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