretense,neitheroneappearedexcited.Thiswasnotsurprising.Watchingforapassengercomingfromatrainwasno
greattaskfor“Biff”Towleyandhisfellowwatcher,JakeBosch.ForBiffTowleywasoneofthecraftiestmobsmeninallNewYork,andhiscompanionwashiscounterpart.
Atall,youthfulmancamethroughthegatewiththelastofthepassengersleavingtheExpress.BiffTowleynudgedhiscompanion.
Bothmenseemedtobedisinterestedbystandersasthetallpassengerglancednervouslyintheirdirection.Butastheyoungmancontinuedtowardtheferry,thetwoself-effacinggangstersswungalongbehindhim.
“It’sLouisSteffan,allright,”whisperedBiffTowley.“Separatewhenwereachtheboat.Youstayaheadofhim.I’llbeinback.”
JakeBoschgruntedhisagreement.
Intheferryboat,LouisSteffancontinuedthroughtothefrontdeck.There,heleanedagainsttherailandstaredacrossthelight-studdedwatersoftheHudson.
Hefumbledinhispocketanddrewforthacigarette.Helighteditwithtremblinghand.Asheraisedthematchtowardhisface,Steffandidnotnoticeanothermanwholeanedupontherailclosebesidehim.ItwasJakeBosch.
THEgangsterthrewasidelongglancetowardSteffan.Hecouldseethepalloroftheyoungman’sface;thetwitchingofhislips,theblinkingofhiseyelids.ThenthematchdroppedovertherailandSteffan’sfacebecameawhiteblurinthedarknessastheferryslidfromitsslip.
JakeBoschdrewbackasLouisSteffannervouslythrewthecigaretteintotheriverandstartedtowardthefrontgateoftheferry.AsSteffanpausedthere,Jaketurnedandsaunteredidlyintothecabinwherehestoodwithinthedoor.BiffTowleywasseatedcloseathand.Nooneelsewasnear.
“Helooksnervous,Biff,”saidJake,inalowtone.
“Heoughtto,”camethereply,withaneasy,uglylaugh.“Keepaheadofhimontheotherside.I’mstickingclosewithhim.Rememberoneofushasgottopointhimout!”
Jakenoddedandwentbackondeck.
ThewaterwaschurningastheferryapproachedtheslipontheNewYorkside.ThemyriadlightsofManhattanwereblottedastheboatcameclosetotheroofoftheferryhouse.
Whenthegatewasopened,LouisSteffanwasoneofthefirsttoleave.HesawnothingsuspiciousintheformofJakeBosch,walkingswiftlyahead.NordidhenoticetheidlingshapeofBiffTowley,whowasstrollingonbehindhim.
LouisSteffanstoppedatarowofphonebooths.HefumblednervouslythroughthepagesoftheManhattandirectory.BiffTowley,afewfeetaway,smiledgrimly.Hesteppedintooneofthetelephoneboothsandheldanickelpoisedabovetheslot.
LouisSteffan’sfingerwascheckinganame.Hehadfoundwhathedesired-thetelephonenumberofClarkMurdock.Hemovedtowardthephonebooths.
Asheapproached,Towley’snickelclickedandthegangsterdialedBarmont
4-9356.
Astrangecoincident!ThatwastheverynumberthatSteffanhadnotedinthebook.
BiffTowleywastalkinginalow,quietvoicewhenLouisSteffanbegantodial.Listeningatthereceiver,Steffanheardtheclang-clangofthebusysignal.Hehungupthetelephoneandwaited.
BiffTowleywasstilltalkingwhenSteffandialedagain.Oncemore,hecaughtthebusysignal.
LouisSteffansteppedfromhisphoneboothandglancednervouslyathiswatch.Hewalkedhurriedlyaway.
BiffTowley,seeinghimthroughthewindowofthebooth,quietlyendedhisconversationandsteppedfromthecompartment.HesawSteffan’stallformgoingthroughthedoortoataxistand.WhenBiffreachedthespot,twocabs
weredrawingaway.NeitherLouisSteffannorJakeBoschwereinsight.
BiffTowleygrinnedandwalkedeastwardonForty-secondStreet.
LOUISSTEFFANhadtakenthefirstcabhehadseenatthestand.HehadgiventheaddressofClarkMurdock-whichhehadnotedinthephonebook.Nowridinguptown,theyoungmanwashighlyperturbed.
HehadcometoNewYorkwithadefinitepurpose-tocommunicatewithClarkMurdock.UntilhehadreachedtheManhattanferryterminal,hehadgainednoopportunity.Thatphonecallwiththebusysignal,hadbeenawasteoftime.Steffanwaswaitingnolonger.Hewasgoingdirectlytothemanwhohewishedtosee.
Asthecabstoppedatatrafficlight,Steffanpulledanotebookfromhiscoatpocket.Hescannedthepagesofshorthandnotationsthathehadmade.
Therecollectionoftheriskhehadruntogetthemmadehimshudder.Hepicturedhimselflisteningatthedooroftheroomwheretwomenhadbeentalking;andtoSteffan’sblinkingeyescameavividportraitofoneofthespeakers.
IvanOrlinov!Thenamewasinscribedamongthenotes.Steffanshuthiseyesasthecabjerkedforward.Infancyhesawashrewd,beardedface-thecountenanceofademon!
Steffanclenchedhisfists.IvanOrlinovwaseverywhere,itseemed!Heopenedhiseyesandblinkedatthelightsoftheavenue,asthevisionfaded.
Helaughedahoarse,nervouslaugh.Hewassafe,here,withalltheselights.SafeinNewYork,withOrlinovmilesaway.Hetriedtofeelateaseandgraduallyhisqualmsended.Reasontoldhimthattherewasnodangerforthepresent.TheimmediatetaskwastodeliverhismessagetoClarkMurdock.
Steffanglancedathiswatch.Itwastenminutesafternine.TherewasmenacehereinNewYork-butitthreatenedanotherman.Steffanalonecouldthwartit-forhe,alone,knewthesecret.
Hewassurethatnothingcouldhappenuntilteno’clock.Fiftyminutesyet-andnowthecabwasswervingfromtheavenue.Oneblock-twoblocks-thetaxistoppedinthecenterofthethird.Steffanwasreadywiththefare.
Thrustinghisnotebookinhispocket,theyoungmanalightedandstooduponthesidewalkwhilethecabrolledaway.
Itwasasomberneighborhood.Thenightwasgloomywithovercastingclouds,andinthisobscurepartofManhattan,theoldbuildingsseemedliketombs.Thenumberofthisoldhousereflectedbythelightbehindthetransom,showeddimlyabovethedoor.
LouisSteffanhadreachedthehomeofClarkMurdock.
STEFFANglancedupanddownthestreetbeforehewenttowardthesteps.Hesawacarparkedhalfablockaway.Itslightswereoffandhegaveitnosecondthought.Impulsively,heturnedtoapproachthesteps.Ashedid,hesensedamanbesidehim.
AnexclamationfrozeonSteffan’slips.Thestrangerwhohadcloseduponhimwasashort,stockyman;andinhishandwastheglimmerofsteel.ThemuzzleofarevolverpressedagainstLouisSteffan’sribs.
“Movealong,”cameaharsh,coldvoice.“Onepeepoutofyouandyougettheworks.Savvy?”
Trembling,LouisSteffanallowedhimselftobeforcedalongthestreet-awayfromthehousehehadsought-awayfromtheoneplacethatofferedsafety.Theparkedcarwasmovingslowlytowardhim.Shivering,withthepressureofthegunagainsthisback,theyoungmanfalteredforwardathiscaptor’sbidding.
Thelowlyingcarmetthem,twentyyardsfromthehouse.ItwasasedanandthereardooropenedastheautomobilearrivedbesideSteffanandthemanwhoguardedhim.
Withinthesedan,LouisSteffansawthevagueformofanotherenemy.There,asbefore,hecaughttheglimmerofarevolver.
AnudgefromhiscaptorandSteffansteppedintothecar.Hehuddledbackuponthecushions,hishandsraisedpiteouslyashisfrightened,staringeyessawthesecondrevolvercoveringhim.
“Getgoing,”saidthemanonthecurb.
“Right,Jake,”camethegrowlofLouisSteffan’snewguard.
Thefirstcaptorclosedthedoor.Thecarpulledaway.LouisSteffanwasgoingforaride.
JAKEBOSCHlaughedashesawthesedandisappeararoundthenearestcorner.Hegavehisrevolveratwirlandpocketeditinaleisurelymanner.
Hestrolledalongthestreettothecornerintheoppositedirection.There,hewalkedcalmlypastauniformedpolicemanandturneddowntheavenue.Hereachedadrugstoreonthenextcornerandenteredaphonebooth.Aminutelater,hewastalkingtoBiffTowley.
“O.K.,Biff,”saidJake,tersely.“Theboyswerewaiting.They’vegoneaway-withapassenger.”
“Youweretherefirst?”camethevoiceofBiff.
“Iwasneartherefirst,”repliedJake.“Madegoodtimeinmycab.Gotoutablockaway.Walkeddowntothehouseanddroppedoutofsightwhenourfriendcamealong.”
“Goodwork,Jake.Seeyoulater.I’vegotanothercalltomake.”
Leavingthedrugstore,JakeBoschreturnedalongtheblockpastClarkMurdock’shome.Hegrinnedashepassedthehousewherehehadmadehiscapture.Hecontinuedonataleisurelygait.Hisjobwasfinished.
Hardenedunderlingofacallousedgangleader,itwasJakeBosch’sdutytoobeyorders,withoutknowingwhy.Tonight’sbusinesswasamysterytohim.
BiffTowleyhadstationedmobsmeninthecarnearMurdock’shomeandhad
takenJakewithhimtoWeehawkentointerceptLouisSteffan-amanofwhomJakehadneverbeforeheard.
Jakehaddoneotherjobslikethisone.Hewastheskilledpilotwhosteeredvictimstowaitingautomobiles.WheretheywentorwhathappenedtothemwasamatterofnoconcerntoJakeBosch.
HefeltnointerestorsympathyforLouisSteffan.ThatyoungmanwasmerelyanotheronthelistofthosewhomBiffTowleyhadchosentoobliterate.
SoJakeforgottheentirematterasheheadedforhisfavoritenightclub,ahauntwherebrightlightsandgaudywomenlured.HedidnotrealizethattonighthehadplayedavitalpartintheschemesofmencraftierthanBiffTowley.
ForLouisSteffanhadbroughtasingularmessagetoNewYork.Hadhedeliveredit,hemighthavefrustratedtheprogressofstrangeandincrediblecrime.Buthehadfailed-hewhoalonehadgainedaninklingofafiendishplot.
UpintheBronx,thedeathcarwasstoppedbesideadesertedlot.Amuffledshot-adyinggasp-andallwasover.ThedooropenedandthebodyofLouisSteffantumbledfromthesedan.Thecartraveledonitsway.
Thenfromtheloweredwindowflutteredfragmentsofpaper,whichscatteredwidelyinthebreezeasthecarswepthomewardtowardManhattan.LouisSteffan’sshorthandnotesweremeetingwithdestruction.
Themanwiththemessagewasdead-andhismessagewasgoneforever.Tothepolice,itwouldbeanotherganglandkilling.BythetimethatLouisSteffan’sbodywasfoundandhisemptypocketssearched,theunknowncrimewouldbeaccomplished!
CHAPTERII
ASTRANGEDISCOVERY
“Stepintothelaboratory,gentlemen.Mydemonstrationisready.”
Thespeakerwasastoop-shouldered,gray-hairedmanoffiftyyears.Hewasgarbedinawhitegown.Hewasaddressingagroupofkeen,intelligent-lookingmenwhowereseatedinalittlelivingroom.
Thisman,towhomtheothersgavecloseandrespectfulattention,wasClarkMurdock,whosechemicalexperimentshadgainedhimanenviedreputation
Themenaroseandfollowedthechemistintohislaboratory.ItwastherearroomonthesecondfloorofMurdock’soldhouse.Hehadchosenthissecludedspot,awayfromthemainarteriesofManhattan,thathemightconducthisexperimentswithoutdisturbance.
Murdock’slaboratorywasaremarkableplace.Itcontainedshelvesofbottles,longtablesstrewnwithappliancesandpiecesofoddlyassortedmachinery.Hisguestslookedaboutthemwithinterest,andthechemistsmiledashesawtheirwonderingglances.
Thesemenhadcometoseeapracticaldemonstrationofhisnewexperimentsinatomicdisintegration.ClarkMurdockhadmadesomeremarkablediscoveries,butherealizedthatfewofhisvisitorswouldunderstandtheirfullsignificance.
Motioningthementochairs,Murdockgazedabouthimwiththeairofaninstructorabouttoaddressaclass.Hewaiteduntilsilencehadbeenobtained;thenstaredathissolemn-facedassistantinthecorner.
“Youmaygo,Stevens,”hesaid,brusquely.
“Yes,sir,”saidtheman,withaslightbow.“Doyouwishmetowaituntilthetruckmencome,sir?”
“That’sright,”declaredMurdock,withanod.“Theyweretoreturnforthatboxtheybroughtherebymistake.Ishallattendtothat,Stevens.Youleftitbytheelevator,didyounot?”
“Yes,sir.”
“Verywell.Ishallanswertheirring.Goodnight,Stevens.”
ThesolemnassistantleftthelaboratoryandMurdockagainsmiledathisguests.
“Stevensisagoodassistant,gentlemen,”hesaid,quietly.“Heknowsnothing.Thatismuchbetterthanknowingtoomuch-assomeassistantsdo.”
Theotherslaughedatthechemist’switticism.Murdocklookedaboutthegroup.Henotedtwomenwhoimpressedhimmorethananyothers.Theywereseatedsidebyside.
OnewasDoctorGeraldSavette,akeen-visagedmanwhostoodhighinhisprofession.TheotherwasLamontCranston,awealthymillionaire,whowasalikelyinvestorinpromisinginventions.
CLARKMURDOCK,despitehisquerulousdisposition,hadaneyetobusiness.Hewaslookingforfinancialaidinhispresentexperiments,andithadoccurredtohimthatSavette’sapprovalwouldbringCranston’sinterest.Henceitwasuponthesetwothathecenteredhisdiscourse.
“Itisnearlyteno’clock,”hesaid.“FortwohoursIhavebeendiscussingthevalueofatomicdisintegrationasasourceoftremendouspower.Inthattime,Ihaveendeavoredtofullyoutlinetheprinciplesthatareinvolvedinthisgreatsubject.Youhavebeenpatient,gentlemen-nowIshallrewardyouwiththeactualdemonstration.”
Murdockwenttoacoveredtablenearthecenteroftheroom.Hedrewasidetheclothtodiscloseahollowsphereofglass.Thisglobe,whichmeasuredmorethanafootindiameter,wasmounteduponabaseofmetal.
“Watch,”saidMurdock,quietly.
Hepressedaswitchandamotorbegantohum.Tinysparksappearedwithintheglobe.Thencamequicksoundlessburstsofflameasinvisibleparticlesbrokeasunder.
“Atomicaction,”spokethewhite-hairedchemist.
Theactivitywithinthehollowsphereseemedlikewarfareinminiature.The
onlookersstaredinfascination,whileClarkMurdockstoodaside,watchingtheexpressionsontheirfaces.
Whenthechaoshadreacheditsheightandtheglobeseemedreadytobreakapart,Murdockagainpressedtheswitch.Theterrificcommotioncontinuedforafewminutes,thengraduallyceased.Thewitnessesgazedatoneanotherinamazement.
“That,”declaredClarkMurdock,“isaperfectdemonstrationofmydiscovery.Youhaveseentheresultsofatomicdisintegrationconductedinavacuum.Nowimagine,gentlemen”-thechemist’sfacetookonavisionarystare-“thesameactivityonamuchlargerscale-withinasteel-walledchamber.Thereispowerherethatsurpassesalldreams-”
Hestoppedsuddenlyasheheardthesoundofatelephonebellinanotherroom.Carefully,Murdockdisconnectedtheapparatusandwentfromthelaboratory.HereturnedinafewminutesandspoketoDoctorSavette.
“Youarewantedonthetelephone,doctor,”hesaid.
Thephysicianwentintotheotherroom.WhenhereturnedashortwhileafterwardhefoundMurdockagainexplainingtheimportantpointsofhisdiscovery.
“Ihavelearnedthesecretsoftheatom,”thechemistwassaying.“Morethanthat,Ihavediscoveredamethodofatomiccontrol.Withinafewmonths,Ishallhavecompletesuccess.
“Assomeofyouhaveremarked,Idorunariskinmyexperiments;butthatriskisintheinterestsofscience.Often,Ihavebeentemptedtolettheelectricchargecontinueuntilthelastpossiblemoment;butIhavealwaysresistedthattemptation.”
Hepausedandsmiledwanlyathislisteners.
“Here,inthislaboratory,”hesaid,“aburstingofthecrystalspherewouldprovedisastrous.Theatomicenergywouldbequicklydispelled,butitmightstartexplosionsamongcertainofthechemicalsyouseeupontheseshelvesandbenches.
“TwiceIhavebarelypreventedfires,here.Ihaveneverbeenabletoobtaininsurance,andIhavechosenthisobscureplacebecausetherearecomparativelyfewneighborswhocouldbeharmedshouldthingsgowrong.”
“Itwouldmeanagreatlosstoscience,”someoneremarked.“Youshouldbecareful-”
“Imustbecarefulofmyself,yes,”repliedMurdock.“Alltheapparatuswhichyouseeherecouldallbereplacedwithease-undermysupervision.Icarryallmyplanshere”-hetappedhisforeheadsignificantly-“andwhilemybrainexists,theseresultscanalwaysbeobtained.
“Butitisafact,gentlemen,thatshouldIdie,mydiscoverieswouldbelost.Idonotsayforever-forwhatonehaslearned,anothermaylearn.ButIdosaythatthereisnoothermanalivewhocouldduplicatewhatyouhaveseentonight!”
TherewasnobraggadocioinMurdock’smannerashelookedaboutthegroup.Hehadtheairofamanwhohasstatedasimplefact.Thiswasnotlostuponthevisitors.Theyknewthattheyhadheardthetruth.
DoctorSavetteadvancedwithout-stretchedhand.ClarkMurdockreceivedhisclasp.
“Letmecongratulateyou,Mr.Murdock,”saidthephysician.“ThisisthemostremarkabledemonstrationthatIhaveeverwitnessed.Ipredictthehighestsuccess.Youhaveproventhevalueofyourdiscoveries.”
Themanwhohadharnessedtheatombeamedatthesewordsofapproval.TheothersofthegroupwerevisiblyimpressedbyDoctorSavette’senthusiasm.
“Myonlyregret,”declaredDoctorSavette,“isthatImustleaveyounow.ThissecondtelephonecallwasmoreurgentthanthefirstthatIreceivedtonight.Ishalllookforwardtoyournextdemonstrationwitheagerness,Mr.Murdock.”
Goodnight,doctor,”saidMurdockwarmly.“Ithasbeenaprivilegetohaveyouhere.Uponyournextvisit,Ishallshowyouhowatomicenergyworks.BythenIexpecttohaveaglobeofsteelinwhichtheatomswillexplodetofurnishdrivingpowerwhichcanbeutilized.”
DoctorSavetteshookhandswiththeothermeninthegroupandleftthelaboratory.Murdockcontinuedwithhisdiscussion;thenevidencedthathisdemonstrationswerefinishedforthenight.Heusheredhisguestsfromthelaboratory.
“Ishallcontinuetoworktonight,”hesaidasthevisitorsdeparted.“IworkbestwhenIamalone.”
BACKinhislaboratory,ClarkMurdocksatdownandsmiledthoughtfully.Hewaspleasedwithtonight’sresults.DoctorSavettehadbeencommending.LamontCranstonandtheotherswhohadgonewithhimhadalsoexpressedtheirapproval.
Thechemistlookedaboutthelaboratoryandgazedatthecrystalsphere.Thenhisthoughtschangedandhearosesuddenlytosteptowardadooratthefarcorneroftheroom.
Hehadrememberedthattwotruckmenwerecomingtoremoveahugeboxthattheyhadleftthatafternoon.Theyhadcalledupimmediatelyafterwardtostatethattherehadbeenamistake.Anotherboxshouldhavebeenbroughtinstead.Itwouldbedeliveredlater;inthemeantime,themenwouldcometotakeawaytheoriginalbox.
Murdockwonderedwhythemenhadnotyetarrived.Hereachedasmallroomoutsidehislaboratory.Ononesidewasaflightofstairsleadingtothegroundfloor.Straightaheadwastheelevatorwhichhadbeeninstalledfortheliftingofheavyapparatus.Theboxwaspushedinacornerneartheelevator.
Thechemistshouteddownthestairway.Therewasnoresponse.Evidentlytheexpectedmenwerestillontheirway.
Murdockstartedbacktowardthelaboratory.Then,suddenlycurious,hestoppedtolookatthebox.Itwasalarge,oblongcontrivance.Itwassetonend,andthefrontoftheboxwashinged,likeadoor.
Murdockstudiedthebox.Hecouldseenoaddressuponit.Hewonderedifthetruckmenhadactuallymadeamistake.Thisboxwastwiceaslargeastheonehehadexpected,nevertheless,itmightcontaintheapparatusthatwascoming.
Thechemistsawaheavyhammerhangingonthewall.Hiscuriosityincreased.Hesuddenlydecidedtoopentheboxandviewitscontents.
Pryingthefrontoftheboxwiththehammer,Murdockgraduallyloosenedthesidewhichwassecurelynailed.Hegainedanopeningforhisfingersandtriedtopullopenthefront.
Itwasnotaneasytask,forthenailswerestillpartlyinposition.ButMurdockkeptonatthework,resolvedtocompleteit.
Theboxtiltedforwardasthechemistpulledatit.Then,atanunexpectedmoment,thedoor-likefrontyielded.ClarkMurdockstaggeredbackwardandcaughthimselfbeforehefell
Then,leaningagainstthewall,hestaredinutterbewildermentatanobjectthattumbledfromtheboxandflatteneduponthefloor.
Itwastheformofaman-alifeless,inertshape,thatlayinatwisted,huddledpose.Itwasamancladinwhite-amanwithgrayhair-whoseshoulderswerehunchedupagainsthisneck.
ClarkMurdockpluckedhisowncoatwithhishands.Hisgarbandthatofthedeadmanwereidentical.Morethanthat,thesizeandshapeofthatbodywerethesameasthechemist’sownform!
Steppingslowlyforward,Murdockbentdownand-liftedthebodybacktowardthebox.Henotedthattheinteriorofthewoodencasewasthicklypaddedtopreventitscontentsfrombeingtossedabout.
Butthechemistgavenosecondthoughttothatmatter.Hewasinterestedinthisformonthefloor,withitsbent-downhead.
Heturnedthebodysidewaystogetaglimpseoftheface.Thelightwasdim,hereinthelandingofthestairway.Yeteveninthegloom,ClarkMurdocksawasightthatstartledhim
Hishandswereholdingthelifelesshead.Hewasstaringatthefeaturesofthispersonwhohadbeenthevictimofsomefoulplay.Thesightofthefeaturesfilledhimwithamazement.
ForClarkMurdockwaslookingatacountenancewhichhecouldnotfailtorecognize.Thefaceofthedeadmanwasalmostanexactcounterpartofhisown!
CHAPTERIII
AVISITORRETURNS
WHENClarkMurdockrecoveredfromhisbewildermentthatfollowedhisstrangediscovery,hestoodwithhischinrestinginonehandandsurveyedthebodyonthefloorbeforehim.
Akeenanalyst,Murdocksoughttofathomthemysterythatlayhere.Buthismindwasschooledtochemistry,notcrime.Thelongerhesurveyedthegruesomeform,themoredidhebecomeperplexed.
Hewastemptedatfirsttoreplacethebodyintheboxandincloseitsothatitcouldbetakenawaywhenthetruckmencame.Thenthethoughtoccurredtohimthatthemenwerelongoverdue,thatinallprobabilitytheyhadbeeninstructednottocomebackforthebox.
TheupshotwasthatClarkMurdockhadinhispossessionthedeadbodyofanunknownman,whosegarbandfeatureswerecharacteristicofhisown.Thiswassomethingthatseemedtooamazingtobemerelycoincidence.
Whatshouldhedo?Callthepolice?Thatwouldbethepropercourse,yetMurdockhesitatedtotakeit.Herealizedthathewouldbesubjectedtoamostundesirablecross-examination,andthatitwouldbedifficultforhimtoexplainmattersinasatisfactoryway.
Hehadnotseentheboxcomein.Stevenshadbeenhere,butMurdockknewthestupidityofhisassistant.HedoubtedthateitherheorStevenscouldgivethepoliceanyinformationthatwouldenablethemtotracetheownerofthebox.
Nevertheless,thewholematterwasasourceofgreatannoyancetothe
chemist,andhefeltthathemustsummonsomeonecompetenttohandleit.Hehadplannedextensiveexperimentstonight.Thesewouldbeinterrupted.Murdockdidnotlikeit.
Thenitoccurredtohimthatifthetruckmenshouldreturn-eventhoughthatchancewasremote-itwouldbeadvisabletoapprehendthem.
Thatleftonlyonechoice.Hemustcallthepolice.Delaywouldbeunwise.Noddingtohimself,thestoop-shoulderedchemistwentbackintohislaboratoryandcontinuedintohislivingroom.Thereheseatedhimselfatthetelephonetableandbegantoconsultthedirectory,tofindthenumberofdetectiveheadquarters.
WHILEhewasthusengaged,heheardaslightsoundnearbyandlookedupsuddenlytoseeDoctorGeraldSavette.Thephysicianhadjustenteredtheroomfromthehallwayandwasbowingcourteously.
“ItrustIamnotintruding?”Thephysician’stonewassmoothandeasy.“IfoundthatIcouldreturnimmediatelyafterIreachedmyoffice.Ihadhopesthatyourguestswouldstillbehere.”
“Howdidyougetin?”questionedMurdock,testily.
“Throughthefrontdoor,”repliedDoctorSavettesuavely.“Irangthebellandtherewasnoresponse.ThenIrememberedthatyourmanhadgoneforthenight.IalsorecalledthatyouandtheothershadbeeninthelaboratorywhenIleft.SoItookthelibertyofopeningthedoorandcomingupstairs.”
“Butthedoorwaslocked,”declaredMurdock.“Ihaven’tanyobjectiontoyourentering,DoctorSavette.Youarealwayswelcomehere.ButIcannotunderstandhowyoucameinthroughalockeddoor.”
“Ifounditunlocked,”returnedthephysician,withasmile.“OtherwiseIcouldnothaveentered.”
“Imusthaveforgottentolockit,”observedClarkMurdock,thoughtfully.“Strange-IfeltsurethatIhadpushedtheboltsonthedoor.Anoversightonmypart,doctor,butafortunateone.Iamgladthatyouarehere.”
“Iampleasedtohearthat,”saidSavette.“Ishouldliketotalkwithyoufurtherinreferencetoyourexperiments-”
“Thereissomethingmoreimportantforthemoment,doctor.Somethingthatdemandsimmediateattention.”
“Somethingmoreimportantthanyourexperiments?”DoctorSavette’stoneshowedhispuzzlement.“Icanscarcelybelievethat,Mr.Murdock.”
Thechemistaroseandplacedthephonebooktooneside.Hebeckonedtohisvisitorandledthewaythroughthelaboratory.Murdockwasspeakingastheywalkedalong.
“Iwasjustabouttotelephonethepolice,”heexplained.“Yourarrivalwasatimelyone.Ineededadvice,immediately,andIcouldthinkofnoonewhocouldhelpme.”
“Myadviceonwhat?”questionedSavette,astheyreachedthefardoor.“Whyshouldyouneedthepolice?”
“Hereisthereason,”declaredMurdock,calmly.
Heopenedthedoortothelandingandpointedtothebodyonthefloor.DoctorSavettedrewbackwithanexclamationofsurprise.Thenhesteppedforwardandexaminedthebody.
“Themanisdead,”hedeclared.“Heappearstohavebeenstrangled.”
Hestaredsilentlyatthestillface;thenlookedupatMurdock.Hesteppedbackandsurveyedthebody;thengazedathislivingcompanion.
“Amazing!”heexclaimed.“Amazing,Murdock!Themanbearsaremarkableresemblancetoyou!”
“Thatiswhatpuzzlesme,”declaredthechemist.
“Whendidthisboxcomehere?”questionedSavette.
“Today,”saidMurdock.“Deliveredbymistake.That,atleast,iswhatStevenstoldme.Thetruckmenaresupposedtocomeforitatanytime.”
“Hm-m-m,”respondedthephysician.“Thisisperplexing,Murdock.Yetitseemstohaveastrangesignificance.Itisnotlikelythatthesenderofsuchaboxwouldletitgotothewrongplace.Frankly,Idon’tthinkthatthosemenwillreturn.Ithinktheboxwasintendedtobelefthere.”
“Butwhy?”
“Sothatyouwouldopenit-andmakethediscovery,exactlyasyouhavedone.”
“Ihadthesameidea,”admittedMurdock,“butIcan’tunderstandthepurpose.”
“Itmightbetheworkofsomeenemy,”saidDoctorSavette,slowly.“Someonemaywishtohamperyourexperiments.Youwereabouttocallthepolice.Iftheyshouldcomehere,itwouldmeanagreatdealoftroubleandannoyancetoyou-enough,perhaps,todelayyourworkforsometime.”
“Thatistrue,”respondedMurdock,“butIcannotunderstandwhythebodyshouldbespeciallydressedinworkingclotheslikemine.”
“Ihaveanothertheory,”resumedthephysician,thoughtfully.“Thismaybeathreat-aplantofrightenyou.Thepersonwhosentthisboxcouldnothaveexpectedyoutoopenittonight.Youwereexpectingmentotakeitaway.”
“That’sright,”agreedthechemist.“Ican’texplainexactlywhyIdidopenit.IsupposethatIwouldordinarilyhaveallowedittoremainforseveraldays,beforeinvestigatingitscontents.”
“Correct,”declaredSavette.“Nowletussupposethatamessageisonitsway,thatyouaretoreceiveathreat-inwhichtheboxismentioned.Openingthebox,youfindadeadbodythatresemblesyourself.Thatwouldcertainlymakethethreatemphatic,woulditnot?Particularlyifthethreatweredirectedagainstyourlife.”
ClarkMurdocknoddedinaccord.ThenheshowedasuddenresponsetoDoctorSavette’sstatement:
“Ithinkyouhavestrucktherighttheory,doctor,”heexclaimed.“Thatmakesitimperativeformetocallthepolice.Idonotintendtoloseanothermoment.”
Thechemistwasturningtothedoorthatledintothelaboratory.Hishandwasalreadyontheknob.
“Wait!”
THEREwasacommandinDoctorSavette’sexclamation.ClarkMurdockturnedinsurprise.Hestaredatthephysicianandnotedapeculiarexpressionontheman’sface.
Stockyandsallow,withshrewdeyes,DoctorSavetteappearedasamenacingfigureinsteadofthesuave,politeprofessionalmanthathehadbeenamomentbefore.ItwasMurdock’ssuddenturnthatenabledhimtocatchhiscompanionoffpoise.
Whilethechemiststaredinconsternation,Savette’smasklikeaffabilitywasresumed.AgainhebecamethesuavephysicianandhispersuasivevoicesoughttoregaintheconfidenceofMurdock.
“Itwouldbeinadvisabletocallthepolice,”purredthedoctor.“Thatisexactlywhatthesenderofthisboxwouldexpectyoutodo-”
Murdock’svoicesoundedaninterruption.
“Youspeak,”hesaidcoldly,“asthoughyouareacquaintedwiththeperpetratorofthisoutrage!Itwasverytimely-yourarrival-whileIwasatthetelephone.Suppose”-Murdock’seyesweregleamingfuriously-“thatIshouldaccuseyouofcomplicityinthecrimethatliesevidencedtherebeforeus?Whatwouldyousaytothat,DoctorSavette?”
Thestingingwordshadtheireffect.Savette’slipsspreadinanuglyleer.Hissallowfacebecametenseandaveinswelledinhisforehead.Nolongerattemptingtoplayhispartoffriendliness,hegavefullreintohisfuryashemovedslowlyforward.
Murdockreleasedhisholduponthedoorknobandraisedhisclenchedhands.Thoughlightofbuildandolderthanhisantagonist,thestoop-shoulderedchemistwasawiryman,capableofputtingupabattle.HemetSavette’sadvanceandthetwomenstoodwiththeireyesnomorethanafootapart,each
meetingtheother’sgaze.
TherewasnofearinMurdock’sstareandSavette,thoughhehadbecomeaveritabledemon,hesitatedashesawthefirm,unyieldingglareinMurdock’sdeterminedeyes.Itwasthechemistwhospokefirst;andhiswordswereironicalwithbittercondemnation.
“Soyoureturned,”hesaid.“Youpassedthroughadouble-bolteddoor.Anxioustoreachherebeforetheothershadgone,eh?Youlied,Savette!Youneverleftthishouse!Youwaitedinoneofmyemptyroomsuntiltheothershadgone.
“Youarehereforanevilpurpose.Thatbodyintheboxisyourdoing.Youarenotmyfriend;youaremyenemy!Idonotknowyourscheme,butIcantellyouthis”-hisvoicehardenedwithemphasis-“IcantellyouthatyouwillnotleaveheretonightuntilIhavelearnedyourdesignsandplacedyouwhereyoubelong!
“Iknowwhatyouare.Murderer!”
AHIDEOUSchangehadcomeoverthephysician’sface.Hisclenchedteethweregrinninglikethefangsofamonster.
Murdock’saccusationhaddoneitswork.GeraldSavettestoodrevealedasafiend.Now,hisvoice,likehismanner,betrayedhistruecharacterasheansweredMurdock’swordsofscorn.
“Youcallmeamurderer,”hesnarled.“Iamamurderer!Ikilledthemanwhosebodylieshereonthefloor!Youaccusemeofcomplicity.Iammorethananaccomplice.Isentthatboxhere,Murdock.Youblunderedintoitandlearnedwhatitcontained.Thatissomethingyoushouldneverhavediscovered.
“Butitmakesnodifferencenow.YouthinkthatIamthwarted”-aviciouslaughspatteredfromSavette’suglylips-“andthatIshallletyoucallthepolice.Youarewrong,Murdock.Wrong,asyoushalllearn-”
Savette’shandswerestealingtowardhispocket.HewastryingtoholdMurdock’sgazesothatthechemistwouldnotseetheaction.
ScarcelyhadSavette’sfingersdisappearedfromviewbeforeMurdockleapedforwarduponhim.Savettetwistedawayashisattackerstruck.Buthewastoolate.Thewirychemistseizedhisrightwristasthehandcameforthwithanautomatic.
AsharptwistandSavettewasweaponlessasthegunfelltothefloorbesidethedeadbodythatlaythere.
Thenthemenwerelockedinaferociousstruggle.Savette,thoughheavierandmorepowerful,hadmetanantagonistofunexpectedstrength.Theyhurtledbackandforthinthenarrowconfinesofthelanding,eachmangrimanddetermined.
ClarkMurdockwasgainingtheadvantage.Hegrippedhisopponent’sarmsandheldthempinioned.HedroveSavettebackwarduntilthesnarlingfiendstumbledoverthebodyonthefloorandfell,withMurdockpoundingdownuponhim.
Foramoment,Savette’sleftarmwasfree.Hishandoncemoregainedhispocket.Murdock,suspectinganotherpistol,tuggedatthewristuntilthehandcameintoview.
Savette’sfistwasclenchedtightly.Itheldnovisibleweapon.ButMurdock,withgrimdetermination,soughttopinthephysician’sarmunderneathhisbody.
ItwasthenthatSavettemadeawild,desperatemotion.Hestruggledfiercelyandclamberedupward,clawingwithhisrighthandatMurdock’seyes.ThechemistdodgedthesuddenattackandwrappedhisrightarmaboutSavette’sneck.Hehadturnedthetwisttohisadvantage.Hewaschokinghisfoeintosubmission.
Savette’sheadwentbackandMurdockstaredintotheleeringfaceasitpurpledvisibly.Savette’sarmssweptfreeandstretcheduponthefloor.Thenhislefthandswungupward,unseenbythemanwhowasconqueringhim.
AtinyobjectflashedinSavette’sfistashedroveittowardMurdock’sshoulder.AsharpgruntcamefromMurdockastheneedleofahypodermicpiercedhisflesh.Savette’sarmsdroppedandhisheadthumpedbackagainstthefloor.Thehypodermicsyringeclattereduponthefloor.Savettewaschoking,gasping,helpless;buthisneedlehaddoneitswork.
Murdock’sholdrelaxed.Thefightingchemistswayedbackwardandforward.Hisbodyfloppedsuddenlytoonesideandrolleduponthefloor.
Threemenlaymotionless.GeraldSavettewasscarcelybreathing.ClarkMurdockwasslumpedinaheap.Besidethemwasthestiffenedformoftheunknowndeadman.
SOONSavettemoved.Wearily,heraisedhisheadanddrewhimselftoasittingpositionbygrippingthesideofthebigbox.
Thefiendishleergloweredonhisface.Then,asheraisedhimselftohisfeet,hetookonhisnormalpose.Hecarefullydustedhisclothesandstood,withfoldedarms,smilingserenelyatthescenebeforehim.
Twomotionlessmen-ClarkMurdockandanother.Twomen,garbedalike,similarinfeaturesandappearance.Acasualobservercouldnothavetoldwhichwasthefamouschemistandwhichthebodyfromthebox.
Calmly,Savettepickeduphisautomaticandpocketedit.Hefoundthehypodermicnearacorneroftheboxandexaminedittomakesurethatithaddoneitsfullwork.ThenheinspectedtheformofClarkMurdock,ashisfacecontinuedtowearitsknowingsmile.
Tooutwardappearances,thefamouschemistwasdead.Hiswrinkledfacehadgainedachalk-likepallor.HisbodywasstiffenedasDoctorSavettelifteditandthrustitunmercifullyintothebox.AssuringhimselfthatMurdockwaswellwedgedamongthecushions,Savettereplacedthefrontoftheboxandcarefullyhammereditintoplace.
Hepressedthebuttonattheelevatorshaftandbroughtthecartothesecondfloor.Thenhegraduallyedgedtheboxintotheliftandrodedownstairswithit.Hepusheditfromtheelevator.
ThenDoctorSavetteopenedanouterdoorandpeeredintothedarknessofanalley.Aflashlightglimmeredinhishand.Itwasasignal.
Atruckmovedalongthealley.Itstoppedbytheopendoorandtwohusky,dark-cladmenentered.Theyliftedtheboxandcarrieditaway.Theysawnosign
ofDoctorSavette.Theyheardonlythemechanismoftheelevatorascending.
Thetruckrolledfromthealley,carryingitsnewlyobtainedbaggage.Allwassilentattheoldhouse.Upstairs,DoctorGeraldSavettewasworkingquietlyandwithprecision.
Heliftedthebodyofthedeadman-thatformthatlookedsomuchlikeClarkMurdock-andcarrieditintothechemist’slaboratory.Thereheplaceditinfrontofthetablethatborethehuge,hollowcrystal.
DoctorSavettelaughedashegazedatthefaceofthedeadman.ItlookedamazinglylikethecountenanceofClarkMurdock.Itborethin,close-knitscarsthatSavettestrokedcarefullywithhisforefinger.Thatfacewastheartificeofplasticsurgery-acraftinwhichDoctorGeraldexcelled.
Leavingthebody,thephysicianselectedseveralbottlesfromtheshelf.Hepouredamixtureofliquidsintoashallowbowlandleftitclosebesidethecrystalsphere.Hepressedtheswitch.Ahummingsoundbeganandsparksflickeredbackandforthwithinthecrystal.
Savettelaughedastheweirdactivityincreased.Inafewminutes,thedisplayoftheatomicenergywouldbemoreevident.Thenitwouldbecomeforceful,burstingwithincreasedfuryuntilatlastthewallsofthecrystalglobecouldnotwithstandit!
ButDoctorSavettedidnotchoosetowaitforthattremendousmoment.Hewalkedquicklyacrossthelaboratory,latchedthedoorbehindhimandwentdownstairsbytheelevator.Heleftthehousebytheexittothedarkalley.
OnlythesilenceofdeathremainedinthehomeofClarkMurdock.Upinthelaboratory,theatomicpowerwassurgingsoundlesswithinthecrystalsphere.Beforeit,stoopedasthoughinthought,wasthebodyofthedeadman.
Dynamic,burstingparticlesweresmashingagainstthesidesofthecrystalprison.Itwasamightyspectacleinminiature.Buttheeyesthatstaredtowardtheweirddisplayweresightless!
CHAPTERIV
MANNASSEMBLESDATA
THE‘MorningSphere’carriedasensationalstoryoftheholocaustatClarkMurdock’s.ItssweepingheadlinestoldNewYorkersofthefiercefireinwhichthecelebratedchemisthaddied.
Murdock’sexperimentsinatomicdisintegrationhadlongbeenasubjectofnewsinterest.Itwasknownthathehadmadeprogressintheharnessingoftheatom,andhisdemonstrationoftheprecedingeveninghadbeenbutoneofmany.
Now,bymisadventure,thechemisthadencounteredtroubleinoneofhissolitaryexperiments,andtheresultantdisasterhadcosthimhislife.Shortlybeforemidnight,therehadbeenanexplosioninhislaboratory.Expertsagreedthathiscrystalcontainermusthaveburstthroughanoverchargeofimprisonedenergy.
WhetherornotthishadkilledClarkMurdockwaspurelyamatterofspeculation.Hadthecrystalburstinanemptyroom,resultsmighthavebeendifferent.ButMurdock’slaboratorywasstockedwithdangerouschemicals.Thefreedatomicenergyhadevidentlyactedoverawidearea,forotherexplosionshadresulted.
Whenfiremenarrived,thelaboratorywasthecenterofamightyblaze.Heroicworkhadbroughttheflamesundercontrol,andinthewreckageoftheplacewerefoundthemutilatedremainsofClarkMurdock.Thebodywasnotpastrecognitionbythosewhohadknownthefamouschemist.
Amongthosewhoreadthestorywithkeeninterestwasaquiet-facedgentlemannamedRutledgeMann.HewasaninvestmentbrokerwhohadhisofficeinanupperstoryofoneofManhattan’snewskyscrapers.
Secludedinhisprivateoffice,Mannnotonlyperusedtheaccountwithdeliberatecare,butheconcludedhisstudybyclippingthestoryfromthenewspaper.
Mannopenedadrawerinhisdeskandaddedtheclippingtoamassofothers.
Hesatwithfoldedhandsandstaredinsilencefromthewindow.Therewasarapatthedoor.InanswertoMann’sresponse,astenographercameinandplacedanenvelopeuponheremployer’sdesk.
Whenthegirlhadgone,Mannopenedtheenvelopeandtookoutafoldedsheetofpaper.Thisprovedtobeanoteinscribedincodedcharacters,whichtheinvestmentbrokerreadaseasilyasifithadbeenwritteninordinaryletters.Henoddedashereadandwhenhehadfinished,Mannlaidthepaperonhisdesk.Hepickedupthetelephoneandgaveanumber.
WhileMannwastelephoning,theinscriptionontheletterbegantofade.Itdisappearedcompletely,asifaninvisiblehandhadstretchedfromnowheretoeradicatethewriting.ConcludingabrieftelephoneconversationMannpickeduptheblanksheetasthoughnothinghadhappenedandtorethepapertofragments.
ANhourlater,ayoungmancalledattheofficeofRutledgeMann.ThiswasClydeBurke,anewspaperreporteronthestaffoftheNewYork‘Classic’.HeandMannimmediatelyengagedinashort,confidentialconversation.ItconcernedaparagraphinthestoryofClarkMurdock’sdeath
“Noticethesenames,”saidMannquietly,pointingtotheparagraph.“ThesemenwereatMurdock’shomelastnight.Theywitnessedademonstrationofhisatomicdisintegrationandthenleft.Seewhatyoucangetmeoneachofthem.”
Burkenoddedandleft.RutledgeMannturnedhisattentionfromnewspaperclippingstoinvestments.
ItwaslateintheafternoonwhenClydeBurkereturned.ThereporterlaidanenvelopeonMann’sdeskandmadeanimmediatedeparture.
Mannopenedtheenvelope.WithinhediscoveredtypewrittensheetsdiscussingeachoftheindividualswhohadbeenatMurdock’shome.
TheinvestmentbrokerstudiedeachsheetandlaidthemasideonebyoneuntilhecametoapaperthatborethenameofLamontCranston.
Mannreadthispagewithinterest.HeknewLamontCranstonbysightandbyreputation.Themanwasaneccentricmultimillionaire,wholivedonanestatein
NewJersey.
HespentmostofhistimewhileinNewYorkathisfavoriteclubs.ButCranstonwasseldominNewYork.Hehadahabitofgoingonlongjourneys.Theworldwashisplayground.
Cranston,accordingtoBurke’sreport,hadfinancedanumberofsuccessfulscientificprojects,anditwaslikelythathehadgonetoMurdock’swithsomesuchplaninmindforthenewprocessofharnessingtheatom.
Cranston’ssheetwaslaidasideandRutledgeMannobservedanotherpagethatborethenameofDoctorGeraldSavette.Hehadheardofthisprominentphysician,butuntilnowtherehadbeennooccasiontogointohispasthistory.
Accordingtothereport,DoctorSavettehadexperiencedavariedmedicalcareer.AtonetimehehadconductedasmallsanitariumonLongIsland.Therehadbeenafiretherenearlythreeyearsago.
Savette’sheroiceffortshadsavedthelivesofallhispatientsexceptone.AustinBellamy,aretiredmanufacturerhadperishedintheblaze.Hischarredbodyhadbeenrecoveredfromtheruins.
Sincethen,SavettehadresidedinNewYork,wherehehadgainedconsiderablereputeasaplasticsurgeon,althoughthisfieldrepresentedbutoneofhismanymedicalaccomplishments.Recently,SavettehadtraveledoccasionallyfromNewYork,butBurkehadfoundnorecordofthephysician’sjourneys.
Attheendofthesheets,MannfoundapagewhichBurkehadvoluntarilysupplied.ItlistedbriefreportsonpersonsindirectlyconcernedwiththosewhohadbeenatMurdock’shome.Mannclippedtheseshortparagraphsapartandpastedthemtothepageswheretheybelonged.
Hefoldedthepapers,addedclippingsfromthenewspapersandputthemallinalargeenvelope.Inordertoobtainclippings,Mannhadopenedthedeskdrawer.Henowbegananexaminationofotherclippingswhichhehadassembledonvariouscases.
Oneofthesecausedaperplexedfrowntoappearuponthebroadforeheadoftheinvestmentbroker.ItpertainedtothestrangedisappearanceofProfessor
PierreRachaud,aradiotechnicianwhowasconsideredanexpertontelevision.
ThereweremanysupplementaryreportsconcerningProfessorRachaud;forhislosshadcreatedagreatstirintheradioindustry.
Butmostimportantweretheactualcircumstancesthatsurroundedtheaccrediteddeathoftheeminentprofessor.Mannstudiedtheclippingwhichreferredtoit-arecentarticlewhichhadsummarizedtheentirecase.
ProfessorPierreRachaudhaddepartedfromNewYorkonaweekendcruise.Hehadmadearegularhobbyofsuchcruisesandhisfamiliarface,withitshuge,bushyblackbeard,hadbeenseenbypassengersonthecruisingshipAlbaniawhenithadsailedfromNewYorkharbor.
Onthefirstnightout,ProfessorRachaudhadvisitedthesmokingroomandhadbeenobservedinasecludedcorner,enjoyingabottleofhisfavoriteFrenchwine.Shortlyafterhehadleft,aradiogramhadbeenreceivedforhim.ItwasanurgentmessagefromNewYork.
ProfessorRachaud,beingneitherinhisstateroomnorinthesmokingroom,asearchwasinstitutedforhim.Hewasnowhereontheship.Inaperiodofnotmorethanfifteenminutes,theradiotechnicianhaddisappeared!
Rachaud’sluggagehadbeendiscoveredinhisstateroom.Buttherewasnosignoftheman.Hehadnot,ofcourse,expectedtheradiogram.
Thelogicalassumptionwasthattheprofessorhadgoneoverboard.Yettheseawascalmandthereweremanypassengersondeck.Itseemedincrediblethatthemancouldhavebeenlostatseaundersuchcircumstances-eitherthroughsuicideormurder.
Thecasehaddevelopedintoaninternationalmystery.ProfessorRachaudwasaFrenchman,livinginNewYork,andhehadtakenpassageonaBritishship.Dozensofeminentdetectiveswereworkingonthecase,withnosuccess.
TORutledgeMann,thisstrangeaffairwasofgreatinterest.Besideit,thedeathofClarkMurdock,whichhadbeendeclaredanaccident,seemedtrivial.
Nevertheless,itwasMann’sdutytoassembledataontheMurdockcasealone.SoheregretfullyreplacedtheRachaudclippingsinthedeskdrawer.
PocketingtheenvelopewhichdealtwithMurdock’sdemise,RutledgeMannglancedathiswatchandnotedthatitwasafterfiveo’clock.Hewentintotheouteroffice,toldthegirlthatshecouldleavefortheday;thendescendedinanelevator.
Takingthesubway,herodedowntowntoTwenty-thirdStreet.There,Mannstrolledalonguntilhecametoanold,squalidbuildingthatwasvirtuallydeserted.Heenteredandmadehiswayupstairstothedoorofadingyoffice.
Uponthedirtyglasspanelappeared,infadedletters,thename:
B.JONAS
Theinvestmentbrokerdroppedtheenvelopethroughthemailchuteinthedoor.Hehearditplunkbehindthebarrier.Thenhewentdownthedimlylightedstairsandreachedthestreet.Hehailedataxicabandrodetohisclub.
Itwasastrangebusinessforaninvestmentbroker,thistaskofgoingovernewspaperclippingsandobtainingunprintedinformationthroughareporteronthe‘Classic’.EvenmorestrangewasthevisitofRutledgeManntothesqualidbuildingonTwenty-thirdStreet.
WhatdealingsdidthefastidiousinvestmentbrokerhavewithamannamedJonas,whoinhabitedoneofthemostobscureanddecrepitofficesinNewYork?
Thatwasafactknowntoaveryfew.Thosewhounderstoodweresworntosecrecy.ForRutledgeMannandClydeBurkeweremembersofasmallandobscurecompany.TheywereagentsofthemysteriousmancalledTheShadow-thatstrangefigurewhosenamehadbecometheterroroftheunderworld.
ClydeBurkehadassembledmaterialforRutledgeMann.Theinvestmentbrokerhadrevisedthedatawhichthereporterhadgivenhim.Nowthefinalreportswerewaitinginthemailchuteforthemanwhohadorderedthem.
ToallNewYork,thedeathofClarkMurdockmighthavebeenacceptedasamisadventure.ButtoTheShadow,itmusthaveagreatersignificance.ForhehadinstructedMann,throughamysteriousmessage,toobtaininformationfromClydeBurke.
ThecalmactivitiesofTheShadow’sagentsweretheforerunnersofapproachingstorm.WhenTheShadowbegansuchwork,itmeantdoomtofiendsofcrime!
CHAPTERV
THESHADOWBEGINS
Acircleoflightuponthesmoothsurfaceofapolishedtable.Long,slenderfingers,movinglikedetachedcreaturesoflife.Aresplendentfireopal,glimmeringfromitsgoldensetting.
ThehandsofTheShadowwereatwork!
WhowasTheShadow?
Thatwasaquestionnonecouldanswer.
Unknowneventohisownoperatives,TheShadowwasamanofmystery.Hisveryidentitywasasubjectofunansweredspeculation.Tothehordesoftheunderworld,theverymentionofTheShadowbroughtapprehensionandterror.
Timeandagain,thisdreadfigurehadarrivedfromnowhere,tostrikethefoesofjustice.Brutalmobstershaddied,withthenameofTheShadowontheirtremblinglips.Menwhocalledthemselvesmastermindsofcrimehadquailedbeforeanavengingfigurecladinblack,knowinghimtobeTheShadow.
Thepolice,too,knewofTheShadow,althoughtheytactfullyavoidedmentionofhisexistence.TheShadow,whenhestruck,didnotremaintoclaim
theglory.
Timeandagain,someshrewddetectivehadreceivedcreditforthecaptureofadesperatecrook,withnoonetodisputethehonor.ExperiencedsleuthsseldomtalkedofTheShadow.
TherewasadefinitereasonwhyTheShadowignoredpublicity.Hisstrengthlayintheshroudofmysterythatenvelopedhim.
Itwastruethathisvoicewasheardovertheradio,inaprogramoveranationalbroadcastingchain.ThatalsoservedTheShadow’spurpose.Thetonesofhismysteriousvoicewererecognizedbyallwhoheardthem.Yetalltheeffortsoftheunderworldtolearntheidentityofthebroadcasterhadcometonoavail.
TheShadowspokefromasoundproofroom,boxedwithblackcurtains.Hismethodofentranceandexitfromtheplacewasamysterythathadneverbeensolved-notevenbythoseconnectedwiththebroadcastingstudio.
TheShadow’smissionwaswaroncrime.AtnighthestalkedthestreetsofNewYork,readytothwarttheplansofevildoers.Hewaseverywhere-yetnowhere.Achampionoflawandorder,thismanofthenighthuntedcriminalsasanexplorermightscourthejungleinsearchofman-eatingtigers.
Whenunsolvedcrimesoccurred,TheShadowbecameamasterofdetection.Hismarvelousbrainhaddevelopedthepowerofdeductiontoamiraculousdegree.Clewsbobbedupfromnowhere,thatthepolicemightfollowinthewakeofTheShadow’sfindings.
YetthesefacultieswerenotthegreatestthatTheShadowpossessed.Hehadonepowerthatwasbeyondallothers.Inthishesurpassedallsleuthsoffactorfiction.
TheShadow’sgreatestworkwasthediscoveryofcrime.Incaseswhichthepolicepassedover;ininstanceswhereeventhecraftiestschemersoftheunderworldsawnothingamiss,TheShadowappearedtodisclosedeepdesignsbeneathunruffledsurfaces.
AMASTERofdisguise,TheShadowcouldappearinanycompanyunsuspected.Butwhenhesteppedfromthenighttoappearasapowerofvengeance,hischosenpartwasthatofatallfiguregarbedinblack.Hiscryoftriumphwasamockinglaughthatchilledtheearsofhearers.
ThesymbolofTheShadowwasthegemuponhisfinger;thatfireopal,knownasagirasol-astoneunmatchedinalltheworld.Fewknewofitssignificance.ButwhenTheShadowwasatwork,thatsparklingjewelshoneuponhishand,likealivingeye.
Tonight,beneaththeraysofagreenshadedlamp,thegirasolwasglowingwithever-changinghues.Fromdeepcrimsonitbecamerichpurple;thenitchangedagaintoashadeofdarkenedblue.
ThehandsofTheShadowopenedanenvelope.OutfellthepapersthatRutledgeMannhadassembledthatafternoon.Onebyone,thepagesflutteredaside,untilonlytwoofthereportsremained.
OneborethenameofLamontCranston;theotherthatofDoctorGeraldSavette.
ThelaughofTheShadowechoedsoftlythroughtheshroudedroom,andreturnedinringingmockery,asthoughfromthewallsofatomb.ThelongpointedfingersspreadoverthesheetthattoldthehistoryofDoctorSavette.Ahandmovedintothedarkness;itreturnedwithapencil,andcheckedthisparagraph:
TheonlyvictimofthefireinSavette’ssanitariumatGarland,
LongIslandwasAustinBellamy,whoperishedinspiteofSavette’s
vainefforttoreachtheroomwherehelayhelpless.
Nowthehandprogressedtoapastedstripatthebottomofthepage.Itcheckedthesewords:
AustinBellamy’ssoleheirwashisstepbrother,HaroldSharrock,
whoisnowlivinginParis.Bellamy’sestatewasvaluedat
approximatelythreemilliondollars.
Onthemarginbesidethepastedparagraph,thehandmarkedthisnotation:
SendVincent
Therewasalong,silentpause,whileinvisibleeyesfromthedarkscannedtheotherreferencesconcerningDoctorSavette.Thefingerspickedupasmallenvelopethathadcomewithinthelargeone,anddrewforthadozensmallclippingsthattoldofdifferentcrimes.Thesewerespreadacrossthetable.
Thelefthand,withitsgleaminggem,movedacrossthemandpoisedaboveasingleclipping.Withuncannyprecision,itpickedthatsolitaryitemfromtherest.
Theclippingwasabriefparagraphthattoldofthefindingofayoungman’sbodyonavacantlotintheBronx.Thehandplacedtheclippinguponthetypedreport.
Nowanotherenvelopecameintoview.Fromitthehandsextractedafoldedclipping.ThatitemwouldhaveinterestedRutledgeMann,foritconcernedthestrangedisappearanceofProfessorPierreRachaud.MannhadsuppliedtheclippingtoTheShadow,buthadreceivednofurtherordersconcerningthecase.
Withgreatprecision,thehandssettheRachaudclippinginthecenterofthetable.Belowit,theyplacedthenewspaperaccountofClarkMurdock’sdeath.Aspaceremainedbelow.Itwasunfilled.
Therewassignificanceinthatblankareaofpolishedtablesurface.Itindicatedthatsomethingwastofollow.
THElaughofTheShadowwasawhisperedtoneasthelongrighthandplacedthetipofthepenciluponasheetofblankpaper.Itwrotethesewordsincolumnform,pausingmomentarilybetweeneachone:
Money.
Television.
AtomicEnergy.
Aeronautics.
Money.
Afterthewordatthetopofthecolumn,thehandofTheShadowinscribedthenameBellamy.NextonthelistcameRachaud.ThirdwasMurdock.Thetwofinalwordsreceivednonames.
Thelistandtheclippingswerepushedaside.OncemorethehandranoverthereportonDoctorSavette.Itfoundthestatement:
DoctorSavettehasleftNewYorkonseveraloccasionswithinthe
pastyear,butnoinformationofhisdestinationsisobtainable.
OncemoreTheShadow’slaughresounded.Besidethesentencethattoldofthephysician’sjourneys,thehandwroteasingleword:
Albania.
ThatwasthenameoftheshipfromwhichProfessorPierreRachaudhaddisappeared!
NowcamethesummaryofTheShadow’sfindings;brief,crypticstatements,writtenbythehandthatheldthepencil.
AustinBellamy:Bodyfoundinruinsofsanitarium.
PierreRachaud:LastseenonboardS.S.Albania.
ClarkMurdock:Bodyfoundindemolishedlaboratory.
Thehandpoised;thenwithonesweepinggesture,itdroveapenciledlinethroughtheentirelist.Againandagain,itrepeatedtheoperation,untilthewritingwasriddledwithcancelingmarks.
Thencameashort,spasmodicburstoflaughter;asharpcryofmockerythatstoppedwithamazingsuddenness.Thewallsthrewbackthesoundasthoughahostofhiddenelveshadansweredthecalloftheirmaster.
Papersandclippingsweresweptaway.Thetopofthetableshoneuncovered.Aclickcamefromthedarknessabove.Thespotofilluminationdisappeared.
Onlyimpenetrableblacknessremained-night-likegloomthatmurmuredwiththeuncannytonesofadepartingburstofeeriemirth.
TheShadowwasgone!
CHAPTERVI
TWOMENPLOT
DoctorGeraldSavettewasathome.Seatedinanupstairslivingroom,thephysicianwassmokinghispipeandreadingtheeveningnewspaper.Hissallowfacewasplacid,saveforaslightsmilethatcurleduponhislips.Evidentlyhisreadingwasasourceofpleasure.
Ashort,plainlydressedmansteppedintotheroom.DoctorSavetteturnedtowardhim.
“Whatisit,Hughes?”hequestioned.
“Mr.Tremontishere,sir.”
“Verywell.Askhimtocomeupstairs.”
Afewmomentslater,agray-hairedmanentered.Savetterosetogreethim.
Thetwomenwereofaboutthesameheight.Tremontwastheelder,butexceptforhisgrayishhair,hedidnotappeartobeSavette’ssenior.LikeSavette,Tremontwassmiling.Thetwomenclaspedhands,thensatoppositeeachother.Savettepickedupthenewspaperandturneditsothathisvisitorcouldreadtheheadlines.
“Whatdoyouthinkofit,Glade?”heasked.
“Verygood,Gerald,”repliedTremontapprovingly.“Very,verygood.Onlyitwasprettyclose.”
“Whatofit?”queriedSavette.“Youwerereadyforit,weren’tyou?”
“OnlybecauseIhappenedtobewithOrlinov,”answeredGladeTremont.“AssoonashelearnedthatSteffanhadskipped,hetoldmeaboutit.IsentahurrycalltoBiffTowley.”
“Yes,”saidSavette,“IreceivedbothhiscallsoveratMurdock’s.Ihadtoalibi
itbysayingtheywerefrommyoffice.Thatistheadvantageofthephysician.Unexpectedcallsareunsuspectedcalls.Thesecondonehelpedalot,too.ItgavemeanexcusetosayIwasleavingearly.”
“Thephonybodyworkedwell,”observedTremont.
“Ofcourse,”respondedSavette.“ThatbumthatBiffTowleypickedforasubjectwasalotlikeMurdockrightfromthestart.Itdidn’ttakelongformetoremedythefewfacialdefects.Plasticsurgeryisaquickmatterwithacorpse.”
Tremontrespondedwithalaugh.Savettesmiledknowingly.Bothmenweremeditativeforafewminutes;thenSavetteaskedaquestion.
“WhataboutLouisSteffan?”heinquired.“Didhefindoutverymuch?”
“Toomuch,”repliedTremont.“ItwasamistakeforOrlinovtohavehimupthere.Iknewthatallalong.OrlinovwantedhimbecausehecouldspeakRussian.Thatwasunnecessary.OrlinovtalksEnglishwellenoughtogetalongwithanyone,now.”
“Yes,”agreedSavette.“Still,hehastohavesomeoneintelligentenoughtobehissecretary.Hecan’tuseoneofthemob.Theyareallrightfortheotherjobs,but-”
HepausedsuddenlyandstaredpastTremonttowardasidewindowoftheroom.Theshadewasdrawn,butitappearedtobemovingasthoughsetinmotionbyabreezefromoutside.
“What’sthematter?”askedTremontlookinginthedirectionofhiscompanion’sstare.
“Thatwindow,”saidSavette.“Itisalwaysshutandlocked.Nowitappearstobeopen.Waitamoment.”
HEaroseandwenttothewindow.Heraisedtheshadeandrevealedthesashopenfromthetop.Hestaredatitinapuzzledmanner;thenraisedbothportionsofthesashandputhisheadoutintothedark.
Satisfiedwithabriefinspection,heloweredthebottomsashandlatchedthewindow.Hepulleddowntheshade,strodeacrosstheroom,andpressedabuzzer.
Hughesrespondedhalfaminutelater.Theservantlookedinquiringlyatthephysician.
“Didyouopenthatwindow?”askedDoctorSavette.
“No,sir,”repliedHughes.“ItwaslockedwhenIloweredtheshade.”
“Itwasopenafewminutesago,”declaredSavette,inareprovingtone.“Bemorecarefulafterthis,Hughes.”
Theservantlefttheroom,shakinghishead.Heclosedthedoorbehindhim.SavettelookedatTremontinapuzzledmanner.
“Ican’tunderstandthat,”hesaid.“Ihavebeeninthisroomallevening.Noonecouldhaveopenedthewindowfrominhere.Someonefromtheoutside-withtherightkindofimplementor-”
GladeTremontlaughedheartily.
“Youwanttheexplanation?”heasked.“I’llgiveittoyou.Hugheslied.Heforgottoclosethewindow.That’sall.”
“I’mnotsosureaboutthat,”declaredSavette,inathoughtfultone.
“Youaren’t?”queriedTremont.“Well,Iam.Youknowwhoisoutside,don’tyou?”
“BiffTowley?”
“Yes.JakeBoschiswithhim.Idon’ttakechanceswhenIcometoseeyou,Gerald.Theyarewatchingthishouselikeapairofhawks.TheylandedherehalfanhourbeforeIcamealong.
“Ifanyonescaledthatwallandopenedthewindow,ithappenedsometimeago,andthefellowisgonenow.Hecouldn’tgetupordownwithoutmakingalotofnoiseaboutit.BiffandJakewouldspothimsure.”
DoctorSavetteappearedreassured.Hesettledbackinhischair,andlightedhispipe.
“Wherewerewe?”hequestioned.
“TalkingaboutasecretaryforOrlinov,”repliedTremont.“Ithinkwecanhandlethat.TakeTowley,forinstance.HeissmartenoughtodoOrlinov’swork
-”
“ButTowleyisneededhere.”
“Certainly,Iammerelymentioninghimasanexample.Theremustbeothergangstersofhismentalcaliber.I’lltellhimwhatwewant.Hecangetone,eventhoughhemayhavetogooutsideofhisownmob.”
“Goodidea,”commendedSavette.Histonechangedsuddenly.OncemorehewasstaringbeyondTremont.
“Thatwindowagain!”hesaidinalowvoice.“IthoughtIsawtheshademove!”
UPonhisfeet,Savettestrodeacrosstheroomandraisedtheshade.Thewindowsashwastightlylocked.Savetteshruggedhisshoulders,anddrewdowntheshade.Hecamebacktohischair.
“Imagination,thattime,”hesaid.“Imightaswellforgetitfromnowon.TellmeallthathappenedwithSteffan.”
“Itwasquiteshortandquitesweet,”declaredTremont,withasmile.“OrlinovandIweretalkingyesterdayafternoon.Thefellowevidentlyoverheardus.Hedisappearedrightafterdinner.
“Wecalledinthemanatthegate,andhesaidthatSteffanhadgoneoutinacar,sayingthatOrlinovhadsenthimtothevillage-somethingwhichOrlinovhaddoneonafewoccasions.Wesentamandowntothestation,andhefound
thecarparkedthere.
“IfiguredthatSteffanhadjusthadtimeenoughtocatchtheexpressforNewYork.SoIcalledTowley,andthenIcalledyou.TowleyandBoschwerewaitingforhim.”
“Where?”
“AttheWeehawkenTerminal.SteffantriedtocallMurdock’splace,butTowleybeathimtoit.Hedialedthenumberfromanotherbooth.”
“Ah!That’swhyhetalkedsolongandsovaguely,whenhemadethefirstcall.Heaskedmetokeepspeaking,buthedidn’tsaywhy.”
“Youknowthereasonnow.Well,Steffangaveitupasabadjob,andheadedforMurdock’s.Jakewentalonginanothercab.Biffhadtwomenonthejob.JakenudgedSteffanintothecar,andhewoundupintheBronx.”
“Very,verynice,”saidDoctorSavette.“Well,it’salldonenow.YoutoldmeoverthephonethatyouheardfromOrlinovthisafternoon.”
“Yes,”declaredTremont.“Icamedownonthelatetrain,asyouknow.IreceivedOrlinov’swireabouttwoo’clockthisafternoon.Hereitis.”
Hedrewayellowslipfromhispocket,andhandedittothephysician.Savettesmiledashereadit.Helaidthetelegramonatablebesidehim.
“Nowaboutthenextjob,”hesuggested.
“I’lltakecareofthat,”respondedTremont.“Thatis,thefirstpartofit.Youknowmygeneralplan.Thereareadvantagesinbeinganattorney,justasthereareadvantagestothephysician.”
“Together,”observedSavette,“wemakeanexcellentteam.”
“Yes,butyouarehandicapped.”
“Ihaven’tshownit.”
“Iamspeakingcomparatively,Gerald.Firstofall,IcontactwellwithOrlinov.
Heappearsasaninventor,andIrepresenthim.Besidesthat,thereisnothingoutofthewayformetomeetBiffTowleyinmyoffice.Thatis,aslongasBiffkeepsawayfromcrimethatlookstoobig.Allracketeershavetheirlawyers.It’squitelegitimatetorepresentone.”
“Youhaveavarietyofclients,”saidSavette,withasmile.“ThebestcontrastwasbetweenBellamyandSharrock-”
“Let’snottalkaboutSharrock,”saidTremonttestily.“Weslippedupwithhim.Wehadhimwherewewantedhim,andwelethimgetaway.Ifithadn’tbeenforthat,wecouldhavecloseduplongago.”
“Perhaps,”respondedSavette,inareminiscenttone.“Butwhy?Circumstanceshaveputusinlineforamuchgreateropportunity.Youknowhowwestandnow,Glade.”
“Yes.Allright,ifwetakeourtime.ButI’mwonderingaboutthecapital.”
“Leavethattome.I’llfindawaytohandleit.Youbroughtinthefirst.I’llbringinthelast.”
GladeTremontarose.Hewalkedtowardthedoor,andGeraldSavettefollowedhim.Lawyerandphysician,theyappearedapairofreputablemen.
“HowisOrlinovmakingout?”questionedSavette,astheystoodwithinthedoor.“Aswellasheclaimedhewould?”
“Yes,”Tremontansweredhim.“HespeaksFrenchveryfluently.Ithasservedwell.”
Withthisremark,thelawyeropenedthedoor.Thephysicianaccompaniedhisguestdownstairs.Thelivingroomwasdeserted.
THEshadeofthesidewindowtrembledslightly.Itpressedslowlyinwarduntilitformedabulge.Frombeneathitcameamassofblack,whichdevelopedintoacrouchingform.
Thehuddledshapearoseandbecameatall,imposingfigure-amangarbedin
ablackcloak,whosefeatureswereobscuredbyanupturnedcollarandthebrimofabroadslouchhat.
Withgliding,silentstride,TheShadowsweptacrosstheroom.Hestoodbesidethechairswherethetwomenhaddiscussedtheiraffairs.Hiskeeneyesspottedthetelegramthatlayuponthetable.Ablack-glovedhandreachedforwardandpickedupthepaper.
ThemessagewasfromGlendale,NewYork.ItwasaddressedtoGladeTremont,WaverlyBuilding,NewYorkCity.ItwassignedIvanOrlinov.Itscapitalizedlettersformedthisstatement:
MODELOFNEWAPPARATUSRECEIVEDSTOPMAKINGFIRSTTESTTHURSDAY
Theglovedhandreplacedthepaperonthetable.Swiftly,TheShadowsweptacrosstheroomandmovedupwardbeneaththewindowshade.Thusconcealedfromview,hedrewhisformoverthesashes,whichwereatthebottomofthelargewindow.
Clinging,invisible,tothenarrowledge,hepushedthetopsashupward.Itglidednoiselesslyintoplace.Therewasascratchingsound-scarcelyaudible-asathinstripofmetalwaswedgedbetweenthetwosections.Underpressurefromtheunseenhand,thelatchonthelowersashclosedtightly.Themetalimplementwaswithdrawnleavingthewindowdark.
Batlike,thetallformmovedalongthewall,clingingtotheunevenstonesurface.Itwastotallyinvisibleinthedarknessasitbeganacarefuldescent.
ThenTheShadowstoppedhisprogressandremainedsuspendedtenfeetfromthegroundasstealthyfootstepscamealongthecementwalkbesidethehouse.
“Jake,”camealowwhisper.
“Allright,Biff,”wastheresponseshortdistanceaway.
“Comeon.We’rescramming.Hisnibshasleft.AllbeenO.K.inback?”
“Notarippleanywhere.”
Thetwomensaunteredawayinthedark.ThentheclingingformofTheShadowwasagaininaction.Noiselessly,themanofthedarkreachedthewalkandmadehiswaytothestreet.
Hewasabeingofsilenceashemergedintothedarkness.Tonight,TheShadowhadbeenamanofstealth.Notevenawhisperedlaughindicatedhisdeparture.
Twomenhadplottedwhiletheirhenchmenwereonguard.Theyweresupermenofcrime,andtheirunderlingswereshrewdandwatchful.
YetnotoneofthefourhaddetectedthepresenceofTheShadow.Silentlyandinvisibly,hehadcomefromthedarktolearnthewaysofthesemenofcrime.Tonight,TheShadowhadwithheldhishand.
Twomen,possessorsoftremendousresources,wereusingtheirguiseofhighrespectabilitytofurtheragiganticschemeofevil.TheShadow,alone,hadgainedaknowledgeoftheirmalefactions.Secretly,workingfromthedark,hemustsaptheirpoweruntilitwasnomorethananemptyshell.
ThenwouldTheShadowstrike!
CHAPTERVII
THESHADOW’SCHOICE
ITwaslateintheafternoonwhenBiffTowley,theswarthyracketeer,strolledintotheofficeofGladeTremont.Thevisitor’snamewasannounced,andhewasusheredintothelawyer’sprivateoffice.
EverygangsterofTowley’silkhadanattorney;andevensoprominentamanasGladeTremontwaswillingtoactaslegalrepresentativeforpersonswhokeptontheshadysideofthelaw.HencetherewasnothingoutoftheordinaryaboutBiffTowley’svisittothisplace.
Butwithinthewallsoftheinneroffice,wherethetwomenweresequesteredundisturbed,therelationshipbetweengangsterandattorneytookonanewlight.BiffTowleyhadnotcomehereforadvice.Hehadcometomakeareport,andtoreceiveinstructions.
“I’vegotagoodmanforyou,”declaredBiff,inalowtone.“Factis,I’vepickedtwoof‘em.It’suptoyoutomakeyourchoice.”
“Tellmeaboutthem,”saidTremontquietly.
“Well,”saidBiff,“whenyoutoldmenightbeforelast,thatyouneededaguythatcouldhandlearodandactlikeastiffshirt,too,Iknewitwasn’tgoingtobetooeasytogetone.YouknowthekindofbozosIkeepinmymob.”
GladeTremontnodded.
“IfiguredIcouldspotaguyIwanted,”continuedBiff,“ifIwaitedaroundattheClubSavilla.That’smyregularhangout,andlotsofsmoothbirdscomeinthere.Well,lastnight,twoofthemshowedup.Gottalkingwithboth.Expecttosee‘emagaintonight,andI’llsignuptheoneyouwant.”
“Whoarethey?”
“OneisPinkeyBaird.Lookslikeagentlemen,andactslikeone.Anoldconman,restingeasy.Goodwiththerod.I’veknownhimfromyearsback.Justthesmoothsortoffellowwewant;talksinlongsyllablesandallthat.”
“Whoistheother?”
“Idon’tknowhimsowell,butI’vemethimbefore.He’sbeenoutofNewYorkforawhile.CliffMarslandishisname.HedidtimeupintheBigHouse,butthat’sprettywellforgottennow.He’sbeenmixedupinacoupleofbigrackets,andhe’salwayscomeoutO.K.Thedickshaven’tgotathingonhim.”
“Doeshelookthepartwewant?”
“Tothedot.YoungerthanPinkeyBaird.Poker-faced,buthetalkslikeacollegegraduate.Iguessheisone,forthatmatter.”
“Didyoumakeadealwitheitherofthem?”
“No.Iwantedtotalktoyoufirst.They’llbothbeattheClubSavillatonight.AllI’vegottodoisgivethewinktotherightone,andholdhimthereaftertheotherhasgoneaway.ThoughtI’dtalkitoverwithyou,first.”
“That’sright,”commendedthelawyer.“Fromwhatyousay,Biff,eitheronewoulddo.IpreferPinkeyBaird,however.”
“Ifeelthesameway,”agreedthegangster.
“You’veknownBairdlonger,”saidTremontthoughtfully.“He’solderand,fromwhatyousay,he’ssafer.ThisfellowMarslandsoundslikeagoodone-butIchooseBairdinpreference.Tryhim.
“Ifhewantsthejob,giveittohim.Ifhedoesn’t,thentakeMarsland.I’mleavingittoyourjudgment,Biff.IwantthemantogotoGlendaletomorrow.”
BiffTowleynodded.
“Youknowallaboutit,Biff,”declaredTremont.“Tellyourmantheoldstory.Orlinovhasenemies.Needsanintelligentcompanion.Hastheplaceunderguard.Alltherestofit.Beyondthat,keepmum-asusual.”
Thegangstergrinned.WelldidheknowthegamethatGladeTremontwasplaying.Hehadhelpedthatgame,andithadprovenprofitable.
TremontwasasquareshooterinBiff’sestimation.Atthesametimetheswarthygangsterknewwellthathewastotallywithinthelawyer’spower.AsnapofTremont’sfingers,andthepolicewouldhaveenoughevidencetosendBifftotheelectricchair.
Yetthegangleaderwasnotillatease.HeknewthatthethreatwhichhungoverhimwouldneverbeusedsolongasheplayedsquarewithGladeTremont.
Biffhadneverentertainedthenotionofdouble-crossinghischief.Hencehedweltinsecurity,andhadprovenhimselfanimportantadjuncttothelawyer’s
schemes.
“That’sall,Biff,”saidTremont.“IchooseBaird-ifyoucangethim.OtherwiseMarsland.Orlinovknowsallaboutit.Fixittonight.”
BIFFTOWLEYlefttheoffice.HestrolledalongBroadwayanddroppedintoatheater.Bifflikedcrimethrillers.Theygavehimalaugh-thesemurderpictures-whenhecomparedthemwiththereality.
Itwasnearlysixo’clockwhenhewentintothetheater.ThatmeantthathewouldreachtheClubSavillaafternine.
Mentally,BiffTowleyagreedwithGladeTremont’schoice.“Pinkey”BairdwastherightmanforthejobatGlendale.TherehadbeentroublebecauseofLouisSteffan-butLouisSteffanhadnotbeenaproductoftheunderworld.
WitheitherBairdorMarslandservingOrlinov,therewouldbenorepetitionofthetroublethathadoccurredwithSteffan.
Biffhadleftbothmeneagertomeethimagain.Heknewthateachwaslookingforatie-upwithashadyenterprise.Eithercouldbeboughtcheapandwouldservewell.
Biffhadpromisednothing.Hehadmerelyintimatedthathewouldliketoseehisacquaintancesagain.TonighthewouldlineupBairdandeaseoffMarsland.Unless-aswasextremelyunlikely-Bairdshouldexpressalackofinterest.
BUSINESSwasmovingattheClubSavillabeforethehourofnine.WhileBiffTowleywasstillenjoyingthefeaturetalkie,athrongofearlycomerswasfilingintothegayuptownnightclub.AmongtheseearlyarrivalswerethetwomenwhowereanxioustomeetBiffTowleyagain.
Theyenteredtheclubalmostsidebyside,butdidnotspeaktooneanother,fortheywerenotacquainted.TheyhadmetBiffTowleyseparately,thenightbefore.
Eachtookhisplaceataseparatetable,butbothwereclosetothespotwhereBiffTowleymadehisheadquartersonhisnightlyvisitstotheClubSavilla.Tiltedchairsdenotedthegangleader’sreservation.
CliffMarsland,huskyandsteady-faced,didnotappeartobeagangster.Quietlypuffingatacigarette,hehadtheairofawealthyclubmember.Hewasattiredinatuxedo,andhisclotheswerewell-fittedandimmaculate.
PinkeyBaird,twentyfeetaway,formedacontrasttoCliffMarsland.Hisfacehadacunninglook.Hisrovingeyeswereeverywhereasthoughseekingsomeonewhomhecouldinterestinagold-brickproposition.
Cliff’seyesmetPinkey’s;butthestarewasonlymomentary.NeitherknewthattheotherwasawaitingBiffTowley.InPinkey,Cliffrecognizedthelookoftheshrewdconfidenceman.InCliff,Pinkeysawonlyastern-visagedpersonwhowouldbetoosmarttofallforanyplanthathemightoffer.Sobothlostinterestintheother.
AtallmancladinadarksuitenteredtheClubSavillaandstrolledovertothetablewherePinkeyBairdwasseated.Hesatdownwithoutaword,andlookedatthemenucard.
PinkeyBairdsurveyedhimquizzically,thenlookedelsewhere.ButCliffMarslandstaredwithfurrowedbrow.
Thenewcomerhadanimpassiveface,andhishawklikenosegavehimasternappearance.Somehow,thatfaceimpressedMarsland.
Hetriedtocatchaglimpseofthestranger’seyes,butfailed.Theywereturnedtowardthetable,exceptwhentheyoccasionallypeeredinthedirectionofPinkeyBaird,whowasstaringstraightahead,unnoticing.
Cliffhadseenthatmanlastnight.Thehawk-facedstrangerhadbeenseatedatatablecloseby,whileCliffhadbeenchattingwithBiffTowley.Strangelyenough,thesamemanhadbeentherewhileBiffandPinkeyBairdhadconversed.ButPinkey,unlikeCliffhadnotnoticedhispresence.
Now,asCliffMarslandendedhisscrutiny,itwasPinkeyBairdwhofoundhisinterestarousedbythemanwiththehawknose.AvoicespokeatPinkey’selbow.Surprisedbythelowtones,Pinkeyturnedsuddenlytomeetthegazeof
twosharp,burningeyes.
“Goodevening,Baird,”cametheeven,monotonousvoice.“YouarewaitingforBiffTowley.”
“Whoareyou?”questionedPinkey,inalowgrowl.
“Thatdoesnotconcernus,”wasthedeliberatereply.“TheimportantmatteristhatyouareleavingherebeforeTowleyarrives.”
“Yes?”PinkeyBairdraisedhiseyebrows“That’syouridea,isit?”
“Itismyorder,”statedthehawk-facedone.
“Tryandmakeme,”chuckledPinkeyBaird.
“Ihavenoquarrelwithyou,”saidthestrangerquietly.“ButIcanmakeoneifyoudesireit.Theeasycourseisforyoutoleave-now.IfeelthatatripSouthwouldbegoodforyourhealth.
“Thisenvelope”-alonghandappearedwithasealedpackage-“containsaticketandreservationontheFloridaFlyerthatleavesat9:15.Takeit.”
Withacontemptuousgesture,PinkeyBairdflungtheenvelopebacktothemanwhohadgivenittohim.Heleanedbackinhischair,andgrinnedashelookedtowardthedanceflooroftheclub.Thenthesmilefrozeonhislips.
WITHOUTaword,thestrangerhadnudgedclosetohischair,andnowthethreateningmuzzleofanautomaticwasticklingPinkey’sribs.Theconfidencemanturnedpale.
“Movealong,”camethelowvoice.
Pinkeystaredintoapairofmenacingeyes.Herealizedthathehadmetamanwhomeantbusiness.Shakily,hearosefromthetableandstartedtowardthedooroftheClubSavilla.
Thehawk-facedmanrosewithhim.Sidebyside,theykeptpace.Cliff
Marslandstaredinsurpriseasthemenpassedhistable.Hedidnotseethehiddenautomatic.
“YouaregoingtoFlorida,”whisperedthevoiceinPinkey’sear.“Youaregoingtostaythere-foronemonth.Longer,ifyouwish.Hereisyourticket.”
Pinkeyfelttheenvelopeasitenteredhispocket.Gradually,hewasyieldingtothedominanceofthismanwhohadsosuddenlyappearedtocommandhim.
TheyreachedthestreetinfrontoftheClubSavilla.There,thestrangerbeckonedtoataxicab.HeurgedPinkeyintothecar.Hefollowed.
Pinkeyrealizedthatthismanwouldbrooknodelay.Hewastakinghimtothestation-forthatwastheorderthatPinkeyheardhimgivetothetaxidriver.
Asthecabpulledawayfromthecurb,thepressureoftheautomaticrelaxed.Slumpedbackintheseat,PinkeyBairdappearedcompletelysubdued.Thecabmovedonwardafewyards;thenstoppedatatrafficlight,lessthanhalfablockfromtheClubSavilla.
ThesightofauniformedpolicemanbroughtasuddeninspirationtoPinkeyBaird.Hewasnotinwrongwiththepolice.Perhapsthismanwas.Whyshouldhelethimselfbeshuntedawayattheorderofastranger?
Likeaflash,Pinkeyfelluponthemanbesidehim.Sinewyandwiry,theconfidencemanwasapowerfulfighter.Heknewthathisopponentwouldnotriskashot.
Theswiftnessofhisattackservedhimwell.Withonehand,Pinkeypulledtheknobofthedoor.Ashisopponentgrippedhim,Pinkeydovewithbothhandsfortheautomatic.
Thecabwasstartingforward,itsdoorswingingwide,asPinkeyraisedacryforhelp.Thepolicemanwasdashingforthesidewalk.Pinkeywasgrippingthemuzzleofthegunashesoughttodragtheothermantowardthedoorofthecab.
TheoddswereallinPinkeyBaird’sfavor.Hehadraisedtheshout.Hisopponentcouldnotstophimnow.Thatgunintheotherman’shandwouldmeantroubleforhim.Itwastoolateforhisenemytofire,Pinkeyreasoned;butinthathewaswrong.
Amuffledshotoccurredwithinthetaxicab.Pinkey’stuggingholdrelaxed.Hetoppledaway,andplungedheadlongthroughtheopendoor,fallingflatinthestreet.
Thedoorclosed,andthestartleddriverheardasharpcommandtodriveonward.Knowingthathisremainingpassengerwasarmed,hehadnootherchoice.Heslippedthecarintogear.
Thedriverdidnotheartheleftdoorofthecabopenandclose.Thedarkenedstreetwasfilledwithstoppingcars.Theshrillblastofapolicewhistlesoundedfromthespotwherethecabhadbeen.Thewaywasblockedahead.
Betweentwomenaces,thecabmanstoppedhiscarandcroucheduponthedriver’sseat.Heexpectedashottoissuefromwithinthecab.
Theshotnevercame.Ahuskypolicemandasheduptothesideofthecab.Withheavyhandsheyankedopenthedoor.Thedriver,rising,staredinthatdirection.
Thecabwasempty!
WHEREwasthemysteriouspassenger?Peoplewerethrongingaboutthecab.Driversofothercarswererunningup.Theyweretalkingexcitedlyabouttheshotthattheyhadheard;butnonecouldofferfurtherinformation.
Atallmanwithahawkishfacepickedhiswaybetweentwostoppedcars,andapproachedthecab.Hepluckedthepoliceman’ssleeve.Theofficerturnedtowardthenewcomer.
“Someoneleftthecab,”thetallmanannounced,inadeliberatevoice.“Hewentoutofthedooronthestreetside.Justasthecabstartedforward.”
Adriverwhohadlefthiscarsomedistancebackcamepuffingupintimetohearthewords.
“He’sright,officer,”thenewarrivaldeclared.“IthoughtIsawsomefellowcutinfrontofmyheadlights.Icouldn’ttracehimafterthat.Hewasheadedfortheoppositesidewalk.Hemusthavegonedownthestreet.”
Thestatementwaslogical.Itwasobviousthatthemysteriousassailantwouldnolongerbeanywherenearthisvicinity.
OtherpolicemenwerearrivingThepeoplecrowdedaboutthecabwerepushedaside.Driverswentbacktotheircars.Bystandersmovedtothesidewalk.Amongthesewasthehawk-facedman.
HewatcheduntilanambulancehaddrivenawaywithPinkeyBaird.Hewaiteduntiltrafficwasflowingalongthestreet.ThenhequietlyreturnedtotheClubSavilla.
Tenminuteslater,BiffTowleyarrivedattheentrancetothenightclub.Anassistanttothemanagerdrewhimtoonesideashesteppedthroughthedoor.
“Troubleoutinthestreetalittlewhileago,”saidtheassistantmanager,inalowvoice.“Acoupleoftoughbabiesbegantoshootitoutinataxicab.”
“Whowerethey?”questionedBiff,inanundertone.
“Ionlysawoneofthem,”repliedtheassistant.“Hewasthefellowwhotookit.Hewasinherebeforeithappened,butIdidn’tshoutaboutit.Thoughtyouwouldliketoknow,though,becauseyoumettheguylastnight.PinkeyBaird,theoldconman.”
“PinkeyBaird!”Biff’seyesnarrowed“Youdon’tknowwhogothim?”
“Nope.Ididn’tseehimgoout.Youknowthewayitiswiththosesmall-timers.Alwaysbattlingamongthemselves.”
“DidPinkeygettheworks?”
“No.Justaclipintheshoulder.Hedidanosediveoutofthecab,though,andhewascoldwhenIsawhim.He’llbearoundagaininafewdays.”
BIFFTOWLEYwasthinkingashewalkedbacktohisfavoritetable.AfewdaysontheshelfputPinkeyBairdoutofajob,sofarasBiffwasconcerned.Furthermore,hedidnotliketheideaoftakingonamanwhohadparticipatedinarecentfeud.
Inaway,Biffwasgladthatthishadoccurredtonight.ItshowedhimthatPinkeywouldnotdo.
Lookingupfromhistable,BiffspiedCliffMarsland.Hewavedagreetingtohisacquaintance.CliffaroseandcameovertoBiff’stable.
“Iwanttotalktoyou,”saidBiff.“I’vegotsomethingforyou,Cliff.Ajobthat’smadeforyou.Wantit?”
“Surething.”
“Allright,then.Listen.”
Inalowvoice,BiffTowleybeganhisstory.CliffMarslandlistened,noddinghisunderstanding.Bothmenwereintent.Neithernoticedanotherwhowaswatchingthemfromtheseclusionofatablebesideapillar.
Itwasthehawk-facedmanwhohadreturnedfromhisencounterwithPinkeyBaird.Quietly,hesurveyedthechattingmen.Hewaited,silentandaustere,untilthetwoaroseandlefttheClubSavilla.Then,fromhisfirm,straightlipscamealow-whisperedlaughthatthrobbedinaudibly.
ItwasthesoundlessmirthofTheShadow.Hehadcalledtheturn.LastnighthehadobservedBiffTowleytalkingwithtwomen-PinkeyBairdandCliffMarsland.Heknewthatoneofthesewastobeselected.HehadeliminatedPinkeyBaird.
Therewasareason.CliffMarslandreputedgangster,wasamanwhohadaspecialmission.Presumablyafreelanceintheunderworld,hewasinrealityanagentofTheShadow.HehadbeensummonedtomakecontactwithBiffTowley,theverynightthatTheShadowhadlistenedtotheschemesofGladeTremontandDoctorGeraldSavette.
Anewmanwasbeingcalledinbytheplotters;andthatmanwasTheShadow’semissary.BiffTowleyhadfoundtwowhowoulddo.HeandGladeTremonthadmadetheirchoice-PinkeyBaird.
Butcircumstanceshadalteredthatdecision.PinkeyBairdwasnottobetheirman.Instead,CliffMarslandhadreceivedthejob.
CliffMarslandwasTheShadow’schoice!
CHAPTERVIII
ORLINOV’SCASTLE
CLIFFMARSLANDwasseatedonabroadveranda,smokingacigarette.Beforehimwasawidelawnthatendedinathickclumpoftrees,cleavedbyanarrowroad.BeyondthatweretherollingmountainsidesoftheCatskills.
Cliffleanedhisheadbackinhischairandlethiseyesrovestraightupward.Therehesawawallofgraystone,toppedbyathick,projectingturret.Thishugebuildingwasareplicaofamedievalcastle.
Aremarkableplace,thislargeestatesituatedthreemilesfromthetownofGlendale.Cliffhadfirstspieditfromthehillsideroad,thedaythathehadarrivedinGlendale.
Ithadamazedhimthen,thegray-walledbuildingwithitssquatwingsandunevenbattlements.ItlookedlikethefortressofabaronoftheMiddleAges-asightthatwouldhavebeencommonplaceinEurope,yetwhichwasastonishinginNewYorkState.
IthadnottakenClifflongtolearnthehistoryoftheplace.Ithadbeenbuiltbyawealthyrailroadmagnate,somefortyyearsbefore,andhadbeendisposedofbyhisheirs.Thename“Glamartin”wasstillinscribedovertheoldstoneentrancegate-forthathadbeenthenameoftheestate.
NowitwastheresidenceofIvanOrlinov,wealthyRussianoftheczaristrealm,whohadbecomeanaturalizedAmericancitizen.
Tothecasualobserver,Orlinov’scastlewasasecludedandplacidplace.Theestatecomprisedsomethirtyacres,fencedwithahigh-spikedironfence,wellpostedwithsignsthatforbadetrespassing.
Besidesthisbarrier,Orlinovemployedtheservicesofmorethanadozenmen,whoservedinvariouscapacities.
Gardeners,chauffeurs,cooks,andbutlers-thesewerethepositionsthattheyoccupied.
ButCliff,evenifhehadnotbeeninformedbeforehand,wouldhaveimmediatelyrecognizedtheirtruecaliber.Heknewgraduatesoftheunderworldwhenhesawthem.EverymaninOrlinov’sretinuewasaclose-mouthedmobsterwhohadcomeherefromNewYork.
Therewasagunoneveryhip.Thegardenerscarriedweapons;sodidthecook.AsCliffshiftedhisposition,hefelthisownrevolverbulgeagainsthisside.ForalthoughhewastechnicallyOrlinov’ssecretary,hewasalsoanappointedmemberofthecrewofarmedhenchmenwhosevigilancewasneverending.
IthadbeenBiffTowley’stasktosupplyOrlinovwithretainers,andtheNewYorkgangleaderhaddonehisworkwell.EveryoneoftheseunderlingstookordersdirectfromtheRussian.Eachmanhadhisownduties,andkepthisowncounsel.Argumentsanddisagreementsweretaboo.
Everymanhadagoodreasonforbeingsatisfiedhere,livingeasyandawayfromthebesettingdifficultiesofManhattan.Hadanyoneattemptedmutiny,theotherswouldhaveswarmeduponhiminaninstant.
INthistransplantedrealmofgangdom,CliffMarslandwasbidinghistime.Hehaddutieshere,otherthanthosewhichBiffTowleyhadplannedforhim.WhileheappearedtobeanswerabletoBiffalone,hewasactuallyintheserviceofTheShadow.
Butheknewthathisusefulnesswouldceasethemomentthathebetrayedhishand.Forthatreason,CliffMarslandwasplayingawaitinggame.Alreadyhehadlearnedafewfactsofinterest.Hewasholdingthemforthepresent.ItwasnotyettimetocommunicatewithTheShadow.
TherewasmysteryhereinOrlinov’scastle;andsofar,Cliffhadnotbeenabletopenetrateit.
Thehugebuildingwasdividedintothreesections,thenarrowcentralportionandthetwosidewings.Theleftportionofthehousewaswherethemajorityofthemenresided,Cliffamongthem.IvanOrlinovandtwoofhisoldesthenchmenlivedintherightwingofthebuilding.
There,Cliffknew,Orlinovhadalaboratoryandaworkshop,Hisonlyassistant-outsideofthemobsters-wasataciturnRussiancalledPetri,whoneverleftthatportionofthehouse.Thewingcouldbeenteredonlyfromthecentralsection,andthewaywasclosedbyanirondoor.
Onthesurface,itseemedlikelythatOrlinovwasmerelyasuspiciousinventorwhofearedthatsomeonemightstealthefruitsofhiscreativemind;butCliffthoughtdifferently.UnlessOrlinovfearedthelawitself,hewouldnotrequiretheservicesofsuchalargecrewofmobsters.
HowdidaffairsatthisplaceconcernTheShadow?ThatwasaquestionCliffMarslandcouldnotanswer.
Whenhehadarrivedhere,hehadwonderedwhytherehadbeennoaction.ThepresenceofthearmedforcewasnotsufficienttorestrainTheShadow.Cliffhadknownthatremarkablemantofighthiswaythroughtwentyhoodlums.
Butastimeprogressed,Cliff,althoughhehadfoundnosolutiontothemysterieshere,hadgainedaninklingofTheShadow’spurpose.
Somehow,Orlinovmustpossessthekeytoanamazingschemeofcrime.OnefalsestepbyTheShadowmightmeandisastertoanyattempttofrustratetheevil.Furthermore,Cliff’sownexperiencewithBiffTowleyindicatedthatmattersherewerelinkedwitheventsinNewYork.WelldidCliffknowthatTheShadowwasvigilantinManhattan.
TheonepointthatCliffhadparticularlyobservedwasthatofOrlinov’scorrespondence.MostofithadbeenaddressedtoGladeTremont,aNewYorkattorney,whorepresentedtheRussianinallhislegalaffairs.
Thisappearedtobeabonafidearrangementthatmighthavenoconnectionwithcrime,yettheconnectionhadarousedCliff’ssuspicions.
Whilethusengagedinsummarizinghisexperiencesandfindingsinoneweek,CliffMarslandheardafootfallontheporchandturnedhisheadtoseeIvan
Orlinovapproaching.TheRussianseatedhimselfandlookedinCliff’sdirection.Cliffbecamealert.
IVANORLINOVpossessedanappearancethatwasbothbrutalandimposing.Hewasabigbulkofaman,withacountenancethatwascoldandstolid.Heworeaclose-croppedreddishbeard,whichPetritrimmedforhimeveryfewdays.
Hiseyes,deepsetbetweenhalf-closedlids,hadahabitofopeningatunexpectedmoments.Whentheydid,theyglowedlikespotsofflame,lividandthreatening.
Thisafternoon,Orlinovwasmildanddeliberate.Heseemedinathoughtfulmoodashepuffedahugeblackcigar.Hisauburnbeardglistenedinthelight.ThemanspokepleasantlyasheturnedtoCliff.
“Well,Marslandt”-thevoicewasdeepandmarkedwithadistinctlyforeignaccent-“youhaffbeenhereoneweeknow.”
“Oneweektoday,”repliedCliff.
“Thatisgoot,”declaredOrlinov.“Ihopeyouhafflikedit.Youaretostayalongwhile,youknow.”
“It’sallthesametome.”
Orlinov’seyesopenedmomentarily;thenclosedastheRussiancontinuedinareflectivetone.
“Imayhaffavisitortonight,”hesaid.“Itissveryimportantthatweshouldnotbedisturbed.Youunderstandt?”
“Yes,sir.”
“IthinkIhafftoldtyouaboutthemanthatwassherebeforeyou,nein?”
“Youmeanyourlastsecretary?”
“Yess.HewassamanwhospokeRussian,whichwasgoot.Buthewassamanwhomademistakes.Notliketheseotherswhoarehere.Hewasnotlikeyou.”
“Onemistakeistoomanyforamantomake,”observedCliff,asheextractedafreshcigarettefromapack.
“Iamgladyoutinklikethat,”declaredOrlinov.“Thatissbecauseyouhaffcomefromtherightman.Idonotlikemistakes.Theybringtrouble-andthattroublecomestothosewhohaffmadethemistakes.Youunderstandt?”
“Exactly,”saidCliff,withemphasis.
IvanOrlinovlaughedgruffly.HeseemedpleasedwithCliff’sstatement.Hearoseandgavepartinginstructions.
“Thismanwillcomeherefordinner,”heexplained.“HeissMr.Tremont,mylawyerfromNewYork.Youshallmeethim,Marslandt.ButwhenIwishtospeaktohiminprivate,youshallgo.Youunderstandt?”
“Certainly,”respondedCliff.
“Thereissmuchformethatyoucando,”addedOrlinov.“Butitisswisethatyoushouldbeherealongtimefirst.Ihaffbeenverycarefulinthepast.Whenonemantriestoknowthosethingswhichheshouldnotknow,itissbad.Thatwasswhytheonebeforeyouhassgoneaway.Youunderstandt?”
CliffnoddedshortlyandwatchedwhileOrlinovwalkedbacktowardthedoorofthebighouse.
TheintendedvisitofGladeTremontinterestedhimdeeply.Orlinovhadreceivedaletterfromthelawyerthatmorning.Evidentlyithadannouncedhiscontemplatedtrip.
AFTERNOONwaswaning.Acarswungaroundthecornerofthehouseandranalongthenarrowroadwaytowardtheclumpoftrees.Itwasboundforthestation,inallprobability,tomeetGladeTremontwhenhearrived.
Whateverthelawyer’sbusinessmightbewithOrlinov,CliffMarslandwasdeterminedtolearnittonight.Somethingimportantmustbeintheair;otherwiseTremontwouldnotfinditnecessarytocomeupfromNewYork.
PerhapsthelawyerrepresentedtheRussianinlegitimateenterprises.Nevertheless,anythingthatmightbediscussedwouldatleastgiveaclewtowhatwashappeninginthiscastle-likemansion.
CliffMarslandarosefromhisrecliningchair.Hehadnothingtodountiltheevening.SofarasOrlinovwasconcerned,hisworkwasendedfortheday-unlesstheremightbesomedetailstoprepareforGladeTremont.ButtonightloomedveryimportantinCliffMarsland’smind.HesensedthatthiswouldbehisfirstopportunitytogainresultsforTheShadow.
Steppingtothefrontoftheporch,Cliffflunghiscigaretteonthelawn.Heturnedtowardthebigbuilding,andhissidelonggazewanderedtothewingattheright.Thereinlaythesecretofthisplace.Beforehisworkwasendedhere,Cliffwouldknowallaboutit.
Thesunwassettingoveramountain,andthecoldgloomofnightwasspreadingitshazeaboutthesegraywalls.Thesullenturretsspokeofcrimeandmystery.Soontheywouldbedarkandshadowy.
Therewasaprophetictouchtothescene.ToCliff,thegrowingduskbespokethepresenceofalivingshadow-amanwholivedwithinthenight.CliffwasherebecauseTheShadowknewthatallwasnotwellwithinthesewalls.
Crime,butsuspectedonlybyTheShadow!Wasitcrimeofthepastorcrimeofthefuture?Cliffsmiledgrimlyasheenteredthehighfrontdoorandstrodeacrossthedarkeninghallway.
Tonight,ifallwentwell,TheShadowwouldlearnofplotsthatweretranspiringhere.HewouldlearnofthemthroughCliffordMarsland’swatchfulness.
CHAPTERIX
CLIFFSENDSAMESSAGE
Itwasevening.ThreemenwereseatedinthelivingroomofIvanOrlinov’sabode.OnewastheRussian;thesecondwasGladeTremont;thethirdwasCliffMarsland.
Tremonthadarrivedbeforedinner.HehadbeenintroducedtoCliffbyOrlinov.Cliffhadcaughttheshrewd,penetratingglanceofthelawyer,andithadplacedhimimmediatelyuponhisguard.
Fromthatmoment,CliffhadsensedthatTremontknewallabouthispresencehere.HesawaconnectionbetweentheattorneyandBiffTowley,theNewYorkgangleader.
Yetnowalullingsilencehadfallen.Thediscussionduringdinnerhadbeenoflittleconsequence.Hereinthelivingroom,themenwereseatedbeforeaglowingfire,foreveningsbroughtchillinthisregionofhighaltitude.Tremontwasspeakingofthedifficultiesthatwentwiththepatentingofnewinventions;buthewasnotatallspecificinhisremarks.
Atlastthesubjectchanged.Tremont,glancingfromthecornerofhiseye,lookedtowardCliffMarsland,whosawtheaction,butgavenoindicationofhavingnoticedit.
“Well,Mr.Orlinov,”saidthelawyer,“Iamgladthatthelastapparatusyoureceivedhasprovensatisfactory.Itisworkingwell?”
“Yess,”saidthebeardedman,staringtowardthefire.
Here,asinthesunlight,Orlinov’sbeardwasglistening.Ithadtheruddyglowofburnishedgold.Theman’seyeswereopen,andtheycaughtthesparkleofthefire.
Inthatface,Cliffdetectedanewexpression-adeterminedbrutalitythatgavetheRussiantheappearanceofamockingfiend.
“Youwouldliketosee?”questionedOrlinov,staringdirectlyatTremont.
“Ishouldbeinterested,”returnedthelawyer.
“Come,”saidOrlinov.HeturnedtoCliff.“Youwillstayhere,Marslandt.Ihavebusiness-aprivatebusiness-withMr.Tremont.”
“Yes,sir,”rejoinedCliff.
Themencrossedthelivingroom,andCliffseemedindifferenttotheirdeparture.Hefanciedthatquestioninglookswouldbedirectedbacktowardhim,buthepaidnoattention.Instead,hestareddirectlyatthefire.
Heknewwherethosemenweregoing.Throughtheirondoorthatledtothemysterywingofthishouse.
CliffMarslandplayedhunches.Hewasamanofaction.HehadgainedhiscravingforexcitementonthebattlefieldsofFrance.HehadcontinueditintheserviceofTheShadow.Inactivityweariedhim.Hewasmostconfidentwhenhewasindanger.
Yethealsopossessedareasoningmind.HeknewfromwhatbothBiffTowleyandIvanOrlinovhadtoldhimthattheprevioussecretaryherehadprovenfalse.
Cliffpicturedasituationverymuchlikethisone-aman,leftaloneinthelivingroom,whiletheothers,probablytheverytwowhohadjustdeparted,wentawaytodiscussmattersofimportance.Cliff’spredecessorhadevidentlypried,andhaddoubtlesspaidforhistemeritywithhislife.
That,insteadofbeingarestrainttoCliffMarsland,wasanincentive.Sofar,Orlinovhadtrustedhim.Cliffwasarmed,andcapableoftakingcareofhimself.Therewasonlyonereasonforcaution.
HemustnotrevealhisgamebecauseofTheShadow.Nevertheless,Cliffwasdeterminedtomakeuseofthepresentopportunity.
THISlivingroomwasinthecenterportionofthehouse.Itleddirectlytothehall.TherewasnoreasonwhyCliffshouldnotgointothehall.Sohearoseandstrolledinthatdirection.
Inthehall,heobservedthedoorthatledtothemysterywing.Thedoorwasaslidingone,anditwaspartlyopened.
Clifflaughedsoftly.Hesawitasatrap.Idly,helightedacigaretteandsaunteredtothefrontdoor,wherehemadehisexittotheporch.
Twocoursesseemedapparent.Onewastogobackandenterthatopendoor.That,toCliffmeantcertaintrouble.Itwastooobviouslyatesttosoundhimout.Theothercoursewastodonothing;tobecontentwithknowingthatGladeTremonthadcometoGlendale.
Neitheroftheseplansappealed.Cliffsoughtaschemethatwouldhavetheadvantageofbothandthedisadvantageofneither.Hestaredtowardthesilentwingofthehouse.
Somewhere,there,TremontandOrlinovwereinconference.CliffwonderedwhatTheShadowwoulddoifhewerehere.PerhapsTheShadowmightbehere.Thatwaspurespeculation.
However,thethoughtbroughtinspiration.Cliff’sproblemwastoenterthemysterioussectionofthehousewithoutgoingthroughtheopendoor.Scalingthewallwouldbeadangeroustask.Thewindowsofthegroundfloorwerebarred;thoseabovewerelikewiseprotected.Furthermore,Cliffknewthatwatchfulmenwerelikelytobeprowlingthegroundsaboutthehouse.
Thenhethoughtoftheturrets.Twoofthem,largeandimposing,toweredabovethefrontofthehouse.Therewereothersatthejointofeachwing.
Betweenthemwerebattlements-highwallsofstonethatcopiedthepatternofgrim,old-timefortresses.Nonchalantly,Cliffsaunteredbackintothehouseandhummedsoftlyashestrolledintothelivingroom.
Therehismannerchanged.Hepeeredintothedesertedhall,tomakesurethatnoonewaswatchingfromthatpartlyopeneddoor.Theinspectionconvincedhimthatwhoevermightbelyinginwaitwaswellpasttheinvitingbarrier.
Softly,Cliffstoletotherearofthehall,andascendedthestepsthatledtothesecondfloor.
Thiswasalittle-usedportionofthehouse.Ithadnoconnectionwithany
portionotherthanthecentralhallway.
Atthefrontofthesecondstoryweretwodoors,oneforeachofthedisusedturrets.Clifftriedthedooronthesidetowardthemysterywing.Hefounditlocked,butnotformidably.Heopeneditwithaskeletonkey,andascendedawindingstairway,whichterminatedinasmallroomwithintheexpandingturret.
Here,Clifffoundanuncasedwindow.Heslippedthroughitanddroppedquicklytotheroofbehindabattlement.Hemadehiswaytothenearestofthesmallerturrets.Thishadanarrow,slit-likeopening,throughwhichCliffmanagedtosqueezehisbody.
Hewasinasmallroom,andashewalkedacrossit,theflooryieldedslightlybeneathhisfeet.Thatindicatedatrapdoor.
Thetrapopenedupward.Cliffdescendedacylindricalshaftofstonebymeansofametalladder.Atthebottom,heencounteredanotherdoor,locked.
Itrequiredcarefulprobingwiththekeybeforehemanagedtounlockthebarrier.ThenClifffoundhimselfinalong,gloomycorridorthatranthefullextentofthewing.
THEREwasneedforcautionnow.Instinctively,Cliffgrippedthehandleofhisrevolver.Theweaponwouldservehimhandily,ifheshouldencounterPetrioreitherofthetwomobsterswholivedinthissectionofthestrangehouse.
Bothsidesofthecorridorwerelinedwithheavy,closeddoors.Atlast,Cliffreachedastairway.
Descending,hecametothegroundfloor,wherethestepsended.Peeringalongthecorridortothecentralpartofthehouse,hesawacloseddoor.Thenherealizedthearrangement.
Theslidingdoorwasmerelythefirstbarrier.Hadheenteredit,hewouldhavefoundbutonewaytoleave-throughthedoorfromthecenterofthehouse.Itwasaperfecttrap;butCliffhadavoidedit.Nowhefeltsecure.
Therewerefewdoorshere,andsidepassagesledfromthesinglecorridor.
Cliffwenttoeachdoorinturn.Atlasthefoundtheonehewanted.Thedullsoundofvoiceswasaudible,andasClifflistened,hedistinguishedthetonesofIvanOrlinovandGladeTremont.Oddlyenough,theirwordsreferredtohim.
“Goodman,theoneTowleysentyou,”Tremontwassaying.
“Verygoot,yess,”rumbledOrlinov’sbass.“Good-liketheothers.”
“NotlikeSteffan,”retortedTremont,withashortlaugh.
“Thatmanwassbad,”agreedOrlinov.“Thisone-heissgoot.ButImustwaituntilawhile.ThenIcanmakehimbeuseful.”
“Youaren’ttakingchanceswithhim,though.Thatisbest,untilhehasbeenhereafewmonths.That’sanicetrapyouhaveifhegetscurious.Petricouldletthatslidingdoorcloseinasecond.
“Idon’tthinktherewillbetrouble,however.BiffTowleypicksmenwhoarereliable.”
Cliffsmiledashefingeredhisrevolver.Heenjoyedthissituation.Nowhewashearingnewinformation.
“Itissreadyfortomorrownight?”cameaquestionfromOrlinov.
“Nottomorrow,”correctedTremont.“Thenextnight.MattHartleyiscomingtomyhome.Hewillbethereatteno’clock.Hehashadtroubleoversomelawsuits.
“ItwasfortunatethatIlearnedofthemandarrangedtogivehimadvice.Owingtothecircumstances,heispayingmeaprivatevisit.Ishalldotherest.”
“Ourfriend,thegootdoctor-”
“Hewillplayhispart.Don’tworry,Ivan.Youwillgetyournextshipment.Itmaybethelast,unless-”
“Unless?”
“Unlesswefindothersthatarevaluable.Savettespokeoffurtherplans.”
TherewasaslightstirintheroomandCliffdrewbackalongthepassage.Hewasthinkingashewent.
HehadheardofMattHartley.Themanwasaninventivegeniusinthefieldofaviation.Hehadmadeteststodevelopnewformsofaerialtorpedoes,andhadgainedconsiderablepublicitythroughhisexperiments.
Despitethedelaythathehadexperiencedingettinghere,Cliffhadarrivedintimetohearavitalportionoftheconversation.HeknewthatsomethingwastobedoneconcerningMattHartley.Itwouldhappentwonightsfromnow.
Thedooroftheroomwasopening,butCliffhadreachedapointofsafety.Hewashidinginashort,blackpassage,betweentheroomwherehehadlistenedandthestairway.Hewasconfrontednowwithaproblemthathehadnotanticipated.
Whatifthetwomenreturnedtothelivingroomandfoundhimmissing?Itwouldrequiresometimeforhimtogetbackthroughtheturrets.Thenhewouldhavetodescendthemainstaircaseintothefaceofdanger.
Cliffwasponderingfutilely.Theproblemseemedinsurmountable.Butwhilehewasdisturbedbyhisdilemma,somethingoccurredthatchangedthesituationentirely.
INSTEADofreturningalongthecorridortothedistantcentraldoor,TremontandOrlinovwereapproachingthepassagewhereCliffwasinhiding!Quickly,Cliffdrewhisrevolver.
Iftheycamedownthisshortpassagetherewouldbeonlyonecourse-tofightitoutandfleeforsafety.Clifftingledwithexcitementasthefootstepscamecloser.
Thenthemen’sformspassedbytheendofthepassage,andthemenacewasended.Afewmomentslater,Cliffheardthemgoingupthestairsthatledtothesecondfloorofthewing.
Theyhadtakentheveryavenuewhichhemustfollowtoeludethem!Cliffwasnowbetweentwodangers.Petriatthedoortothecenterofthehouse;
OrlinovandTremontonthesecondfloorofthewing.
ThenitoccurredtothewaitingmanthatOrlinovandTremontmightintendtostopatoneoftheroomsonthesecondfloor.TremonthadsaidsomethingaboutviewingOrlinov’swork.Cliffsawtheopportunityheneeded.
Boldly,hecamefromhishidingplaceandapproachedthestairs.Hestolesoftlyupward.Thecorridorabovewasdeserted.Hewasright;theyhadenteredanotherroom.
Cliffhurriedalongthepassageuntilhecametothedoorofthelittleturret.Heenteredandcarefullylockedthedoorbehindhim.
Upintheturret,hesqueezedthroughtheslitandscrambledalongbehindtheprotectingbattlement.Hislasteffortwasaquickpulltotheturretwindow.
Thenthecoursewaseasy.Downthespiralstairway-adoorlockedbehindhim-thecentralstaircase.Withintwominutes,Cliffwasglidingacrossthemainhallintothelivingroom.Hisclothesweredustyfromthestone.Hebrushedthematthefireplace.Thenhedroppedintohischairandlightedacigarette.
Afterafewmoments,Cliffwascomfortablysettled.Hedrewasheetofpaperandanenvelopefromhispocket.
Withafountainpen,heinscribedacodedmessageinclearblueink-thefluidwhichwasusedinallTheShadow’smessages.Hesealedtheenvelopeandplaceditinhispocket.
CliffwasonhisthirdcigarettewhenheheardOrlinovandTremontreturning.ThetwoenteredtofindCliffstaringmoodilyattheembersofthefire.
“Mr.Tremontissleavingonthenexttrain,”informedOrlinov.“Weshallgowithhimtothestation.Yess.YouandI,Marslandt.”
Orlinovpressedabuttononthewall.Afewminuteslater,theabrupthonkofahornwasheardfromthefrontofthehouse.Orlinovarose,andbothTremontandClifffollowedhim.Alimousinewaswaitingoutside,chauffeuredbyoneofOrlinov’sconvertedgangsters.
CLIFFwaselatedastheyrodetowardGlendale.Thiswasagreatbreak.Hehadanticipatednodifficultyingettingtothestationonthemorrow,forhehadpreviouslybeensentwiththechauffeurtogetthemail.Buttonight-intimeforthelasttrain-thatworkedindirectaccordancewithplanswhichhehadbeengivenbyTheShadow.Thebigcarpulledupbythestation.CliffalightedwithTremontandOrlinov.Thetwomenwereconversingaboutminormatters.
Cliff,ashestrolledbesidethem,waspositivethatOrlinovwaswatchinghim,andthathewasalsounderscrutinyfromthegangsterinthecar.Cliffsmiledtohimself.Hisopportunitywouldbeheresoon.HewaiteduntiltheheadlightoftheNewYorkexpresscameglowingdownthetrack.Hislefthandslippedinhispocket.Itemergedholdingthefoldedenvelope.Cliff’sbodywasturnedsothatneitherOrlinovnorthemaninthecarcouldpossiblyspythemissive.
ItwasatthatmomentthatayoungmanidlingonthestationplatformaroseandmovedpastCliff.Theirhandsmet,andasthestrangercontinued,itwashe-notCliffMarsland-whocarriedthefoldedenvelope.
Calmlyanddeliberately,CliffMarslandhadpassedhismessagetoClydeBurke,whomTheShadowhadstationedinGlendaleforthispurpose.Constantlyintheneighborhoodofthestation,Clydewasreadyforanyreportthatmightbeslippedtohim.
ButCliffdidmore.AsBurkemovedonward,Orlinov’snewsecretaryraisedhislefthandtohiship.Hisoutthrustelbowwasasignal.Clydesawitasthetrainwasstopping.
ThesignalmeantthatthemessagewasintendedforTheShadow,thatitshouldbetakendirectlytohim.Clyde,withhishandsinhispockets,steppedaboardthetrain.
ThusitwasthattwopassengersleftGlendalethatnight-eachboundonamission.Cross-purposeswereinvolved.GladeTremontwasonhiswaytoprepareforsomenewcrime.ClydeBurkewastakinginformationtoTheShadow.
CliffMarslandthoughtofthesituationasherodebacktoOrlinov’scastle,alongwiththesilentRussian.Tonight,twomenhadplotted,notknowingtheywereoverheard.Theirplansweredoomedtofailure.
TheShadowwasduetointervene!
CHAPTERX
THESHADOW’SPLAN
ATINYspotoflightwasglowinginadarkenedroom.Theshadowofahandpassedoverthespotofillumination.Atelephoneclicked.Thelightwentout.Alow,whisperedvoicespokethroughthedarkness.
Lowwordscamefromthereceiver:
“Burbankspeaking.”
“Report,”saidthevoiceofTheShadow.
Short,terseinformationwasgiven.Theconversationended.TheShadowlaughed.
Althoughitwaspitch-blackinthiswindowlessroom,daylighthadnotyetwanedoutside.Theafternoonwasjustdrawingtoaclose.TonightwasthetimewhenGladeTremontandMattHartleyweretomeetatthelawyer’sLongIslandhome.
ThroughBurbank,theonlymanwhocontactedregularlywithhimbyphone,TheShadowhadlearnedthatMattHartleywasstillinflightoutofMineola.Thefamousaviationexerthadleftatnoonforatestofoneofhisnewdevices.Hewasnotexpectedbackuntilafterdusk.
Nowalightappearedinthecorneroftheroom.Itrevealedasmalltableuponwhichrestedvarioussmallarticlesofmake-up.TheShadowseatedhimselfbeforethetable,butonlyhiswhitehandsappearedwithinthesphereoflight.Thehandsappearedwithwhatseemedtobeathinmaskofwiregauze,nomorethanaskeletonframeworkfilledwithafewsolidpatches.Theobject
disappearedasitwasraisedintothedark.
Thehandsworkedwithotherarticles.Thenthetopofthetableswungupwardinthecenter,thevariousobjectsremainingatthesides.Amirrorcameintoview,ontheundersurface,whichwasnowvertical.OnthehorizontalportionofthetableappearedalargepictureofGladeTremont.
Intotherangeofthelightcameaheadandastrange,weirdreflectionfromthemirror.Itwastheimageofamanwhoseemedtohavenoface!Guisedwiththecolorlesssurfaceofthethinmask,onlyTheShadow’seyeswerevisibleastheyglowedthroughaplasticmassofgrayishblur!
Thehandscameintoaction.Thelongfingersmovedhereandthereaboutthetable,findingtheobjectsthattheyneeded.Upontheartificialbase,thesemblanceofahumancountenancewasslowlyforming.Atlastitresembledthefeaturesofthephotograph.
Still,theworkcontinued,theever-activefingersplyingattheirtask.Thencamethefinalresult.StaringfromthemirrorwastheperfectlyformedfaceofGladeTremont!
TheShadow’slaughresounded.Hehadfittedhimselfwithaperfectdisguise-sodeceptivethateventheclosestfriendsofGladeTremontcouldnotdetecttheimposture.
Themirrordisappearedasthetopofthetableswungdownward.Onthevacantsurface,TheShadow’shandsplacedasheetofpaper.Itwasthelistofnamesthathadbeenpreparedbefore.
Money-AustinBellamy.
Television-PierreRachaud.
AtomicEnergy-ClarkMurdock.
Aeronautics-
Money-
Aftertheword“aeronautics,”thehandofTheShadowinscribedthenameofMattHartley.Thencameasoftlaugh.Thelightwentout.
ITwasafterdarkwhenafigureappearednearthehousewhereGladeTremontlived.Thelawyer’shomewassituatedsomedistancefromanavenuethatranneartheshoreofLongIslandSound.Thehousewassurroundedbyahighhedge.
Thestrangerwhohadarrivedinthisvicinitywasscarcelymorethanaphantomshape.Silently,almostinvisibly,heglidedalongthestreetinfrontofthelawyer’shome.Thenhistallformmergedwiththeblacknessofthelawn.Itpausedbesideaclumpofshrubbery.
Twowhisperedvoiceswereengagedinconversation.Thespeakersdidnotknowthattheywerebeingoverheard.
“What’sthelaytonight,Biff?”
“There’saguywe’vegottoget,Jake.We’retakingnochancesonmissinghim.Yourspotisrighthere.Ifyouseeanybodysneakingaround,grabhim.”
“O.K.Whoelseiswatching?”
“Plentyofothers.They’reallposted,likeyou.That’swhyIdon’twantanyofyoutoleaveyourplaces.I’llbeoutfrontinthecar.”
“Ifanybodycomesupthewalk?”
“I’lltakecareofthat.You’reaftersnoopers.That’sall.Grabthem-andgivethemtherodifyouhaveto.”
“Thecoppers?”
BiffTowleylaughedcontemptuouslyatJakeBosch’squestion.
“Notonewithinhalfamile,”hedeclared.“Forgetaboutthat.Thisisabigjob
tonight.Getanybodythattriestosneakinortosneakout.Ifacarcomesupthedrive,orifanyonecomesdeliberatelyupthewalk,leavethemalone.That’smypart.”
Withtheseclosingwords,BiffTowleyemergedfromtheshrubbery,andmadehiswayacrossthelawn,passingwithinafootofthespotwhereTheShadowcrouched.
JAKEBOSCHwatchedthehouse.Thefrontwalkwasonthisside;thedrivewayontheother.Hedidnotknowthereasoninbackoftonight’svigil,andhedidnotcare.Itwashisjobtobealert,andtoobeyorders.
Therewasapatchoflightclosebythesidewallofthehouse.Watchingit,Jakesawastreakofblacknessflickerby.Hedrewhisrevolver.Thenthedarkshapedisappeared.
Jakedecidedthatitwasmerelythemovingshadowofatree.HedidnotknowthathehadcaughtafleetingglimpseofTheShadow!
Ahuddledgangster,crouchingnearthebackporch,sawthatsameshape.HisviewwasacloseronethanJake’s.Thistoughenedsentinelfanciedthathehadcaughtsightofahumanform.Herosebesidethewall,staringintothedarkness.
Then,outofthethicknightcametwosinisterhands.Onecaughtthegangster’swrist.Theother,swingingsidewise,strucksharplyagainstthemobsman’sthroat.Withagurglinggasp,thewatchercollapsed.Hisgundroppedonthegrassbesidehim.
Therewasacellarwindownotfourfeetaway.Itopenedinwardunderthepressureofanunseenhand.Thebodyofthesenselessgangsterwasforcedthrough.Ithungsuspended;thenslumpedtothefloorbeneath.
Noiselessly,anotherformfollowedit.Thenthewindowclosed.
Atinyflashlightflickered,itsrayssubmergedwithinthedepthsofthecellar.Asoftlaughsounded.Handsinthedarkboundandgaggedthecapturedhoodlum.OneofBiffTowley’strustedwatchdogshadfailedinhisvigil!
Therewasasoft,swishingsoundbythecellarstairs.Thedooratthetopwaslocked;butitslockgaveasanunseenhandappliedatinymetalinstrument.Thedooropened.TheShadowadvancedthroughthesilenthouse.
Therewasalightinthefronthall.Crouchinglow,TheShadowatlastcameintoview,buthecouldnotbeseenfromtheoutside.Hewasgarbedinhiscloakofblack.Uponhishead,heworetheslouchhatthatobscuredhisfeatures.
Lookingrightandleft,TheShadowswungrapidlyupthestairs.Hiscloakswished,andforaninstantitscrimsonliningwasrevealed.Thenthemysteriousfiguredisappearedinthegloomofthesecondstory,untilhereachedaroomwhereasinglelightwasburning.ThiswasGladeTremont’sstudy.Theroomwasempty.
Again,TheShadowmovedincrouchingfashion.Hereachedacorneroftheroom,bythedoorofacloset.Atallbookcaseprojectedtothespotwheretheedgeofthedoorwouldreachwhenopened.TheShadow’scrouchingformraisedupward.Itmergedbesidetheendofthebookcase,untilitbecameamotionlessshapethatnoeyecouldhavedistinguished.
TheShadowhadbecomeashadow!
Outofthenighthehadcome.Silentlyhehadpassedthroughtheoutergroupofwatchinggangsters.Onemanhadfallenbyhishand.Now,atthedesiredplace,hewaswaiting,readytofrustratetheplansofGladeTremont.
Tonight,heworearemarkabledisguise.Hisfacewasthefaceofthelawyerinwhosehomehenowstood!Butthatduplicatedcountenancewashiddenforthepresent.
TheShadowwasdealingwithsupercrooks-menwholeftnotracesoftheirevildeeds.Besidethem,BiffTowleyandhismobsterswerebutchildren.
Itwouldbeagameofwitstonight-thebrainofTheShadowpittingitselfagainstthemindsofmastercriminals.Forthefirsttimeinthisstrangestruggle,TheShadowwouldmeetoneofhisenemiesfacetoface.
GladeTremontwouldsoonbehere.ThecraftylawyerhadarrangedaconferencewithMattHartley-anintendedvictimofhisplotting.LikeDoctorGeraldSavette,hewasbentontheperpetrationofinsidiouscrime.
Whatwashisplan?
Thatwastobelearned.
Buttonight,GladeTremontwastomeetwiththesurpriseofhislife.Beforethiseveningwasended,hewouldseehisownface-wornbyanotherman!
ThatwastheplanofTheShadow!
CHAPTERXI
ORLINOVSPEAKSFACTS
SEATEDinthelivingroomofIvanOrlinov’scastle,CliffMarslandwasreviewingpastevents.Hismindrevertedtotheeventsoftwonightsago,whenhehadmadehiscraftyvisittothesidewingofthestrangehouse.
Sincethen,Cliffhadbeenchafingbecauseofhisidleness.HehaddonenothingsincehehadgivenhismessagetoClydeBurke.Hecoulddonothinguntilhereceivedsomereply.Aboveall,hemustrestrainhimselftonight,foraman’slifemightbeatstake.
InNewYork,GladeTremontwastomeetMattHartley.Thatmeetingheldsomesinisterpurpose.TheShadowhadbeenwarnedofit.Theoutcome,therefore,wouldbetoGladeTremont’sdisadvantage.
Meanwhile,Cliffmustplayhiswaitinggame.Itwouldbeunwiseforhimtorepeathistriptotheforbiddenterritoryinthesidewingofthehouse.MuchthoughCliffdesiredtheexcitementofanotherexpedition,hecouldnotaffordtotakechancesthatmightbringanencounterwithIvanOrlinovorhishenchmen.
Cliffhadaverydefinitehunchthattherewasmoreofinterestinthishousethanamerelaboratoryorworkshop.Whencircumstanceswouldpermitit,heintendeddefinitelytolearnthesecretwhichIvanOrlinovhadmanagedto
preservesowell.
HerecalledtheRussian’sfaceashehadseenitbythefirelighttwonightsago.ThemererecollectionmadeClifffeeluneasy.
WhileCliffwaspicturingOrlinov,themanhimselfsteppedintotheroom.Clifflookedupinquiringly.TheRussiansmiledpleasantly.Hesatdownandstaredmildlyathissecretary.Thenhebegantospeakinapleasanttoneofvoice.
“Itissquiet,here,”hesaid.“Veryquiet.”
“Ienjoythequiet,”respondedCliff.
“ItissdifferentfromNewYork,nein?”
“Plentydifferent.”
“Plentydifferent.”OrlinovrepeatedCliff’sexpressionwithalaugh.“Youhaffbeenhereoneweek,Marslandt.ItisstimenowthatItoldyoumanythings,sothatyoucanbeofmorehelptome.Yess?”
CliffMarslandaffectedadisinterestedattitude.
“ThereareplacesherethatIwouldlikeforyoutosee,”continuedtheRussian.“Come.Ishallshowyouwhereyouhaffnotbeen.”
Hebeckonedashearose,andCliffwalkedbyhisside.
Theyleftthelivingroomandcrossedthehall.Thedoortothewingwasopen.Withabow,thehugeRussianusheredCliffintotheforbiddenterritory.
CLIFFrestrainedhisenthusiasm.Whilehehadbeenthinkingofavisithere,hehadnothopedtomakeitsosoon.Helookedabouthimastheypassedtheseconddoor,andpretendedtoviewthecorridorasthoughhehadcomeintoitforthefirsttime.
“Thereisssomethingstrangeforyoutosee,”declaredOrlinov.“Itissnothere.Itissonthefloorupabove.Come.”
Theyreachedthestairsandwentuptothesecondstory.ThereOrlinovstoppedbeforeacloseddoor.Cliffnoticedsomethingnowthatbehadnotobservedbefore,whenhehadbeeninhastetotravelthroughthepassage.Thisdoor-aswellastheothersonthefloor-wasfittedwithacross-shapedpanelingthathadasquarecenter.
“Look.”
OrlinovpronouncedthewordlikethenameLuke.Cliffwastoointerestedtoevennoticethetoneofthevoice.
TheRussian’sfingerwasonthesquarecenterofthepanel.Aslightpress,andthesquaredropped,revealingasmallpaneofglass.AtOrlinov’sbidding,Cliffpeeredwithin.
Hesawabeautifullyfurnishedroom-apparentlyoneofasuite,fortherewasanopendoorbeyondit.TheroomwascarpetedwiththickOrientalrugs.Ahugebookcasestoodfilledwithmassivevolumes.Thefurniturewasofheavymahogany.
ThesefeatureswereofsmallinteresttoCliff.Hiseyeswerefocusedupontheinhabitantoftheapartment.Anelderlymanwasseatedatawritingdesk,tracinglinesuponasheetofpaper.Heappearedtohavenointerestinhissurroundings.Hisfacewaslongandsolemn,hiseyesdrearyanddull.
OrlinovdrewCliffawayfromtheopening.Heclosedthepanel.Hebeckoned,andClifffollowedhimtoanotherdoor.Hereapaneldropped,andCliffviewedanotherroom,lesselegantinitsfurnishings.
Thisroomalsocontainedanoccupant.Hewasaforeigner,alarge-headedmanwithabushybeardthatbristledlikeablackbrush.
Hewaswearingapairoflargespectacles.Hewasseatedinfrontofachessboard,studyingthepositionsofthepieces.HedidnotnoticeCliff’sfacepeeringthroughtheopening.
“Come.”
Athirdpanelwasopenedforinspection.Thisroomwasavirtualduplicateofthesecond.Astoop-shouldered,gray-hairedmanwasponderingoveralarge
book.Hewasmakingnotationsonapadthatlaybesidehim.Hewasthefirsttorealizethathewasbeingwatched.Heturnedsuddenlyaboutandlookedattheopenpanelwithsharp,piercingeyes.
Orlinovclosedthepanel,andconductedCliffalongthecorridor.Heallowedbriefinspectionsofotherrooms.TheseresembledtheonesthatCliffhadseen,buttheywerenotoccupied.
Orlinovmaintainedacrypticsilence.Cliffpondered.HefollowedtheRussiantothefirstfloor.
There,Orlinovopenedthedoorsofotherrooms.Thesewereworkshopsandlaboratories,eachfittedoutinexcellentstyle.Anotherapartmentcontainedavastarrayofbookcasesandfilingcabinets-averitablelibrary.
Finally,OrlinovledthewaytotheveryroomwhereCliffhadlistenedtothetalkbetweentheRussianandGladeTremont.ThisprovedtobeasimplyfurnishedofficeOrlinovmotionedforClifftositdown.
THERussiantookastandingpositionattheothersideoftheroom.Cliffwatchedhim,wondering.Hewascompletelypuzzledbythestrangesightsthathehadwitnessed.HefeltsurethatOrlinovwasabouttogiveanexplanation.That,Cliffdecided,wouldbebothinterestingandofvalue.
“Theywerecomfortable?”cametheRussian’squestion.
“Theyappearedtobe,”respondedCliff,knowingthatOrlinovreferredtothemenupstairs.
“Itisswell,”saidOrlinov.“Theycanhaffcomfortiftheywishit.Iftheydonot,theycanhafftrouble.”
Cliffacceptedthisominousstatementwithoutmakingaresponse.HewasanxioustohearOrlinovtalk,butwastoowisetoquestiontheRussian.
“Fewhaffseenthemthere,”declaredOrlinov.“Yess.Fewhaffseenthem.Thatwouldnotbewise.Doyouknowwhy?”
Cliffshookhishead.
“Because,”Orlinovwasspeakingsolemnly,“thosemenaredead.Dead!Yess!Theyaredeadmen.”
“Deadmen!”Cliffechoedthestatementinspiteofhimself.
“Yess.”Themanwascoldlyemphatic.“Theyaredeadmen.Deadmenwholiff!”
Deadmenwholive!
ThethoughtchilledCliffMarslandtothemarrow.Histeethclenched,andhisfacehardened,ashestaredatIvanOrlinov.HadthehugeRussiangonecrazy?Histonewasserious;hisexpressionhadbeenpositive.
Astrange,wildglowhadcomeintoOrlinov’seyes.Cliffbegantorisefromhischair,thinkingthathewasdealingwithamaniac.ThentheRussianmotionedhimbackwithanimperiousgesture.Orlinov’sfacebecamequiet.Cliffrelaxed.
“Whendeadmenliff,”declaredtheRussianslowly,“theremustbeareason.Yess?Ishalltellyouwhatissthereason.Thosemenhaffbeenuseful.Issitnotnicetoknowthatbecauseyouhaffbeenuseful,youcanliffwhenyouhaffbeendead?”
CliffwasstaringhardatOrlinov.Hedidnotlikethepeculiaremphasisintheman’stone.Itseemedthateveryremarkwasdirectedtowardhimself.Cliffsensedadangeroussituationdeveloping.Heremainedcalminspiteofhisqualms.
“Ihafftoldyouwhatthosemenhaffbeen,”resumedOrlinov.“Ihafftoldyouthattheyhaffbeendead.Youwouldliketoknowwhotheyhaffbeen?Giffmethatpenfromyourpocket.ThencanIwritethenamesofthem-”
Cliff’shandwasmovingtowardhisvestpocket.Herealizedsuddenlythathisfountainpenwasgone.ItwasthepenthathehadusedinwritinghismessagetoTheShadow-thepenfilledwiththespecialinkthatvanishedafterithaddriedandbeenexposedtotheair!
REALIZATIONdawned.CliffknewthatOrlinovwastrickinghim.Hishandslippedawayfromhisvestpocket,reachingforthehandyrevolver.SomethingcoldpressedagainstthebackofCliff’sneck.Itwasthemuzzleofagun.Heknewthatanothermovewouldmeaninstantdeath.Hepausedandwaited.
“Ah!”exclaimedOrlinov,withaleeringgrin.“Youaretoowisetomove.Thatissgoot-foryou.Youwerenotsowisetositwithyourbacktowardthatdoor.ItissPetriwhoholdsthatgunagainstyou.
“Youtinkthatyouarewise,perhaps.Youhaffmadeagreatmistake.Rememberwhatyouhafftoldme-thatonemistakecanbetoomuch.Whydidyouleavethatfountainpensocarelessly?”
TheRussian’svoicetookonatoneofsarcasticreproachashechidedhisvictim.
“Yess”resumedOrlinov,“Ihafffoundthatpenthismorning.Ihaffwrittenwithit.Thatissstrangewritingthatgoesawaysoquick.Perhapsyouhafffoundouttoomuch.Perhapsyouhafftoldsomeone.ThatisswhyIhafftalkedtoyoutonight.Youhaffseenthosemenwhostillliff.Thatissbecauseyou,too,willsoonbeoneofthosemen.
“Whenamanissbadforus,wekillhim.Butnotifheisstobeofuse.Itmaybethatyouwillbeofuse.Itmaybethatyouwillnot.Weshallsee,yess?”
Cliff’sfacewasobdurate.HeexpectedOrlinovtoquestionhim,nowthathewassuspectedofaplot.TheRussian’seyeswereblazing,andCliffdetectedasuppressedfrenzythere.Letthemantry,thoughtCliff.HewouldlearnnothingofTheShadow!
OrlinovseemedtobereadingCliff’sthoughts.Helaughedasheroseandcamecloser.HiseyesstaredtowardCliff’sface.Hislipsformedawicked,evilgrin.
“Youwillsaynothing?Goot!Itdoesnotmatter.Ifyouhafflearnednothing,itcandonoharm.Ifyouhaffheard-lastnight-thatwillbenogoot.Wehaffmadethingssothatitcannotmatter.”
HisshrewdeyeswerewatchingtoseeifCliffbetrayedalarm.OrlinovwouldgainnothingbyhissurveyofCliff’spokerface.Thebeardedmanshruggedhisshoulders.
“Youtinkthatyouarestrong?”hequestioned.“Youtinkthatyouarewise?Weshallseeofthat.Youhaffbeensentherebysomeone.Thereissjustonemanthatitcouldbe.ThatissthemantheycallTheShadow.”
Clifffailedtoindicatethatthesurmisewascorrect.
“Youtinkthatyouwillnottalk,”laughedOrlinov.“Thatissnotneedednow.Thatchanceyouwillhaffsometimeafterthis-ifitissneeded.YouwillknowthenhowIhafffoundthewaytomakepeopletalk.
“Thereissonethingthatcankeepyoufromtryingtobewise.Youhaffseenthemenwhohaffoncedied.Theykeepquietnow.Yess,theyhaffknownwhatitisstodie.Soyoushallseethesame.Mygootfriend,thedoctor,hehassgivenmeaway.”
Lackingunderstanding,Cliffexpectedtoreceivearevolvershotfromthemanstationedbehindhim.ButasIvanOrlinovapproachedandstoodbesidehim,Cliffrealizedthatsomethingdifferentwastotakeplace.
Orlinovwasspeakingquietly,now,exceptforgutturalchucklesthatinterruptedhiswords.
“Yess,”hewassaying,“ifthisman,TheShadow,hasstriedtomaketrouble,heisstoolate.Hewillfindtroubleforhimself.Soitmaybethatweshallnotfindyoutobeofusetous.Weshallsee.”
THEwordsmadeClifftightenhislips.HerealizednowthattherehadbeenampletimeforOrlinovtocommunicatewithNewYork.
Byamerechance,theRussianhadpickedupCliff’spen.ThushadhedivinedthereasonforCliff’spresencehere.Orlinov-Tremont-andathirdwhomtheRussiancalledthedoctor-allweresuperfiends.TheplotagainstMattHartleywasnotscheduleduntiltonight.CliffknewwellthatGladeTremontwasnowcognizantofthenewturnthathadoccurredhereinGlendale.
TheShadowmustbewarned!
Buthow?
InstantdeaththreatenedCliffMarslandifhedaredtomove.Hewasstaringstraightahead,seeingneitherOrlinovnorPetri.HedidnotseethebeardedRussian’shandapproachhisarm,carryingatiny,shiningobjectinitsgrasp.
ThesharppointofahypodermicneedlestungCliff’sarm.Hesatmotionless,stillstaring.Hefeltastrange,unexplainableweakness.Theroomwasgrowingblackabouthim.Hisbodyswayed.Heforgotthepressureofthegunuponhisneck.Hisveinsseemedchilled-freezingwithinhisbody.
OrlinovlaughedasCliffMarsland’sbodyslumpedinthechairandbecamerigid.Cliffheardthatlaughfromthemidstofwhirlingblackness.Thenhisbrainceasedtofunction.
Orlinovstoodlookingattheforminthechair.ToallappearancesCliffMarslandwasdead.ThesamefatehadbefallenhimasthatwhichhadbeenthelotofClarkMurdock,whenthechemisthadstruggledwithDoctorGeraldSavette.
AlaughcamefromtheRussian’sbeardedlips.Inhisnativetongue,hespoketoPetri,thestalwartservantwhostillstoodwithguninhand.Petrianswered.HeandOrlinovpickedupCliffMarsland’sbodyfromthechair.
Togethertheytooktheirburdenupthestairstothesecondfloor,HeavythoughCliffwas,theRussianscarriedhimwithease.
Orlinovorderedhismantosetthebodyonthefloor.ThenthebeardedRussianunlockedadoorthatledtooneofthesmallerrooms.Thetwomencarriedtherigidformintotheapartmentandplacedituponacouchbesidethewall.
TherewasnoindicationthatCliffMarslandstilllived.Acorpselikepallorhadsettledonhisface.ButIvanOrlinov,leeringhideously,showedmoreinterestinthatformthanhewouldhavewasteduponamerecorpse.Heknewthathisvictimwouldawakenlater.
CliffMarslandhadbecomeoneofthedeadwholived!
CHAPTERXII
TREMONT’SVISITOR
Itwasnearlyteno’clockwhenatrimcoupeswungupthedrivewaybyGladeTremont’shome.Thelightsofthecarwentout.GladeTremontsteppedtotheground,andenteredthesidedoorofthehouse.ThelawyerhadarrivedbeforethehourofhisappointmentwithMattHartley.
WhenTremontreachedhisupstairsstudy,heturnedonalightbythedesk.Helookedabouttheroom.Thoughhisglancewaskeen,itdidnotdetectthatshadowyshapethatstoodbeyondthebookcase.
Thelawyerwalkedovertotheclosetandopenedthedoor.Insodoing,hepassedwithintwofeetofTheShadow;yethedidnotseetheformofthemaninblack.
Theclosetdoor,swingingwide,formedabarrierbetweenTremontandTheShadow.Thelawyerleftthedoorhalfopen,andreturnedtohisdesk.Hesatthere,meditative.
Slowminuteswentby.GladeTremontwasapparentlywaitingforthearrivalofavisitor.Teno’clockcame.ThetelephoneonTremont’sdeskbegantoring.Thelawyerraisedthereceiver.
“Hello?”hequestioned.“Yes.ThisisMr.Tremont…Ah-MattHartley?…I’vebeenexpectingyou…Fifteenminutes?Yes,indeed.Ishallbehere…Youhaveyourcar?Comerightupthedrivebythehouse.Lookoutformycar.Youcanparkinbackofit…Good…Yes,Iamalone…”
Thelawyer’svoicedwindled.Hereplacedthereceiveronthehook,andhiscold,sternfeaturestookonamaliciouslook.
Restingbackinhischair,Tremonthalfclosedhiseyesandfoldedhishands
acrosshischest.HeseemedtobeenjoyingthethoughtofMattHartley’scomingvisit.
Thusunobservant,thelawyerdidnotnoticealongshadowthatstretchedacrossthefloortowardtheouteredgeofthedesk.Aformfollowedthatstreakofblack.TheShadowglidedfromhishidingplace.Tallandsilent,hestoodbeforethedesk-afigureofdoom.
GladeTremontopenedhiseyes.Helookedupwardandblinked.Beforehimstoodthemaninblack,afantasticbeingconjuredfromnothingness.Theflowingcloak,thebroad-brimmedhat-theseformedthefigureofthemysteriouspersonagewhohadcomeunseen.
Tremontsawtheglowoftwomenacingeyes.Heobservedthemuzzleofapowerfulautomatic,poisedinablack-cladhand.
Fiendsofcrimehadquailedbeforethatfigure.TheShadow,mysteriousavenger,hadbroughtshudderstothestoutestframes.YetGladeTremontgavenosignofaperturbedspirit.Instead,hestaredboldlyatTheShadow.
“Goodevening,”remarkedthelawyerquietly.“Ihavebeenanticipatingyourarrivalhere.”
THESHADOWmadenoresponse.GladeTremont,despitehisquietassurance,knewthatafalsemovewouldmeanhisdoom.Thelawyerremainedinhispostureofaffectedcalm,leaningbackinhisswivelchair,aforcedsmileuponhisparchedlips.
Hehadspokenthetruth.HehadexpectedTheShadowhere.But,thoughpreparedforthemeeting,thoughemboldenedbyasenseofbravado,TremontwasfindingTheShadowamoremenacingpersonagethanhehadsupposed.
Itwaswithaneffortthatthelawyerpreservedhispretendedease.Hiswords,intendedtononplusTheShadow,werespokeninaraspytonethatclearlyindicatedhistrepidation.
“Yes,”declaredTremont,“Ihaveexpectedyou.Ihaveheardofyou,andIdecidedthatyoumightcomeheretonight.YouhavecometoprotectMatt
Hartley.Inthat,Iassureyou,youhavefailed.”
ThesoundofhisownvoicegaveGladeTremontafeelingofreassurance.Hisforcedsmilebecameagenuineone.AlthoughhefearedTheShadow,heknewthatthemaninblackwouldhearhimout-solongashedidnotmakeafalsemove.
“Youhavesoughttopryintomyaffairs,”announcedGladeTremont.“Youhavesucceeded-toadegree.Beyondthat,youhavefailed.Ifyouwish,Ishallbespecific.”
Thelawyerstaredintotheglowingeyes.Theywerefocuseddirectlytowardhim.Tremontknewthatthoseburningopticswerekeenenoughtoferretoutafalsehood.Buttonight,Tremontwithmaliciousshrewdness,wasrelyingonthetruth.Hemetthefierystareandcontinuedhisspeechinalowtone.
“Ipreparedatrapforyou,”declaredthelawyer.“HowyoueludeditismorethanIcanunderstand.Butitisatrapthatworkstwoways.Hadyoufallenintoitwhenyoucamehere,youwouldnowbeinmypower.
“Isuspectedthatyoumightpassmysentinels.Idoubtthatyoucanescapethemagain.Youcannotleavethishousewithoutmywillingness.Soitwillbewiseforyoutohearme.”
Subtly,thelawyerwasendeavoringtobaitTheShadow.Histonewasconvincing.Althoughhismindwasdisturbedbyvaguequalms,TremontmanagedtoassurehimselfthatheactuallyheldTheShadowwithinhiscontrol.
Rightnow,thesituationlayinthebalance.Tremont,withhisartificialsmile,feltsurethatitwouldturntohisadvantageasheproceeded.
“Twonightsago,”thelawyersaid.“IannouncedmyplantoeffectthecaptureofamannamedMattHartley.Itoldthatplantoonepersononly-amannamedIvanOrlinov,atGlendaleintheCatskills.
“WithOrlinovisamanwhocallshimselfCliffMarsland.Today,OrlinovdiscoveredamysteriousobjectinMarsland’spossession-afountainpenfilledwithinkthatvanishedafteritwasusedforwriting.
“Orlinovdidnotknowthesignificanceofthatfluid.Nevertheless,hecalled
meatmyoffice.Iunderstood.IhaveheardofthemysteriousmessagesofTheShadow.Mycontactwiththeunderworldisnotaslightone.”
Tremontpausedandmoistenedhisparchedlips.Hecontinuedwithhiscarefulstory,watchingTheShadowintentlyashespoke.
“Isuspected,”saidTremont,“thatMarslandmighthaveoverheardwhatwassaidatGlendale.SoImadenewplans.Thisafternoon,MattHartleytookoffonatestingflight.Inresponsetomysuggestion,helanded,alone,atanobscurefieldintheCatskills.Thereheexpectedtomeetme.Heencounteredcertainothers,instead.
“Tomorrow,theworldwillknowthatMattHartleyisdead.Hisplanehasbeenblowntoatomsonthatlandingfield.Foolishly-sotheworldwillbelieve-hecarriedaloadedtorpedotomakeatest.Itloosenedfromhisplanewhenhewasforcedtomakehislanding.”
Encouragedbytheshrewdnessofhisremarks,Tremontgrinnedderisively.ThesilenceofTheShadowindicatedthatthemaninblackwasperplexed.
“Ihavejustcomefrommyoffice,”addedTremont.“ThereIreceivedalong-distancecallfromIvanOrlinov.Youragent-themancalledMarsland-isinhispower.Toallintents,Marslandisdead.Hewillcontinuedead-forever-unlessyoulistentomyterms.”
TheShadow’slong,darkcloakmovedslightly.Itwasthefirstindicationofactionthatthemanofmysteryhadgiven.TremontdecidedthatTheShadowwasperturbed.
“Whytrytothwartourplans?”questionedTremont.“Iamnotalone.Wehavepowerwhichyoucannotaffordtocombat.Iofferyoufairterms.Wehavepreservedthelivesofcertainmen,becausewehavefounditadvantageoustodoso.Yourman-Marsland-isofnousetous.Norwilltheothersbeofuse,ifweareforcedtotakethedefensive.
“Whileyouremaininactive,thosemenwilllive-yourmanamongthem.Butshouldyoumovesomuchasafingeragainstus.Marslandwilldie-andtheotherswithhim.
“Ihavehearditsaid”-Tremontlaughedhuskily-“thattheagentsofThe
Shadowbearcharmedlives,liketheirmaster.Thistime,oneisvirtuallydead.Hecancometolife,atmyorder.Itisforyoutodecide.”
ThelawyerwaitedforTheShadowtospeak.Themaninthecloakseemedtobeconsideringthematter.
“ShouldIdie,”addedTremont,asanafterthought,“youwilldefeatyourownaim.Mylifeisononesideofthescales.Marsland’slifeandthelivesoftheothermen-thereisthecounterbalance!
“Icanassureyouthatallarewatchful;bothhereinNewYorkandatGlendale.Itisimpossibleforyoutodivinetheextentofourpreparations
“Orlinovisamanofsteel.Heisaspark,readytoigniteamagazine.Puff!Allcouldbegone-lives,evidence,everything.
“Shouldyouoranyofyouremissariesdaretoapproachtheplacefromnowon,Orlinovwillnothesitatetostrike.Ourplansarenearingtheirculmination.Letthemproceed,andyourmanMarslandwillberestoredtoyou,alive.Trytofrustrateourmethods,andhewilldie.Perhapsyou,too,willperish.”
THUSdidGladeTremontconcludehisoration.Asspokesmenfortwoothervillains,IvanOrlinovandDoctorGeraldSavette,hehaddonehisworkwell.HisproposalwasonethatTheShadowcouldhardlyfailtoaccept.
TremontfeltthathehadtakenthemeasureofTheShadow.Heknewthatthemanofthedarkwasnotanagentofthelaw.Hewasdealingwithamanwhohadfreedomtoactortostandby,ashemightprefer.
“Onepointmore,”addedTremont,asaquietafterthought.“Perhapsyoumayhaveawilddreamofkillingmeandmakingamadescapethroughthehumanwallthatprotectsthishouse.Thatwouldbefutile.
“Unlessmychiefcompanionseesmetonight,Orlinovwillbetoldtostrike.Imustleavethishouse.Imustbealive.Imustkeepadefiniteappointment.WhenIreceivethephonecallforthemeetingIshallsetthetime.”
TheShadowofferednoresponse.Hestoodunmoving,waitingastheminutes
wentby.TremontwonderedforawhilethenrealizedthatTheShadowwastestingthetruthofhisstatement.TheShadowwaswaitingforthatcall!
Lethimwait,thoughtTremont.Theminutesnolongerseemedanxious.Whenthephonebellwouldsound,thetensionwouldbeended.TheShadowwouldbeforcedtoagree.
Thebelltinkled.WithaquietglanceatTheShadow,Tremontreachedforwardandliftedthereceiver.HerecognizedthevoiceofDoctorSavette.
“Yes,thisisGlade,”saidthelawyer.“Heishere…ThemanIexpected…Allwillbewell…Yes,hehaslistenedtomyterms…Ishallseeyoubeforemidnight…Atyourhome…Becarefulandready.Youknowtheplan.”
TremonthungupthetelephoneandlookedatTheShadow.Hewaspositivethathisenemydidnotknowwhohadcalled.
Tremonthadweighedthesituationcarefully.Heknewthathewascovered;thatOrlinovhadbeenwatched.ButSavette,hefeltsure,wastoowellsecludedtobesuspectedofcomplicitybyTheShadow.
“Youhaveheard,”declaredTremontboldly.“Nowletmehearyouranswer.”
Asoft,shudderinglaughcamefromthemaninblack.Moreterrifyingthanhispresencealone,themockeryofTheShadowbrokeGladeTremont’snerve.Thelawyersensedthathehadoverplayedhishand.
“Iknowyourways,”cameawhispered,sinistervoice.“Ihavedealtwithcrookslikeyoubefore.”
Instinctively,TremontquailedasTheShadowspoke.Hesawhisplansfadingaway.
“Iknowwhocalledyou,”continuedTheShadow.“Savetteisyouraccomplice.Inallprobability,hehasacodeddispatchtosendtoOrlinov,incaseyoudonotappearathishome.”
TheShadowlaughedagain,andhistone,thoughlouder,didnotemanatefromthatroom.Itcaughttheechoesofthewall.Itreverberated,andTremont’seardrumsthrobbedwiththeghostlysound.
“Tonight,”declaredTheShadow,“GladeTremontwillappearatthehomeofDoctorSavette.Later,GladeTremontwillgotoGlendaleandorderthereleaseofCliffordMarsland.There,inaddition,GladeTremontwillendtheschemesofterrorthatnowexist.
“Youdoubtmystatement?Thatisbecauseyoudonotunderstandmymethods.Look!”
Withhislefthand.TheShadowsweptawayhisslouchhatandbroughtdownthecollarofhiscloak.Hisheadwasfullyrevealed.
Staringatthedisclosedface,GladeTremontgasped.Hewaslookingathimself-hisownfeaturesasclearlyportrayedasthoughhehadbeenstaringinamirror.
ThelipsofthefalseGladeTremontmoved.TheShadowwasspeakingagainbuthisvoicewasaperfectimitationofthelawyer’stones.
“IamGladeTremont!”declaredTheShadow.“Iamthemanwhowillacttonight!”
Asheheardthatvoice,therealGladeTremontwiltedinhischair.HehadsoughttocombatTheShadow.Hehadplanned,buthehadfailed.
Themastercrookslumpedhelplessly.Hesawdeathnow-deaththathecouldnotescape.Withkeennessthatout-rivaledalltheschemesofTremont,andhiscompanions,TheShadowhadfoundacertainwaytofoilthemethodsofthebandoffiends.
Savettewouldbeduped!Orlinovwouldbeduped!Thegamewasended!ButTremont,cowering,thoughtonlyofhimself.TheShadow’seyeswereflaringthroughhismasklikeface.TheybodednogoodforGladeTremont.
CHAPTERXIII
THESHADOW’SFLIGHT
GLADETREMONTwasinTheShadow’spower.Untilnow,themanofthedarkhadplayedawaitinggame,neveroncerevealinghishand.Fromthestart,hehadrealizedthathewasdealingwithanewgameofcrime.
Hehaddivinedthatalltheevidenceagainstthecrookswashangingbyasinglethread-readytobedroppedintooblivion.Releasedoftheirburden,Tremont,Savette,andOrlinovwouldbebeyondthelaw.
Now,thrustingfromthedark,TheShadowhadcheckmatedthefirstoftheterriblethree.Hewasmasterofthesituation.AsGladeTremont,hemightdeceivethelawyer’scraftyconfederates.Buttodothis,hemustleavethishouse.
Divestedofhiscloakandhat,TheShadowcouldeasilypassBiffTowleyattheoutergate.ButhemustfirsteliminateGladeTremont.
Thatwaswhythelawyercringedwithfear.HedidnotexpectTheShadowtofireashot-suchmightbeinterpretedasasignalbythemenoutside.ButthelawyerdidexpecttodiebyTheShadow’shand.
Ablowfromthatheavyautomatic-athrustwithanunseenknife-powerfulfingersclutchingathisthroat-theseweretheharrowingthoughtsthatenteredthecowedlawyer’smind.
TheShadow,howeverdidtheunexpected.Calmly,hedrewhiscloakabouthisshoulders.Hisslouchhatoncemorecoveredhisfeatures.ThefalsevisageofGladeTremontwasconcealedfromview
WhatwasTheShadow’spurpose?
Gradually,itdawneduponTremontthatthemaninblackintendedtotakehimfromthisplace.Thewisdomofsuchacoursewasapparent.Adeadbody,hastilyconcealed,mightbediscovered,particularlyifBiffandhishenchmenenteredthehouseforanyreasonatall.Furthermore-thethoughtbroughtafainthopetoTremont-TheShadowmighthaveauseforhiscaptive.
Thatwasit!Tremont’swaveringpulsebeatsquickened.TheShadowwouldtakehimaway-offtosomehiddenlair,toholdhimthereahostageasCliff
MarslandwasheldatOrlinov’s.Thecheckmatewouldbestalemate.Neithersidecouldmove.
Tremontdidnotrelishthesituation;atthesametime,herealizedthattheplansofhisassociateswouldgoon,uninterrupted.
TremontwasnonetoosureofSavetteandOrlinov.Crooklike,he,himselfwouldhavebeenwillingtosacrificeacompanionforhisowngood.HefanciedthatSavetteandOrlinovwoulddothesame.
WhatifTheShadowshouldkillGladeTremont?Theywouldretaintheupperhand.Tremontcursedhimselfforhisfollyincominghere.
THESHADOW’Sautomaticseemedtobeckon.Weakly,Tremontaroseandmovedinresponsetothecommand.Theblack-glovedhandthatheldtheautomaticwasclosetoTremont’sbody.Thebarrelofthegunwasagainstthelawyer’sribs.
Tremonttrembledashesensedthetouchofthemetal.Quivering,hewalkedfromtheroom,crouchinglowatTheShadow’swhisperedorder.
WelldidTremontknowthereputeofTheShadow.Heknewthatthemightyhandwouldnotfalterinthefaceofdanger.Ashot,now,wouldnotbetoTheShadow’sliking;nevertheless,thatweirdpersonagewouldnothesitatetousehisgunifhiscommandsweredisobeyed.TheShadowdidnotfearthehordesofgangdom.
Theyreachedthebottomofthestairs.Here,TheShadow’shissingwhisperformedoneword:
“Stop!”
Tremontobeyed.HelistenedwhileTheShadowspokelowandwithemphasis.Thecommandwasplain.Tremontwastoleaveandenterhiscar;towaitthereforTheShadow.
Itwasthemaninblackwhoopenedthedoor.Standinginthegloom,hisautomaticstillathreat,hewatchedGladeTremontwalkfromthehouse.Then
histallformflittedthroughtheopening.Thedoorclosedalmostasifthelawyerhimselfhadshutit.
Tremontdescendedtothedrive.Hisfootstepscruncheduponthegravel.Thestepofthecarcreakedasheenteredtheautomobile.
HecouldnotseeTheShadow-infact,Tremontdarednotlookbehindhim.Heenteredthecaronthesideoppositethedriver’sseat.Asheshutthedoor,hestaredpastthewheel.Hesawtheoppositedoorclosingsoftly.
TheShadowhadtrickedhim!Insteadofkeepinghimcovered,TheShadowhadsilentlyflittedpastthecartotheotherside.Noiselessly,invisibly,hehadentered.Tremontcouldseeonlyamassofblack.ItindicatedTheShadow-behindthesteeringwheelofthecar!
Thestarterpurred.Themotorthrobbed.Thelightsofthecarcameon-withtheexceptionofthedashlight.Thetwomeninthecarwereinvisible.
TremontsensedtheboldnessofTheShadow’splan.Ifanyonehadbeenseen,itmusthavebeenTremonthimself.Withthecarpullingawayopenly,BiffTowleymightbedeceivedintothinkingthatTremontwasleavingofhisownaccord,atthewheelofhiscoupe.
Tremontsuppressedagroanasherealizedhishopelessness.WhyshouldBiffsuspectthatanythingwaswrong?Heandhishoundsoftheunderworldhadbeenwatchingthishouseallevening.OnlyTremonthadbeenseentoenter.TheydidnotsuspectthepresenceofTheShadow!
Deliberately,TheShadowdroveTremont’scartothecirclingendofthedrive.Heswungthewheel;thenbackedthecarandstarteditforward.Heheadedoutalongthedrive,towardthesafetyofthestreet.
Tremontwastooalarmedtomove.Hewasbeingshanghaiedinhisownautomobile,andhecouldnotpreventit!
AllseemedwellwithTheShadow’splan.Thecalmhandlingofthecargaveeveryindicationthatnothingcouldbewrong.Butasthefrontwheelsturnedleftfromthedrive,anunexpectedinterruptionoccurred,
Fromacarhiddenacrossthestreet,ablindingsearchlightturneditsrays
directlyuponthecoupe!
BIFFTOWLEYwasmakingsure.HeknewthatifGladeTremontwereleaving,thesearchlight’smomentaryglarecoulddonoharm.Thegangleader,withstouthenchmenbyhisside,waswatchingfromhisownmachine.
ThebrightlightrevealedGladeTremont.ButitshowedmorethanthattoBiffTowley.Itindicatedthatthelawyerwasnotdrivingthecar.Anothermanwasatthewheel,andinthebrilliancethefullformofTheShadowwasbroughttoview!
Inatwinkling,Biffsawthesituation.Ahardenedgangster,hehadheardmuchofTheShadow.Likeeveryotherevildoer,theswarthygangleaderhadsworntosomedayslaythemanwhohadsolongterrorizedthedemonsoftheunderworld.
“TheShadow!”
BiffTowleyspatthewords.Hiswolfishsnarlroseasabattlecry.Swerving,almostatastandstill,thecoupewasdirectlyinthepathofTowleyandhisgorillas,aperfecttargetfortheirgunfire!
Splitsecondsbroughtresults.Thegleamofthesearchlight;BiffTowley’scry;GladeTremont’sreaction.Hearingtheshout,thelawyerflunghimselflowatthewheel.HewasgrabbingatTheShadow’srighthand,whichhelditsautomaticpoisedabovethewheel.Atthesametime,Tremonthaddroppedhisheadandshoulders,fearingthattheymightblockthepathofshotsfromtheothercar.
Inthissuddenturnofaffairs,TheShadowwasnotidle.Theglareofthatlightbroughtataunting,whisperedlaughfromthegrim,unseenlipsofthemanofthenight.
AsTremont’sformflungtowardhim,TheShadow’sarmcameup.Thebarrelofhisautomaticcaughtthelawyer’sdescendingchin.Tremont’skneesshotforward,hisbackcaved,andhecrumpledontheseat,hisheadbelowthesidewindow.
TheShadowhadwastedneithershotnortimeinthisquickmeetingofthefirst
attack.Hishandhadswungupwardforadoublepurpose.First,toeliminateTremont;second,tobeattheothermentotheopeningshot.WhileTremont’sheadwasstillhurtlingbackward,TheShadow’sfingerpressedthetriggerofthebigpistol.
Therewerethreesimultaneousresults.Aloudreportsoundedwithinthecar.Thesearchlightwasextinguished.Theclatterofshatteredglasswasheard.
Withsure,swiftaim,TheShadowhadbursttheblindingeyethathadrevealedhisform.Asingleshothaddonethedeed.
Themotorofthecoupesnorted.Aboveitsthrumcamethedefiantshoutsofthwartedgangsters.Adelugeoffireburstfromtheparkedcar.Spurtsofflameappearedfromtreesandbushesnearthehouse,whereJakeBoschandothermenwerestationed.
Allwerefiringblindly.Thecoupe,gainingspeed,waswhirlingdownthenarrowstreet,afleeing,elusivetargetthatdefiedthemarksmanshipofgangland’sgunners.
Angrily,BiffTowleyhurledhiscarintogear.Hispowerfulmachineleapedforward.Gangsters,scramblingfromthelawn,leapeduponitssteps.Otherscamerunning,tojointhemadpursuitinthewakeofBiff’ssedan.
Gangsterswereleaningfromopenwindows,blastingawayatthezigzaggingcoupe.Shotswerewild.Oathswerefutile.Thecoupehadgainedapreciousstart.
BiffTowley,leaningoverthewheel,leeredgrimly.Ordinarily,hewouldhavetoldhismentostaytheirfireuntiltherangewascloser.Butnowthistorrentofleadenhailwasworkinginaccordancewithawell-plannedidea.
Theheadlightsofthesedanshowedthefleeingcarhalfablockahead.Thenbeyond,Biffsawthesightforwhichhehoped.
FROMasidelanecamealong,lowtouringcar.Itshottothemiddleofthenarrowstreetandstoppedthere.Fromitsdarksidescamenewshots-abarragedirectedtowardtheapproachingcoupe.
TheShadowwastrappedbetweentwofires!Anticipatingsomesuchsituationasthis,BiffTowleyhadstationedhiscarloadofreserveswithinstructionstoblockthepathofanyescapingenemy.
Hadthecoupecontinuedonitsmaddash,itwouldhaverunintocertaindoom.Haditstoppedinitscourse,Biffandhisshooterswouldhavefounditeasyprey.
Asthefirstshotscamefromthemenhuddledintheblockingcar,TheShadowwasmomentarilyoutofrangefrombothdirections.
ItwasonthatinstantthatTheShadowacted.Alone,betweentwoformidabledangers,hemadeanamazingefforttoeludethemboth.Ontheleftoftheroadwasalowwalllinedwiththetrees.Ontherightwasahedge.
Thoseblack-cladhandsgavethewheelofthecoupeamightytwisttotheright.Thecarspunontwowheels.Itshotoverthelowcurb,andknifeditswaythroughthemattedthicknessofthebarberryhedge!
Itstiresdiggingdeeplyinthesoftturfofabush-coveredlawn,thecarspedonward,TheShadow’samazingskillguidingitalongitslurchingway.
Itcrashedthroughshrubbery,andskirtedlow-branchedtrees.Itsgleaminglightsshowedanoddlyformedcoursetowardawoodenpicketfencethatborderedanextensionofthelane.
Thewoodenspikescrackledasthecardroveitswaythroughtosafety.Almosttopplingasitstruckthebumpypathbesidethelane,thecarrighteditselfasthedefthandswhirledthewheel.
WithGladeTremont’sbodybouncingcrazilyathisside,TheShadowpilotedthecardownthenarrow,windingroadway,headingawayfromthecrossingwherethetouringcarhadawaitedhim.
Alongshoutarosefromtheslopebehind.Thegleaminglightsofthetouringcarhadspottedthereturnofthecoupe.Thelow-bodiedcartookupthepursuitthatBiffTowleyhadlost.
Backonthesidestreet,Biff,hissedanstoppedpastthespotwhereTheShadowhadhurtledhiscarfromview,joinedinthemadracetoovertakethe
manwhohadfled.
Ashissedanturnedthecornerandspeddownthelaneafterthedistanttaillightofthetouringcar,footstepspoundedalongthesidewalkbesideBiff’scar.Halfadozenrunninghoodlumswerebringinguptherear.
Byaswift,daredevilchance,TheShadowhadshotfromadeathtrap.Twocarsandmorethanadozendesperategangsterswereonhistrail.Inthecoupe,grimlyclutchingthejostlingwheel,TheShadowlaughedashebumpedonthroughthenight.Hewasonanarrowwindingroadthatmightleadnowhere.
Whatwouldbetheoutcomeofthismadrace?
Hiscaptivewasbobbinghelplesslyathisside,butTheShadowgavenoheedtothemanwhomhehadtaken.Hewasengagedinthethrillofthemoment,hismightyschemesandwell-laidplansdependingentirelyuponwhatmighthappennow.
On,on,wentTheShadow,seekingsomeavenuewherehemightturn,guidinghiswayalongthetwistingroadthatwascurvingitsrock-incrustedroutedownarugged,ramblingslope.Soonhewouldbeattheendofthispath.
Ahead,theremightbesafety.Ahead,mightlieatrapmoreformidablethantheonewhichTheShadowhadescaped.Thethumpingoftherockyroadwasrackingtheframeofthecoupe.Lifeordeathhunginthebalancewiththegreathazardyettocome.
Again,TheShadowlaughed.Hismockingmirthrangclearandboldthroughtheblackenedairofnight!
CHAPTERXIV
THESHADOW’SFIGHT
AFLATTENED,wideningstripintheroadahead.Thewheelsofthecoupeswishedasthefast-movingcarspurtedovertheshortstretch.
Thencameasharpturntotheleft-adownwardroadonalow-banked,treelessstretchofland.Beyondthat,somethingwhiteandlevelshonebeneaththeapproachinglights.
Thecoupe,respondingtoTheShadow’surge,hurtledtowardthewhitishmassahead.Thenitshoodtiltedupwardtoalevel.TheraisinglightshurledavividglareupontheblacknessofthewavelessSound.
Aquickfootpressedthebrake.Thecoupeskiddedsharplyuponthedampenedsurfaceofaswimmingwharf.Thecarswungtotheright.Itsrearwheelsskimmedalongtheedgeofthepier,almostdroppingovertheside.
Jammedtoastop,thethicktiresglidedsidewiseuntilthecarhaltedontheveryedgeofthedeepwaterattheendofthepier.
Awildfinishtoadesperateride.Butthethrillofthisamazingepisodewasyettocome.Meresecondsafterthecoupehadhalted,thebrightlightsofanothercarplungeddowntheslope.
Thedriverofthetouringcarcouldseethedangerashespottedtheplightofthenearlywreckedcoupe.Hejammedhisbrakesbeforehereachedthewharf.Hisskidwasshorter;hisstoppagewasmoreabrupt.
Thelightsofthesedanwerenowinview.Thesecondofthemob-mannedcarswascomingupwithitshordeofdesperatekillers.Wildshoutswereheardfromthegunmen.
Coldly,calmly,TheShadowslippedthroughthedoorbesidethedriver’sseat.ThejoltedformofGladeTremontcrumpledcompletely,alongthefloorofthecar.Thedoorclosed.
Tremont,helpless,wastrappedwithin.TheShadowgavenothoughttohim.Therewasotherworktodo.Flighthadended.Fightwastobegin!
Poisedonthestepofthecar,hisblackformclingingtothefartherside,TheShadowwasstandingalmostabovethewaterydepthsattheendofthepier.Firstonehandrose;thentheother.Eachthinblackglovewastightaboutan
automatic.
Anopeningshotcamefromthebodyofthetouringcar.Itcrashedagainstthesideofthecoupe.TheShadowgavenosignofareply.Anothershotsplinteredasidewindow.Still,TheShadowwassilent.
Now,emboldenedmenweredashingforward.Withgleamingrevolvers,twogangstersleapedfromthetouringcar.Fivemore,headedbyJakeBoschscrambledofftherunningboardsofthesedan.Acrossthedockstheyraced,protectedbythemeninthecarsbehind,
Theywereanxioustoseizetheirquarry.TheyknewthattheyweredealingwithTheShadow.Wherewashe?Hidinginthecar?Stunnedatthewheel?OrhadheleapedintotheSound?
Whereverhemightbe,thesemenwereouttogethimbyforceofnumbers.Awidespread,grimlysnarlingtribe,theywerewedginginlikethespokesofafan.
THENcamethereportofTheShadow’sright-handgun.ThesamedeadlyaimthathadshatteredBiffTowley’sspotlightproveditsmeritagain;butthistimeitstargetwasahumanbody.
Adashinggangsterscreamedandleapedupward,handsclawinginair.Hisbodyflattenedandsprawleduponthedockslidingintoahuddledshape.Hisrevolver,skimmingonward,slippedfromthesideofthewharfandsplashedintothewater.
Nooneheardthatsplash.TheShadow’sgunwasdeliveringitssecondbark.Anothermanfell.Hesprawledlikeastarfish,hisrevolverstillinhisgrasp.
Theothersweredroppingtothewharf,lyinglowandspread,theirrevolversreturningtheattack.
BiffTowley,alertinthesedan,spottedtheexactplacefromwhichtheshotshadcome.Hesawthedimtopofablackhatabovetherearofthecoupe.
Hisyellgavethesignalashefired.Themeninthetouringcarblazedaway.
HadTheShadowremainedtoriskanotherpressofthetrigger,Biff’sbulletwouldhaveclippedhim.Butthehatwasdroppingtosafetyasthegangleaderfired.Theleadenmissileskimmedthecrownofthedisappearingheadpiece.
Themenonthedockwerecrawlingforward.Biffandtheotherswhocoveredwerealert.TheysawTheShadow’schosenspot.Anothermoveonhispart,anddeathwouldbehislot.
ButTheShadowhadmadeasuddenchange.Crouching,heflunghimselfflatupontheouterrunningboard.Withincredibleswiftness,hewriggledhistallformbetweenthefrontfenderandthehood.Hisleftarmpausedbytheedgeoftheradiator.Hissharpeyespeeredforthunseen.
Twomenwerecrawlingforwardfromthatdirection.OnewasJakeBosch.Withlow,perfectaim,TheShadowfired.Jakedroppedwithoutasound.
Beforetheotherstartledgunmancouldturnhisrevolver,asecondshotoccurred.Jake’scompanionfell,writhing.
Nowgunsblazedinfury.Hardbulletscrashedthroughthesideofthehood.Theyneverfoundtheirmark.BetweenTheShadowandhisenemieslaytheprotectingmotor.Itwasasolidbarrierthatbulletscouldnotpenetrate.
Fourmenhadfallen.Fourofnearlyadozen.Theothersonthepier,realizingthefact,surgedforwardinamass.Thefirstoftheattackersreachedthehoodofthecar.Likeasoldiergoingoverthetop,heflunghimselfacrossthehood,hisgunarmforward,aimingforthehiddenfoe.
TheShadow,twistedonhisback,hisleftarmbythehood,hisrightagainsthisbody,sawthegleamingrevolverasitshotabovehim.Heheardthebrutalcursefromthegangster’slipsasthemantriedtostophisplungeandbringhisweapondownward.
TheShadow’sgunspatupward.Thegangster’seffortsfailedasthebulletcleavedhischest.Hisbodyhurtledforwardintothewaterbeyond.
Inthatwell-timed,preciseaction,TheShadowhadlostaprecioussecond.Anotherfoehadprofitedbythedelay.Sneakingbytherearofthecar,thismanwasclingingtothebackfender,ontheveryedgeofthepier.
HecouldseethespatterofTheShadow’sgun.Hangingbackward,holdingbyhislefthand,thisgangsterthrusthisrightarmacrosshisbodyandfired.
Helosthisaimintheeffort.Fromhiscrampedposition,hisshotwashigh.Anotherchancewasallheneeded;buthedidnotgetit.
TheShadow,serenelyrestingbetweenthefenderandthehood,deliberatelyleveledhisrighthand.Hisfingerpressedthetriggeroftheautomatic.Hisshotwastowardtheoneportionofthegangster’sbodythatcouldnotmove-thewhitelefthandthatgrippedthefenderofthecar.TheShadow’saimdidnotfail.
Withahideouscry,theman’sholdbrokeasthebulletcrunchedhisgrippinghand.Hisarmsflungupabovehisheadasheseemedtoleapbackward.Hisbodysmackedagainstthewaterwitharesoundingsplash.
ANEWenemymenaced.Hewasmorecautiousthantheothers.Prowlingforward,hehadopenedthedoorofthecoupe.Hewasreachingthroughthewindow,bythewheel-forhehadfounditopen.HewasstumblingovertheformofGladeTremont.TheShadowswunguptomeetthisgunman.Ahandandaheadcameintoview.Apointingrevolvershimmered.BeforeitwasTheShadow’srisingfigure,withitsblackenedautomatic.
Itwasasplitsecondracebetweenhairtriggers,andTheShadowwon.Hisshotechoedlikeacannon’sroar.Thegangster’sheaddisappeared.Hishandlaylimplyontheopeningofthewindow,thetriggerguardoftherevolverdanglingfromanervelessfinger.
TheShadowlaughedashegrippedhisrightautomaticinthebendofhisleftelbow.Heextendedhislongarmandtheblack-glovedhandpluckedtherevolverfromthedyinghoodlum’sunresistingclutch.
Scowling,atthewheelofhissedan,BiffTowleyspatlowcurses.SevenmenhadadvancedtotakeTheShadow.Sevenbulletshadendedtheirattack.Themanwasademon!Hisworkhadbeenatcloserange,butneveroncehadhefaltered.
Biffnudgedthemanwhosatbesidehim-theonlyotheroccupantofthesedan.Together,theyclamberedfromthecarandfoundprotectionbesidethe
touringcar.Thereweretwomenthere.
“We’vegottogethim!”snarledBiff.“It’sTheShadow!”
InthebadlandsofManhattan,thatnamewouldhaveinspireditshearerswithterror.Here,withtheechoesofgunshotsstillringingintheirears,theutteranceinspiredBiff’shenchmenwithanewandgrimincentive.
TheyhadTheShadowwithintheirgrasp,iftheycouldbuttakehim.Theircompanionshadtastedhisdeath-dealingbullets.Itwasagameofvengeance,now!
Thenoseofthetouringcarwaspointedatanangletowardthebullet-riddledcoupe.Biff’splanwasaquickandsimpleone.
“Closeinonhim!”orderedthegangleader.“Driveuptotheendofthepier.”
Themanwhocrouchedatthewheelutteredatersegrunt.Thetouringcarshotforwardandjammeditsradiatorclosetothesideofthecoupe.
“Givehimtheworks!”
BiffTowley’scommandcamefromthesideofthecar.Thetwomenraisedtheirrevolvers.Biffandhiscompanionpeeredfromthehoodofthetouringcar.
Fromthisspot,aquickattackwaspossible.YetBiffhesitated.Then,asthoughinanswertoasharpoaththatsputteredfromthegangleader,ashoutwasraisedfromtheroadthatcametothepier.Fiverunninggangsterswerearrivingasthelastreserve.
ItwouldbesuredeathforTheShadownow!Tostoptheapproachofthesemen,hemustshowhimself.Otherwisetherewouldbeahordetoclamberasoneaboutthattiltedcoupe.
“Holdit!”exclaimedBiff,tothethreemennearhim.“Watchwhenheshowshishead-”
Beforethemencouldheedtheirleader’swarning,TheShadow’stallformappearedsuddenlyattherearofthecoupe,risingabovethetop-attheveryspotwherehehadmadehisearliestappearance.He,too,hadheardtheshoutsand
nowhiseyescouldseetheclusterofgangsterswhowerenearingthepier.Butthesewerenothisquarry.
THESHADOWhadoutguessedBiffTowley.Hehadrealizedtheverysituationthatwasspringingthroughtheswarthygangster’smind.Springingupward,almostontopofthecar,TheShadowwasamightymonsterofthenight.
Theheightofhisposition,theproximityofthetouringcar-bothgavehimanadvantagewhichBiffTowleyhadnotanticipated.
Downsweptthehandsthatheldtheautomatics.Onlylong,spittingflamesrevealedthepresenceoftheguns.Thequickshotsweredirectedatthetwomeninthetouringcar,oneinfronttheotherintherear.Bothwereraisingtheirrevolvers,astheycrouchedbehindthedoors.
TheShadowclippedthefrontmanintheshoulder.Thegangstermanagedtoreturntheshot,buthisaimwasfaulty.TheShadow’snextbulletsmashedtheman’sarm.Hedroppedhisgunandfelltotheprotectingfloor.
Theotherautomaticwasnotidle.Whiletheleftusedtwoshotstowoundthemaninfront,therighthandswungtowardthemaninthebackofthecar.
Hewascrouching,thinkinghimselfsafe.Inthathewaswrong.TheShadowmadealivingtargetofhishuddledform.
Biff’slonecompanionsawTheShadow,andmadeamaddashforward.HefiredwildasTheShadow’sbodyswayed.Theanswerwasawhistlingshotthatfelledtheunwarygangster.
TheShadowdroppedflatuponthetopofthecar,andhisautomaticsslippedaway.Theywereempty.Fromhiscloak,hepluckedtherevolverthathehadtakenfromthedyinggunman.
Thereservesofthegangsterhordewerepoundingacrossthedock,yellingwildly.Theydidnotknowthepoweroftheirfoe.Theyfiredatthetopofthecarastheyran.
TheShadowignoredtheirfire.Coolly,calmly,heaimedwithperfectmarksmanship.Hewasadifficulttargetfortheapproachingmen.Theywereinfrontofthesedan’slights,whichBiffhadleftburning.TheShadowfoundthemeasyprey.
Hisfinalshotsweretimedtogoodadvantage.Mensprawledastheycameon.Two,seeingtheircompanionsfall,leapedbackanddivedbehindthesedan.TheShadowpressedthetriggerasheaimedtowardoneoftheescapinggangsters.Thehammerfelluponanemptychamber.
BiffTowleyhadnotbeenidle.Craftyaswellasbold,hehadseentoomuchofTheShadow’smarksmanshiptoriskexposinghimself.Insteadofspringingintoview,thegangleadercrawledtothesideofthecoupe,andglidedalongthenearerrunningboard.
HeknewthatTheShadowwouldbewatchingforsomeoneontheouterside.Sneakingcautiously,Biffraisedhimselfbesidethecar,readyforhissurprisethrust.
Hisheadandhandcameuptogether,overthetopofthecoupe.Biffhadintendedtobeclosetohisfoe,buthehadnotexpectedtheproximitywhichheattained.Ashisfacecameabovethetopofthecar,Bifffoundhimselfstaringintotwoburningeyes,notafootfromhisown!
Biff’shandshotforward.Hisfingertuggedthetriggerofhisrevolver.
Onceagain,TheShadowwastooquick.Ashesawthegangleader’sfaceappear,heflunghisrevolversquarelyintothatleeringvisage.Themetalmissiveflattenedthegangleader’sface.
BiffTowleytoppledbackwardashefired.HisbulletwhistledpastTheShadow’shat.Thegangleaderlandedflatonhisback,besidethecoupe,andhisrevolverclinkedasitstruckthelightofthetouringcar.
TheShadowhadrisenwithhiseffort.Weaponless,now,hiswaveringformbecameatargetforthemenbythesedan.Undercover,theyopenedfire
Atthesoundofthefirstshot,TheShadowflunghisarmswide.Aloudcrycamefromhishiddenlips.Itdwindledashisformlurchedbackward.Adullsplashfollowedasthefallingmaninblackplungedintothewaterbeyondthe
pier.
“Igothim!”growledthemanwhohadfiredtheshot.
“Goodwork!”exclaimedhiscompanion.“YougotTheShadow!”
THEtwomenhurriedforward.OnesawBiffTowley,groaningonthedockandstoppedtoaidhischief,theothercontinuedtotheendofthedockandpeeredoutovertheSound.
Hewasstillstaringwhentheothergangsterjoinedhim.Thewatcherraisedhisgunandfiredaskimmingshotacrossthewater.
“What’stheidea?”growledtheotherman.
“ThoughtIsawsomethingfloatingoutthere,”repliedthefirst.
“Don’twastegoodlead.Yougotthatguythefirsttimeyoufired.Comealong.We’vegottohelpBiff.It’stimewescrammed.”
Thesuggestionwasawiseone.Eveninthisisolatedspotthesoundofgunfirehadatlastbroughtvisitors.Twocarswerestoppingonaroadway,acrossalittlecove.Themenonthedockcouldhearvoices.
Hurriedly,theyrushedbacktoaidBiffandotherwoundedmen.Theypiledtheircompanionsintothecarsandpreparedtoleave.Onemantookthesedan;theotherthetouringcar.Withtheirloadofwoundedgangsters,theypulledawayuptheroadthatledtothewindinglane.
Thesilenceofdeathprevaileduponthelittlepier.ThereTheShadowhadfoughthismightybattleagainstterrificodds,onlytoendhisgloriousfightwithafarewellplungeintotheSound.
Peoplewerearrivingnow,auniformedpolicemanamongthem.White-facedmenwerepeeringatthesprawledformsofdeadgangsters.Theofficerpulledamotionlessmanfromthecoupe;thensawanotherbodybeneaththeformthathehadremoved.
Thismanwasalive.Hemanagedtoriseofhisownaccord.Hestaggeredashisfeettouchedthepier,thensatdownontherunningboardofthecoupeandstaredabouthimwithabewilderedair.
ItwasGladeTremont.Hehadregainedconsciousnessduringtheendofthefray.Now,hecouldscarcelyrealizewhathadhappened.Peoplewerecrowdinguptotalkwiththislonesurvivorofthecarnage
Menpilingvictimsintocarsthathadgone;deadmenonthedock;alivemanemergingfromthecoupe-witnesseshadseenallthese.
Butnoone,eitheronthepierortheroadwayacrossthecove,sawthedrippingfigurethatcamefromtheSoundandcrawledstealthilyamongtherocks,fivehundredyardsaway.
Noonesawthefigure-nordidanyhearthemockinglaughthatcamefromlipsthatwereobscuredbytheflappingbrimofawater-soakedslouchhat.
TheShadow,victorofthefray,hadreturnedfromthewaters.Hehadfeignedadyingplungewhenhehaddivedtosafety.Thoughweaponless,hehadescapedunscathed.
CHAPTERXV
AFTERMIDNIGHT
ANautomobilepulleduptothedoorofGladeTremont’shome.Apolicemansteppedouttomeetit.DoctorGeraldSavette,suaveandquestioninginglance,lookedatthemaninuniform.
“YouareDoctorSavette?”askedtheofficer.
“Yes,”repliedthephysician.“HowisMr.Tremont?”
“Allrightnow,sir,”saidtheofficer.“Hewasluckythathedidn’tgetkilled.Hegotcaughtinthemiddleofameangunfight.Theywerebattlinginandoutofhiscar.Gorightup,doctor.”
Savettewentintothehouseandascendedthestairs.HearrivedatGladeTremont’sbedroom,andenteredtofindthelawyerproppeduponastackofpillows.
Nooneelsewasintheroom.Aglassandbottleofmedicineindicatedthatanotherphysicianhadleft.Quietly,Savetteclosedthedoorandsatdownbesidethebed.
“Ireceivedyourmessage,”hesaid,inalowvoice.“Theytoldmeyouwantedmehere-asyourphysician.Thisisaprofessionalcall.”
Hesmiled,thenaddedreflectively:
“Itisfortunateyoumanagedtocommunicatewithmebeforemidnight.”
“Iamfortunatetobeheremyself,”returnedTremont.“WestruckaTartartonight,Gerald.Wefinishedhim,though.That’sonesatisfaction.”
“Tellmeaboutit.”
Briefly,TremontnarratedtheeventsuptothetimeofTheShadow’smadflight.Thatwasthepointatwhichthelawyer’sobservationhadceased.Skippingthestoryofthefightonthedock,Tremontcametowhathadhappenedafterward.
“WhenIcameto,”hesaid,“theyweredraggingmeoutofthecoupe.Icouldn’tfigurewhereIwasatfirst-thenIrealizedIwasonthelittledockattheendoftheoldlane.Thepolicemanrecognizedme.Heknewmycar,too.Itdidn’ttakemelongtothinkuptherightsortofstory.”
“Whichwas-”
“ThatIhaddrivendowntothedocktolookattheSound.JustasIwasturningthecoupe.Twocarscameswingingdownthelane,oneinpursuitoftheother.Thenthegunsstarted.Gangsters,battling.Twoofthempiledintothecar.Somethinghitmeonthehead.Idropped-andthat’sthelastIknewaboutit.”
“Agoodalibi,”declaredSavette,nodding
“Aperfectone,”saidTremont.“Acceptedwithoutquestion.”
“Whyisthepolicemanhere?”
“JusttoseeI’mallright,”smiledTremont.“Hewillbeleavingsoon.IcalledBiffTowleywhileyouwereonyourwayhere.”
“Yes?”Savette’seyebrowsbetrayedhiseagernesstohearaboutthegangleader’sreport.
“Hedidn’ttalklong,”declaredTremont,“buthetoldmeallIwanttoknow.OneofhismennailedTheShadow.Hewasontopofmycar.
“HesmashedBiffinthefacewithhisrevolver.Noshotsleft,evidently.ThenoneofBiff’smobfiredpointblank,andTheShadowfellfromtheendofthedock.”
“HowdidBiff’smobfare?”
“Badly.JakeBoschwaskilled.Someothers,too.Nearlyallwerewounded.Thatmanwasafighter-buttheoddsweretoogreat.”
“Amazing-hisschemeofposingasyou.Idon’tthinkitcouldhavedeceivedme,however.”
“Heenteredthroughacellarwindow,”observedTremont.“CapturedoneofBiff’smenandtiedhimup.Thefellowmanagedtogetfree,justaboutthetimetheywerebringingmebackfromthedock.
“I’mgladaboutthat;itwouldn’tbewellforhimtobedowntherenow-oreveninthisvicinity.HearrivedatBiff’sheadquartersandtoldhimallaboutit.”
DOCTORSAVETTEbecamepensive.Heseemedtobereviewingthescattereddetailsoftonight’sevents.Hewaspicturingthebattleonthepier.Henoddedslowlyasthoughadefinitethoughtwascomingtohim.
HisreveriewasinterruptedbythesoundofraindropsthatbegantospatterontheslopingroofoutsideofTremont’swindow.Savettenoticedthatthewindowwasopenslightly.
Thenoiseoftherainfallbecameaheavytorrent.Ithadbeencloudyeversincetheafternoon;nowastormwasbreaking.
Savettegazedidlyattheblackenedwindow;thenheresumedhismeditation.Now,itwasTremontwhointerrupted.Thelawyeremittedalow,gleefulchuckle.
“Itworkedoutforthebest,”hedeclared.“Itwasastalemate;nowthegameisours.Wecantakeourtime.AsforthatfellowMarsland-”
TremontmadeagesturetoindicatethatCliffwouldbeobliteratedfromthehorizon.
Savetteshookhishead.
“Don’tacttooquickly,Glade,”headvised,inacraftytone.“Wecanneverbetoosure.Iagreewithyouthatwecantakeourtime.ButIamnotyetsatisfiedthatTheShadowisdead.”
“There’snodoubtaboutit.Bifftalkedwiththemanwhoshothim.”
“Peopledonotalwaysdiewhentheyareshot.IfTheShadowisdead,Iwanttobesureofit.Waituntiltheyfindhisbody,driftingintheSound.”
“Theymayneverfindit,”answeredTremont.“Thereareheavycurrentsalongthispartoftheshore.Youcannotcountonthat.”
“Iamnotcountingonanything,”assertedSavette.“ThatistheverypointIamtryingtomakeyouconsider.Youarerightwhenyousaythegameisours.Wewanttokeepitours.”
“How?”
“BycontinuingtoholdMarsland.Wehavehimsafe.YougaveTheShadowyourultimatum.SolongasMarslandlives,weareprotected,eventhoughTheShadowmayhaveescaped.”
“Thatisright,”acquiescedTremont.“Marslandcandonoharm;hemaybeusefulifwekeephim.Wehavetoomuchatstaketoallowasingleloophole.Youtookchancestonight.Youareluckytobealive.Beguidedbymyadvicefromnowon.”
TREMONTrealizedthewisdomofSavette’sremarks.Hesensedthathiscolleagueincrimewasabouttoproposeadefiniteplan.Helistenedintently.
“Youneedavacation,”declaredSavette,assumingaprofessionalair.“Isuggestthatyougoawayforatrip.Destinationunannounced.Actually,itwillbeGlendale.
“TakeBiffTowleywithyou.Puthiminchargeofforcesupthere.ForgetNewYorkforawhile.ConcentrateongettingresultsthroughOrlinov.
“Wehaveaccomplishedwhatwesetouttodo.Ourpastiscovered.Thereareonlytwowhohaveevertriedtointerfere-SharrockandTheShadow.Wedrovethefirstaway.Wehaveapparentlykilledthesecond.
“IshallremaininNewYork.YouwillbewithOrlinov,makingsurethatallgoeswell.WithTowleyinchargeoftheguardstherecanbenomutiny,noreasingofthewatch.ThenOrlinovcandrivethoseslavesofhis.Makethemproduce.”
TherewasasteelyglintinSavette’seyesasheconcludedhisstatement.Tremontchuckled.
“Orlinovknowshowtodrive”declaredthelawyer.“Heisgettingresultsaseffectivelyaspossible.Heishandicappedbyonlyoneitem.Money.”
“Iknowthat,”saidSavettethoughtfully.“Iintendtorectifythatsituation.Icandoitbetteralone,atpresent.Ourrealworkisended.Itwasdifficultwiththeothers,becausewehadsetourmindsontheoneswewanted.Butmoney-”
Helaughedknowingly.Tremontsawanewsparkleinthephysician’seyes.
“Sharrockcrossedus,”addedSavette.“Otherwise,wemightnothavestartedonournewventure.Ifwehadhimnow,wewouldbeallright.Butitwouldbe
dangeroustogoafterhim.Thereareeasierways;andIcanfindone.”
“Theneedisimminent,”declaredTremont.
“Iunderstandthat,”saidSavette.“Nevertheless,wemustnotbehasty.Givemethreeweeks-perhapsamonth.BythenIshallhaveaperfectplan.Itmaytakemelesstime.WhenIneedassistance,Ishallcommunicatewithyou.”
“Haveyoufoundanysuitablepersonsasyet?”
“Several,”saidSavette,“buteachonepresentsanobstacle.ThatiswhyIhavebeenwaiting.Itwouldbeagravemistaketochooseone,thenfindanotherwhowouldprovemoreprofitable.Wewanttheonewhowillbeeasiesttowork.”
“Thatisuptoyou,”saidTremontinatiredvoice.“Doyourbest,andletmehearfromyou.IshallleaveforGlendaletomorrow.”
Savettearoseandbadehiscompaniongoodnight.Hewentdownstairsanddonnedhisraincoat.Hesteppedfromthedoor.Thepoliceman,aponchoonhisshoulders,wasstandingontheedgeoftheporch.HesalutedthephysicianandSavettehastenedthroughthepouringrainandreachedhiscar.
Thepolicemanwatchedthephysician’sautomobiledriveaway.Theofficerhadbeeninstructedtoremainhereduringthenight.GladeTremontwasanimportantresidentinthelocality.Theheadofthelocalpoliceforceregrettedhisneglectinleavingthissectionunguarded.
UPontheroofabovethepoliceman’shead,ashadowyshapeappearedreflectedinthelightfromTremont’swindow.AdrippingcloakglistenedasthefigureofTheShadowcrepttowardtheedgeoftheroof.
EscapedfromthewatersoftheSound,themanofmysteryhadcometoTremont’shome,toanticipateavisitfromDoctorGeraldSavette.Outsidethewindow,hehadlistenedtoeverywordthathadbeenutteredbythetwoconspirators.
TheShadowreachedtheedgeoftheroof.Hisformbecameinvisible.Hislongshapeglidedeasilyovertheedge.Ithungsuspendedamidtherain.
HadTheShadowdroppedtothesoftgroundbeneath,hisfallwouldhaveattractedtheattentionofthepoliceman;butTheShadowdidnotresorttosuchanact.
Hehadchosenthisspotwithcarefuldesign.Loweringonehand,heencircleditaboutapillarbeneaththeoverhangingroof.Theotherarmfollowed.Clingingtothepost,TheShadowmoveddownwardinchbyinch,untilhisfeettouchedtherail.
Theofficerwasonlyafewfeetaway,ontheothersideofthepost.Hechancedtoturnandlooktowardtherailingoftheporch.Allthathesawwasrain.
TheShadow’sformwasmotionless.Theprojectingarmsandshoulderswereablackblotthattotheofficer’seyeswereaportionofthenight.
Thepoliceman’streadsoundedonthewoodenporch.Themanwentdownthestepsandpeeredalongthedrive.Hecamebacktohisposition,andpausedtolightacigarettebytheverypostwhereTheShadowhadbeenstanding.
Theblue-tippedmatchthrewaglareasthepolicemanscratcheditonthepillar.Thesuddenblazerevealednothing.Quietly,stealthilythemanofnighthadglidedawayintothedarkness.
Hewastreadingthedrivenow,butnoteventhegravelgavesignofhispassing.Outtothestreet-thentheonlytokenofhispresencewasadriftingsilhouettethatmovedalongthesidewalkpastablurredstreetlamp.
WithcloakandhatsaturatedbySoundandrain,TheShadowtraveledonwithouttheslightestswishtoindicatehispresence.Invisible,hestoppedbesideadrivewaythatledtoanemptyhouse.Thereheturnedtoapproachacoupeparkedofftheedgeofthedrive.
Thepatteroftherainontheroofofthecardrownedthenoiseoftheopeningdoor.TheShadowreachedthewheelofhisowncar.Thestartersounded;themotorthrobbed.ThelightscameonasthecarswungclearofthedriveandheadedtowardNewYork.Soonitreachedabroadboulevard,andwaslostinthetrafficoflate-boundcarsreturningtothebigcity.
WHENnextTheShadowappearedhewasinadarkenedroomwhereonlythespotlightofthegreen-shadedlampreflecteditsraysfromtheburnishedtopofabroadtable.
Hishandsalonewerevisible-dryhandsnow.Thoselong,slenderfingershadshowntheirmasterywiththeautomatic;nowtheywereengagedinopeninganenvelope.
Thegirasolglimmeredaboveatypedreport.TheShadowwasreadingwordfromRutledgeMann-wordthatincludedarelayedmessagefromHarryVincent,theagentwhomTheShadowhaddispatchedabroad:
SharkNiceParisTally
TheShadowinscribedthetranslationofthiscondensedreport,whichconformedwithacodegivenVincent.
“Shark”meantSharrock.“Nice”referredtotheMediterraneanresort.“Paris”showedwhereSharrockhadgone.“Tally”wasanabbreviationforsteamship‘Talleyrand’.
TheShadowwrote:
LocatedSharrockatNice.HeleftforParis.Sailedonthe
Steamship‘Talleyrand’.
EvidentlyVincenthadlostthetrailatNice.Sharrock,travellingtoParishadcontinuedfromtheretoCherbourg,tocatchthesteamerforAmerica.TheShadow’shandswerestill,indicatingthathewasponderingoverthemessagethatlaybeforehim.
ThenthefingersfoundanotheritemsuppliedbyRutledgeMann.ItwasthesailingscheduleofTheFrancoLine.The‘Talleyrand’hadleftCherbourgthatday.ItwouldnotarriveinNewYorkforaweek.
TherewassignificanceinthereturnofthismanSharrock.SavettehadboastedthatheandTremonthaddrivenhimaway.Whywashecomingback?Whatwouldbetheoutcomewhentheplotterslearnedofhisreturn?
Sharrock,stepbrotherofAustinBellamy,mightproveakeytothesituationthatexistedinGlendale.HisreturnwasevidentlyunknowntoSavette.WoulditaidordisturbTheShadow’splans?
Onceagain,TheShadow’spropheticlistappeared.Thatpieceofpapergaveitscolumnofwords:Money-Television-AtomicEnergy-Aeronautics-Money.Thefirstfourtitleshadthenamesofmenattached.Atthebottomofthecolumnstoodthesingleword:
Money.
Thelistbeganwithmoney;itendedwithmoney.Whateverthepurposeofthethreestatementsinbetween,moneywasthedominatingmotive.MoneywasDoctorSavette’saimnow.
ThehandofTheShadowpausedbesidethatall-importantwordatthebottomofthelist.Itwaited,lingering.Thencamealaughfromtheblacknessoftheroom.Itwasastrange,sardoniclaugh-atokenofmirththatpresagedthedownfallofevildoers.
Thehandwrote.Anothernamewasinscribedtothelist.Forabriefinstantthenamestoodplain,whilethegirasolonTheShadow’slefthandthrewforthitslustrousshaftsofmysticlight.
Thenallwasdarknessastheshadedlampclickedoff.Fromthestillnessofasolid,tomblikeroom,TheShadow’ssinisterlaughflungagrimandmuffledtaunt.
Outofthedark,TheShadowhadcometonight.Intothedarkhehadreturned.Checkedinhisfirstattack,driventobaybygangsterhordes,TheShadowhadfoughtagainsttremendousodds.Hispresencehadbeenrevealed.Hisstalwarthandwasthwartedforthemoment.
Butwithuncannycleverness,TheShadowhadretiredfurtherfromthelight.Hisenemiesbelievedhewasdefeated.Theywerealmostconvincedthathewasdead.Theoneadvantagehehadgainedtonightwasobscurity.
OnlythroughpreservingthepretenseofoblivioncouldTheShadowhopetowithholdtheseschemingfiends.Yethow,fromoblivion,couldhehopetowagethecombat?
Inthefaceofthisdilemma,TheShadowlaughed!Hisbrainhadevolvedsomesystemwherebyoddssuchasthesecouldbemet.Whatmeanscouldthishopelesssituationafford?
OnlyTheShadowknew!
TheShadowalwaysknows.
CHAPTERXVI
APERFECTSCHEME
DOCTORSAVETTEsmiledgrimlyasheleanedbackinhiseasy-chair.Hewasaloneinhisfrontroom,reviewingthepast,andthinkingofthefuture.Attiredineveningclothes,hehadtheposeofagentlemanofculture.
FourdayshadpassedsinceBiffTowley’smobhadmetandfoughtTheShadow.Theaffrayhadcausedagreatstirinthenewspapers.Thegarbledandincorrectaccountshadbeenacceptedseriously.
Solemnsleuthshadsolvedthesituation-sotheysupposed.Itwasassumed
thatacrowdofgangstershadgonetothedocktomeetrumrunnerscominginfromtheSound.Anothercrewofmobsmenhadcometomusclein.Onebandhadbeenvictorious.
GladeTremont,prominentattorneyhadunfortunatelybeentrappedinthefray.Thevictorshadfled,leavingthedeadandwounded.GladeTremonthadescapedwithonlyslightinjuries.
CertainofthebattlingmobsmenhadbeenidentifiedwithagangleadernamedBiffTowley.HewasnotinNewYork.Itwassupposedthathehadfled-perhapsbeforethefight-fearingthathewastobedeposedaschief.Someeffortwasbeingmadetofindhim,buttheattemptwasnotwidespread.
GladeTremonthadgoneawayforarest.Hehadbeenthroughagruelingexperience.HisdeparturefromNewYorkhadbeenvirtuallyunmentionedinthenewspapers.
AllthesereportsweregoodnewstoGeraldSavette.Buthehadstillanotherreasontobepleased.TheShadowhadcompletelydisappeared.Unmentionedbythepress-fornoonehadsuspectedTheShadow’shandintheLongIslandaffair-theoneenemywhomSavetteandTremontfearedhadpassedintooblivion.
Now,SavettehadbeguntoshareTremont’stheorythatTheShadowhadbeenkilled.Thereweregoodreasonsforsobelieving.
Itseemedincrediblethatthemancouldpossiblyhaveescaped.ThemobsterwhohadfiredtheshotatwhichTheShadowtoppledhadgazedfromtheendofthedocktoseenoone.ThatwasBiffTowley’sassurance.
Moreover,GladeTremont’sstatementaboutthecurrentsintheSoundweretrueones.Searchershaddiscoveredthebodyofadeadgangsterwedgedbeneathanotherdockahalfmileaway.
NobodyhadbeenfoundthatmighthavebeenTheShadow’s;buttherewaseverycausetobelievethathisform,too,hadfounditswaytosomeobscurespot.
MostconvincingofallwasthefactthatTheShadowhadnotrevealedhimself.Therewasnochance-soSavettethought-thatTheShadowcouldknowofpresentplans.Checkmated,hisonlyhope-ifhelived-ofsavingCliff
Marsland’slifewastocommunicateandcometoterms.Savettewasconfidentonthispoint.Therefore,TheShadowmustbedead.
Nevertheless,thewilyphysicianhadnotchangedhisplanofholdingCliffasahostage.Withhisagentcaptive,TheShadowcouldnotdaretostrike.Savette,despitehissmugness,waswellversedintheloreoftheunderworld.HeknewthatTheShadowwouldneverabandonanunderlingtodestruction.
FORashortwhile,SavettehadentertainedthethoughtthatperhapsoperativesofTheShadowmightcarryon.That,hewassoonconvinced,wasnotonlyillogical,butalsoimpossible.
Actually,TheShadowwasalonewolf.Hisspecialagentsweremerelymenwhoobeyedordersblindly,coveringplaceswhereTheShadowcouldnotbe.TheseleaderlessoperativescouldnotevenknowofCliffMarsland’splight.
Now,withfullsecurity,Savettewascontemplatinganothercrime.Moneywasneededforadefinitepurpose.Withhispastrecord,itwasonlynaturalthattheschemingphysicianshoulddecidetouseanevilmethodinthefurtheranceofhisdesire.
Reclining,witheyeshalfshut,thefiendmadementalnotationsofpersonswhomhehadinmind.Amonghispatientsweremanywealthypersons;butashehadtoldTremont,therewasanobstaclewitheachthatpreventedsuretyofaction.
Savettetookchanceswhennecessary.Hehadnotbeensoparticularinthepast,whenhehadfirstembarkeduponhisinsidioustrailofcrime.Now,withhiscareerbesmirched,andhismindschooledtoeaseandperfectioninmethod,hewantedtoperformthecomingjobinthesafestandbestwaypossible.
Somemindsarenaturallycrooked.GeraldSavettedidnotpossessthequirksandtwistsofthenaturalcriminal.Tohim,evilwasusefulonlyasameanstoadefiniteend.He,likehisassociates,hadleftabloodytrailbehindthem.Butinthelesserjobs,theyhadletBiffTowleyattendtothedirtywork.
GeraldSavettefelthimselfacriminaldeluxe.Hewasabouttomakehisfarewellbowtohissecretprofession.Fromthenon,hewouldbesecureasa
wealthy,retiredphysician.Thatwasthegoalhehadset.
Tremontwantedactionsoon.SodidOrlinov.Bothcouldwait-amonthifnecessary.Unlessaperfectschemepresenteditself,Savettewouldholdbacktothelimitbeforeperpetratinghislastevil.
Whilehewaited,hewasplayinghissuavepartofareputablephysician.Hewasstrictethically.Hewasnotoverdoinghimself.Hewasenjoyingsocialfunctions,extendinghisconnections,addingtohisprestige.Awarymethodindeed!
Tonight,Savettewaskeepinganappointmentwithagroupofwealthymen.Glancingathiswatch,hesawthatitwaspasteighto’clock.Nearlytimetobegoing.Herangabellandsummonedhisservant,Hughes.
“Orderthecarfromthegarage,”saidSavette.“Bytheway,Hughes,letmehavethatenvelopewiththeinvitationthatIleftonthetableintheotherroom.Getthatfirst.”
Hughesbowedandlefttheroom.Hereturned,carryingtheenvelope;Savetteopenedit.Hesmiledashereadthecontentsoftheletter.
Thishadcomeasafollow-uptoaphonecallwhichSavettehadreceivedfromLamontCranston,themillionairewithwhomhehadformedanacquaintance.
Cranstonwasgivingaspecialpartytoafewchosenguests.Theaffairwassetfortonight.Savettehadacceptedtheverbalinvitation.Thelettercarriedinstructions,tellinghowtoreachCranston’shomeinNewJersey.ItalsoexpressedpleasureinthefactthatDoctorSavettewouldbeabletoattendtheaffair.
WHENthecararrivedfromthegarage,Savettesetoutimmediately.HeheadedfortheHollandTunnel,reachedtheJerseyside,andarrivedatLamontCranston’shomeshortlyafternineo’clock.
Mostoftheguestshadarrived.Savettewasgreetedbyhishost.Hewasintroducedtotheothermen,allofwhomwerewealthyandinfluential.
“Ihavenotseenyouforsometime,doctor,”remarkedCranston,asthetwowerestandingsidebyside.“Wherewasitwelastmet?”
“Letmethink,”saidSavetteslowly.“Ah,yes.Iseemtorecallit.Weren’twebothatClarkMurdock’s?”
“ClarkMurdock.”Cranstonseemedpuzzled.“Nowitcomesbacktome.Ihadforgottenthenameofthatchemistchap.Theonewhohadallthequeerexperiments.Veryinteresting.Iwonderhowheisprogressing.”
“Heisdead,”saidSavette,inatoneofsurprise.“Hislaboratoryblewup.Didn’tyouknowaboutthat,Mr.Cranston?”
“Iseldomreadthenewspapers,”repliedCranston,inalaughingtone.Thenhiswordsbecamesolemn.“Iamsorrytohearthemandiedbyaccidentalcause.Agreatlosstoscience.Heappearedtohavediscoveredsomethingofvalue.Ithoughtthathewasstillatwork,tryingtodevelopthatmachineofhis.”
Anotherguestinterruptedtheconversation.
ITwasnearingmidnight.Refreshmentswereserved.Whileallwereeating,Cranstonmadeanannouncement.
“Thisissomethingofafarewellparty,gentlemen,”hesaid.“Thewanderlusthasseizedmeagain.Iamleavingfordistantregions,tomorrow.”
Abuzzofinterestarose.LamontCranstonhadagreatreputationasaglobe-trotter.Questionscame.Allwantedtoknowhisplans.
“Myplans?”Cranston’sstaidfacetookonacrypticsmile.“Ihavenone,gentlemen.Igowherethemoodseizesme.Africa-India-SouthAmerica.Allarealiketome.Idonotfollowthebeatentrail.
“Aloneandunattended,ImaywalkintothemidstofaSenegambiantribe.Thechiefwillrecognizeme.Unheralded,ImayappearamongtheancientIndiansofPeru.There,too,mypresenceiswelcome.
“IhavebeentoLassa,theHolyCityofTibet.Ihavetrekkedthroughthe
SouthAfricanveldt.IhaveexploredthefarreachesoftheAmazon.Igotoplaceswheremyverynameisunknowntothosewhorecognizeme.
“AlloftheprimitivepeopleswhomImeethavegivenmetheirownname.Translated,Iamknownas‘ChildoftheMoon,’‘WhiteChief,’‘SmokeMan’-andahostofothercurioustitles.Icarryweapons,butIseldomusethem,exceptwhenIamtrackinggame.Isurprisemyprimitivefriendswithconjuringtricks,tobaccosmoke,simplemedicalpreparations,andotherdeviceswhichIcarrywithme.
“IpossessanaptitudeforlearninganydialectalmostasIhearit.Inthisway,Igetalongwell-evenwithcannibals,whohaveinvariablyconsideredmeofmorevalueasawisemanthanasakettleofstew.Onmyprospectivejourney,Ishallencounteroldfriendsandmakenewones.”
“Youmustrungreatrisks,”observedsomeone.
“Ofcourse,”saidCranston.“Sometime,Ishallnotreturn.Noonewilleverhearofmeagain.Well,thatwillbeaninterestingwaytoshakeoffthislife.Iprefertheunusual-indeathaswellasinlife.”
“Youwillbegonelong?”
“Longerthanusual.Icannottelltheexactperiodthatmytripwillcover.Thatdependsuponmyvaryingmoods.Onthisoccasion,however,Iamdoingtheunusual.Ihavearrangedmyaffairsfortwoyears-andIamclosingthisestablishmentforthefirsttime.Theservantsleavetomorrow.”
ThebizarrenotionsofLamontCranstonwerehighlyinterestingtothisgroup.ThesewealthymenpreferredthesecurityofNewYorktothedangersofthejungle.Someoneremarkedtothateffect.Cranstonlaughedinresponse.
“OneisassafeinthejungleasinNewYork,”hesaid.“Ihavetoldyou,gentlemen,thatIamalwayspreparedforastrangefate.Itcouldovertakemehere,inthishouse,aswellasinaforeignclime.Thatisoneoftheodditiesoflife.
“Theparachutejumperdiesfromafalldownashortflightofsteps.Themanwhocatchesrattlesnakes,diesfromthebiteofamadpoodle.Ithasbeensoalways.Achilles,famouswarrior,wasslainfromanarrowshotintheheel.
Pyhrrus,thegreatgeneral,perishedfromatilewhichawomandroppeduponhishead.”
Astheconversationcontinued,DoctorSavettefoundhimselftakinganincreasedinterestinLamontCranston’sstatements.Themantalkedimpressivelyandmanyofhiswordswereinterpretedbythephysicianinanunusualway.
Astheguestsbegantodepart,Savettelingered.HehadbeenhearingmanychanceremarksthatindicatedCranston’sgreatwealth.Hewasloathtoleave.
Atlast,Savettewastheonlyguestwhoremained.Reluctantly,heturnedtosendaservantforhishat.ItwasthenthatCranstonrestrainedhim.
“Iforgotthatyouarrivedlate,doctor,”hesaid.“Onthataccount,youwerenotherewhenIshowedmyfriendsmyden.Itwillbedisarrangedtomorrow.Canyouwaitafewminutes-longenoughtoviewit?Icanassureyouthatyouwillfinditinteresting.”
“Certainly,”saidSavette.
CRANSTONledthewaytoabackroomonthesecondfloor.Despitehissophistication,Savettewasastonishedatthesightbeforehim.
LamontCranstonhadcollectedmanycurios.HuntingspearsfromtheAmazon;tigerheadsfromIndia;oddtapestriesfromChina.Thedenwasaveritablemuseum;butitpossessedunusualfeatureswhichimpressedSavette.
Everyobjecthadahistory.ThistapestryhadhungintheimperialpalaceatPeking.ThislotabowlwasthegiftofaHindufakirinBenares.ThatriflewasapresentfromasquatBoerwhohadcarrieditagainsttheBritishinSouthAfrica.Skins,rugs,silkenropes-allwerespreadabouttheroominabundance.
“Marvelous!”exclaimedSavette,ashelistenedtoCranston’sbriefexplanationsofwhattheobjectssignified.
“Marvelous,tonight-yes,”declaredCranston.“Tomorrow-justsomanymoreitemsinstorage.Thatismyoneregret,doctor.Ihatetoseetheseobjectsputaway.”
“Idonotblameyou.”
Cranstondetectedaglowinthephysician’seyes.Hebecamethoughtful;thenspokeinaquiettone.
“Perhapsyouwouldliketokeepsomeofthesetrifles,”hesaid.“Ifso,youarewelcometoanyofthemforwhichyoumayhaveaplace.”
“Icouldnotthinkofit!”exclaimedSavette.
“Whynot?”askedCranston.
“Iwouldberesponsiblefortheirsafety,”rejoinedthephysician.“Supposethatsomethinghappenedtothemwhile-”
“Whatofit?”Cranston’stonewascareless.“Somethingmighthappentotheminstorage.Particularlytheskinsandrugs.Iwouldprefertoleavethemwithsomeonelikeyourself.Someonewhowouldappreciatethem.
“Ihavehadseveralfriendsinmind,but,unfortunately,allareoutoftown.Theseguestsofminetonight-wealthy,butnotappreciative.Theybuywhattheywant.Letthem.Youaretheonlyonewhohasexpressedrealadmirationfortheseobjects.”
Cranstonpressedabuttononthewall.Hisvaletcametotheroom.
“Richards,”saidCranston,“wheredidyouleavethatlargeemptybox.Theheavyone,youknow-”
“Inthedownstairshallway,sir,”respondedthevalet.
“Comealong,”suggestedCranstontoSavette.“Ihavetheverythingweneed.”
HEledthephysiciantothehallbelow.There,attherearofthehallway,stoodalargeboxwithadoor-likefront,triple-lockedwithpadlocks.Cranstonthumpeditinandouttoshowitssolidity.
“Thisistheverything,”hesaid.“Iamserious,doctor.Iwouldconsideritbothafavorandanhonorifyouwouldprovideacomfortablehomeforsomeofmyrugsandskins.Addafewofthemoreinterestingtrophiesifyouwish.
“Iamgoingawayforalongtime.Imaynevercomeback.Iattachnostringstomyoffer.
“WhenIreturnfrommypresenttrip,Ishallhaveasupplyofnewcuriosthatwillbelargerthantheoldcollection.Largerandofmorerecentinterest.”
“Youareleavingfortwoyears?”askedSavette.
“Possibly,”saidCranston.“Itmightinterestyoutoknowmymethod,doctor.ManypersonshavewonderedhowImanagemyaffairswhileIamaway.Itisverysimple.”
Heleanedagainstthebox,andpointedupward,towardthesecondfloor.
“WhenIleavehere,”hesaid,“theonlyluggagethatIcarryisalarge,heavyportmanteausuitcase.IdonotknowwhetherIamgoingtothetropicsorthefrozennorth.IbuythearticlesIneed-trunksandall-whenIreachmydestination.IdisposeofthembeforeIreturn,soIhavenomorebaggagereturningthangoing.
“Mysuitcasecontainssomepetobjects,ofcoursemyfavoriterevolver,afewbooks,otherarticlesthatIamsuretoneed,andmaynotbeabletoobtainwhereIamgoing.Moreimportant,however,aremydraftsandnegotiablefunds.Icarryasupplyofgold,ofcourse.Allthatreferstomytravelingaffairs.
“ButmyaffairshereinNewYorkaresoarrangedthatIcanconductthemasIchoose.Myresourcesareverylarge.Ihaveanoldfamilylawyer-alolling,stupidfellow-whoisjustthemanIrequire.Heknowsnothing,excepthowtofollowdirections.
“IfImakeoutchecksandmailthemtoNewYorkorelsewhere,theyarehonoredasifIwerehere.I,alone,knowwhereIkeepmyaccounts.IfInotifymylawyertodeliversecuritiesorothervaluables,hedoesasItellhim.ThusIcanwatchtheriseandfallofthemarket,nomatterwhereIam,andactaccordingly.”
“Thenyoureallyrelyonnoone,”saidSavette.“Thatis,uponnoonebutyourself?”
“No,indeed,”correctedCranston.“Isometimeswritetofriends.Forinstance,ImightwritetoyouandtoBartram,mylawyer,atthesametime.MylettertoyouwouldrequestyoutoobtainonehundredsharesofacertainstockfromBartram,tosellthemonacertainday,andtodepositthemoneytomyaccountinacertainbank.”
“AndBartramwouldgivemethestocks?”
“Certainly,whenyouidentifiedyourself.Mylettertohimwouldverifythat.Heisjustanofficeboy.Ikeephim”-Cranstonlaughed-“chieflytobeonhandtosettlemyestateifIshoulddiewhileIamaway.”
“Remarkable!”exclaimedSavette.
“Remarkable,butverysimple,”saidCranston.“Iliketodothingsmyownway.Onetime,inSanFrancisco,Imetanoldschoolmatewhoneededtwenty-fivethousanddollars.Thebankwouldgranthimtheloanifhehadsecurity.SoIwiredBartramtosendhimfortythousanddollars’worthofcertainbonds.Bartramhadneverheardoftheman.Thatdidnotmatter.Hesentthebonds.”
“Amazing!”saidSavette.“Ishouldthinkthatyouwouldbebesetbyswindlers-”
“Never,”saidCranston.“Idonotspeakofmyaffairstocrooks,doctor.Infact,youareoneoftheverysmallnumberofpersonswhoknowanythingatallaboutmymethods.Ihaveacompleterecordofmyassetsinmysuitcase.
“Rightnow”-Cranstonspokecalmly-“Icouldraisethreemilliondollars,throughmybanksandthroughBartram.Allonthestrengthofmysignature,bymail.”
“Haveyouexperiencedanylossesthroughthisloosesystem?”
“Itisnotaloosesystem.Itisatightone.Iknowmyownaffairs.Ikeepmyownrecords.Ilendmoney,Itrustpeople.Iusegoodjudgment.
“Onemanfailedtorepayadebtoffivehundreddollars.Ilostothersmall
amounts.Lessthanathousand,alltogether.Thatprovesmywisdominmymethod.
“Icouldleavetonight.Walkupstairs,takemybag,andstepoutofthishouse.Allright.Notrouble.Asamatteroffact,IshallnottouchthatbaguntilIleave,sometimetomorrownight.”
“Whattimeareyouleaving?”
“Idon’tevenknowthat.WhenIplease.Butletusgetbacktothecurios.Itistoolatenowforyoutomakeachoice.Theservantsareleavingtomorrowafternoon.Ishallbealonehereintheevening.Ifyouwish,comeout,andyouandIcanpackwhatyouwant.Youwillhavetoprovidethetrucktocarryawaythebox.Thatisall.”
“Good,”saidSavette,withatoneofsuddendecision.“Agreatidea,Mr.Cranston.Iacceptyourkindoffer.”
CRANSTONcalledRichards.“Whenareyoupackinguptheden?”heasked.
“Yousaiddayaftertomorrow,sir,”saidRichards.“Everythingelsegoesouttomorrow.Iamtoreturnlaterto-”
“That’sright,”observedCranston.“Ihadforgotten.Tomorrow,Richards,movethisboxupstairs.DoctorSavetteiscoming.HeandIwillpacksomeofthecurios,andatruckwillcometotakeit.Youpackwhateverisleft,andsendittothatspecialstoragehouse.”
“Verygood,sir.”
“Let’ssee,now”-Cranstonbecamethoughtful-“youandalltheservantswillbeawaytomorrownight-”
“AllexceptStanley,sir.Hewillbeheretodriveyoutothestation.”
“Icandothat,Mr.Cranston,”observedSavette.
“Surely,surely,”saidCranston.“TellStanleyhecango,also,Richards.That
willbeagreathelp,doctor.Sendatruck.Weshallpacktheboxandletthementakeit.Thenwecanputmyportmanteauinyourcar.Atthattime”-helaughedashespoke-“IshalldecidewhattrainIintendtotake,whatrailroaditwillbeon,andwhereIamgoing.”
Thisarranged,Savettenoticedthelatenessofthehour,anddecidedthathemustbeleaving.Cranstonaccompaniedhisvisitortothedoor,andwarmlybadehimgoodnight.
DrivingbacktowardManhattan,DoctorGeraldSavettesmiledinglee.AshortchucklecluckedfromhisleanlipsashereviewedallthatLamontCranstonhadsettledandsaid.
Savettehadfoundaperfectscheme.Hehadwaitedwiselybeforeformulatinghisfinalcrime.Soonheandhiscompanionswouldrollinunexpectedwealth.
NotevenTheShadowwasamenacenow!
CHAPTERXVII
THEPLANWORKS
ATnineo’clockthenexteveningDoctorSavetteagainarrivedatLamontCranston’shome-exactlytwenty-fourhoursafterhisfirstvisittothemillionaire’smansion.
Henoted,ashecameupthedrive,thatonlyasinglelightwasburninginthehouse.Savettechuckled.HethoughtofawirethathehaddispatchedlastnighttoGlendale.
Thephysicianwasforcedtoringthebelltwicebeforethedoorwasopened.ItwasLamontCranstonwhoanswered.Themillionairesmiledwanly.
“Iameverythingtonight,”hesaid.“IamtakingtheplaceofRichards.Iwas
upstairsinthedenwhenyourang.Haveyouarrangedforatruck?”
“Itwillbehereinhalfanhour.”
“Good.Iwanttoleaveaboutten.”
Themenwentupstairs.Theyenteredtheden.Cranstonpuffedashenotedthattheroomwaswarm.
“Takeoffyourcoat,doctor,”hesaid.“Iamgoingtoputyoutowork.”
Savettecompliedwiththesuggestion.Cranstonremovedhisowncoat.Investsandshirtsleeves,theywalkedabout,lookingatthevariousobjects.Savettepointedoutdifferentrugsandskins.Healsoselectedafewotherobjects.
Together,themenpiledthearticlesintothebigbox,whichstoodjustwithinthedoor.CranstonpeeredintotheinteriorasSavettewasarrangingit.
“Itlookslikeapaddedcell,”hesaidwithalaugh.“Haveyouhadanyexperiencewiththem,doctor?”
Savettechuckledandgruntedanincoherentreplyinresponse.Cranston’shandwasrestingonthechairwherethephysician’scoatlay.Hehappenedtobringitintothelight.Thegleamofmetalshowedmomentarily;thenCranston’shanddropped.
DoctorSavetteturnedfromthebox.Helookedabouttheroomwiththeairofaconnoisseur;thenstrokedhischin,reflectively.
“Ithinkthatwilldo,”heobserved“Myroomisverysmall.Icertainlyappreciateyourkindness,Mr.Cranston.”
“Don’tmentionit,”saidthemillionaire.
“Nowweareready,”declaredthephysician,puttingonhiscoat.LamontCranstonalsodonnedhisoutergarment.
“Imustgetmyportmanteau,”saidCranston.
Hewalkedacrossthehallwayanddisappearedforamoment.Hecameback,
luggingaheavysuitcasewhichhesetdownwithathump.
“Allready,”heannounced.“Letusclosethebigbox;thenwecanseeifthetruckmenarehere.”
ThemillionairestoopedbeforetheboxSavettelookedattheman’sfaceinthelight.
Cranstonwascomparativelyyoung,buthisfaceseemedratherold.Itwasalmostmasklike,thephysiciannoted,asthoughhisfeatureswereformedfromanartificialmold-asmoothsurfaceoveravisagebeneath.
Thephysician’shandswereinhiscoatpockets.Theymovedrestlessly;thenpausedasCranstonsteppedawayfromtheboxandturnedtowardhim.
“SUREyoudonotwanttotakemore?”questionedthemillionaire.“Thisboxwillholdagreatdeal-”
“Itisratherwellfilled,”saidSavette.
“Listen!”Cranstonhelduphishandforsilence.“Canthatbethetruckyouordered?”
“Iexpectso,”saidSavette.“Ileftwordforittopullupoutsideandwait.”
“Perhapsyouhadbettermakesure,”saidCranston.“Wait-Icangodownstairs.”
Heturnedtowardthedooroftheden,butSavettestoppedhim.
“Wemightaswellclosetheboxfirst,”hesaid.“Doyouhavethekeysforthepadlocks?”
Cranstonfumbledinhispockets.
“Heretheyare.”Hebroughtoutabunchofkeysandtossedthemtothephysician.“Ishalltrythemtomakesure.”
Heunlockedeachoftheclosedpadlocks.Then,asanafterthought,hewalked
aboutthebox,thumpingitheavily.
“Excellent,”hesaid.“Nochanceofbreakage,nomatterhowroughlyitmaybehandled.”
Savettewascomingcloser,asthoughtoassistintheexaminationofthebox.Cranstonagainturnedawayandwentoutintothehall.Hekickedhisportmanteauwithhisfoot.
“That’sallpacked,”hesaid.“Wearereadytogo.IjustwanttomakesurethatIhaveeverything.”
Hecamebackafterafewmoments’inspectioninanotherroom.Reachingtheden,hepickedupalighttaboretthatstoodnearthebox.Ithadadeeptop,anditsoctagonalinteriorwaslargeenoughtocontainaconsiderablequantityofarticles.
“Areyousureyoudon’twantthis?”quizzedCranston.“Itwouldfitnicelyinthebox.Nochanceofitsbreaking.Withthewaythosesidesarepadded,Icouldtakeatripintheboxmyself,withoutmindingit.”
“Well,”saidSavettethoughtfully,“Imighttakeit-no,Idon’tbelieveso.”
Cranstonplacedthetaboretbesidethebox.Again,Savettemovedcloser.Oncemore,Cranstonturnedaway.Hiseyesweresteadyashestaredatthephysician.
“Whatisthematter,doctor?”hequestioned.“Youappeartobeatriflepale.Areyoufeelingfaint?Iknow-itisthestuffinessofthisroom.Come-letusgodownstairsandseeifthetruckisthere.Thefreshairwilldoyougood.”
Savettewasnervinghimselfforaquickaction.Thislastsuggestioninterferedwithhisplans.Hegaveasuddengasp,andbegantostagger.Cranstonturnedtohiminconsternation.
“Letmehelpyou,doctor-”
HeheldouthisarmsasSavettestaggeredagainsthim.Withhisrighthand,thephysicianclutchedCranston’sshoulder.Hislefthand,unseenbythemillionaire,creptstealthilyfromhispocket.
Upwarditmoved,alongCranston’ssteadyingarm.
Atinymetalobjectgleamedinthephysician’shand.Withaquickmotion,hesteadiedhimselfanddrovethepointofahypodermicneedleintoLamontCranston’srightarm.
Themillionaireutteredasuddenexclamation.HisfacetookonastartledexpressionasSavettestaggeredaway.
Thenthemillionairesawthefiendishgleamthatwasspreadingoverthephysician’sface.HecametowardSavette,withanunexpectedfury.Hishandswentforthephysician’sthroat.Theevilmanhadunmaskedhimselftoosoon.
Cranston’sfingerscaughtthevillain’sneck.AringpressedhardagainstSavette’sthroat.Thenthesuddenholdbegantoweaken.SavetteshovedCranstonaway;themillionairestaggeredbackward,toppled,andfell,hisshoulderstrikingthefrontedgeofthebox.
Therehelay,helpless,withoutmotion.Savette,histeethtogether,andhisfistsclenched,stoodabovetheprostratebodyandspatlow,furiousoaths.
HewasrecallingstatementsthatCranstonhadmadelastnightandtonight.Heutteredthemnow,withevilsatisfaction.Hecarednotthattheunconsciousmancouldnothear.
“Goingawayforalongtrip,eh?”snarledSavette.“Maynevercomeback.Dangersstrikeanywhere-here,aslikelyasinthejungle.Fillthebox,eh?Withataboret-packedsoitcan’tbreak.Youwouldn’tmindtakingatripinityourself.
“Wellyoucan.”Savette’svoicebecameahideouschuckle.“Yes,takeatrip.Youaredead,Cranston.Dead.Forforty-eighthours,sofarasIamconcerned.Buttotheworld,youwillbedeadforever.Dead-whenIchoosetosaytheword.Deadmensometimeslive-foratime.Youareonewhowilllive,untilyourusefulnessisended!”
SAVETTEexaminedthehypodermic.Satisfiedthathehadgivenhisvictimthefullcharge,hedroppedthesyringebackinhispocket.Stooping,hetumbled
themillionaire’sbodyintothebox.Theformseemedstiffandinertasthefiendhuddleditamongthepaddingrugs.
Savettestoodbackandsurveyedhishandiwork.Heclosedthedooroftheboxandappliedthethreeheavypadlocks.Hepushedthetaboretalittletooneside.Thenheturnedtothehall.Hewentdownstairs,carryingCranston’sportmanteauwithhim.
Outontheporch,thephysiciangavealowwhistle.Twomencamefromatruckparkedinthedarkness.Savettegavethematerseorder.
“Upstairs,”hesaid.“Bringdownthebigboxfromthelightedroom.”
Whilethemenwereontheway,Savetteplacedtheportmanteauinhiscar.Hewaiteduntilthemenbroughtoutthelargeboxandplaceditonthetruck.Hewavedhishandasasignal,andthetruckmendroveaway.
DoctorSavettewentbackintothehouse.Hewalkeduptotheden,andlaughedashelookedatthetaboret.Itwasavaluablearticle,butnotsovaluableastheonethathehadtakeninitsplace.Hepickedupthetaboretandsetitinacorner.Thetopfloppedopen.Savettenotedthattheinteriorwasempty.
Heturnedoutthelightintheden.Heextinguishedotherlightsonthesamefloor.Hedidthesamewhenhereachedthedownstairshall.Heclosedthebigfrontdoor,latchingitbehindhim.
Richardswouldbehereinthemorning.Hewouldfindnothingoutoforder.Allofthefurniturehadbeenremoved;onlythefewarticlesthatwereinthedenremainedforthevalettoclearaway.
WhenDoctorSavettereachedhishomeinNewYork,hecarriedLamontCranston’sportmanteauupstairswithhim.Heopenedthesuitcaseeagerly.Hewentthroughitscontentswithexcitedfingers.
Herewerethearticleshewanted!Checkbooks,lists,andotherobjectsofimportance.Savettefoundgoldandnegotiablenotestothevalueoftwothousanddollars.Buthepushedthesevaluablesasideincontempt.Whatweresuchtrifles?Thissuitcasewouldbethemeansofmakingmillions!
Money!Hewouldhaveitnow.ThefirmofSavetteandTremont,withtheir
Russianpartner,Orlinov,wouldteemwithsuresuccess.LamontCranston’swealthwouldbethebasisofmanymillionsmore!
Curbinghiscriminalemotions,Savetteclosedtheportmanteauandplaceditinacorner.Hebegantoconsideramildersubject,thesimplematterofashortvacation.Savetteleanedbackinsatisfactionasherestedinhiseasy-chair.
He,too,wouldgotoGlendale.There,LamontCranston,underthesubtletreatmentofIvanOrlinov,wouldbeinducedtodisgorgehiswealth,atthebiddingofhiscaptors!
CHAPTERXVIII
ORLINOV’STHREAT
ITwaslongpastmidnight.Orlinov’sgraycastlestoodbleakandbarreninthefloodingmoonlight.Itsstonewallsweredeserted;yetitssullenbattlementsandsturdytowersspokeofhiddenmen-at-arms,readytoriseshouldtherampartsbethreatenedbyanenemy.
Aheavytruckglideduptothemassivegatethatborethehalf-defacedname“Glamartin.”Thelightsclickedoffandon.Inresponsetothesignal,thegateopened,andastockymansteppedoutandwalkedtothesideofthebigvehicle.
Thewatcherhadrecognizedthetruckmenwhowerebringinganewshipmenttothecastle.Allthree-twotruckmenandonewatcher-werehandpickedgorillasintheserviceofBiffTowley.
Thetruckpassedon.Thegateclangedbehindit.Thetruckstoppedinfrontofthestonebuilding.Mencamefromthedoor.Stronghandsunloadedtheheavyboxfromthetruck.Throughthedoorwentthebox,intothehallway,thentothesecurityofOrlinov’slivingroom.
Thehandlersnoticedtheheavyfasteningsofthebox,itslongpivothinge,its
solidpadlocks.Theburdenrestedonthefloorastheysurveyedit.Thenthemenleft,lockingthedooroftheroom.
Therewasnolightinthelivingroom,savethedyingglowofembersinthefireplace.Themysteriousboxloomedlargeinthevaguelight.Theonlytokensofactivityweretheflickering,changingshadowsthatwaveredacrossthefloorinresponsetothefaintglowfromthelargefireplace.
Strangeshadowsinastrangeroom!Shadowsthatvariedwiththedyingofthecoals.Shadowsthatflittedlikeghostly,goblinshapes.Shadowsthatwereunreal,yetshadesthatseemedpossessedofanuncannylife.
Thefaintcracklingoftheembers;theoccasionalcreakingofthefloor;theseweretheonlysoundswithinthatroom.Then,shadowsandsoundstookonamoreeerietrend.Theywerevagueanduncertainasthefirelightdwindledalmostintonothingness.
Onemighthavethoughtthatelfinfootfallswerecreepingthroughthatroom,thattheheavydoorthatledtothehallhadopened,andthenclosed.
Inthemysterywingofthehouse,alonegangsterpatrolledthedim,lengthycorridor.Hisvigiltookhimfromthesecondfloortothefirst;thenbackuptothesecond.
Ontheupperstory,hestoppedfrequentlytoliftupsquarepanelsinthecentersofcertaindoors,tomakesurethatnolightsglimmeredfromtheroomswithin.
Callousedandunimaginative,thiswatchmanwasunperturbedbythecreakingofthefloorbeneathhisfeet,andthestrange,grotesqueshadowsthatheencounteredinthegloomylight.Fantasticsilhouettesdidnotimpresshissordidmind.
Hewasalert,butcalmlyso,ashepatrolledhiscourse.Reachingtheendofthecorridor,heturnedandwentbackovertheroutethathehadcoveredbefore.
WITHINaveritablecellroom,CliffMarslandlayhalfawakeuponacornercouch.Theflickerofdimlightpassedoverhiseyesasthewatchinghoodlum
liftedthepanelinthedoorthatledtothehall.Thenthepanelclosed.
Ashorttinelater,Cliffopenedhiseyes,fancyingthatanotherbeamofilluminationhadstrayedintotheroom.Thenhefeltthathemusthavebeenmistaken,forallremaineddarkbythedoor.
Cliffpitchedrestlessly.Hewasweariedbythiscaptivity.Hehadfoundhimselfinthisroom,weakandpepless,afterhehadrecoveredfromtheeffectsofthehypojabbedintohisarm.
Hehadremainedherealongwhile-weeks,itseemed-andhisjailershadbeenuncommunicative.Actually,Cliffrealized,hisconfinementhadbeenamatterofdaysonly;buttimehadpasseddully.
Hehadeatenthefoodthatwasfurnishedhim.Hedidnotfearpoisonforheknewhewascompletelyinthepowerofhiscaptors.Hehadrealizedthathehadbeenreceivingamildopiateforhehadconstantlylackedstrengthsincehiscapture.
Evennow,althougharousedanddisgruntled,Cliffcouldnotovercomethedrowsinessthatgrippedhim.Hisrestlessnessended.Heslept.
Shaftsofmorninglightflungamelancholyglarethroughthehigh,glass-barredslitsthatservedaswindowsinCliff’sprison.Thecaptiveawokeandagain-asonpreviousmornings-realizedhisplight.
CliffwasinthesamepredicamentasthoseothermenwhomOrlinovhadshownhim.Hewasoneofthedeadwholived.
Cliffraisedhisheadandadjustedhispillow,preparingforanotherdoze.Hishandstrucksomething.Heraisedthepillow;thenquicklydroppeditwhilehestaredtowardthedooroftheroomtomakesurethatnoonewaswatchinghim.
Beneathhispillowwasapocket-modelautomaticpistol!Halfdazed,Cliffrememberedavaguefitofwakefulnessduringthenight,followedbyahazydreamthatsomeonewasintheroom.Herosequicklyfromhisbedanddressed.
Withanotherglanceatthedoor,heraisedthepillow,halfexpectingtofindnothingthere.Hehadnotbeenmistaken.Hishandclutchedagun.
Apocket.32,flatasabook,itsmagazineloadedtoeight-cartridgecapacity.Standingbythebed,Cliffslippedthehandyweaponintohishippocket.Withtherevolverwasaboxofcartridges.Hedroppedthisintheotherpocket.Also,hesawanenvelope.
Withhisbacktowardthewall,Cliffremovedamessagefromtheenvelope.Itwaswrittenincode,inink.Itborethesewords,asClifftranslatedthem.
Keyonledgeofwindow.Beinreadinesstonight.Actifshots
arefired.Otherwisewaituntilmidnight.Thentakecontrolofupper
wing.
AmessagefromTheShadow!Cliffwaselated.Somehow,hisleaderhadmanagedtopenetratetothisisolatedspot;tobringhimaweapon;toleavehiminstructions.Cliffunderstood.Heslippedhishandtothewindowledge,foundthekey,andleftitthere.
Sometimetonight,TheShadowintendedtoopenanattack.Fiendsofcrimewouldmeettheirmatch,elsewhereinthisstrange,castle-likeabode.Thiswingwouldbeunderguard.ItwasCliff’sappointedtasktospringasurpriseattack,togaincontrolofthewing,andholditforwhateverpurposeTheShadowintended.
ThusTheShadowwouldstrikefromtwodirections.Hehimselfwouldcomefromwithout;CliffMarslandwouldhammerfromwithin.
Thisplacewasavitalspot.Cliff,byasortie,couldcontrolthewingforTheShadow,andthusprotecttheotherprisoners.
Cliffforesawastruggleagainstgiantodds,andthethoughtelatedhim.Heknewwellthathecouldhardlyhopetofighthiswaysafetyfromthisplace,withnearlyascoreofenemiestoblockhispath.ButwithTheShadowbeatingdowntheopposition,matterswerequitedifferent.TheShadowalonewasmatchforhalfahundredhoodlums.
CLIFFpondered.Apistolshotwastobethesignal.Hedoubtedthathecouldhearit.Thenherememberedtheexactwordingofthemessage,whichhaddisappearedfromthesheetofpaperhehadread.
Ifshotsarefired-
TheShadow,shouldheopenanattack,wouldmeetwithacannonadefromOrlinov’shenchmen.Cliffwouldhearthat,surely.TherewasalsothepossibilityofTheShadowwaitinguntilmidnight.
Cliffknewtheexactnessofhismysteriouschief.Midnightwouldbethezerohour,ifnothingtranspiredbeforethen.Cliffburiedtheenvelopewithinthepagesofabook.Hethrustthepaperwithsomeothersheets.Hesatdowninachairandpuffedatanunlightedcigarette.Hewasallowednomatcheshere.
Thedooropened,andPetristeppedin,carryingatrayofbreakfast.Clifflookedstupidlytowardthesolemn-facedRussian.HeknewthatPetriwasbackedbyamobsterinthecorridor.
HeatehisbreakfastafterPetrihadgone.Hedrankbutlittleofthecoffeefurnishedhim,forhewasconvincedthatitwasdoped.
Thedayworeon.Asecondmealatnoon.Cliffbusiedhimselfreadingvariousbooksthatwereintheroom.Alongafternoondraggedby.Dinner.Thenevening.
Now,Cliffwastense.Herealizedwellthesecurityofhisposition.Therewasnothinginthisroomthatcouldbeusedasaweapon,savethegunthathehadobtainedwithouttheknowledgeofhiscaptors.Itwassafelytuckedinhispocket.OrlinovandPetriweretheonlyoneswhohadkeystothisroom.Anysearchoftheprisonerwouldbeunnecessary.
Duringtheday,CliffhadcometotheconclusionthatTheShadowmusthaveworkedthroughoneofOrlinov’shenchmen.HedidnotbelievethatTheShadow
couldbehere;norwasitlikelythathehadsentanotheroperativetothecastle.
Tonight,TheShadowwouldattackfromwithout,knowingthatCliffwouldbeonhandtotakechargeinthevitalsectionofthecastle.ItwouldnotbeaquestionofClifffightingfree;itwouldbeTheShadow’sworktobattlehiswayinward.
Eighto’clockarrived,thennineneared.Cliffwasanxiousandonedge.Whilehewastryingtomaintainhiscomposure,hesawthedoormove.Itopened.InsteppedIvanOrlinov
ItwaswithdifficultythatCliffrestrainedhimselffromaction.HemighthaveoverpoweredthebeardedRussianbyaquickencounter,buthedeemeditbesttowait.HemustnotspoilTheShadow’swell-laidplans.
ORLINOVwalkedtowardCliffandstoodglaringathim.Thebig,beardedmanwasamenacingfigure.Cliffmethissparklinggazewithcalmness.Hesawoneofthemobsmeninthebackground,holdingarevolverinreadiness.
Thiswasatimefortact.YetCliffwasperturbed.Hefearedthatsomethingmusthavegoneawry;thatOrlinovhadlearnedthateventswerescheduledfortonight.
“Marslandt,”growledOrlinov,inhisdeepbass,“Ihaffcomeheretospeakwithyou.ItisswisethatyoushouldtellmetingsthatIhaffnotyetaskedtoknow.”
Cliffmadenoreply.Hestaredcoldlytowardhisinquisitor.Hewastemptedtodrawhisautomatic,butknewthatsuchactionwouldprovokeacrisis.ItwasnotuntiltheRussianspokeagainthatClifffullyunderstoodtheimportofhisvisit.
“Youhaffcomehere,”Orlinovdeclared,“tomaketroublebecausesomeonehasssentyou.Weknowwhoitisswhohasssentyou.HeisscalledTheShadow.”
Thespeakerpaused,andhisharsheyesshonefuriouslyasheadvanced.
“Youwilltellus,”hehissed.“Youwilltellus,Marslandt.WhoissThe
Shadow?”
“IknownothingofTheShadow,”Cliffanswered.
“Weshallsee,”declaredOrlinov,inanominousgrowl.“LetmetellyouthisMarslandt.Wehaffwaysherethatcanmakeyoutell!”
Heutteredloudwordsinhisnativetongue.ItwasacalltoPetri.ThesecondRussianappearedfromthecorridor.Inhishandheheldarevolver.
AgainacommandfromOrlinov.Methodically,PetriapproachedandjabbedthemuzzleofhisgunintoCliff’sback.Orlinovpointedtowardthedoor.PetrinudgedCliffinthatdirection.
Whatdidthismean?
Cliffrealizedthathewasbeingforcedintoapredicamentthatmightproveasdangerousasitwasunexpected.Hisguardshovedhimintothecorridor;thereagangsterwaited,alsoarmed.Alongthecorridor,pasttherowsofsilentdoorsthendownthestairstheywent,tothegroundfloor.
Itwastoolatenowtomakeabreakforsafety.TherewasnothingforClifftodobutwait.Atleasthiscaptorsdidnotknowthathewasarmed,andtherewouldbenooccasiontosearchhim.
Cliff’searswerekeen,incasetheymighthearthereportofadistantgun-thesignalthatwoulddenotethearrivalofTheShadow.
Orlinovpassedthelittlegroupwhentheyreachedthefirstfloor.Heunlockedapanelinthewall.Thebarrierslidbacktoshowaflightofstairsdescendingintothecellar.
Cliffadvancedwhenheheardtheorder.Heenteredthegloomywellandwentdownthesteps,stillfeelingthethreatoftherevolverthatpressedhisback.
PETRIwasavigilantcaptor.NotforoneinstantdidCliffhaveanopportunitytoreachforhisgun.
Hekeptonhiswayuntiltheyreachedastone-walledroomthathadthemustinessofadungeon.Itwaslightedbyasingleincandescent.Throughadoortheywent,intoanotherroom,whichalsohadasinglelargelamp.
Cliff’slipspressedfirmlytogether.Herealizedthepurposeofthisjourney.Theyhadreachedaveritabletorturechamber,belowtheground.Atonesidewasaflat,spike-studdedtable.Acrosstheroomstoodacoffin-likecontrivance,upright,withahingeddoor.
Herewasapost,withmanaclesattached;thereayawningpitinthefloor.Cliff’sdestinationwasaspotagainstthewall,wherefourmetalloopsdangledontheendsofropeswhichpassedthroughpulleys.Inanothermoment,Cliffwasbackedagainstthesideoftheroom,withPetri’srevolverpressingthepitofhisstomach.
NowthegangstermemberofthetriowascoveringCliff.OrlinovstoodbywhilePetristoopedtoattachthelowerbandstoCliff’sankles.Nextcamethewrists.
Petriwalkedtoonesideandturnedawinch.ItdrewCliff’sbodytowardtheright;astheropewentupward,hisarmwasraisedabovehishead.
Methodically,Petristrodetowardtheothersideoftheroom,andturnedasecondwinch.Cliff’sleftarmwashoistedforcibly.Hestoodspread-eagledintheclutchesofthelockingbands,whileOrlinov’sblackfaceremainedmotionless.Atlength,thebeardedRussianspoke.
“Yousee?”hequestioned.“Wehaffplacedyouwhereyoucantell.ThisisshowithassbeendoneinSiberia-manyyearsago.Peoplehavefounditwisetospeakwhenthetorturehassbeenclosetothem.”
Hemotionedthegangstertotheotherwinch.WithPetriatoneside,andthegunmanattheother,bothwinchescouldbeoperatedsimultaneously.
“Ihaffgivenyouthechance!”hissedOrlinov“Speak!Tellme:WhoissTheShadow?Whathaffyouknownabouthim?Speak!”
Cliffremainedobdurate.Orlinovsignaledhismen.Theyturnedthewinches.Clifffeltaterrificagonyashislimbsbegantodrawfromhisbody.AgesturefromthebeardedRussianstoppedthebarbaroustorture.
“Youhafftastedwhatisstofollow,”saidOrlinov.“Youshallhaffmore-unlessyouspeak-”
Cliff’sanswerwasafuriousscowl.Hewasdeterminedtowithstandthisbarbarity.Orlinovwatchedhim.Redlipsleeredthroughthejet-blackbeard.AsignfromOrlinov,andthewinchesturnedfarther.
Asthestrainceasedasecondtime,Cliff’smaddenedbrainbegantoformulateaplan.Hewaswillingtobeartheagonyuntilitkilledhim;butthatseemedafutileplan.
HisdutytonightwastoserveTheShadow.Crippledandhelpless,hewouldbeofnouse.Itwasalongtimeuntilmidnight.Hisendurancehadnotyetbeenfullytaxed.Letthemturnthewinchesfarther;thenhewouldoffertospeak.
HecouldtellOrlinovofTheShadow-forCliff’sinformationwouldatbestbebarren.LiketheotheragentsofTheShadow,heknewlittleofthemysteriousman’sways.Yes,thatwasthebestcourse:toholdout;thenpretendtocryformercy.
WhileCliffMarslandwasthusplanning,Orlinov,too,wasscheming.Hewasamasterofthealmostextinctartoftorture.HeintendedtoletCliffMarslandsufferawhile;thentoeasehim,thathemightexperiencethetemporaryreliefthatwouldmakethethoughtoffurtherbarbarityunendurable.
Itwasabattleofwits,withOrlinovthemaster.ThehugeRussianhadlookedforwardtothishour,eversinceCliffhadbeenmadeaprisoner.Athisurging,Tremonthadgivenhimfreerein.
WhetherTheShadowwasaliveordead,IvanOrlinovwouldforcestatementsfromthelipsofhishelplessagent.Suchworkwasapleasuretothebeardedfiend.TheRussianspokeinhisnativetongue,andPetrinoddedunderstanding.
Thegrimgamebeganagain.Thewinchestautenedtheropes.CliffMarslandsethislips.IvanOrlinovgrinnedinanticipation.Hesawsuccess.
Tonight,hewouldlearnthetruthaboutTheShadow!
CHAPTERXIX
THEMANFROMOUTSIDE
THElightswitchedoninthelivingroomofOrlinov’scastle.GladeTremontenteredandsatdowninachair.Helightedacigarandstaredthoughtfullyatthelargeboxwhichstoodbesidethefireplace.
Thegray-hairedlawyerhadundergoneametamorphosisduringthestayatGlendale.AssociationwithIvanOrlinovhadcausedachange.Here,awayfromhisstaidofficeinNewYork,theattorneyhadlosthismaskofrespectability.Helookedthescoundrelthathewas.
ItappearedfromTremont’sairthathewasexpectingthearrivalofsomeone.Hehadleftthedooroftheroomopen.Hiseyeswerewatchingtowardthehall.Thelawyerglancedathiswatch.Heroseandbegantopacethefloor.
Footstepssoundedinthehall.Tremontwaited.Afigureappeared,andTremontrecognizedDoctorGeraldSavette.Hewavedawelcometohiscompanionincrime.Therascallyphysicianentered,andthetwoseatedthemselves.
“Ah!”exclaimedSavette.“Therearemytrophies.”
Hepointedsignificantlytothebox.
“Yes,”saidTremont,withanevilsmile.“Wehavekepttheboxhere,awaitingyourarrival.”
“Itmighthavebeenwisetoopenit.”
“Wediscussedthat,OrlinovandI.Wedecidedtowait,chieflybecausetheboxissuchastrongone.Weknewthatyouwouldhavethekeys.Thecontentsarevaluable,youknow.Itwouldnotbewisetodamagethembydemolishingthebox.”
“That’strue,”saidSavette.“NousetoyouuntilIarrived.Igavetheusualdeathdose-forty-eighthours.Thereisplentyoftimeyet.Wecouldwaitanothernight;butIthinkitwouldbebesttoopentheboxnow.”
Hebroughtthekeysfromhispocket;then,asanafterthought,heleftthelivingroomandreturnedwithLamontCranston’sportmanteau.
“Thisisthemissinglink,”hedeclared.“Itscontentsareasvitalasthoseofthebox.”
Helaidthesuitcaseonthefloor,andopenedit.Tremontdrewclosetowatchtheexaminationoftheimportantarticlesthatthebagcontained.
“WhereisOrlinov?”askedSavette,ashestartedtoliftsomebooksfromthesuitcase.
“HeisquizzingthismanMarsland,”answeredTremont.“Theyaredownstairs-belowground-inthewingofthehouse.”
Savetteutteredasharpexclamationashedroppedabookuponthefloor.HestoodupandfacedTremont,anannoyedlookuponhisface.
“That’samistake!”hedeclared“Abadmistake,Glade!Nothingcanbegained.Somethingmaybelost!”
“How?”
“Marslandwon’ttalk.Probablyhecan’ttalk.YouknowenoughofTheShadow’swaystorealizethat.WeareonlykeepingMarslandherebecausewehavenotyetgainedpositiveevidencethatTheShadowisdead.”
“OrlinovhasbeenanxioustotestMarsland,”declaredTremont.“ItoccurredtomethathemightlearnsomethingofvaluethatwouldenableustotraceTheShadow’slair-toassureourselvesthatthedangerousmanisreallydead.”
“Thefellowwillresist,”warnedSavette.“Orlinovmaycarrythetorturetoofar.Hewilllearnnothing,andMarslandmaydie.ThenitwouldbeourillfortunetofindTheShadowaliveandactive.Ourhostagewouldbegone;andwewouldhavearevengefulenemy.”
Tremontlaughed.
“Don’tworryaboutOrlinov,”hesaid.“Ivanisacraftsmanintorture.Hewillnotoverdoit.Hehandleshisvictimsasacatplayswithamouse.WhenheproposedtortureforMarsland,Iagreed.Iwantedtoseehowhewouldsucceedwithsuchaclose-mouthedfellow.
“Hetellsmethathewillworktobreaktheman’sendurance.Easily,slowly-thenaperiodofreliefthatisworsethanthetortureitself.OrlinovswearshewillmakeMarslandtalk.Heisgoingaboutitbydegrees.Sothereisnocauseforalarm.Ourprecioushostagewillnotdie-atleastnottonight.”
SAVETTEpondered,thenshruggedhisshoulders.Afterall,torturewasOrlinov’sstockintrade.SavetterecalledtheefficacyofthebeardedRussian’smethods.
“IfMarslandgivesout,”addedTremont,“Orlinovwillstopfortonight.Ifhegivesinunderthestrain,Orlinovhaspromisedtoletmeknowimmediately.HewillcomeupherewhenMarslandexpresseshiswillingnesstospeak.Wecanbothgodownstairstohearthegrilling.”
“Here’swishingOrlinovluck,”declaredSavette.“It’sgoodpracticeforhim,afterall.Wehaveanewcustomerwhomayneedtreatment”-Savettepointedoverhisshouldertothebigbox-“soifOrlinovexperimentswithMarslanditmaydogoodratherthanharm.I’lltakeyourwordforitthatheisusingdiscretion.”
“Letmeseewhatyouhavehere,”saidTremont,pointingtotheportmanteau.
ForgettingMarsland’ssituation,SavetteagainstoopedbeforethesuitcaseandbegantopassvariousarticlestoTremont.
“Lookthemover,”grinnedtherenegadephysician.“Thisisagoldmine,Glade.Arealgoldmine.Betterthananythingwehavestruck.Itgivesusallthefundswewant.
“IcaughtCranstonjustashewasleavingforpartsunknown,tobegonefortwoyears.Heisnowadeadmanwhowilllive-andpeoplewillnotknowitfor
awhile,solongashesignshischecksandsendshiswrittenordersforthedispositionofhisavailablewealth.
“Wecantakeitslowlyandwisely.Timeitwiththeprogressofourexperimentshere.Then,whenwearethroughwiththeothers,wewillbethroughwithCranston,too.Hewillgooutwiththerest.”
“Howwillyoucoverhisdeath?”
“Coverit?Bylettersthathehimselfwrites.Ishallgoabroad,Glade.WordwillcomebackthatCranstonisinAfrica,goingtoadangerousregionofthejungle.Itwillbeeasytoplanttheevidence-especiallywithCranston’sownletters.Hewillnotcomeback-thatisall.I’mgladIwaitedforthis.Itisthebestandsafestpropositionthatwehaveyetencountered.”
“Sixmonthsatthemost,”saidTremontthoughtfully.
“Ah!”exclaimedSavette.“Youhavemadenewprogresshere?”
“Allthatcanbedesired,”declaredthelawyer.“Thetelevisionworkisactuallydone.Somethingnewmaydevelopinit-butithasalreadyexceededourexpectation.Theenergydevicewillrequiremoretimetogetittothepointwewant.Itisasureproposition,however.Alittletroublewiththeairinventions.Thatwillbeironedout.”
DoctorSavettestoodup.Hisfacegleamed;helaughedharshly.Silently,hebegantodisplaythearticlesthathehadstolenfromCranston.Checkbooks,withbalancesmarkedinthem.Accountbooks,carefullypreparedindetail.EachitembroughtagruntofsatisfactionfromGladeTremont.
“Iknowthatlawyer,Bartram,”hesaid.“Asoftegg,ifevertherewasone.Helookslikeahumanjellyfish.Therewillbeeasywaystoworkthis,Gerald.
“SupposeanunknowninventorshowsupinNewYork-amanwithanideaintelevision,forinstance.Takingupworkthatanotherdropped-throughdeath.Bartramistheninstructedtogivethischapmoney-”
“Agoodtie-up,”interjectedSavette,asthelawyerpaused.“Thatwillallcomelater.Itisjustacaseofplayingaperfectgame.Thecardsareinourhands.Everythinghasbeensmoothhere.Itwillcontinuetobe-”
Therewasathumpatthedoor.Savettedroppedtheloosearticlesbackintotheportmanteau.HenoddedtoTremont.
“Comein,”calledthelawyer.
BIFFTOWLEYentered.Thegangleaderwashardlyrecognizable.Abroadstripofadhesiveplasterwasacrossthebridgeofhisnose.Hisforeheadandhischeekswerepuffedandblackish.
Towley’sphysiognomywasnotahandsomeoneatbest.WhenTheShadowhadbasheditwiththerevolverhehadchangedthecontourofthevilecountenance.BiffTowleyhadgoodreasontorememberthatgunfightontheLongIslandswimmingpier.
Savettestaredcuriouslyatthegangleader.HehadknownofTowley’splight,anditwouldbehisworktoremaketheshatteredfeaturesafterBiff’sfacehadmendedsomewhat.
“Whatisit?”questionedTremont.
“Justnabbedabozooutfront,”declaredBiff.
TremontlookedatSavette.Bothmenhadthesamethought.TheShadow!Coulditbepossiblethatthemanstilllived?Orwasthissomeagentwhowastakinguphiswork?
“Bringhimin,”orderedTremont.
Biffwentaway.SavettelookedatTremontwithapprehensiveeye.
“Maybeitisjustsomeprowler,”declaredthelawyer.“Wehaveputonstrictguard.Wearetakingnochancesnow.”
“It’snotagoodideatobringthefellowin,then,”saidSavette.“Ifheisjustsomeonefromthevicinity,hemaytalk-”
“Don’tworryaboutthat,”repliedTremont.“Noonehasarighttrespassingonthisproperty.Ifthismanappearstoknownothing,Ishallsimplyreprimandhim
forenteringthegrounds.Orlinovhasdonethattotrespassersfrequently.”
Thedooropened,andamanentered.BiffTowleywasrightbehindhim.Thegangleaderwasplayingthepartofagroundskeeperontheestate.Savettecouldseethathewasholdingarevolverinreadiness.
“Hereheis,sir,”declaredTowley.“IthoughtIhadbetterbringhiminhere,Mr.Tremont,becauseIfoundthisonhim.”
Hetossedasmallautomaticintoachairbesidethelawyer.Tremontpickedupthegunandexaminedit.Hecalmlyreleasedthesafetylock.Thusarmedwithaloadedpistol,hewasinreadiness,althoughhisactionappearedtobeperfectlynormal.
ThemanwhomBiffTowleyhadbroughtinwasstandingwithbowedhead.Hisposedidnotmakehimappearformidable.Tremontutteredaterseorder,biddingTowleytoleave.Thegangleaderretired,leavinghisprisonerunderTremont’sguard.
“Well?”hequestionedharshly.
Themanraisedhishead.Simultaneously,gaspsofastonishmentcamefrombothTremontandSavette.Thenthegray-hairedlawyerchuckled,andthephysicianjoinedwitharaspylaugh.
“HaroldSharrock!”saidthelawyer,inasarcastictone.“Justthemanwehavewanted.Walkedrightintoseeus.Excellent!”
Sharrock,tallandweak-chinned,staredinastupefiedmannerashefacedhiscaptors.Heseemedtobemakinganefforttobebold,withoutsucceeding.
GladeTremont’schuckletrailedintoadwindlinglaughthatbodednogoodforthisunexpectedvisitor.HaroldSharrockhadcomefromtheoutside.Whatwashispurposehere?
Thathewouldpresentlyexplain.GladeTremont’sgrimgazeshowedthatheintendedtomakeSharrocktalk.
CHAPTERXX
THEMANFROMINSIDE
“WELL?”
GladeTremont’sshort,harshquestionwasutteredashestaredintoHaroldSharrock’seyes.Theyweremild,light-grayeyesthatflinchedastheymetthelawyer’sgaze.Then,withaneffort,Sharrocktriedtogaincomposure.
Aflushcametohispastyface.Hisweakeyesglistened.HebithiscolorlesslipsashelookedfromTremonttoSavette.Hismannershowedthatheknewthesemen,andunderstoodtheevilintheirhearts.
“I’vecomeback,”declaredSharrockhoarsely.“Comeback,foranaccounting.That’sall.”
“Thatisenough,”commentedTremont.
Sharrockflinched;thenstaredboldlytowardDoctorSavette.
“Ilandedthismorning,”hesaid.“Iwentuptowatchyourhouse.Ifollowedyouwhenyouwenttotakethetrain.Ididnotknowwhereyouweregoing.Ididnotknowthatyouhadthisplacehere.WhenIsawyouenter,Icameafter.Iwantedtogetyou-tokillyou-bothofyou!”
HatredflashedinSharrock’sfaceashedeliveredthisoutburst.TremontandSavettebothreceivedthestatementcalmly.Theywerenotperturbedintheleast.
“Yourreturnisafortunateone,”declaredSavette.“Wecanusesomeofthosefundswhichbelongtous.”
“Belongtoyou!”Sharrock’scrywascontemptuous.“Nothingbelongstoyou!Thereisnothingforyoutoget.IlosteverythingIhadatMonteCarlo!”
“Hm-m-m,”chuckledGladeTremont.“NowIsupposeyouwouldliketohave
usfinanceyou?”
“YoucanguesswhyI’mhere,”blurtedSharrock.“I’mgoingtofacethemusic,that’sall.Killme,ifyouwant.That’sbetterthanjail.I’vecomeheretoseeifAustinisstillalive-tomakeupfortheevilthatIhavedonehim.Itmeansjailforme.Idon’tcare.”
Tremontshookhisheadsadly.
“Whileyouhadthemoney,youforgotAustinBellamy,”hesaid.“Nowyouappeartohaveaconscience.Averyuselesspossession-aconscience.Iwonderwhatitfeelslike-aconscience?”
HelookedatSavette,andthephysicianlaughed.LikeTremont,hewasconscienceless.
“SAYwhatyouwant,youcrooks!”saidSharrockhoarsely.“Youstartedthedirtywork.Youandthatrenegade,IvanOrlinov!”
“Whatofit?”questionedTremont.“Youareonlygivinguscreditforanexcellentidea.Ihappenedtobeyourstepbrother’slawyer.DoctorSavettechancedtobehisphysician.Wesawthatyouhadbeenwrongfullycutoffinhisnewwill.Sowequietlyarrangedhisdeath-withyourapproval-andkepthimalive,withIvanOrlinovashiscapableguardian.”
“Yes,”retortedSharrock.“Youdidit-forhalfamillion.ThenyoukeptAustinBellamybecausehewasathreat.YouhaditframedsoIcouldbethegoat.Alldonewithmyorder.
“Youbledme-ahundredthousanddollarsatatime-togettheentiretwomillion.Igotaway,toFrance,withhalfamillionleft.Therearecrooksthere,too.Iwasinnomoodtowardthemoff.
“I’mbacknow,broke-allexceptafewthousands.I’mgoingtocomeclean.I’vecometotellyouthat.IwantedtolearnifAustinwerestillalive
-”
“Heisalive,”interposedTremont.“Aliveandwell.Thatmeanswestillhavethethreatwhichyouhavementioned.”
“Thatisnotall,”addedSavette.“Youspeakofuskillingyou,Sharrock.Thatisagoodsuggestion-onewhichweshalluse.Butwehaveafewotherdevicesthatarebetterthandeath.Wehaveprogressedsinceourearlydays,whenwekeptyourdearstepbrotherdopedinacottageontheJerseycoast.”
“I’vefiguredthat,”saidSharrockbitterly.“Youboughtthisplacewithmymoney-”
“WithBellamy’smoney-”correctedTremont.
“Withanybody’smoneybutyours!”criedSharrock.“Youareuptonewmischief.Youhadacottage;nowyouhaveacastle.Iknowyourgame!Youaretrickingothers-holdingnewprisoners-”
“Excellentreasoning,”declaredTremontironically,asSharrockpaused.“Youhavemadeaperfectdeduction,Sharrock.SoIthinkitwouldbeagoodplantorewardyou.
“Wearekeepingthisestablishment.Itiswellguarded.Itisnecessary.Sototerminateourdiscussionwithyou,weshallletyoutraveltheroutethatothershavetaken,sinceyourstepbrothermadetheprecedent.
“Howwouldyouliketobecomeoneofthelivingdead?”
Sharrock’sfaceblanched.Hetrembled.TremontandSavetteindulgedinvillainoussmiles.
“Tokillyouwouldbeapleasure,”declaredTremont.“Unfortunately,wedonotknowwhatfoolishthingsyoumayhavedonebeforeyoureachedhere.Itwouldbebesttohaveyoualive-sothatyoucanspeak-underOrlinov’spressure.
“Soyoushalltasteofdeath.Itwaskindofyoutocomehere.Othershavenotbeensoobliging.Thatbox”-hepointedtotheheavyobjectbythefireplace-“containsonenewmemberforourcolony.Wewereforcedtoshiphimhereas
weshippedothers.Youhavesavedusthattrouble.
“Whatdoyousay,doctor?Weareverybusyatpresent”-TremontwassmilingtowardSavette-“andwecannotbeannoyedwithourgoodfriendSharrockatthismoment.Shallweputhimawayforthedeathperiodoftwodays?”
“Anexcellentidea,”returnedSavette.
“Areyoupreparedtoperformtheoperation?”questionedTremont.
Withasuavesmile,Savetteremovedahypodermicsyringefromhispocket.Sharrockquailedashesawtheobject.ThenthethreatoftherevolverheldbyTremontbecameimminent.Sharrockstoodtrembling,fearingboththegunandtheneedle.
DoctorSavetteapproachedthehelplessman.HethrewbackSharrock’sarms,andwrestedhiscoatfromhisbody.Hetoreawaythesleeveoftheman’sshirt.Heraisedthesyringeandpreparedtothrustitsneedleintothevictim’sflesh.
PALE,tottering,Sharrockbegantoedgeaway.AshortwordcamefromTremont.Sharrocksawthethreatoftherevolver.
Hefacedtwodeaths:thatoftheneedlewouldbetemporary;thatofthegunwouldbepermanent.Heknewthathemustacceptone.HelookedfromTremonttoSavette.Therewasnomercyineitherofthoselividfaces.
“Wait!”exclaimedSharrock,infutiletone.“Letmetalk.MaybeIcan-canforgetwhatIknow-”
“Youwillforgetit,”declaredTremontcoldly.“Certainly.Wearearrangingthatatpresent.Igiveyouwarning,Sharrock.Wedonotintendtowastemoretimewithyou.Youhaveyourchoice-theneedleorabullet.
“Youhavenofriendshere.Ifyouflinchorrefusetotakethehypodermic,Ishallshootyouthroughyouryellowheart.Wearenotafraidofanythingyoumayhavedone.DonothopethatIshallspareyou.”
SharrockknewwellthatTremontwasspeakingfacts.Motionless,hestaredweaklyatthelawyer.Tremontheldthegunleveledtowardtheintendedvictim’sbreast.
Savette,nearertoTremontthanSharrockwas,stoodawayfromthelineofthelawyer’saim,calmlyholdingtheneedleinreadiness.HewasfacingTremont.
Thethreemenformedastrangetableau,theirprofilestowardthefireplace,wherenoembersglowedtonight.SavettewasawaitingasignalfromTremont-anindicationwhetherheshouldgoaheadwiththeinjectionorwhetherthelawyerintendedtoshoottokill.
Noeyeswereuponthehugebox.Somethingwashappeningthere.Thelonepivothingeononesideoftheboxwasmovingnoiselesslyupward,actuatedbysomemechanismoperatedfromtheinterior.Themotionofthehingestopped.
Nowthedooroftheboxwasopening,slowlyandsilently-openingatthesidewherethehingehadlifted.Thestrongpadlocks,withtheirfirmhaspsandstaples,wereservingasahinge!Thedoorwasopeningthewrongway!
Clearofthetrickyhinge,releasedbyslotsthatwerenowfreed,thedoorswungwide,pushedopenbyahandfromwithin.Thenoiseofthatopeningturnedsixeyestowardthebox.Tremont,Savette,andSharrockgazedinstinctivelyinthatdirection.
Movingforwardfromtheboxwasthecrouching,huddledformofamancladentirelyinblack.Hewasablottedform,hisbodyshapelessunderitsblackcloak,hisfeaturesinvisibleundertheprotectingedgeofabroad-brimmedhat.Hishandswerethrustforward.Theyaloneseemedalive.Black-cladhands-ineachanautomatic!
OnegunwastrainedonTremont;theothercoveredSavette.Theblackformcontinueditsemergence.Itroseandtooktheshapeofatall,sinisterbeing.
“TheShadow!”
ThecrycamefromSavette’slips.ItwasechoedbyTremont’sweakgasp.Theanswerwasasinister,whisperedlaughfromlipsthatthecloakcollarcovered.ThelaughofTheShadow!ThelaughofamanwhomTremontandSavettebelieveddead!
Neithervillaindaredmove.Fiendsthattheywere,theytrembled.Sharrockstooddumfoundedatthesightofthisstrangeavenger.
Again,TheShadowlaughed.Hehadcaughthisarchenemiesbyawell-timedruse.Thedreadavengerwashere,tosettlescores,intheverylairofhisfoe.Withguardingmobsmenoutside,protectedbythewallsofaveritablefortress,thefiendswerehelpless.
TheShadow’slaughwasthesardonicmirthofvengeance.Itwasalaughthatbodeddeath!
CHAPTERXXI
CLIFFFINDSACHANCE
“I’LLspeak!I’llspeak!”
Thewordsweregaspedbyfoam-fleckedlips.CliffMarsland,intheagonyofexquisitetorture,wascallingpleadinglytoIvanOrlinov.
“Youwilltellall?”
TheRussian’squestionwasagrowledretort.
“Yes!”Cliff’svoicequavered.“Letmeloose-I’ll-I’ll-”
Hischokingvoicecouldsaynomore.Thestrainofthemaddening,limb-wrenchingwincheswastoogreatforhimtostand.Cliff’sheadtoppledforwardonhischest.
Orlinovgavetwocommands.Bothwerethesame.OnewasinRussian,andtheotherinEnglish.Slowly,thewincheswerereleased.Cliff’sarmsdropped.Theropesbecameslack.Hecrumpledtothefloorandlaythere,inert.
IvanOrlinovstaredlongatthemanwhomhehadtortured.Itwasapparent
thatCliffMarslandhadheldoutuntilcompleteanguishforcedhimtoyield.Hehadlosthissensesnow.Orlinovwassorry.Itmightbesometimebeforethemanwouldspeak.
Cliffhadindeedsuffered;butnotsomuchasOrlinovsupposed.Allthroughthetorture,hehadplayedapart.Hehadwincedwithoutanoutcry,feigningpainsoeffectivelythatOrlinovhadimaginedhisanguishfargreaterthanitactuallywas.
Now,too,Cliffwasplayingapart.Hehadtriedtodelaythistortureuntilhefeltthatitwasbringinginjuryfromwhichhecouldnoteasilyrecover.Thewrenchinghadreachedthatstate.Then,Cliffhadutteredhispleadingcry.
Onthefloor,heresembledamanwhohadlostconsciousness.Orlinovleanedoverhimandshookhisbodyroughly.Cliffmadenoresponse.TheRussianwasconvincedthathisvictimwassenseless
Orlinovbecamethoughtful.Thistorturehadtakensometime.Itwaslateintheevening,now.Bythistime,DoctorGeraldSavettewouldbehere.BothheandTremontwouldwanttoseethevictim;tohearCliffMarslandspeak.
TheRussianknewhisgame.Hehadlearnedthatthecombinedremembranceofpasttorture,coupledwiththethreatoffuture,wasaweaponthatcouldforcethemosthardenedmantospeak.Inaddition,presentease-asapleasantlapsebetweentworackingsessions-wasalsoawaytomakeobduratepersonsreasonable.
CliffMarsland,weakened,unconscious,andweaponless,couldmakenotroublehere.OrlinovsignaledtoPetriandthegangster.ThemenapproachedwhilethebigRussianundidthefettersthatheldMarsland’sarmsandlegs.
THEunderlingsraisedCliffMarsland,andcarriedhishelplessbodytoacouchinanobscurecorneroftheroom.Theyplacedhimsohisheadwasproppeduponapillow.Hisarmsandlegsweresprawled.
Cliff’seyeswereclosed;butwhenheopenedthem,hewouldseetheroombeforehim.Hewouldviewthepulleyedropesthathadcausedhisformertorture.Hewouldobservetheotherimplementsofbrutalitywhichbodedother
agonies.
Itwouldnotbeapleasantthought-thepossibilityofrunningthegamutofIvanOrlinov’sgrimdevices.Thebedofspikes,theironcoffin,theblackenedpit-allwereformidable.
Severalminuteswentby.Orlinovwaswaiting.HedidnotcaretosummonTremontandSavetteuntilthismanwouldbereadytospeak.Orlinovintendedtoputonanexhibitionofhisskill,themethodsthathehadlearnedsowellinthedaysofczaristRussia
CliffMarslandstirred,buthiseyesdidnotopen.Hisheadrolledtooneside.Heseemedtosensetheagonythathehadsuffered.Heraisedhisarmsandpressedthemagainsthisbody.Heturnedonhisrightside,hisarmbeneathhim.Hisheadslumped,andheremainedinert.
Acleverruse!OnethatwasnaturalenoughtodeceiveIvanOrlinov.ItplacedCliff’srighthandoutofview,closetohishippocket.Atthatinstanthecouldhaveyankedouthisgunandstartedabattleforsafety.BothPetriandthegangsterhadrevolvers;butneitherwasinreadiness.
ThereweretworeasonswhyCliffdesisted.Onewasbecausehehadsufferedgreatlyandwasweak.Eachminute,heknew,wouldhelphimtorecuperate.Thesecondwasbecausetimewasmoving.Anyminute,now,mightbringtheshotsthatwouldbeTheShadow’ssignal!
OrlinovstudiedCliffclosely.Itappearedasthoughthevictimhadagainlapsedintounconsciousness.Nevertheless,hecouldeasilyberevived,sincehehadshownmomentarysignsoflife.OrlinovspoketoPetri;thenrepeatedtothegangster,inEnglish:
“Waithere.WaituntilIreturn.Ifhehassbeguntoawake,watchhimclose.Haffyourrevolferready.”
“Surething,”growledthegunman,drawinghisrevolverandbrandishingitsignificantly.
Orlinovdeparted.Clifflaymotionless.Hedidnotallowhiseyelidstoeventremble.HecouldhearOrlinov’sfootstepsdyingaway.HewouldknowwhentheRussianreturned.
Cliff’sfingers,hidden,clutchedthehandleoftheautomatic.Atanymoment,now,hecouldbeginasurpriseattack.Heintendedtoactquickly.
Asuddenleap,adrawngun-thatwashischancetocatchhisadversariesoffguard.Hewouldhavetobeattwomentotheshot.Hewasconfidentthathecoulddoit.
Listening,Cliffcouldhearsignsthatindicatedwhereeachofhisenemiesstood.EvenshouldOrlinovreturn,Cliffcouldact,forhefeltsurethatthebeardedRussianwouldhavenoguninreadiness.
Thetimeforactionmightbeimminent.Cliff’sonefearwasthatthiswouldprolonguntilmidnight.Howwouldheknowthathour?SupposeTheShadowwaswaitingforhimtoact?
Thiswasadilemma.Theminutesontherackhadbeentorturousonesthathadseemedmuchlongerthentheyreallywere.
Itmightbeteno’clock-eleven-evenpastmidnight-forallCliffknew.Hisnaturalcravingforactionurgedhimtodrawhisgunnow,whilehehadtheopportunity.ButthatmightmeanactionbeforethearrivalofTheShadow.
Withoutthemaninblacktohelphim,Cliff’seffortstoescapecouldbenomorethanfutile.Thereweretoomanymobsmenonthesepremises.Hastyactionwouldspoilall.Patientwaitingmightbringsuccess.
SoCliffMarslandwaited.Possum-like,hefeignedunconsciousness,waitingforthesignalthatwouldmeanTheShadowwasathand!
CHAPTERXXII
THESHADOWSPEAKS
THEechoesofasinister,whisperedlaughdiedaway.TheShadow,masterin
thelairofvillains,madeadownwardmotionwithhisautomatics.
Understanding,GladeTremontloweredhishandandreluctantlydroppedtheweaponwhichheheld.GeraldSavetteloweredhishandalso,butdidnotreleasethehypodermicsyringe.
TheShadow’sburningeyesglaredatthemenwhomhehadtrapped.Theywerehelpless,andtheyknewit.TheShadowhadthemathismercy.Whatdidheintendtodo?
“Pickupthepistol,Sharrock,”saidTheShadowinalow,strangewhisper.
Thetallmannodded.Hewastryingtorecoverhiswits.Mechanically,heobtainedthegunwhichTremonthaddroppedonthefloor.HestoodbetweenthetwomenwhomTheShadowdominated.
“Youthoughtmedead,”whisperedTheShadow.
HelaughedasheaddressedthesewordstoTremontandSavette.Thestrangeemphasisoneachutteredsyllablemadethevillainstremble.Menwithoutmercy,theyexpectednonenow.TheShadowwasasuperman.Thefactthathestilllivedmadehimmoreamazing,intheirminds,thanbefore.
“Youthoughtmedead,”repeatedTheShadow.“ButIlive-asyouhavelearned.Iknowyourschemesinfull.Iknewyourwaysofplotting.Money.Youneededit,Savette.Youwerelookingforavictim.YoufoundLamontCranston.”
TheShadowpaused,andSavetteunderstood.Theechoedmockeryofanotherlaughcameasahatefulsoundtohisears.TheShadowspokeagain.
“WhatlittleofyourworkIdidnotknow,”resumedTheShadow,“Ihavelearnedtonight.Ishalltellyouofyourcrimes,thatyoumayknowwhyIproposegraveconsequences.
“AustinBellamywasyourfirstvictim.Lawyerbetrayedhisclient;physician,hispatient.Yourdeathserum,Savette,workedthenforthefirsttime.YouspiritedBellamyfromyoursanitarium,afewyearsago.Thencamethefire-inwhichanotherbodywasrecognizedbyyouasBellamy’s.
“WithwealthgainedthroughyourpactwithSharrock,youtwoplacedOrlinov
inthiscastle.Youbecamebrainthieves.ProfessorPierreRachaudwasyourfirstvictim.HeneversailedontheAlbaniawhenitleftNewYork,cruisebound.
“Youhadtrappedhimbeforethat.Hewasonhiswayhereinabox.YouposedasRachaud.Allthatwentoverboardwereclothesandfalsewhiskers-throughtheportholeofyourcabin.ThensmugDoctorSavettewasmerelyapassengerfortherestofthetrip”
SavettelookedatTremontasTheShadowpaused.Themaninblackhadspokenthetruth.HehaddetectedthemethodbehindSavette’sgame.
“CLARKMURDOCKwasthenext,”resumedTheShadow.“Iwasathishousethatnightwhenyouseizedhimandleftthebodyofadeadmaninhisplace.IheardMurdockspeaktohisservantaboutthebox.
“Atthattime,IsuspectedthatsomeonemighthavedesignsonMurdock’slife,butIdidnotbelievethatdangerwasduetostrikesosoon.Youwerecleverthen,Savette.
“You,Tremont,havetoldmehowyousnaredMattHartley.Youwouldneverhavesucceeded,hadyounottrappedMarsland,mymanhere.Fromthenon,youthoughtyouhadmehelpless.TherewasnowaywherebyIcouldstrike.Soyouthought.Yettherewasaway.”
TheShadow’slaughwasmockingasitcreptsoftlythroughtheroomandreverberatedeerilyfromeverycorner.
“LamontCranstonwastheway,”announcedTheShadow.“LamontCranston,becausehewasTheShadow.Thisboxwaswaitingforyou,Savette.YoucametoCranston’shomewithyourfaithfulhypodermic.YoudidnotseeCranstonplaceanotherinthepocketofyourcoat,andtakeyoursinitsstead.
“Youdidnotchoosetotakethetaboret.SoCranstonusedit,afteryouhadgonetosummonthetruckmen.Heopenedthehingeofthisbox.Fromthehollowtaborethetookcertainarticleswhichherequired.Inthebox,LamontCranstonbecame-TheShadow!”
ArealizationdawnedonSavette.Herememberedhowlightthetaborethad
seemed,whenhehadlifteditafterpushingitbefore.Nowonder.IthadcontainedtheweaponsandthegarbthatwereapartofTheShadow-articleswhichLamontCranstonhadchosentocarrywithhimonhisjourney.
“Tonight,”continuedTheShadow,“youshallknowthedeaththatyouimposeduponothers.Thedeathfromwhichmenawake.Withinthisbuildingdeadmenlive.Theywillbereleasedtonight;youshallremain.
“Thatsyringewhichyouhold,DoctorSavette,willdonicelyforGladeTremont.Ishallletyoumaketheinjection.Ihaveanotherinmypocket.Youwillreceiveaninjectionfrommyhand.Whenyouawake,youtwo,affairswillbedifferenthere.IvanOrlinovandhishordewillbegone.Ishallsettlewiththem.”
TheShadowpronouncedthesewordswithamazingcalmness.Hespokeasthoughtheconqueringofacrowdofgunmenwassimpleinaccomplishment.
Savettetriedtosneer.Tremontwaspale.Herememberedhisawakeningafterthebattleonthedock.TheShadowhadfoughtthentoprotecthimself.Tonight,hewouldhavetheadvantageofasurpriseattack.
“Weshalldelaynolonger,”gibedTheShadow.“Go,Savette.Usethathypodermicwhichyouhold.Tremontistobeyoursubject.Go!”
MECHANICALLY,thephysicianapproachedGladeTremont.HedarednotdisobeyTheShadow.Thetableswereturned,andSavetteknewwellthatTheShadowwouldnothesitatetostarthisbattleherebyfirstshootinghimandTremont.
Grimretribution!Thesemonstersweretotastethatstateofoblivionwhichtheyhadforceduponothers.Theyweretoexperiencethatwhichtheyhadtermedtemporarydeath.
Noalternativeoffering,GeraldSavettewrenchedawayTremont’scoatandtoreoffthelawyer’ssleeve.HewastreatinghisaccompliceashehadtreatedHaroldSharrock,whonowstoodpaleandtense,watchingthisstrangeturnofevents.
GladeTremontofferednoresistance.LikeSavette,hewasabeatenman.NeitheronecouldstandagainstTheShadow.Evengloweringlooksweregone.Hopelessnesshadreplacedanimosity.Thefiendsweredemonstratingtheircowardice.
TheShadowhadspoken.Hiscaptiveswereforcedtoobey.Savetteraisedthehypodermic.Tremontquailed.TheShadowspokeagain.
“Proceed.”
Thatsinglewordsoundedliketheknellofdoom.Therewasnoescape.Savettepreparedtomaketheinjection.Then,suddenly,hestoodstill,andhiseyesregainedtheirshrewdness.Foramoment.TheyhadlookedbeyondHaroldSharrock,towardthedoorofthissecludedlivingroom.
Quickly,SavettedroppedhiseyestowardTremont’sarm.Heappearedtobebusywiththehypodermic.Butinthatmoment,hehadbetrayedhimself.
TheShadow’squickeyesdartedtowardthedoor.There,awickethadopened.And,noiselessly,apanelhaddropped.
Peeringthroughtheholeinthedoorwasthefierce,beardedfaceofIvanOrlinov!
Somethinggleamedbesidethatblackenedcountenance.Orlinovwasbringingthemuzzleofarevolverintoplay,turningittowardthefigureofTheShadow!
Thegamehadbeendiscovered.Orlinov,comingtoconducthisconfederatestothetorturechamberbelow,hadbeenwary.Hehadheardthesoundofvoices.HehaddecidedtolookintolearnwhathadtranspiredsincethearrivalofDoctorSavette.
NowhewaspreparingtoslayTheShadow.HehadarrivedinthenickoftimetosavehiscompanionsfromthesentencethatTheShadowhadimposeduponthem!
CHAPTERXXIII
THEATTACK
THESHADOWandIvanOrlinovactedsimultaneously.
Theirchancesofsuccesswereequal.TheRussian,withhisgunbesidehisface,hadadifficultaimtomake,butthetallformofTheShadowformedanexcellenttarget.
Orlinov’scountenance,framedintheopenpanel,wasasmallmark,butonewhichTheShadowcouldcoverwithaquickswingofoneautomatic.
HadOrlinovattemptedtobeatTheShadowtotheshot,hemighthavesucceeded.ButtheRussianplayedaquicker,moreinstinctivegame.Hedroppedawayfromtheopenpanel.ThelittlebarriersliddowntoreceiveTheShadow’sshot.
TremontandSavettewereactingeretheautomaticroared.SosureweretheythatOrlinovwouldnotfailthattheysawonlyonemenacebeforethem-HaroldSharrock.
SavettedroppedthesyringeasheandTremontsprangforward.AlloddswerewithSharrock.Hehadonlytodrawawayandpumphisenemieswithbullets.Butheactedtoolate.Hedidnotshootuntilthemenwereuponhim.
Hisgunsoundedamuffledreportasthethreetumbled.ThenTheShadow’sautomaticspoketorescuehim.Savette,theupperofthethree,receivedabullet,andfellawayfromthestrugglingforms.
MuffledshotswererepeatedasSavettedropped.Sharrockrolledover,andTremontstaggeredawayfromhim,holdingthepistolinreadinessforanothershot.TheShadow’swell-timedaimwasagaineffective.Hisautomaticroared.GladeTremontfell.
Now,TheShadowwassweepingtowardthedoor.Justashereachedit,thebarrierwashurledinward.RevolversgleamedasBiffTowleyandthreemobsmendashedintotheroom.
Theyhadheardtheshots.TheyhadcomeatOrlinov’sbidding.TheyweremakingamassattacktotrapTheShadowbeforehecouldescape.
Herehewasuponthem,hisautomaticspumpinglead,histallformswingingawaybehindthedoor.Afewwildshotsresponded.Theywereall.Themobsmenhadbeentoosureofthemselves.Theyhadwalkedintoaclose-rangeattackfromtwopowerfulguns.TheShadowhadlostnotime.
Hehadnotsavedasinglebullet.Inthisemergency,hedischargedeverycartridge.Hisenemieswereonthefloor.TheShadowwasunscathed.Laughing,loudandfiercely,heflungawayhispistolsanddrewtwonewweaponsfrombeneathhiscloak.Hehadcomehereprepared,ahumanarsenal.
IntothehallstrodeTheShadow.Threegunnerswereenteringthefrontdoor.TheShadow’sautomaticsjerkedbackandforthashestruckdownhisnewgroupofenemies.
Twoshotsfromeachgun.Fourbullets-onemorethanneeded.Threegangsterslaywithinthedoor,theirbodiescrumpledindeath.
Ahandflashedfromtheslidingdoorthatledtothewing.Orlinov’srevolveranswered.AbulletswishedthroughthecollarofTheShadow’scloak.
Oneofthoseautomaticsansweredasthehandslippedaway.Theshotwasperfect.IvanOrlinovutteredacryofrage.Therevolverclatteredtothefloor,outsidethedoor.
TheRussiandidnotwait.Hedidnotattempttofastenthebarrier.Hefledalongthecorridor,TheShadowinpursuit.Themaninblackfiredoneshotthatwastoolate.OrlinovwasturningthecornerasTheShadowaimedfromtheslidingdoor.
THEN,fromtheotherendofthecorridor,appearedawild,disheveledmanwithupraisedautomatic.TheShadowlaughedandstretchedhisarms,toshowhisflowingcloak.
ItwasCliffMarsland,comingfrombelow,hissmokingpistoltellingoftheworkthathehaddone.
ThesoundofTheShadow’scannonadehadreachedthetorturechamber.Cliffhadacted.BothPetriandthegangsterhadfailedtostophim.Hehadtakenthegunmanfirst;thenPetri.
Sweepingforward,TheShadowpointedtothebarrierthroughwhichhehadcome.Cliffunderstood.Hewastoguardbelow,whileTheShadowfollowedOrlinov.
Theypassedatthecenterofthecorridor,Cliffhasteningtothedoor,TheShadowheadingforthestairs.Themaninblackbecamesuddenlyalertashereachedthesteps.
Thestairsweregloomy,andTheShadowbecameacreatureofthedarkasheglidedupward,stepbystep.Lostinadarkenedcorner,hisgleamingeyesdetectedacrouchinggangster-Orlinov’smanwhoguardedtheupstairscorridor.
Thewatchersawaslightmotion-themovementofaphantomshape.Asheaimedhisrevolverinthatdirection,aburstofflamecamefromthespot.Thegunmanfellheadlongdownthesteps,anothervictimofTheShadow.Theroaroftheautomaticwasterrificinthatlow-roofedspace.
TheShadowwasmovingupwardnow.Hesteppedacrossthegangster’sbody.Hepausedbythecorner,andpeeredalongthecorridor.
IvanOrlinov,arevolverinhisunscathedhand,waspeeringtowardthestairs.Hesawnohumanform;butacrossthefloorofthecorridor,hediscernedalong,silhouettedpatchofblack.Hefired.
Itwasahopelesseffort.TheShadow’sautomaticbarked.Orlinov’sonegoodwristwascrippled.
NowTheShadow,likealivingmonster,approachedthecringingRussian.YetOrlinov,despitehisfear,wasgrinningdefiantly,hiswhiteteethglitteringthroughtheblackenedclumpofhairthatformedhisbeard.
“Youhaffcometoolate!”snarledtheRussian.“Youhaffnotstoppedme.Ihaffreleasedthegas.Thedeadmenwhohaffliffednowliffnolonger!”
AdanglingcordtoldwhatOrlinovhaddone.TheShadowlaughedsoftly.This
wasthethreat;thewaywherebyallprisonersinthoselittleroomscouldbedisposedofinemergency.SoOrlinovhadplanned.
Withnomorethoughtofhishelplessenemy,TheShadowreachedbeneathhiscloakanddrewforthakey.Heinserteditinadoorandturnedthelock.Hewenttoaseconddoor;thenathirdandafourth.Orlinovwatchedhimbewildered.
Then,onebyone,fourmencameforth,eachfromadifferentroom.AustinBellamy,aworn,haggardoldman,staredspeechless,wonderingwhatthisfreedommeant.
ClarkMurdock,keenandshrewd-eyed,staredatTheShadow;thenglaredtowardOrlinov.ProfessorPierreRachaud,aquiet,beardedFrenchman,appearedperplexed.MattHartley,astalwart,middle-agedman,stoodwitharmsakimbo,alookofcompletesurpriseuponhisfirm-setface.
TheShadowspoke.
“YOUarethedead,”heannounced.“Thedeadwholivedtodothebiddingofthisfiendandtwoothermonsterswhonowliedeadbelow.”
ThevoiceofTheShadowwasaweird,creepywhisper,thatseemedunreal.Itwasasthoughthewallsofthatstrangecorridorhadspoken,withthemaninblackamerefigureintheirmidst.Althoughthosewordsmeantfreedomtothemenwhoheardthem,nonecouldrepressashudderattheeerievoice.
“Thatcord”-themuzzleofTheShadow’sright-handgunindicatedthedanglingrope-“wasdrawnbyOrlinov.Itwouldhavereleasedapoisongastokillyouall.Lastnight,however”-TheShadow’seyesburnedtowardOrlinov-“Idetachedtheinfernalmechanism.”
Orlinovsnarledinhelplessfury.TheShadowstoodabovehim,thesuppressedsoundoftauntingmirthcomingfromhisinvisiblelips.
Suddenly,themockingfigurebecamemotionlessanderect.Shotswereechoingfromthefloorbelow.
Turning,TheShadowsweptaway,hiscloakswishingaudiblyashemoved
rapidlytowardthestairs.Asecondlater,hewasgone,leavingfourstupefiedmenglaringatthecrippledfiendwhowassittingonthefloor.
Thencameawild,high-pitchedcry.AustinBellamy,whoforyearshadsufferedatthehandsofOrlinov,leapedforwardinmaddenedfury.HisclawinghandstoreattheRussian’sbeard.Hislong,bonyfingersdugintoOrlinov’sthroat.
TheRussiansoughttoresist.Withbothhandscrippled,hecouldnotmanagetocontrolthemanwhohadattackedhim.
Likeamongoosebattlingapoisoncobra,AustinBellamy,withallthepent-uprageofunhappymonths,hurledthehugeRussianbackandforth,chokinghim,beatinghisheadagainstthefloorandwalls.
Noneoftheothersmovedtostophim.They,too,hadsuffered.PrimitivethoughBellamy’svengeancewas,theydidnotchoosetoreason.
Whenthefierceoldmanfellexhaustedonthefloor,Orlinov’sheadwastilted,asthoughunhingedfromhishugeframe.Thebeardedfiendhadmethisdoom.
Moreshotswereheardfrombelow.Therescuedmenmovedinafile.HartleypickedupOrlinov’srevolver.Murdockfoundthedeadgangster’sgunonthestairsandchoseitashisweapon.
Inthecorridor,onthegroundfloor,themenfoundstillanothermobster,woundedanddying.Theslidingbarrierwasopen.Theypassedthrough,Hartleyfirst,Murdocknext.
PierreRachaudwasthird;behindhim,AustinBellamydraggedwearilyalong.Morebodiesinthehall.Thefrontdoorwasopen.Amansteppedinandhelduphishand.ItwasCliffMarsland.
Theothersrecognizedthathewasafriend.Silently,Cliffledthemtothelivingroom.There,onthefloor,heshowedthemthebodiesofthreemen.
GeraldSavetteandGladeTremonthadperished.BulletsfromTheShadow’sgunandtheshotsfiredbyHaroldSharrockhadcombinedtoridtheworldofthesemonstrousplotters.
ThethirdmanwasSharrock,himself.Hewasdying,fromawoundreceivedwhenTremonthadwrestedtherevolveraway.Sharrock,themanwhohadsoughttomakeamends,staredglassilyatAustinBellamy.
Theoldman’sface,hardenedfromhatredforOrlinov,softenednow.HeknewthatSharrockhadbetrayedhim,andhadspenthisfortune;buthefeltasenseofpity.
Bellamystoopedtothefloorandraisedhisstepbrother’shead.Thus,withfriendlyeyesuponhim,withfriendlyhandsgraspinghim,HaroldSharrockdied.
CliffMarslandbeckonedtheotherstothehall.Solemnly,theywenttotheporch.Theretheystoodindarkness,lookingacrossthemoon-bathedlawn,nolongerdominatedbygangsterhordes.
“ANalarmwillberaised,”explainedCliffMarslandquietly.“Policewillbehereshortly.Iwasaprisonerhere,too.IwasOrlinov’ssecretary.HetrappedmewhenhelearnedthatIwasinvestigatingmattershere.”
“Whowasthemanupstairs?”questionedMattHartley.“Themaninblack-theonewhoshottheRussian.Themanwholaughed-”
“Hewastheonewhorescuedus,”saidCliff.“Theyhadmeinthetorturechamberwhenheattacked.Imethiminthecorridor,whenIwasescaping.”
“Whoishe?”askedClarkMurdock,
“TheycallhimTheShadow,”answeredCliff.
“TheShadow!”
Thenamepassedlikemagicfromonetoanother.ThefameofTheShadowwasknown.Therescuedmenunderstood.
Cliffsteppedfromtheporch,andstooduponthelawn,staringuptowardtheoldgraycastle.Theothermenwerewithhim,surveyingthosewallsthathadheldthemprisoners.
ThehugemasonryofGlamartinwassilentnow-silent,wheregunshadthundered.ThelastsurgingwaveofmobstershadenteredwhileCliffwasguardingthecorridor.TheShadowhadarrivedintimetomeetthem.
Offintheshrubbery,scatteredbythewalls,inotherspotsoftemporarysafetylaywoundedmenanddying-thoseremnantswhohadstaggeredawaybeforeTheShadow’slastattack.
GladeTremont,GeraldSavette,IvanOrlinov,andBiffTowley.Allfourweredead.Nomanwhohadclaimedleadershipofanyportionofthegangstercrewremainedalivenow.Cliffcouldclaimashareinthevictoriousstruggleforright;butitwasTheShadow’smasterythathaddominatedthebattle.
Adistantshotrangacrossthelawn,andechoedfromthecoldgraywallsofthecastle-likebuilding.Therescuedmenlookedatoneanother.OnlyCliffknewwhatitmeant.
TheShadowhadmetthehenchmanatthegate.Thelastofthemobofevildoershadmethismatch.Swallowedinthemountainnight,TheShadowhadfinishedtheonlyenemywhoremainedtomenacethesafetyofthefreedprisoners.
Clifffanciedthathecouldhearthefainttonesofafar-awaylaugh-along,gibingpealofweirdmirththatblendedintonothingness.
TheShadow’striumphwascomplete!
Deadmenwerelivingnow!
THEEND