DEADMENLIVE

MaxwellGrant

Thispagecopyright©2001BlackmaskOnline.

http://www.blackmask.com

?CHAPTERI.AMANWITHAMESSAGE

?CHAPTERII.ASTRANGEDISCOVERY

?CHAPTERIII.AVISITORRETURNS

?CHAPTERIV.MANNASSEMBLESDATA

?CHAPTERV.THESHADOWBEGINS

?CHAPTERVI.TWOMENPLOT

?CHAPTERVII.THESHADOW’SCHOICE

?CHAPTERVIII.ORLINOV’SCASTLE

?CHAPTERIX.CLIFFSENDSAMESSAGE

?CHAPTERX.THESHADOW’SPLAN

?CHAPTERXI.ORLINOVSPEAKSFACTS

?CHAPTERXII.TREMONT’SVISITOR

?CHAPTERXIII.THESHADOW’SFLIGHT

?CHAPTERXIV.THESHADOW’SFIGHT

?CHAPTERXV.AFTERMIDNIGHT

?CHAPTERXV.AFTERMIDNIGHT

?CHAPTERXVI.APERFECTSCHEME

?CHAPTERXVII.THEPLANWORKS

?CHAPTERXVIII.ORLINOV’STHREAT

?CHAPTERXIX.THEMANFROMOUTSIDE

?CHAPTERXX.THEMANFROMINSIDE

?CHAPTERXXI.CLIFFFINDSACHANCE

?CHAPTERXXII.THESHADOWSPEAKS

?CHAPTERXXIII.THEATTACK

CHAPTERI.AMANWITHAMESSAGE

THEglaringheadlightofthebiglocomotivecametoaslowstopastheWestShoreExpresspulledinto

theWeehawkenTerminal.Astationattendantpulledopentheexitgate.Dimfiguresofalighting

passengersappearedupontheplatformandbecameanadvancingthrong.Theattendantidlywatchedthe

approachinggroup.

Twomenwerestandingashortdistancefromthegate.Awayfromtheglimmerofthelocomotive

headlight,theywereobscureandunnoticed.Liketheattendant,theywerewatchingthepeoplecoming

downtheplatform.

“He’llbehereinhalfaminute,Jake,”saidoneinanundertone.“We’vegottospothimthesecondhe

showsup.Rightontheferrywithhim.”

“Igotyou,Biff,”wasJake’sreply.

Thetwomenwaited.Althoughtheyweretense,neitheroneappearedexcited.Thiswasnotsurprising.

Watchingforapassengercomingfromatrainwasnogreattaskfor“Biff”Towleyandhisfellowwatcher,

JakeBosch.ForBiffTowleywasoneofthecraftiestmobsmeninallNewYork,andhiscompanionwas

hiscounterpart.

Atall,youthfulmancamethroughthegatewiththelastofthepassengersleavingtheExpress.Biff

Towleynudgedhiscompanion.

Bothmenseemedtobedisinterestedbystandersasthetallpassengerglancednervouslyintheirdirection.

Butastheyoungmancontinuedtowardtheferry,thetwoself-effacinggangstersswungalongbehind

him.

“It’sLouisSteffan,allright,”whisperedBiffTowley.“Separatewhenwereachtheboat.Youstayahead

ofhim.I’llbeinback.”

JakeBoschgruntedhisagreement.

Intheferryboat,LouisSteffancontinuedthroughtothefrontdeck.There,heleanedagainsttherailand

staredacrossthelight-studdedwatersoftheHudson.

Hefumbledinhispocketanddrewforthacigarette.Helighteditwithtremblinghand.Asheraisedthe

matchtowardhisface,Steffandidnotnoticeanothermanwholeanedupontherailclosebesidehim.It

wasJakeBosch.

THEgangsterthrewasidelongglancetowardSteffan.Hecouldseethepalloroftheyoungman’sface;

thetwitchingofhislips,theblinkingofhiseyelids.ThenthematchdroppedovertherailandSteffan’s

facebecameawhiteblurinthedarknessastheferryslidfromitsslip.

JakeBoschdrewbackasLouisSteffannervouslythrewthecigaretteintotheriverandstartedtoward

riverandstartedtoward

thefrontgateoftheferry.AsSteffanpausedthere,Jaketurnedandsaunteredidlyintothecabinwhere

hestoodwithinthedoor.BiffTowleywasseatedcloseathand.Nooneelsewasnear.

“Helooksnervous,Biff,”saidJake,inalowtone.

“Heoughtto,”camethereply,withaneasy,uglylaugh.“Keepaheadofhimontheotherside.I’m

stickingclosewithhim.Rememberoneofushasgottopointhimout!”

Jakenoddedandwentbackondeck.

ThewaterwaschurningastheferryapproachedtheslipontheNewYorkside.Themyriadlightsof

Manhattanwereblottedastheboatcameclosetotheroofoftheferryhouse.

Whenthegatewasopened,LouisSteffanwasoneofthefirsttoleave.Hesawnothingsuspiciousinthe

formofJakeBosch,walkingswiftlyahead.NordidhenoticetheidlingshapeofBiffTowley,whowas

strollingonbehindhim.

LouisSteffanstoppedatarowofphonebooths.Hefumblednervouslythroughthepagesofthe

Manhattandirectory.BiffTowley,afewfeetaway,smiledgrimly.Hesteppedintooneofthetelephone

boothsandheldanickelpoisedabovetheslot.

LouisSteffan’sfingerwascheckinganame.Hehadfoundwhathedesired-thetelephonenumberof

ClarkMurdock.Hemovedtowardthephonebooths.

Asheapproached,Towley’snickelclickedandthegangsterdialedBarmont4-9356.

Astrangecoincident!ThatwastheverynumberthatSteffanhadnotedinthebook.

BiffTowleywastalkinginalow,quietvoicewhenLouisSteffanbegantodial.Listeningatthereceiver,

Steffanheardtheclang-clangofthebusysignal.Hehungupthetelephoneandwaited.

BiffTowleywasstilltalkingwhenSteffandialedagain.Oncemore,hecaughtthebusysignal.

LouisSteffansteppedfromhisphoneboothandglancednervouslyathiswatch.Hewalkedhurriedly

Hewalkedhurriedly

away.

BiffTowley,seeinghimthroughthewindowofthebooth,quietlyendedhisconversationandstepped

fromthecompartment.HesawSteffan’stallformgoingthroughthedoortoataxistand.WhenBiff

reachedthespot,twocabsweredrawingaway.NeitherLouisSteffannorJakeBoschwereinsight.

BiffTowleygrinnedandwalkedeastwardonForty-secondStreet.

LOUISSTEFFANhadtakenthefirstcabhehadseenatthestand.HehadgiventheaddressofClark

Murdock-whichhehadnotedinthephonebook.Nowridinguptown,theyoungmanwashighly

perturbed.

HehadcometoNewYorkwithadefinitepurpose-tocommunicatewithClarkMurdock.Untilhehad

reachedtheManhattanferryterminal,hehadgainednoopportunity.Thatphonecallwiththebusysignal,

hadbeenawasteoftime.Steffanwaswaitingnolonger.Hewasgoingdirectlytothemanwhohe

wishedtosee.

Asthecabstoppedatatrafficlight,Steffanpulledanotebookfromhiscoatpocket.Hescannedthe

pagesofshorthandnotationsthathehadmade.

Therecollectionoftheriskhehadruntogetthemmadehimshudder.Hepicturedhimselflisteningatthe

dooroftheroomwheretwomenhadbeentalking;andtoSteffan’sblinkingeyescameavividportraitof

oneofthespeakers.

IvanOrlinov!Thenamewasinscribedamongthenotes.Steffanshuthiseyesasthecabjerkedforward.

Infancyhesawashrewd,beardedface-thecountenanceofademon!

Steffanclenchedhisfists.IvanOrlinovwaseverywhere,itseemed!Heopenedhiseyesandblinkedat

thelightsoftheavenue,asthevisionfaded.

Helaughedahoarse,nervouslaugh.Hewassafe,here,withalltheselights.SafeinNewYork,with

Orlinovmilesaway.Hetriedtofeelateaseandgraduallyhisqualmsended.Reasontoldhimthatthere

wasnodangerforthepresent.TheimmediatetaskwastodeliverhismessagetoClarkMurdock.

Steffanglancedathiswatch.Itwastenminutesafternine.TherewasmenacehereinNewYork-butit

threatenedanotherman.Steffanalonecouldthwartit-forhe,alone,knewthesecret.

Hewassurethatnothingcouldhappenuntilteno’clock.Fiftyminutesyet-andnowthecabwas

swervingfromtheavenue.Oneblock-twoblocks-thetaxistoppedinthecenterofthethird.Steffan

wasreadywiththefare.

Thrustinghisnotebookinhispocket,theyoungmanalightedandstooduponthesidewalkwhilethecab

rolledaway.

Itwasasomberneighborhood.Thenightwasgloomywithovercastingclouds,andinthisobscurepartof

Manhattan,theoldbuildingsseemedliketombs.Thenumberofthisoldhousereflectedbythelight

behindthetransom,showeddimlyabovethedoor.

LouisSteffanhadreachedthehomeofClarkMurdock.

STEFFANglancedupanddownthestreetbeforehewenttowardthesteps.Hesawacarparkedhalfa

blockaway.Itslightswereoffandhegaveitnosecondthought.Impulsively,heturnedtoapproachthe

steps.Ashedid,hesensedamanbesidehim.

AnexclamationfrozeonSteffan’slips.Thestrangerwhohadcloseduponhimwasashort,stockyman;

andinhishandwastheglimmerofsteel.ThemuzzleofarevolverpressedagainstLouisSteffan’sribs.

“Movealong,”cameaharsh,coldvoice.“Onepeepoutofyouandyougettheworks.Savvy?”

Trembling,LouisSteffanallowedhimselftobeforcedalongthestreet-awayfromthehousehehad

sought-awayfromtheoneplacethatofferedsafety.Theparkedcarwasmovingslowlytowardhim.

Shivering,withthepressureofthegunagainsthisback,theyoungmanfalteredforwardathiscaptor’s

bidding.

Thelowlyingcarmetthem,twentyyardsfromthehouse.Itwasasedanandthereardooropenedas

theautomobilearrivedbesideSteffanandthemanwhoguardedhim.

theautomobilearrivedbesideSteffanandthemanwhoguardedhim.

Withinthesedan,LouisSteffansawthevagueformofanotherenemy.There,asbefore,hecaughtthe

glimmerofarevolver.

AnudgefromhiscaptorandSteffansteppedintothecar.Hehuddledbackuponthecushions,hishands

raisedpiteouslyashisfrightened,staringeyessawthesecondrevolvercoveringhim.

“Getgoing,”saidthemanonthecurb.

“Right,Jake,”camethegrowlofLouisSteffan’snewguard.

Thefirstcaptorclosedthedoor.Thecarpulledaway.LouisSteffanwasgoingforaride.

JAKEBOSCHlaughedashesawthesedandisappeararoundthenearestcorner.Hegavehisrevolver

atwirlandpocketeditinaleisurelymanner.

Hestrolledalongthestreettothecornerintheoppositedirection.There,hewalkedcalmlypasta

uniformedpolicemanandturneddowntheavenue.Hereachedadrugstoreonthenextcornerand

enteredaphonebooth.Aminutelater,hewastalkingtoBiffTowley.

“O.K.,Biff,”saidJake,tersely.“Theboyswerewaiting.They’vegoneaway-withapassenger.”

“Youweretherefirst?”camethevoiceofBiff.

“Iwasneartherefirst,”repliedJake.“Madegoodtimeinmycab.Gotoutablockaway.Walkeddown

tothehouseanddroppedoutofsightwhenourfriendcamealong.”

“Goodwork,Jake.Seeyoulater.I’vegotanothercalltomake.”

Leavingthedrugstore,JakeBoschreturnedalongtheblockpastClarkMurdock’shome.Hegrinnedas

hepassedthehousewherehehadmadehiscapture.Hecontinuedonataleisurelygait.Hisjobwas

finished.

Hardenedunderlingofacallousedgangleader,itwasJakeBosch’sdutytoobeyorders,without

knowingwhy.Tonight’sbusinesswasamysterytohim.

BiffTowleyhadstationedmobsmeninthecarnearMurdock’shomeandhadtakenJakewithhimto

WeehawkentointerceptLouisSteffan-amanofwhomJakehadneverbeforeheard.

Jakehaddoneotherjobslikethisone.Hewastheskilledpilotwhosteeredvictimstowaiting

automobiles.WheretheywentorwhathappenedtothemwasamatterofnoconcerntoJakeBosch.

HefeltnointerestorsympathyforLouisSteffan.Thatyoungmanwasmerelyanotheronthelistofthose

whomBiffTowleyhadchosentoobliterate.

SoJakeforgottheentirematterasheheadedforhisfavoritenightclub,ahauntwherebrightlightsand

gaudywomenlured.Hedidnotrealizethattonighthehadplayedavitalpartintheschemesofmen

craftierthanBiffTowley.

ForLouisSteffanhadbroughtasingularmessagetoNewYork.Hadhedeliveredit,hemighthave

frustratedtheprogressofstrangeandincrediblecrime.Buthehadfailed-hewhoalonehadgainedan

inklingofafiendishplot.

inklingofafiendishplot.

UpintheBronx,thedeathcarwasstoppedbesideadesertedlot.Amuffledshot-adyinggasp-andall

wasover.ThedooropenedandthebodyofLouisSteffantumbledfromthesedan.Thecartraveledon

itsway.

Thenfromtheloweredwindowflutteredfragmentsofpaper,whichscatteredwidelyinthebreezeasthe

carswepthomewardtowardManhattan.LouisSteffan’sshorthandnotesweremeetingwithdestruction.

Themanwiththemessagewasdead-andhismessagewasgoneforever.Tothepolice,itwouldbe

anotherganglandkilling.BythetimethatLouisSteffan’sbodywasfoundandhisemptypockets

searched,theunknowncrimewouldbeaccomplished!

CHAPTERII.ASTRANGEDISCOVERY

“Stepintothelaboratory,gentlemen.Mydemonstrationisready.”

Thespeakerwasastoop-shouldered,gray-hairedmanoffiftyyears.Hewasgarbedinawhitegown.

Hewasaddressingagroupofkeen,intelligent-lookingmenwhowereseatedin

Hewasaddressingagroupofkeen,intelligent-lookingmenwhowereseatedinalittlelivingroom.

Thisman,towhomtheothersgavecloseandrespectfulattention,wasClarkMurdock,whosechemical

experimentshadgainedhimanenviedreputation

Themenaroseandfollowedthechemistintohislaboratory.Itwastherearroomonthesecondfloorof

Murdock’soldhouse.Hehadchosenthissecludedspot,awayfromthemainarteriesofManhattan,that

hemightconducthisexperimentswithoutdisturbance.

Murdock’slaboratorywasaremarkableplace.Itcontainedshelvesofbottles,longtablesstrewnwith

appliancesandpiecesofoddlyassortedmachinery.Hisguestslookedaboutthemwithinterest,andthe

chemistsmiledashesawtheirwonderingglances.

Thesemenhadcometoseeapracticaldemonstrationofhisnewexperimentsinatomicdisintegration.

ClarkMurdockhadmadesomeremarkablediscoveries,butherealizedthatfewofhisvisitorswould

understandtheirfullsignificance.

Motioningthementochairs,Murdockgazedabouthimwiththeairofaninstructorabouttoaddressa

class.Hewaiteduntilsilencehadbeenobtained;thenstaredathissolemn-facedassistantinthecorner.

“Youmaygo,Stevens,”hesaid,brusquely.

“Yes,sir,”saidtheman,withaslightbow.“Doyouwishmetowaituntilthetruckmencome,sir?”

“That’sright,”declaredMurdock,withanod.“Theyweretoreturnforthatboxtheybroughthereby

mistake.Ishallattendtothat,Stevens.Youleftitbytheelevator,didyounot?”

“Yes,sir.”

“Verywell.Ishallanswertheirring.Goodnight,Stevens.”

ThesolemnassistantleftthelaboratoryandMurdockagainsmiledathisguests.

“Stevensisagoodassistant,gentlemen,”hesaid,quietly.“Heknowsnothing.Thatismuchbetterthan

knowingtoomuch-assomeassistantsdo.”

Theotherslaughedatthechemist’switticism.Murdocklookedaboutthegroup.Henotedtwomenwho

impressedhimmorethananyothers.Theywereseatedsidebyside.

OnewasDoctorGeraldSavette,akeen-visagedmanwhostoodhighinhisprofession.Theotherwas

LamontCranston,awealthymillionaire,whowasalikelyinvestorinpromisinginventions.

CLARKMURDOCK,despitehisquerulousdisposition,hadaneyetobusiness.Hewaslookingfor

financialaidinhispresentexperiments,andithadoccurredtohimthatSavette’sapprovalwouldbring

Cranston’sinterest.Henceitwasuponthesetwothathecenteredhisdiscourse.

“Itisnearlyteno’clock,”hesaid.“FortwohoursIhavebeendiscussingthevalueofatomicdisintegration

asasourceoftremendouspower.Inthattime,Ihaveendeavoredtofullyoutlinetheprinciplesthatare

involvedinthisgreatsubject.Youhavebeenpatient,gentlemen-nowIshallrewardyouwiththeactual

demonstration.”

Murdockwenttoacoveredtablenearthecenteroftheroom.Hedrewasidetheclothtodisclosea

clothtodisclosea

hollowsphereofglass.Thisglobe,whichmeasuredmorethanafootindiameter,wasmountedupona

baseofmetal.

“Watch,”saidMurdock,quietly.

Hepressedaswitchandamotorbegantohum.Tinysparksappearedwithintheglobe.Thencame

quicksoundlessburstsofflameasinvisibleparticlesbrokeasunder.

“Atomicaction,”spokethewhite-hairedchemist.

Theactivitywithinthehollowsphereseemedlikewarfareinminiature.Theonlookersstaredin

fascination,whileClarkMurdockstoodaside,watchingtheexpressionsontheirfaces.

Whenthechaoshadreacheditsheightandtheglobeseemedreadytobreakapart,Murdockagain

pressedtheswitch.Theterrificcommotioncontinuedforafewminutes,thengraduallyceased.The

witnessesgazedatoneanotherinamazement.

“That,”declaredClarkMurdock,“isaperfectdemonstrationofmydiscovery.Youhaveseentheresults

ofatomicdisintegrationconductedinavacuum.Nowimagine,gentlemen”-thechemist’sfacetookona

visionarystare-“thesameactivityonamuchlargerscale-withinasteel-walledchamber.Thereis

powerherethatsurpassesalldreams-”

Hestoppedsuddenlyasheheardthesoundofatelephonebellinanotherroom.Carefully,Murdock

disconnectedtheapparatusandwentfromthelaboratory.Hereturnedinafewminutesandspoketo

DoctorSavette.

“Youarewantedonthetelephone,doctor,”hesaid.

Thephysicianwentintotheotherroom.WhenhereturnedashortwhileafterwardhefoundMurdock

againexplainingtheimportantpointsofhisdiscovery.

“Ihavelearnedthesecretsoftheatom,”thechemistwassaying.“Morethanthat,Ihavediscovereda

methodofatomiccontrol.Withinafewmonths,Ishallhavecompletesuccess.

“Assomeofyouhaveremarked,Idorunariskinmyexperiments;butthatriskisintheinterestsof

science.Often,Ihavebeentemptedtolettheelectricchargecontinueuntilthelastpossiblemoment;but

Ihavealwaysresistedthattemptation.”

Hepausedandsmiledwanlyathislisteners.

“Here,inthislaboratory,”hesaid,“aburstingofthecrystalspherewouldprovedisastrous.Theatomic

energywouldbequicklydispelled,butitmightstartexplosionsamongcertainofthechemicalsyousee

upontheseshelvesandbenches.

“TwiceIhavebarelypreventedfires,here.Ihaveneverbeenabletoobtaininsurance,andIhavechosen

thisobscureplacebecausetherearecomparativelyfewneighborswhocouldbeharmedshouldthingsgo

wrong.”

“Itwouldmeanagreatlosstoscience,”someoneremarked.“Youshouldbecareful-”

“Imustbecarefulofmyself,yes,”repliedMurdock.“Alltheapparatuswhich

“Imustbecarefulofmyself,yes,”repliedMurdock.“Alltheapparatuswhichyouseeherecouldallbe

replacedwithease-undermysupervision.Icarryallmyplanshere”-hetappedhisforehead

significantly-“andwhilemybrainexists,theseresultscanalwaysbeobtained.

“Butitisafact,gentlemen,thatshouldIdie,mydiscoverieswouldbelost.Idonotsayforever-for

whatonehaslearned,anothermaylearn.ButIdosaythatthereisnoothermanalivewhocould

duplicatewhatyouhaveseentonight!”

TherewasnobraggadocioinMurdock’smannerashelookedaboutthegroup.Hehadtheairofaman

whohasstatedasimplefact.Thiswasnotlostuponthevisitors.Theyknewthattheyhadheardthe

truth.

DoctorSavetteadvancedwithout-stretchedhand.ClarkMurdockreceivedhisclasp.

“Letmecongratulateyou,Mr.Murdock,”saidthephysician.“Thisisthemostremarkabledemonstration

thatIhaveeverwitnessed.Ipredictthehighestsuccess.Youhaveproventhevalueofyour

discoveries.”

discoveries.”

Themanwhohadharnessedtheatombeamedatthesewordsofapproval.Theothersofthegroupwere

visiblyimpressedbyDoctorSavette’senthusiasm.

“Myonlyregret,”declaredDoctorSavette,“isthatImustleaveyounow.Thissecondtelephonecallwas

moreurgentthanthefirstthatIreceivedtonight.Ishalllookforwardtoyournextdemonstrationwith

eagerness,Mr.Murdock.”

Goodnight,doctor,”saidMurdockwarmly.“Ithasbeenaprivilegetohaveyouhere.Uponyournext

visit,Ishallshowyouhowatomicenergyworks.BythenIexpecttohaveaglobeofsteelinwhichthe

atomswillexplodetofurnishdrivingpowerwhichcanbeutilized.”

DoctorSavetteshookhandswiththeothermeninthegroupandleftthelaboratory.Murdockcontinued

withhisdiscussion;thenevidencedthathisdemonstrationswerefinishedforthenight.Heusheredhis

guestsfromthelaboratory.

“Ishallcontinuetoworktonight,”hesaidasthevisitorsdeparted.“Iworkbest

“Ishallcontinuetoworktonight,”hesaidasthevisitorsdeparted.“IworkbestwhenIamalone.”

BACKinhislaboratory,ClarkMurdocksatdownandsmiledthoughtfully.Hewaspleasedwith

tonight’sresults.DoctorSavettehadbeencommending.LamontCranstonandtheotherswhohadgone

withhimhadalsoexpressedtheirapproval.

Thechemistlookedaboutthelaboratoryandgazedatthecrystalsphere.Thenhisthoughtschangedand

hearosesuddenlytosteptowardadooratthefarcorneroftheroom.

Hehadrememberedthattwotruckmenwerecomingtoremoveahugeboxthattheyhadleftthat

afternoon.Theyhadcalledupimmediatelyafterwardtostatethattherehadbeenamistake.Anotherbox

shouldhavebeenbroughtinstead.Itwouldbedeliveredlater;inthemeantime,themenwouldcometo

takeawaytheoriginalbox.

Murdockwonderedwhythemenhadnotyetarrived.Hereachedasmallroomoutsidehislaboratory.

Ononesidewasaflightofstairsleadingtothegroundfloor.Straightaheadwastheelevatorwhichhad

beeninstalledfortheliftingofheavyapparatus.Theboxwaspushedinacornerneartheelevator.

neartheelevator.

Thechemistshouteddownthestairway.Therewasnoresponse.Evidentlytheexpectedmenwerestill

ontheirway.

Murdockstartedbacktowardthelaboratory.Then,suddenlycurious,hestoppedtolookatthebox.It

wasalarge,oblongcontrivance.Itwassetonend,andthefrontoftheboxwashinged,likeadoor.

Murdockstudiedthebox.Hecouldseenoaddressuponit.Hewonderedifthetruckmenhadactually

madeamistake.Thisboxwastwiceaslargeastheonehehadexpected,nevertheless,itmightcontain

theapparatusthatwascoming.

Thechemistsawaheavyhammerhangingonthewall.Hiscuriosityincreased.Hesuddenlydecidedto

opentheboxandviewitscontents.

Pryingthefrontoftheboxwiththehammer,Murdockgraduallyloosenedthesidewhichwassecurely

nailed.Hegainedanopeningforhisfingersandtriedtopullopenthefront.

Itwasnotaneasytask,forthenailswerestillpartlyinposition.ButMurdockkeptonatthework,

resolvedtocompleteit.

Theboxtiltedforwardasthechemistpulledatit.Then,atanunexpectedmoment,thedoor-likefront

yielded.ClarkMurdockstaggeredbackwardandcaughthimselfbeforehefell

Then,leaningagainstthewall,hestaredinutterbewildermentatanobjectthattumbledfromtheboxand

flatteneduponthefloor.

Itwastheformofaman-alifeless,inertshape,thatlayinatwisted,huddledpose.Itwasamancladin

white-amanwithgrayhair-whoseshoulderswerehunchedupagainsthisneck.

ClarkMurdockpluckedhisowncoatwithhishands.Hisgarbandthatofthedeadmanwereidentical.

Morethanthat,thesizeandshapeofthatbodywerethesameasthechemist’sownform!

Steppingslowlyforward,Murdockbentdownand-liftedthebodybacktowardthebox.Henotedthat

theinteriorofthewoodencasewasthicklypaddedtopreventitscontentsfrombeingtossedabout.

Butthechemistgavenosecondthoughttothatmatter.Hewasinterestedinthisformonthefloor,withits

bent-downhead.

Heturnedthebodysidewaystogetaglimpseoftheface.Thelightwasdim,hereinthelandingofthe

stairway.Yeteveninthegloom,ClarkMurdocksawasightthatstartledhim

Hishandswereholdingthelifelesshead.Hewasstaringatthefeaturesofthispersonwhohadbeenthe

victimofsomefoulplay.Thesightofthefeaturesfilledhimwithamazement.

ForClarkMurdockwaslookingatacountenancewhichhecouldnotfailtorecognize.Thefaceofthe

deadmanwasalmostanexactcounterpartofhisown!

CHAPTERIII.AVISITORRETURNS

WHENClarkMurdockrecoveredfromhisbewildermentthatfollowedhisstrangediscovery,hestood

withhischinrestinginonehandandsurveyedthebodyonthefloorbeforehim.

Akeenanalyst,Murdocksoughttofathomthemysterythatlayhere.Buthismindwasschooledto

chemistry,notcrime.Thelongerhesurveyedthegruesomeform,themoredidhebecomeperplexed.

Hewastemptedatfirsttoreplacethebodyintheboxandincloseitsothatitcouldbetakenawaywhen

thetruckmencame.Thenthethoughtoccurredtohimthatthemenwerelongoverdue,thatinall

probabilitytheyhadbeeninstructednottocomebackforthebox.

TheupshotwasthatClarkMurdockhadinhispossessionthedeadbodyofanunknownman,whose

garbandfeatureswerecharacteristicofhisown.Thiswassomethingthatseemedtooamazingtobe

merelycoincidence.

Whatshouldhedo?Callthepolice?Thatwouldbethepropercourse,yetMurdockhesitatedtotakeit.

Herealizedthathewouldbesubjectedtoamostundesirablecross-examination,andthatitwouldbe

difficultforhimtoexplainmattersinasatisfactoryway.

Hehadnotseentheboxcomein.Stevenshadbeenhere,butMurdockknewthestupidityofhis

stupidityofhis

assistant.HedoubtedthateitherheorStevenscouldgivethepoliceanyinformationthatwouldenable

themtotracetheownerofthebox.

Nevertheless,thewholematterwasasourceofgreatannoyancetothechemist,andhefeltthathemust

summonsomeonecompetenttohandleit.Hehadplannedextensiveexperimentstonight.Thesewouldbe

interrupted.Murdockdidnotlikeit.

Thenitoccurredtohimthatifthetruckmenshouldreturn-eventhoughthatchancewasremote-it

wouldbeadvisabletoapprehendthem.

Thatleftonlyonechoice.Hemustcallthepolice.Delaywouldbeunwise.Noddingtohimself,the

stoop-shoulderedchemistwentbackintohislaboratoryandcontinuedintohislivingroom.Therehe

seatedhimselfatthetelephonetableandbegantoconsultthedirectory,tofindthenumberofdetective

headquarters.

WHILEhewasthusengaged,heheardaslightsoundnearbyandlookedupsuddenlytoseeDoctor

GeraldSavette.Thephysicianhadjustenteredtheroomfromthehallwayandwasbowingcourteously.

“ItrustIamnotintruding?”Thephysician’stonewassmoothandeasy.“IfoundthatIcouldreturn

immediatelyafterIreachedmyoffice.Ihadhopesthatyourguestswouldstillbehere.”

“Howdidyougetin?”questionedMurdock,testily.

“Throughthefrontdoor,”repliedDoctorSavettesuavely.“Irangthebellandtherewasnoresponse.

ThenIrememberedthatyourmanhadgoneforthenight.Ialsorecalledthatyouandtheothershadbeen

inthelaboratorywhenIleft.SoItookthelibertyofopeningthedoorandcomingupstairs.”

“Butthedoorwaslocked,”declaredMurdock.“Ihaven’tanyobjectiontoyourentering,DoctorSavette.

Youarealwayswelcomehere.ButIcannotunderstandhowyoucameinthroughalockeddoor.”

“Ifounditunlocked,”returnedthephysician,withasmile.“OtherwiseIcouldnothaveentered.”

“Imusthaveforgottentolockit,”observedClarkMurdock,thoughtfully.“Strange-IfeltsurethatIhad

pushedtheboltsonthedoor.Anoversightonmypart,doctor,butafortunateone.Iamgladthatyou

arehere.”

“Iampleasedtohearthat,”saidSavette.“Ishouldliketotalkwithyoufurtherinreferencetoyour

experiments-”

“Thereissomethingmoreimportantforthemoment,doctor.Somethingthatdemandsimmediate

attention.”

“Somethingmoreimportantthanyourexperiments?”DoctorSavette’stoneshowedhispuzzlement.“Ican

scarcelybelievethat,Mr.Murdock.”

Thechemistaroseandplacedthephonebooktooneside.Hebeckonedtohisvisitorandledtheway

throughthelaboratory.Murdockwasspeakingastheywalkedalong.

“Iwasjustabouttotelephonethepolice,”heexplained.“Yourarrivalwasatimelyone.Ineededadvice,

timelyone.Ineededadvice,

immediately,andIcouldthinkofnoonewhocouldhelpme.”

“Myadviceonwhat?”questionedSavette,astheyreachedthefardoor.“Whyshouldyouneedthe

police?”

“Hereisthereason,”declaredMurdock,calmly.

Heopenedthedoortothelandingandpointedtothebodyonthefloor.DoctorSavettedrewbackwith

anexclamationofsurprise.Thenhesteppedforwardandexaminedthebody.

“Themanisdead,”hedeclared.“Heappearstohavebeenstrangled.”

Hestaredsilentlyatthestillface;thenlookedupatMurdock.Hesteppedbackandsurveyedthebody;

thengazedathislivingcompanion.

“Amazing!”heexclaimed.“Amazing,Murdock!Themanbearsaremarkableresemblancetoyou!”

“Thatiswhatpuzzlesme,”declaredthechemist.

“Whendidthisboxcomehere?”questionedSavette.

“Today,”saidMurdock.“Deliveredbymistake.That,atleast,iswhatStevenstoldme.Thetruckmenare

supposedtocomeforitatanytime.”

“Hm-m-m,”respondedthephysician.“Thisisperplexing,Murdock.Yetitseemstohaveastrange

significance.Itisnotlikelythatthesenderofsuchaboxwouldletitgotothewrongplace.Frankly,I

don’tthinkthatthosemenwillreturn.Ithinktheboxwasintendedtobelefthere.”

“Butwhy?”

“Sothatyouwouldopenit-andmakethediscovery,exactlyasyouhavedone.”

“Ihadthesameidea,”admittedMurdock,“butIcan’tunderstandthepurpose.”

“Itmightbetheworkofsomeenemy,”saidDoctorSavette,slowly.“Someonemaywishtohamperyour

experiments.Youwereabouttocallthepolice.Iftheyshouldcomehere,it

experiments.Youwereabouttocallthepolice.Iftheyshouldcomehere,itwouldmeanagreatdealof

troubleandannoyancetoyou-enough,perhaps,todelayyourworkforsometime.”

“Thatistrue,”respondedMurdock,“butIcannotunderstandwhythebodyshouldbespeciallydressed

inworkingclotheslikemine.”

“Ihaveanothertheory,”resumedthephysician,thoughtfully.“Thismaybeathreat-aplantofrighten

you.Thepersonwhosentthisboxcouldnothaveexpectedyoutoopenittonight.Youwereexpecting

mentotakeitaway.”

“That’sright,”agreedthechemist.“Ican’texplainexactlywhyIdidopenit.IsupposethatIwould

ordinarilyhaveallowedittoremainforseveraldays,beforeinvestigatingitscontents.”

“Correct,”declaredSavette.“Nowletussupposethatamessageisonitsway,thatyouaretoreceivea

threat-inwhichtheboxismentioned.Openingthebox,youfindadeadbodythatresemblesyourself.

Thatwouldcertainlymakethethreatemphatic,woulditnot?Particularlyifthethreatweredirected

againstyourlife.”

ClarkMurdocknoddedinaccord.ThenheshowedasuddenresponsetoDoctorSavette’sstatement:

“Ithinkyouhavestrucktherighttheory,doctor,”heexclaimed.“Thatmakesitimperativeformetocall

thepolice.Idonotintendtoloseanothermoment.”

Thechemistwasturningtothedoorthatledintothelaboratory.Hishandwasalreadyontheknob.

“Wait!”

THEREwasacommandinDoctorSavette’sexclamation.ClarkMurdockturnedinsurprise.Hestared

atthephysicianandnotedapeculiarexpressionontheman’sface.

Stockyandsallow,withshrewdeyes,DoctorSavetteappearedasamenacingfigureinsteadofthe

suave,politeprofessionalmanthathehadbeenamomentbefore.ItwasMurdock’ssuddenturnthat

enabledhimtocatchhiscompanionoffpoise.

Whilethechemiststaredinconsternation,Savette’smasklikeaffabilitywasresumed.Againhebecame

thesuavephysicianandhispersuasivevoicesoughttoregaintheconfidenceofMurdock.

“Itwouldbeinadvisabletocallthepolice,”purredthedoctor.“Thatisexactlywhatthesenderofthisbox

wouldexpectyoutodo-”

Murdock’svoicesoundedaninterruption.

“Youspeak,”hesaidcoldly,“asthoughyouareacquaintedwiththeperpetratorofthisoutrage!Itwas

verytimely-yourarrival-whileIwasatthetelephone.Suppose”-Murdock’seyesweregleaming

furiously-“thatIshouldaccuseyouofcomplicityinthecrimethatliesevidencedtherebeforeus?What

wouldyousaytothat,DoctorSavette?”

Thestingingwordshadtheireffect.Savette’slipsspreadinanuglyleer.Hissallowfacebecametense

andaveinswelledinhisforehead.Nolongerattemptingtoplayhispartoffriendliness,hegavefullrein

tohisfuryashemovedslowlyforward.

Murdockreleasedhisholduponthedoorknobandraisedhisclenchedhands.Thoughlightofbuildand

olderthanhisantagonist,thestoop-shoulderedchemistwasawiryman,capableofputtingupabattle.

HemetSavette’sadvanceandthetwomenstoodwiththeireyesnomorethanafootapart,eachmeeting

theother’sgaze.

TherewasnofearinMurdock’sstareandSavette,thoughhehadbecomeaveritabledemon,hesitated

ashesawthefirm,unyieldingglareinMurdock’sdeterminedeyes.Itwasthechemistwhospokefirst;

andhiswordswereironicalwithbittercondemnation.

“Soyoureturned,”hesaid.“Youpassedthroughadouble-bolteddoor.Anxioustoreachherebeforethe

othershadgone,eh?Youlied,Savette!Youneverleftthishouse!Youwaitedinoneofmyemptyrooms

untiltheothershadgone.

“Youarehereforanevilpurpose.Thatbodyintheboxisyourdoing.Youarenotmyfriend;youaremy

enemy!Idonotknowyourscheme,butIcantellyouthis”-hisvoicehardenedwithemphasis-“Ican

tellyouthatyouwillnotleaveheretonightuntilIhavelearnedyourdesignsand

tellyouthatyouwillnotleaveheretonightuntilIhavelearnedyourdesignsandplacedyouwhereyou

belong!

“Iknowwhatyouare.Murderer!”

AHIDEOUSchangehadcomeoverthephysician’sface.Hisclenchedteethweregrinninglikethefangs

ofamonster.

Murdock’saccusationhaddoneitswork.GeraldSavettestoodrevealedasafiend.Now,hisvoice,like

hismanner,betrayedhistruecharacterasheansweredMurdock’swordsofscorn.

“Youcallmeamurderer,”hesnarled.“Iamamurderer!Ikilledthemanwhosebodylieshereonthe

floor!Youaccusemeofcomplicity.Iammorethananaccomplice.Isentthatboxhere,Murdock.You

blunderedintoitandlearnedwhatitcontained.Thatissomethingyoushouldneverhavediscovered.

“Butitmakesnodifferencenow.YouthinkthatIamthwarted”-aviciouslaughspatteredfromSavette’s

uglylips-“andthatIshallletyoucallthepolice.Youarewrong,Murdock.Wrong,asyoushalllearn-”

Wrong,asyoushalllearn-”

Savette’shandswerestealingtowardhispocket.HewastryingtoholdMurdock’sgazesothatthe

chemistwouldnotseetheaction.

ScarcelyhadSavette’sfingersdisappearedfromviewbeforeMurdockleapedforwarduponhim.

Savettetwistedawayashisattackerstruck.Buthewastoolate.Thewirychemistseizedhisrightwrist

asthehandcameforthwithanautomatic.

AsharptwistandSavettewasweaponlessasthegunfelltothefloorbesidethedeadbodythatlay

there.

Thenthemenwerelockedinaferociousstruggle.Savette,thoughheavierandmorepowerful,hadmet

anantagonistofunexpectedstrength.Theyhurtledbackandforthinthenarrowconfinesofthelanding,

eachmangrimanddetermined.

ClarkMurdockwasgainingtheadvantage.Hegrippedhisopponent’sarmsandheldthempinioned.He

droveSavettebackwarduntilthesnarlingfiendstumbledoverthebodyonthefloorandfell,with

Murdockpoundingdownuponhim.

Foramoment,Savette’sleftarmwasfree.Hishandoncemoregainedhispocket.Murdock,suspecting

anotherpistol,tuggedatthewristuntilthehandcameintoview.

Savette’sfistwasclenchedtightly.Itheldnovisibleweapon.ButMurdock,withgrimdetermination,

soughttopinthephysician’sarmunderneathhisbody.

ItwasthenthatSavettemadeawild,desperatemotion.Hestruggledfiercelyandclamberedupward,

clawingwithhisrighthandatMurdock’seyes.Thechemistdodgedthesuddenattackandwrappedhis

rightarmaboutSavette’sneck.Hehadturnedthetwisttohisadvantage.Hewaschokinghisfoeinto

submission.

Savette’sheadwentbackandMurdockstaredintotheleeringfaceasitpurpledvisibly.Savette’sarms

sweptfreeandstretcheduponthefloor.Thenhislefthandswungupward,unseenbythemanwhowas

conqueringhim.

AtinyobjectflashedinSavette’sfistashedroveittowardMurdock’sshoulder.Asharpgruntcame

fromMurdockastheneedleofahypodermicpiercedhisflesh.Savette’sarmsdroppedandhishead

thumpedbackagainstthefloor.Thehypodermicsyringeclattereduponthefloor.Savettewaschoking,

gasping,helpless;buthisneedlehaddoneitswork.

Murdock’sholdrelaxed.Thefightingchemistswayedbackwardandforward.Hisbodyflopped

suddenlytoonesideandrolleduponthefloor.

Threemenlaymotionless.GeraldSavettewasscarcelybreathing.ClarkMurdockwasslumpedina

heap.Besidethemwasthestiffenedformoftheunknowndeadman.

SOONSavettemoved.Wearily,heraisedhisheadanddrewhimselftoasittingpositionbygrippingthe

sideofthebigbox.

Thefiendishleergloweredonhisface.Then,asheraisedhimselftohisfeet,hetookonhisnormalpose.

Hecarefullydustedhisclothesandstood,withfoldedarms,smilingserenelyat

Hecarefullydustedhisclothesandstood,withfoldedarms,smilingserenelyatthescenebeforehim.

Twomotionlessmen-ClarkMurdockandanother.Twomen,garbedalike,similarinfeaturesand

appearance.Acasualobservercouldnothavetoldwhichwasthefamouschemistandwhichthebody

fromthebox.

Calmly,Savettepickeduphisautomaticandpocketedit.Hefoundthehypodermicnearacornerofthe

boxandexaminedittomakesurethatithaddoneitsfullwork.ThenheinspectedtheformofClark

Murdock,ashisfacecontinuedtowearitsknowingsmile.

Tooutwardappearances,thefamouschemistwasdead.Hiswrinkledfacehadgainedachalk-like

pallor.HisbodywasstiffenedasDoctorSavettelifteditandthrustitunmercifullyintothebox.Assuring

himselfthatMurdockwaswellwedgedamongthecushions,Savettereplacedthefrontoftheboxand

carefullyhammereditintoplace.

Hepressedthebuttonattheelevatorshaftandbroughtthecartothesecondfloor.Thenhegradually

edgedtheboxintotheliftandrodedownstairswithit.Hepusheditfromthe

edgedtheboxintotheliftandrodedownstairswithit.Hepusheditfromtheelevator.

ThenDoctorSavetteopenedanouterdoorandpeeredintothedarknessofanalley.Aflashlight

glimmeredinhishand.Itwasasignal.

Atruckmovedalongthealley.Itstoppedbytheopendoorandtwohusky,dark-cladmenentered.

Theyliftedtheboxandcarrieditaway.TheysawnosignofDoctorSavette.Theyheardonlythe

mechanismoftheelevatorascending.

Thetruckrolledfromthealley,carryingitsnewlyobtainedbaggage.Allwassilentattheoldhouse.

Upstairs,DoctorGeraldSavettewasworkingquietlyandwithprecision.

Heliftedthebodyofthedeadman-thatformthatlookedsomuchlikeClarkMurdock-andcarriedit

intothechemist’slaboratory.Thereheplaceditinfrontofthetablethatborethehuge,hollowcrystal.

DoctorSavettelaughedashegazedatthefaceofthedeadman.Itlookedamazinglylikethe

countenanceofClarkMurdock.Itborethin,close-knitscarsthatSavettestrokedcarefullywithhis

carefullywithhis

forefinger.Thatfacewastheartificeofplasticsurgery-acraftinwhichDoctorGeraldexcelled.

Leavingthebody,thephysicianselectedseveralbottlesfromtheshelf.Hepouredamixtureofliquids

intoashallowbowlandleftitclosebesidethecrystalsphere.Hepressedtheswitch.Ahummingsound

beganandsparksflickeredbackandforthwithinthecrystal.

Savettelaughedastheweirdactivityincreased.Inafewminutes,thedisplayoftheatomicenergywould

bemoreevident.Thenitwouldbecomeforceful,burstingwithincreasedfuryuntilatlastthewallsofthe

crystalglobecouldnotwithstandit!

ButDoctorSavettedidnotchoosetowaitforthattremendousmoment.Hewalkedquicklyacrossthe

laboratory,latchedthedoorbehindhimandwentdownstairsbytheelevator.Heleftthehousebythe

exittothedarkalley.

OnlythesilenceofdeathremainedinthehomeofClarkMurdock.Upinthelaboratory,theatomic

powerwassurgingsoundlesswithinthecrystalsphere.Beforeit,stoopedasthoughinthought,wasthe

bodyofthedeadman.

Dynamic,burstingparticlesweresmashingagainstthesidesofthecrystalprison.Itwasamighty

spectacleinminiature.Buttheeyesthatstaredtowardtheweirddisplayweresightless!

CHAPTERIV.MANNASSEMBLESDATA

THE‘MorningSphere’carriedasensationalstoryoftheholocaustatClarkMurdock’s.Itssweeping

headlinestoldNewYorkersofthefiercefireinwhichthecelebratedchemisthaddied.

Murdock’sexperimentsinatomicdisintegrationhadlongbeenasubjectofnewsinterest.Itwasknown

thathehadmadeprogressintheharnessingoftheatom,andhisdemonstrationoftheprecedingevening

hadbeenbutoneofmany.

Now,bymisadventure,thechemisthadencounteredtroubleinoneofhissolitaryexperiments,andthe

resultantdisasterhadcosthimhislife.Shortlybeforemidnight,therehadbeenanexplosioninhis

laboratory.Expertsagreedthathiscrystalcontainermusthaveburstthroughanoverchargeofimprisoned

energy.

WhetherornotthishadkilledClarkMurdockwaspurelyamatterofspeculation.Hadthecrystalburst

inanemptyroom,resultsmighthavebeendifferent.ButMurdock’slaboratorywasstockedwith

dangerouschemicals.Thefreedatomicenergyhadevidentlyactedoverawidearea,forotherexplosions

hadresulted.

Whenfiremenarrived,thelaboratorywasthecenterofamightyblaze.Heroicworkhadbroughtthe

flamesundercontrol,andinthewreckageoftheplacewerefoundthemutilatedremainsofClark

Murdock.Thebodywasnotpastrecognitionbythosewhohadknownthefamouschemist.

Amongthosewhoreadthestorywithkeeninterestwasaquiet-facedgentlemannamedRutledgeMann.

HewasaninvestmentbrokerwhohadhisofficeinanupperstoryofoneofManhattan’snew

skyscrapers.

Secludedinhisprivateoffice,Mannnotonlyperusedtheaccountwithdeliberatecare,butheconcluded

deliberatecare,butheconcluded

hisstudybyclippingthestoryfromthenewspaper.

Mannopenedadrawerinhisdeskandaddedtheclippingtoamassofothers.Hesatwithfoldedhands

andstaredinsilencefromthewindow.Therewasarapatthedoor.InanswertoMann’sresponse,a

stenographercameinandplacedanenvelopeuponheremployer’sdesk.

Whenthegirlhadgone,Mannopenedtheenvelopeandtookoutafoldedsheetofpaper.Thisprovedto

beanoteinscribedincodedcharacters,whichtheinvestmentbrokerreadaseasilyasifithadbeen

writteninordinaryletters.Henoddedashereadandwhenhehadfinished,Mannlaidthepaperonhis

desk.Hepickedupthetelephoneandgaveanumber.

WhileMannwastelephoning,theinscriptionontheletterbegantofade.Itdisappearedcompletely,asif

aninvisiblehandhadstretchedfromnowheretoeradicatethewriting.Concludingabrieftelephone

conversationMannpickeduptheblanksheetasthoughnothinghadhappenedandtorethepaperto

fragments.

ANhourlater,ayoungmancalledattheofficeofRutledgeMann.ThiswasClydeBurke,anewspaper

reporteronthestaffoftheNewYork‘Classic’.HeandMannimmediatelyengagedinashort,

confidentialconversation.ItconcernedaparagraphinthestoryofClarkMurdock’sdeath

“Noticethesenames,”saidMannquietly,pointingtotheparagraph.“ThesemenwereatMurdock’s

homelastnight.Theywitnessedademonstrationofhisatomicdisintegrationandthenleft.Seewhatyou

cangetmeoneachofthem.”

Burkenoddedandleft.RutledgeMannturnedhisattentionfromnewspaperclippingstoinvestments.

ItwaslateintheafternoonwhenClydeBurkereturned.ThereporterlaidanenvelopeonMann’sdesk

andmadeanimmediatedeparture.

Mannopenedtheenvelope.Withinhediscoveredtypewrittensheetsdiscussingeachoftheindividuals

whohadbeenatMurdock’shome.

Theinvestmentbrokerstudiedeachsheetandlaidthemasideonebyoneuntilhecametoapaperthat

cametoapaperthat

borethenameofLamontCranston.

Mannreadthispagewithinterest.HeknewLamontCranstonbysightandbyreputation.Themanwas

aneccentricmultimillionaire,wholivedonanestateinNewJersey.

HespentmostofhistimewhileinNewYorkathisfavoriteclubs.ButCranstonwasseldominNew

York.Hehadahabitofgoingonlongjourneys.Theworldwashisplayground.

Cranston,accordingtoBurke’sreport,hadfinancedanumberofsuccessfulscientificprojects,anditwas

likelythathehadgonetoMurdock’swithsomesuchplaninmindforthenewprocessofharnessingthe

atom.

Cranston’ssheetwaslaidasideandRutledgeMannobservedanotherpagethatborethenameofDoctor

GeraldSavette.Hehadheardofthisprominentphysician,butuntilnowtherehadbeennooccasionto

gointohispasthistory.

Accordingtothereport,DoctorSavettehadexperiencedavariedmedicalcareer.Atonetimehehad

conductedasmallsanitariumonLongIsland.Therehadbeenafiretherenearlythreeyearsago.

Savette’sheroiceffortshadsavedthelivesofallhispatientsexceptone.AustinBellamy,aretired

manufacturerhadperishedintheblaze.Hischarredbodyhadbeenrecoveredfromtheruins.

Sincethen,SavettehadresidedinNewYork,wherehehadgainedconsiderablereputeasaplastic

surgeon,althoughthisfieldrepresentedbutoneofhismanymedicalaccomplishments.Recently,Savette

hadtraveledoccasionallyfromNewYork,butBurkehadfoundnorecordofthephysician’sjourneys.

Attheendofthesheets,MannfoundapagewhichBurkehadvoluntarilysupplied.Itlistedbriefreports

onpersonsindirectlyconcernedwiththosewhohadbeenatMurdock’shome.Mannclippedtheseshort

paragraphsapartandpastedthemtothepageswheretheybelonged.

Hefoldedthepapers,addedclippingsfromthenewspapersandputthemallinalargeenvelope.Inorder

toobtainclippings,Mannhadopenedthedeskdrawer.Henowbegananexaminationofotherclippings

examinationofotherclippings

whichhehadassembledonvariouscases.

Oneofthesecausedaperplexedfrowntoappearuponthebroadforeheadoftheinvestmentbroker.It

pertainedtothestrangedisappearanceofProfessorPierreRachaud,aradiotechnicianwhowas

consideredanexpertontelevision.

ThereweremanysupplementaryreportsconcerningProfessorRachaud;forhislosshadcreatedagreat

stirintheradioindustry.

Butmostimportantweretheactualcircumstancesthatsurroundedtheaccrediteddeathoftheeminent

professor.Mannstudiedtheclippingwhichreferredtoit-arecentarticlewhichhadsummarizedthe

entirecase.

ProfessorPierreRachaudhaddepartedfromNewYorkonaweekendcruise.Hehadmadearegular

hobbyofsuchcruisesandhisfamiliarface,withitshuge,bushyblackbeard,hadbeenseenby

passengersonthecruisingshipAlbaniawhenithadsailedfromNewYorkharbor.

Onthefirstnightout,ProfessorRachaudhadvisitedthesmokingroomandhadbeenobservedina

secludedcorner,enjoyingabottleofhisfavoriteFrenchwine.Shortlyafterhehadleft,aradiogramhad

beenreceivedforhim.ItwasanurgentmessagefromNewYork.

ProfessorRachaud,beingneitherinhisstateroomnorinthesmokingroom,asearchwasinstitutedfor

him.Hewasnowhereontheship.Inaperiodofnotmorethanfifteenminutes,theradiotechnicianhad

disappeared!

Rachaud’sluggagehadbeendiscoveredinhisstateroom.Buttherewasnosignoftheman.Hehadnot,

ofcourse,expectedtheradiogram.

Thelogicalassumptionwasthattheprofessorhadgoneoverboard.Yettheseawascalmandtherewere

manypassengersondeck.Itseemedincrediblethatthemancouldhavebeenlostatseaundersuch

circumstances-eitherthroughsuicideormurder.

Thecasehaddevelopedintoaninternationalmystery.ProfessorRachaudwasaFrenchman,livingin

NewYork,andhehadtakenpassageonaBritishship.Dozensofeminentdetectiveswereworkingon

thecase,withnosuccess.

TORutledgeMann,thisstrangeaffairwasofgreatinterest.Besideit,thedeathofClarkMurdock,

whichhadbeendeclaredanaccident,seemedtrivial.

Nevertheless,itwasMann’sdutytoassembledataontheMurdockcasealone.Soheregretfully

replacedtheRachaudclippingsinthedeskdrawer.

PocketingtheenvelopewhichdealtwithMurdock’sdemise,RutledgeMannglancedathiswatchand

notedthatitwasafterfiveo’clock.Hewentintotheouteroffice,toldthegirlthatshecouldleaveforthe

day;thendescendedinanelevator.

Takingthesubway,herodedowntowntoTwenty-thirdStreet.There,Mannstrolledalonguntilhecame

toanold,squalidbuildingthatwasvirtuallydeserted.Heenteredandmadehiswayupstairstothedoor

ofadingyoffice.

Uponthedirtyglasspanelappeared,infadedletters,thename:

Uponthedirtyglasspanelappeared,infadedletters,thename:

B.JONAS

Theinvestmentbrokerdroppedtheenvelopethroughthemailchuteinthedoor.Hehearditplunkbehind

thebarrier.Thenhewentdownthedimlylightedstairsandreachedthestreet.Hehailedataxicaband

rodetohisclub.

Itwasastrangebusinessforaninvestmentbroker,thistaskofgoingovernewspaperclippingsand

obtainingunprintedinformationthroughareporteronthe‘Classic’.Evenmorestrangewasthevisitof

RutledgeManntothesqualidbuildingonTwenty-thirdStreet.

WhatdealingsdidthefastidiousinvestmentbrokerhavewithamannamedJonas,whoinhabitedoneof

themostobscureanddecrepitofficesinNewYork?

Thatwasafactknowntoaveryfew.Thosewhounderstoodweresworntosecrecy.ForRutledge

MannandClydeBurkeweremembersofasmallandobscurecompany.Theywereagentsofthe

mysteriousmancalledTheShadow-thatstrangefigurewhosenamehad

mysteriousmancalledTheShadow-thatstrangefigurewhosenamehadbecometheterrorofthe

underworld.

ClydeBurkehadassembledmaterialforRutledgeMann.Theinvestmentbrokerhadrevisedthedata

whichthereporterhadgivenhim.Nowthefinalreportswerewaitinginthemailchuteforthemanwho

hadorderedthem.

ToallNewYork,thedeathofClarkMurdockmighthavebeenacceptedasamisadventure.ButtoThe

Shadow,itmusthaveagreatersignificance.ForhehadinstructedMann,throughamysteriousmessage,

toobtaininformationfromClydeBurke.

ThecalmactivitiesofTheShadow’sagentsweretheforerunnersofapproachingstorm.WhenThe

Shadowbegansuchwork,itmeantdoomtofiendsofcrime!

CHAPTERV.THESHADOWBEGINS

Acircleoflightuponthesmoothsurfaceofapolishedtable.Long,slenderfingers,movinglikedetached

creaturesoflife.Aresplendentfireopal,glimmeringfromitsgoldensetting.

ThehandsofTheShadowwereatwork!

WhowasTheShadow?

Thatwasaquestionnonecouldanswer.

Unknowneventohisownoperatives,TheShadowwasamanofmystery.Hisveryidentitywasa

subjectofunansweredspeculation.Tothehordesoftheunderworld,theverymentionofTheShadow

broughtapprehensionandterror.

Timeandagain,thisdreadfigurehadarrivedfromnowhere,tostrikethefoesofjustice.Brutalmobsters

haddied,withthenameofTheShadowontheirtremblinglips.Menwhocalledthemselvesmasterminds

ofcrimehadquailedbeforeanavengingfigurecladinblack,knowinghimtobeTheShadow.

Thepolice,too,knewofTheShadow,althoughtheytactfullyavoidedmentionofhisexistence.The

Shadow,whenhestruck,didnotremaintoclaimtheglory.

Timeandagain,someshrewddetectivehadreceivedcreditforthecaptureofadesperatecrook,withno

desperatecrook,withno

onetodisputethehonor.ExperiencedsleuthsseldomtalkedofTheShadow.

TherewasadefinitereasonwhyTheShadowignoredpublicity.Hisstrengthlayintheshroudofmystery

thatenvelopedhim.

Itwastruethathisvoicewasheardovertheradio,inaprogramoveranationalbroadcastingchain.That

alsoservedTheShadow’spurpose.Thetonesofhismysteriousvoicewererecognizedbyallwhoheard

them.Yetalltheeffortsoftheunderworldtolearntheidentityofthebroadcasterhadcometonoavail.

TheShadowspokefromasoundproofroom,boxedwithblackcurtains.Hismethodofentranceandexit

fromtheplacewasamysterythathadneverbeensolved-notevenbythoseconnectedwiththe

broadcastingstudio.

TheShadow’smissionwaswaroncrime.AtnighthestalkedthestreetsofNewYork,readytothwart

theplansofevildoers.Hewaseverywhere-yetnowhere.Achampionoflawandorder,thismanofthe

nighthuntedcriminalsasanexplorermightscourthejungleinsearchofman-eatingtigers.

eatingtigers.

Whenunsolvedcrimesoccurred,TheShadowbecameamasterofdetection.Hismarvelousbrainhad

developedthepowerofdeductiontoamiraculousdegree.Clewsbobbedupfromnowhere,thatthe

policemightfollowinthewakeofTheShadow’sfindings.

YetthesefacultieswerenotthegreatestthatTheShadowpossessed.Hehadonepowerthatwas

beyondallothers.Inthishesurpassedallsleuthsoffactorfiction.

TheShadow’sgreatestworkwasthediscoveryofcrime.Incaseswhichthepolicepassedover;in

instanceswhereeventhecraftiestschemersoftheunderworldsawnothingamiss,TheShadowappeared

todisclosedeepdesignsbeneathunruffledsurfaces.

AMASTERofdisguise,TheShadowcouldappearinanycompanyunsuspected.Butwhenhestepped

fromthenighttoappearasapowerofvengeance,hischosenpartwasthatofatallfiguregarbedin

black.Hiscryoftriumphwasamockinglaughthatchilledtheearsofhearers.

ThesymbolofTheShadowwasthegemuponhisfinger;thatfireopal,known

ThesymbolofTheShadowwasthegemuponhisfinger;thatfireopal,knownasagirasol-astone

unmatchedinalltheworld.Fewknewofitssignificance.ButwhenTheShadowwasatwork,that

sparklingjewelshoneuponhishand,likealivingeye.

Tonight,beneaththeraysofagreenshadedlamp,thegirasolwasglowingwithever-changinghues.From

deepcrimsonitbecamerichpurple;thenitchangedagaintoashadeofdarkenedblue.

ThehandsofTheShadowopenedanenvelope.OutfellthepapersthatRutledgeMannhadassembled

thatafternoon.Onebyone,thepagesflutteredaside,untilonlytwoofthereportsremained.

OneborethenameofLamontCranston;theotherthatofDoctorGeraldSavette.

ThelaughofTheShadowechoedsoftlythroughtheshroudedroom,andreturnedinringingmockery,as

thoughfromthewallsofatomb.Thelongpointedfingersspreadoverthesheetthattoldthehistoryof

DoctorSavette.Ahandmovedintothedarkness;itreturnedwithapencil,andcheckedthisparagraph:

TheonlyvictimofthefireinSavette’ssanitariumatGarland,

LongIslandwasAustinBellamy,whoperishedinspiteofSavette’s

vainefforttoreachtheroomwherehelayhelpless.

Nowthehandprogressedtoapastedstripatthebottomofthepage.Itcheckedthesewords:

AustinBellamy’ssoleheirwashisstepbrother,HaroldSharrock,

whoisnowlivinginParis.Bellamy’sestatewasvaluedat

approximatelythreemilliondollars.

Onthemarginbesidethepastedparagraph,thehandmarkedthisnotation:

SendVincent

Therewasalong,silentpause,whileinvisibleeyesfromthedarkscannedtheotherreferences

concerningDoctorSavette.Thefingerspickedupasmallenvelopethathadcomewithinthelargeone,

anddrewforthadozensmallclippingsthattoldofdifferentcrimes.Thesewerespreadacrossthetable.

Thelefthand,withitsgleaminggem,movedacrossthemandpoisedaboveasingleclipping.With

uncannyprecision,itpickedthatsolitaryitemfromtherest.

Theclippingwasabriefparagraphthattoldofthefindingofayoungman’sbodyonavacantlotinthe

Bronx.Thehandplacedtheclippinguponthetypedreport.

Nowanotherenvelopecameintoview.Fromitthehandsextractedafoldedclipping.Thatitemwould

haveinterestedRutledgeMann,foritconcernedthestrangedisappearanceofProfessorPierreRachaud.

MannhadsuppliedtheclippingtoTheShadow,buthadreceivednofurtherordersconcerningthecase.

Withgreatprecision,thehandssettheRachaudclippinginthecenterofthe

Withgreatprecision,thehandssettheRachaudclippinginthecenterofthetable.Belowit,theyplaced

thenewspaperaccountofClarkMurdock’sdeath.Aspaceremainedbelow.Itwasunfilled.

Therewassignificanceinthatblankareaofpolishedtablesurface.Itindicatedthatsomethingwasto

follow.

THElaughofTheShadowwasawhisperedtoneasthelongrighthandplacedthetipofthepencilupon

asheetofblankpaper.Itwrotethesewordsincolumnform,pausingmomentarilybetweeneachone:

Money.

Television.

AtomicEnergy.

Aeronautics.

Money.

Afterthewordatthetopofthecolumn,thehandofTheShadowinscribedthenameBellamy.Nexton

thelistcameRachaud.ThirdwasMurdock.Thetwofinalwordsreceivednonames.

Thelistandtheclippingswerepushedaside.OncemorethehandranoverthereportonDoctorSavette.

Itfoundthestatement:

DoctorSavettehasleftNewYorkonseveraloccasionswithinthe

pastyear,butnoinformationofhisdestinationsisobtainable.

OncemoreTheShadow’slaughresounded.Besidethesentencethattoldofthephysician’sjourneys,the

handwroteasingleword:

Albania.

ThatwasthenameoftheshipfromwhichProfessorPierreRachaudhaddisappeared!

NowcamethesummaryofTheShadow’sfindings;brief,crypticstatements,

NowcamethesummaryofTheShadow’sfindings;brief,crypticstatements,writtenbythehandthatheld

thepencil.

AustinBellamy:Bodyfoundinruinsofsanitarium.

PierreRachaud:LastseenonboardS.S.Albania.

ClarkMurdock:Bodyfoundindemolishedlaboratory.

Thehandpoised;thenwithonesweepinggesture,itdroveapenciledlinethroughtheentirelist.Again

andagain,itrepeatedtheoperation,untilthewritingwasriddledwithcancelingmarks.

Thencameashort,spasmodicburstoflaughter;asharpcryofmockerythatstoppedwithamazing

suddenness.Thewallsthrewbackthesoundasthoughahostofhiddenelveshadansweredthecallof

theirmaster.

Papersandclippingsweresweptaway.Thetopofthetableshoneuncovered.Aclickcamefromthe

darknessabove.Thespotofilluminationdisappeared.

Onlyimpenetrableblacknessremained-night-likegloomthatmurmuredwiththeuncannytonesofa

departingburstofeeriemirth.

TheShadowwasgone!

CHAPTERVI.TWOMENPLOT

DoctorGeraldSavettewasathome.Seatedinanupstairslivingroom,thephysicianwassmokinghis

pipeandreadingtheeveningnewspaper.Hissallowfacewasplacid,saveforaslightsmilethatcurled

uponhislips.Evidentlyhisreadingwasasourceofpleasure.

Ashort,plainlydressedmansteppedintotheroom.DoctorSavetteturnedtowardhim.

“Whatisit,Hughes?”hequestioned.

“Mr.Tremontishere,sir.”

“Verywell.Askhimtocomeupstairs.”

Afewmomentslater,agray-hairedmanentered.Savetterosetogreethim.

Thetwomenwereofaboutthesameheight.Tremontwastheelder,butexceptforhisgrayishhair,he

didnotappeartobeSavette’ssenior.LikeSavette,Tremontwassmiling.Thetwomenclaspedhands,

thensatoppositeeachother.Savettepickedupthenewspaperandturneditsothathisvisitorcouldread

theheadlines.

“Whatdoyouthinkofit,Glade?”heasked.

“Verygood,Gerald,”repliedTremontapprovingly.“Very,verygood.Onlyitwasprettyclose.”

“Whatofit?”queriedSavette.“Youwerereadyforit,weren’tyou?”

“OnlybecauseIhappenedtobewithOrlinov,”answeredGladeTremont.“Assoonashelearnedthat

Steffanhadskipped,hetoldmeaboutit.IsentahurrycalltoBiffTowley.”

“Yes,”saidSavette,“IreceivedbothhiscallsoveratMurdock’s.Ihadtoalibiitbysayingtheywere

frommyoffice.Thatistheadvantageofthephysician.Unexpectedcallsareunsuspectedcalls.The

unsuspectedcalls.The

secondonehelpedalot,too.ItgavemeanexcusetosayIwasleavingearly.”

“Thephonybodyworkedwell,”observedTremont.

“Ofcourse,”respondedSavette.“ThatbumthatBiffTowleypickedforasubjectwasalotlikeMurdock

rightfromthestart.Itdidn’ttakelongformetoremedythefewfacialdefects.Plasticsurgeryisaquick

matterwithacorpse.”

Tremontrespondedwithalaugh.Savettesmiledknowingly.Bothmenweremeditativeforafewminutes;

thenSavetteaskedaquestion.

“WhataboutLouisSteffan?”heinquired.“Didhefindoutverymuch?”

“Toomuch,”repliedTremont.“ItwasamistakeforOrlinovtohavehimupthere.Iknewthatallalong.

OrlinovwantedhimbecausehecouldspeakRussian.Thatwasunnecessary.OrlinovtalksEnglishwell

enoughtogetalongwithanyone,now.”

“Yes,”agreedSavette.“Still,hehastohavesomeoneintelligentenoughtobe

“Yes,”agreedSavette.“Still,hehastohavesomeoneintelligentenoughtobehissecretary.Hecan’tuse

oneofthemob.Theyareallrightfortheotherjobs,but-”

HepausedsuddenlyandstaredpastTremonttowardasidewindowoftheroom.Theshadewasdrawn,

butitappearedtobemovingasthoughsetinmotionbyabreezefromoutside.

“What’sthematter?”askedTremontlookinginthedirectionofhiscompanion’sstare.

“Thatwindow,”saidSavette.“Itisalwaysshutandlocked.Nowitappearstobeopen.Waita

moment.”

HEaroseandwenttothewindow.Heraisedtheshadeandrevealedthesashopenfromthetop.He

staredatitinapuzzledmanner;thenraisedbothportionsofthesashandputhisheadoutintothedark.

Satisfiedwithabriefinspection,heloweredthebottomsashandlatchedthewindow.Hepulleddown

theshade,strodeacrosstheroom,andpressedabuzzer.

Hughesrespondedhalfaminutelater.Theservantlookedinquiringlyatthephysician.

physician.

“Didyouopenthatwindow?”askedDoctorSavette.

“No,sir,”repliedHughes.“ItwaslockedwhenIloweredtheshade.”

“Itwasopenafewminutesago,”declaredSavette,inareprovingtone.“Bemorecarefulafterthis,

Hughes.”

Theservantlefttheroom,shakinghishead.Heclosedthedoorbehindhim.SavettelookedatTremont

inapuzzledmanner.

“Ican’tunderstandthat,”hesaid.“Ihavebeeninthisroomallevening.Noonecouldhaveopenedthe

windowfrominhere.Someonefromtheoutside-withtherightkindofimplementor-”

GladeTremontlaughedheartily.

“Youwanttheexplanation?”heasked.“I’llgiveittoyou.Hugheslied.Heforgottoclosethewindow.

That’sall.”

That’sall.”

“I’mnotsosureaboutthat,”declaredSavette,inathoughtfultone.

“Youaren’t?”queriedTremont.“Well,Iam.Youknowwhoisoutside,don’tyou?”

“BiffTowley?”

“Yes.JakeBoschiswithhim.Idon’ttakechanceswhenIcometoseeyou,Gerald.Theyarewatching

thishouselikeapairofhawks.TheylandedherehalfanhourbeforeIcamealong.

“Ifanyonescaledthatwallandopenedthewindow,ithappenedsometimeago,andthefellowisgone

now.Hecouldn’tgetupordownwithoutmakingalotofnoiseaboutit.BiffandJakewouldspothim

sure.”

DoctorSavetteappearedreassured.Hesettledbackinhischair,andlightedhispipe.

“Wherewerewe?”hequestioned.

“TalkingaboutasecretaryforOrlinov,”repliedTremont.“Ithinkwecanhandlethat.TakeTowley,for

instance.HeissmartenoughtodoOrlinov’swork-”

“ButTowleyisneededhere.”

“Certainly,Iammerelymentioninghimasanexample.Theremustbeothergangstersofhismental

caliber.I’lltellhimwhatwewant.Hecangetone,eventhoughhemayhavetogooutsideofhisown

mob.”

“Goodidea,”commendedSavette.Histonechangedsuddenly.Oncemorehewasstaringbeyond

Tremont.

“Thatwindowagain!”hesaidinalowvoice.“IthoughtIsawtheshademove!”

UPonhisfeet,Savettestrodeacrosstheroomandraisedtheshade.Thewindowsashwastightly

locked.Savetteshruggedhisshoulders,anddrewdowntheshade.Hecamebacktohischair.

“Imagination,thattime,”hesaid.“Imightaswellforgetitfromnowon.Tellmeallthathappenedwith

Steffan.”

“Itwasquiteshortandquitesweet,”declaredTremont,withasmile.“OrlinovandIweretalking

yesterdayafternoon.Thefellowevidentlyoverheardus.Hedisappearedrightafterdinner.

“Wecalledinthemanatthegate,andhesaidthatSteffanhadgoneoutinacar,sayingthatOrlinovhad

senthimtothevillage-somethingwhichOrlinovhaddoneonafewoccasions.Wesentamandownto

thestation,andhefoundthecarparkedthere.

“IfiguredthatSteffanhadjusthadtimeenoughtocatchtheexpressforNewYork.SoIcalledTowley,

andthenIcalledyou.TowleyandBoschwerewaitingforhim.”

“Where?”

“AttheWeehawkenTerminal.SteffantriedtocallMurdock’splace,butTowleybeathimtoit.Hedialed

thenumberfromanotherbooth.”

“Ah!That’swhyhetalkedsolongandsovaguely,whenhemadethefirstcall.Heaskedmetokeep

speaking,buthedidn’tsaywhy.”

“Youknowthereasonnow.Well,Steffangaveitupasabadjob,andheadedforMurdock’s.Jakewent

alonginanothercab.Biffhadtwomenonthejob.JakenudgedSteffanintothecar,andhewoundupin

theBronx.”

“Very,verynice,”saidDoctorSavette.“Well,it’salldonenow.Youtoldmeoverthephonethatyou

heardfromOrlinovthisafternoon.”

“Yes,”declaredTremont.“Icamedownonthelatetrain,asyouknow.IreceivedOrlinov’swireabout

twoo’clockthisafternoon.Hereitis.”

Hedrewayellowslipfromhispocket,andhandedittothephysician.Savettesmiledashereadit.He

laidthetelegramonatablebesidehim.

“Nowaboutthenextjob,”hesuggested.

“I’lltakecareofthat,”respondedTremont.“Thatis,thefirstpartofit.Youknowmygeneralplan.There

areadvantagesinbeinganattorney,justasthereareadvantagestothephysician.”

“Together,”observedSavette,“wemakeanexcellentteam.”

“Yes,butyouarehandicapped.”

“Ihaven’tshownit.”

“Iamspeakingcomparatively,Gerald.Firstofall,IcontactwellwithOrlinov.Heappearsasaninventor,

andIrepresenthim.Besidesthat,thereisnothingoutofthewayformetomeetBiffTowleyinmyoffice.

Thatis,aslongasBiffkeepsawayfromcrimethatlookstoobig.Allracketeershavetheirlawyers.It’s

quitelegitimatetorepresentone.”

“Youhaveavarietyofclients,”saidSavette,withasmile.“ThebestcontrastwasbetweenBellamyand

Sharrock-”

“Let’snottalkaboutSharrock,”saidTremonttestily.“Weslippedupwithhim.Wehadhimwherewe

wantedhim,andwelethimgetaway.Ifithadn’tbeenforthat,wecouldhavecloseduplongago.”

“Perhaps,”respondedSavette,inareminiscenttone.“Butwhy?Circumstanceshaveputusinlinefora

muchgreateropportunity.Youknowhowwestandnow,Glade.”

“Yes.Allright,ifwetakeourtime.ButI’mwonderingaboutthecapital.”

“Leavethattome.I’llfindawaytohandleit.Youbroughtinthefirst.I’llbringinthelast.”

GladeTremontarose.Hewalkedtowardthedoor,andGeraldSavettefollowedhim.Lawyerand

physician,theyappearedapairofreputablemen.

“HowisOrlinovmakingout?”questionedSavette,astheystoodwithinthedoor.“Aswellasheclaimed

hewould?”

“Yes,”Tremontansweredhim.“HespeaksFrenchveryfluently.Ithasservedwell.”

Withthisremark,thelawyeropenedthedoor.Thephysicianaccompaniedhisguestdownstairs.The

livingroomwasdeserted.

THEshadeofthesidewindowtrembledslightly.Itpressedslowlyinwarduntilitformedabulge.From

beneathitcameamassofblack,whichdevelopedintoacrouchingform.

Thehuddledshapearoseandbecameatall,imposingfigure-amangarbedinablackcloak,whose

featureswereobscuredbyanupturnedcollarandthebrimofabroadslouchhat.

Withgliding,silentstride,TheShadowsweptacrosstheroom.Hestoodbesidethechairswherethetwo

menhaddiscussedtheiraffairs.Hiskeeneyesspottedthetelegramthatlayuponthetable.A

black-glovedhandreachedforwardandpickedupthepaper.

ThemessagewasfromGlendale,NewYork.ItwasaddressedtoGladeTremont,WaverlyBuilding,

NewYorkCity.ItwassignedIvanOrlinov.Itscapitalizedlettersformedthisstatement:

MODELOFNEWAPPARATUSRECEIVEDSTOPMAKINGFIRSTTEST

MODELOFNEWAPPARATUSRECEIVEDSTOPMAKINGFIRSTTESTTHURSDAY

Theglovedhandreplacedthepaperonthetable.Swiftly,TheShadowsweptacrosstheroomand

movedupwardbeneaththewindowshade.Thusconcealedfromview,hedrewhisformoverthesashes,

whichwereatthebottomofthelargewindow.

Clinging,invisible,tothenarrowledge,hepushedthetopsashupward.Itglidednoiselesslyintoplace.

Therewasascratchingsound-scarcelyaudible-asathinstripofmetalwaswedgedbetweenthetwo

sections.Underpressurefromtheunseenhand,thelatchonthelowersashclosedtightly.Themetal

implementwaswithdrawnleavingthewindowdark.

Batlike,thetallformmovedalongthewall,clingingtotheunevenstonesurface.Itwastotallyinvisiblein

thedarknessasitbeganacarefuldescent.

ThenTheShadowstoppedhisprogressandremainedsuspendedtenfeetfromthegroundasstealthy

footstepscamealongthecementwalkbesidethehouse.

“Jake,”camealowwhisper.

“Allright,Biff,”wastheresponseshortdistanceaway.

“Comeon.We’rescramming.Hisnibshasleft.AllbeenO.K.inback?”

“Notarippleanywhere.”

Thetwomensaunteredawayinthedark.ThentheclingingformofTheShadowwasagaininaction.

Noiselessly,themanofthedarkreachedthewalkandmadehiswaytothestreet.

Hewasabeingofsilenceashemergedintothedarkness.Tonight,TheShadowhadbeenamanof

stealth.Notevenawhisperedlaughindicatedhisdeparture.

Twomenhadplottedwhiletheirhenchmenwereonguard.Theyweresupermenofcrime,andtheir

underlingswereshrewdandwatchful.

YetnotoneofthefourhaddetectedthepresenceofTheShadow.Silentlyandinvisibly,hehadcome

invisibly,hehadcome

fromthedarktolearnthewaysofthesemenofcrime.Tonight,TheShadowhadwithheldhishand.

Twomen,possessorsoftremendousresources,wereusingtheirguiseofhighrespectabilitytofurthera

giganticschemeofevil.TheShadow,alone,hadgainedaknowledgeoftheirmalefactions.Secretly,

workingfromthedark,hemustsaptheirpoweruntilitwasnomorethananemptyshell.

ThenwouldTheShadowstrike!

CHAPTERVII.THESHADOW’SCHOICE

ITwaslateintheafternoonwhenBiffTowley,theswarthyracketeer,strolledintotheofficeofGlade

Tremont.Thevisitor’snamewasannounced,andhewasusheredintothelawyer’sprivateoffice.

EverygangsterofTowley’silkhadanattorney;andevensoprominentamanasGladeTremontwas

willingtoactaslegalrepresentativeforpersonswhokeptontheshadysideofthelaw.Hencetherewas

nothingoutoftheordinaryaboutBiffTowley’svisittothisplace.

Butwithinthewallsoftheinneroffice,wherethetwomenweresequesteredundisturbed,therelationship

betweengangsterandattorneytookonanewlight.BiffTowleyhadnotcomehereforadvice.Hehad

cometomakeareport,andtoreceiveinstructions.

“I’vegotagoodmanforyou,”declaredBiff,inalowtone.“Factis,I’vepickedtwoof‘em.It’suptoyou

tomakeyourchoice.”

“Tellmeaboutthem,”saidTremontquietly.

“Well,”saidBiff,“whenyoutoldmenightbeforelast,thatyouneededaguythatcouldhandlearodand

actlikeastiffshirt,too,Iknewitwasn’tgoingtobetooeasytogetone.YouknowthekindofbozosI

keepinmymob.”

GladeTremontnodded.

“IfiguredIcouldspotaguyIwanted,”continuedBiff,“ifIwaitedaroundattheClubSavilla.That’smy

regularhangout,andlotsofsmoothbirdscomeinthere.Well,lastnight,twoofthemshowedup.Got

talkingwithboth.Expecttosee‘emagaintonight,andI’llsignuptheoneyou

talkingwithboth.Expecttosee‘emagaintonight,andI’llsignuptheoneyouwant.”

“Whoarethey?”

“OneisPinkeyBaird.Lookslikeagentlemen,andactslikeone.Anoldconman,restingeasy.Good

withtherod.I’veknownhimfromyearsback.Justthesmoothsortoffellowwewant;talksinlong

syllablesandallthat.”

“Whoistheother?”

“Idon’tknowhimsowell,butI’vemethimbefore.He’sbeenoutofNewYorkforawhile.Cliff

Marslandishisname.HedidtimeupintheBigHouse,butthat’sprettywellforgottennow.He’sbeen

mixedupinacoupleofbigrackets,andhe’salwayscomeoutO.K.Thedickshaven’tgotathingon

him.”

“Doeshelookthepartwewant?”

“Tothedot.YoungerthanPinkeyBaird.Poker-faced,buthetalkslikeacollegegraduate.Iguessheis

graduate.Iguessheis

one,forthatmatter.”

“Didyoumakeadealwitheitherofthem?”

“No.Iwantedtotalktoyoufirst.They’llbothbeattheClubSavillatonight.AllI’vegottodoisgivethe

winktotherightone,andholdhimthereaftertheotherhasgoneaway.ThoughtI’dtalkitoverwithyou,

first.”

“That’sright,”commendedthelawyer.“Fromwhatyousay,Biff,eitheronewoulddo.IpreferPinkey

Baird,however.”

“Ifeelthesameway,”agreedthegangster.

“You’veknownBairdlonger,”saidTremontthoughtfully.“He’solderand,fromwhatyousay,he’ssafer.

ThisfellowMarslandsoundslikeagoodone-butIchooseBairdinpreference.Tryhim.

“Ifhewantsthejob,giveittohim.Ifhedoesn’t,thentakeMarsland.I’mleavingittoyourjudgment,Biff.

IwantthemantogotoGlendaletomorrow.”

IwantthemantogotoGlendaletomorrow.”

BiffTowleynodded.

“Youknowallaboutit,Biff,”declaredTremont.“Tellyourmantheoldstory.Orlinovhasenemies.

Needsanintelligentcompanion.Hastheplaceunderguard.Alltherestofit.Beyondthat,keepmum-

asusual.”

Thegangstergrinned.WelldidheknowthegamethatGladeTremontwasplaying.Hehadhelpedthat

game,andithadprovenprofitable.

TremontwasasquareshooterinBiff’sestimation.Atthesametimetheswarthygangsterknewwellthat

hewastotallywithinthelawyer’spower.AsnapofTremont’sfingers,andthepolicewouldhaveenough

evidencetosendBifftotheelectricchair.

Yetthegangleaderwasnotillatease.Heknewthatthethreatwhichhungoverhimwouldneverbe

usedsolongasheplayedsquarewithGladeTremont.

Biffhadneverentertainedthenotionofdouble-crossinghischief.Hencehedweltinsecurity,andhad

provenhimselfanimportantadjuncttothelawyer’sschemes.

“That’sall,Biff,”saidTremont.“IchooseBaird-ifyoucangethim.OtherwiseMarsland.Orlinovknows

allaboutit.Fixittonight.”

BIFFTOWLEYlefttheoffice.HestrolledalongBroadwayanddroppedintoatheater.Bifflikedcrime

thrillers.Theygavehimalaugh-thesemurderpictures-whenhecomparedthemwiththereality.

Itwasnearlysixo’clockwhenhewentintothetheater.ThatmeantthathewouldreachtheClubSavilla

afternine.

Mentally,BiffTowleyagreedwithGladeTremont’schoice.“Pinkey”Bairdwastherightmanforthejob

atGlendale.TherehadbeentroublebecauseofLouisSteffan-butLouisSteffanhadnotbeenaproduct

oftheunderworld.

WitheitherBairdorMarslandservingOrlinov,therewouldbenorepetitionofthetroublethathad

occurredwithSteffan.

Biffhadleftbothmeneagertomeethimagain.Heknewthateachwaslookingforatie-upwithashady

enterprise.Eithercouldbeboughtcheapandwouldservewell.

Biffhadpromisednothing.Hehadmerelyintimatedthathewouldliketoseehisacquaintancesagain.

TonighthewouldlineupBairdandeaseoffMarsland.Unless-aswasextremelyunlikely-Bairdshould

expressalackofinterest.

BUSINESSwasmovingattheClubSavillabeforethehourofnine.WhileBiffTowleywasstillenjoying

thefeaturetalkie,athrongofearlycomerswasfilingintothegayuptownnightclub.Amongtheseearly

arrivalswerethetwomenwhowereanxioustomeetBiffTowleyagain.

Theyenteredtheclubalmostsidebyside,butdidnotspeaktooneanother,fortheywerenot

acquainted.TheyhadmetBiffTowleyseparately,thenightbefore.

Eachtookhisplaceataseparatetable,butbothwereclosetothespotwhereBiffTowleymadehis

Towleymadehis

headquartersonhisnightlyvisitstotheClubSavilla.Tiltedchairsdenotedthegangleader’sreservation.

CliffMarsland,huskyandsteady-faced,didnotappeartobeagangster.Quietlypuffingatacigarette,he

hadtheairofawealthyclubmember.Hewasattiredinatuxedo,andhisclotheswerewell-fittedand

immaculate.

PinkeyBaird,twentyfeetaway,formedacontrasttoCliffMarsland.Hisfacehadacunninglook.His

rovingeyeswereeverywhereasthoughseekingsomeonewhomhecouldinterestinagold-brick

proposition.

Cliff’seyesmetPinkey’s;butthestarewasonlymomentary.Neitherknewthattheotherwasawaiting

BiffTowley.InPinkey,Cliffrecognizedthelookoftheshrewdconfidenceman.InCliff,Pinkeysawonly

astern-visagedpersonwhowouldbetoosmarttofallforanyplanthathemightoffer.Sobothlost

interestintheother.

AtallmancladinadarksuitenteredtheClubSavillaandstrolledovertothetablewherePinkeyBaird

tablewherePinkeyBaird

wasseated.Hesatdownwithoutaword,andlookedatthemenucard.

PinkeyBairdsurveyedhimquizzically,thenlookedelsewhere.ButCliffMarslandstaredwithfurrowed

brow.

Thenewcomerhadanimpassiveface,andhishawklikenosegavehimasternappearance.Somehow,

thatfaceimpressedMarsland.

Hetriedtocatchaglimpseofthestranger’seyes,butfailed.Theywereturnedtowardthetable,except

whentheyoccasionallypeeredinthedirectionofPinkeyBaird,whowasstaringstraightahead,

unnoticing.

Cliffhadseenthatmanlastnight.Thehawk-facedstrangerhadbeenseatedatatablecloseby,while

CliffhadbeenchattingwithBiffTowley.Strangelyenough,thesamemanhadbeentherewhileBiffand

PinkeyBairdhadconversed.ButPinkey,unlikeCliffhadnotnoticedhispresence.

Now,asCliffMarslandendedhisscrutiny,itwasPinkeyBairdwhofoundhis

Now,asCliffMarslandendedhisscrutiny,itwasPinkeyBairdwhofoundhisinterestarousedbythe

manwiththehawknose.AvoicespokeatPinkey’selbow.Surprisedbythelowtones,Pinkeyturned

suddenlytomeetthegazeoftwosharp,burningeyes.

“Goodevening,Baird,”cametheeven,monotonousvoice.“YouarewaitingforBiffTowley.”

“Whoareyou?”questionedPinkey,inalowgrowl.

“Thatdoesnotconcernus,”wasthedeliberatereply.“Theimportantmatteristhatyouareleavinghere

beforeTowleyarrives.”

“Yes?”PinkeyBairdraisedhiseyebrows“That’syouridea,isit?”

“Itismyorder,”statedthehawk-facedone.

“Tryandmakeme,”chuckledPinkeyBaird.

“Ihavenoquarrelwithyou,”saidthestrangerquietly.“ButIcanmakeoneifyoudesireit.Theeasy

courseisforyoutoleave-now.IfeelthatatripSouthwouldbegoodforyourhealth.

health.

“Thisenvelope”-alonghandappearedwithasealedpackage-“containsaticketandreservationonthe

FloridaFlyerthatleavesat9:15.Takeit.”

Withacontemptuousgesture,PinkeyBairdflungtheenvelopebacktothemanwhohadgivenittohim.

Heleanedbackinhischair,andgrinnedashelookedtowardthedanceflooroftheclub.Thenthesmile

frozeonhislips.

WITHOUTaword,thestrangerhadnudgedclosetohischair,andnowthethreateningmuzzleofan

automaticwasticklingPinkey’sribs.Theconfidencemanturnedpale.

“Movealong,”camethelowvoice.

Pinkeystaredintoapairofmenacingeyes.Herealizedthathehadmetamanwhomeantbusiness.

Shakily,hearosefromthetableandstartedtowardthedooroftheClubSavilla.

Thehawk-facedmanrosewithhim.Sidebyside,theykeptpace.CliffMarslandstaredinsurpriseasthe

menpassedhistable.Hedidnotseethehiddenautomatic.

“YouaregoingtoFlorida,”whisperedthevoiceinPinkey’sear.“Youaregoingtostaythere-forone

month.Longer,ifyouwish.Hereisyourticket.”

Pinkeyfelttheenvelopeasitenteredhispocket.Gradually,hewasyieldingtothedominanceofthisman

whohadsosuddenlyappearedtocommandhim.

TheyreachedthestreetinfrontoftheClubSavilla.There,thestrangerbeckonedtoataxicab.Heurged

Pinkeyintothecar.Hefollowed.

Pinkeyrealizedthatthismanwouldbrooknodelay.Hewastakinghimtothestation-forthatwasthe

orderthatPinkeyheardhimgivetothetaxidriver.

Asthecabpulledawayfromthecurb,thepressureoftheautomaticrelaxed.Slumpedbackintheseat,

PinkeyBairdappearedcompletelysubdued.Thecabmovedonwardafewyards;thenstoppedata

trafficlight,lessthanhalfablockfromtheClubSavilla.

ThesightofauniformedpolicemanbroughtasuddeninspirationtoPinkeyBaird.Hewasnotinwrong

withthepolice.Perhapsthismanwas.Whyshouldhelethimselfbeshuntedawayattheorderofa

stranger?

Likeaflash,Pinkeyfelluponthemanbesidehim.Sinewyandwiry,theconfidencemanwasapowerful

fighter.Heknewthathisopponentwouldnotriskashot.

Theswiftnessofhisattackservedhimwell.Withonehand,Pinkeypulledtheknobofthedoor.Ashis

opponentgrippedhim,Pinkeydovewithbothhandsfortheautomatic.

Thecabwasstartingforward,itsdoorswingingwide,asPinkeyraisedacryforhelp.Thepoliceman

wasdashingforthesidewalk.Pinkeywasgrippingthemuzzleofthegunashesoughttodragtheother

mantowardthedoorofthecab.

TheoddswereallinPinkeyBaird’sfavor.Hehadraisedtheshout.Hisopponentcouldnotstophim

now.Thatgunintheotherman’shandwouldmeantroubleforhim.Itwastoolateforhisenemytofire,

Pinkeyreasoned;butinthathewaswrong.

Amuffledshotoccurredwithinthetaxicab.Pinkey’stuggingholdrelaxed.Hetoppledaway,andplunged

headlongthroughtheopendoor,fallingflatinthestreet.

Thedoorclosed,andthestartleddriverheardasharpcommandtodriveonward.Knowingthathis

remainingpassengerwasarmed,hehadnootherchoice.Heslippedthecarintogear.

Thedriverdidnotheartheleftdoorofthecabopenandclose.Thedarkenedstreetwasfilledwith

stoppingcars.Theshrillblastofapolicewhistlesoundedfromthespotwherethecabhadbeen.The

waywasblockedahead.

Betweentwomenaces,thecabmanstoppedhiscarandcroucheduponthedriver’sseat.Heexpecteda

shottoissuefromwithinthecab.

Theshotnevercame.Ahuskypolicemandasheduptothesideofthecab.Withheavyhandsheyanked

openthedoor.Thedriver,rising,staredinthatdirection.

Thecabwasempty!

Thecabwasempty!

WHEREwasthemysteriouspassenger?Peoplewerethrongingaboutthecab.Driversofothercars

wererunningup.Theyweretalkingexcitedlyabouttheshotthattheyhadheard;butnonecouldoffer

furtherinformation.

Atallmanwithahawkishfacepickedhiswaybetweentwostoppedcars,andapproachedthecab.He

pluckedthepoliceman’ssleeve.Theofficerturnedtowardthenewcomer.

“Someoneleftthecab,”thetallmanannounced,inadeliberatevoice.“Hewentoutofthedooronthe

streetside.Justasthecabstartedforward.”

Adriverwhohadlefthiscarsomedistancebackcamepuffingupintimetohearthewords.

“He’sright,officer,”thenewarrivaldeclared.“IthoughtIsawsomefellowcutinfrontofmyheadlights.I

couldn’ttracehimafterthat.Hewasheadedfortheoppositesidewalk.Hemusthavegonedownthe

street.”

Thestatementwaslogical.Itwasobviousthatthemysteriousassailantwouldnolongerbeanywhere

nearthisvicinity.

OtherpolicemenwerearrivingThepeoplecrowdedaboutthecabwerepushedaside.Driverswent

backtotheircars.Bystandersmovedtothesidewalk.Amongthesewasthehawk-facedman.

HewatcheduntilanambulancehaddrivenawaywithPinkeyBaird.Hewaiteduntiltrafficwasflowing

alongthestreet.ThenhequietlyreturnedtotheClubSavilla.

Tenminuteslater,BiffTowleyarrivedattheentrancetothenightclub.Anassistanttothemanagerdrew

himtoonesideashesteppedthroughthedoor.

“Troubleoutinthestreetalittlewhileago,”saidtheassistantmanager,inalowvoice.“Acoupleoftough

babiesbegantoshootitoutinataxicab.”

“Whowerethey?”questionedBiff,inanundertone.

“Ionlysawoneofthem,”repliedtheassistant.“Hewasthefellowwhotookit.Hewasinherebeforeit

happened,butIdidn’tshoutaboutit.Thoughtyouwouldliketoknow,though,becauseyoumettheguy

lastnight.PinkeyBaird,theoldconman.”

“PinkeyBaird!”Biff’seyesnarrowed“Youdon’tknowwhogothim?”

“Nope.Ididn’tseehimgoout.Youknowthewayitiswiththosesmall-timers.Alwaysbattlingamong

themselves.”

“DidPinkeygettheworks?”

“No.Justaclipintheshoulder.Hedidanosediveoutofthecab,though,andhewascoldwhenIsaw

him.He’llbearoundagaininafewdays.”

BIFFTOWLEYwasthinkingashewalkedbacktohisfavoritetable.Afewdaysontheshelfput

PinkeyBairdoutofajob,sofarasBiffwasconcerned.Furthermore,hedidnotliketheideaoftaking

onamanwhohadparticipatedinarecentfeud.

Inaway,Biffwasgladthatthishadoccurredtonight.ItshowedhimthatPinkeywouldnotdo.

Lookingupfromhistable,BiffspiedCliffMarsland.Hewavedagreetingtohisacquaintance.Cliffarose

andcameovertoBiff’stable.

“Iwanttotalktoyou,”saidBiff.“I’vegotsomethingforyou,Cliff.Ajobthat’smadeforyou.Wantit?”

“Surething.”

“Allright,then.Listen.”

Inalowvoice,BiffTowleybeganhisstory.CliffMarslandlistened,noddinghisunderstanding.Bothmen

wereintent.Neithernoticedanotherwhowaswatchingthemfromtheseclusionofatablebesideapillar.

Itwasthehawk-facedmanwhohadreturnedfromhisencounterwithPinkeyBaird.Quietly,hesurveyed

thechattingmen.Hewaited,silentandaustere,untilthetwoaroseandlefttheClubSavilla.Then,from

hisfirm,straightlipscamealow-whisperedlaughthatthrobbedinaudibly.

ItwasthesoundlessmirthofTheShadow.Hehadcalledtheturn.LastnighthehadobservedBiff

Towleytalkingwithtwomen-PinkeyBairdandCliffMarsland.Heknewthatoneofthesewastobe

selected.HehadeliminatedPinkeyBaird.

Therewasareason.CliffMarslandreputedgangster,wasamanwhohadaspecialmission.Presumably

afreelanceintheunderworld,hewasinrealityanagentofTheShadow.Hehadbeensummonedto

makecontactwithBiffTowley,theverynightthatTheShadowhadlistenedtotheschemesofGlade

TremontandDoctorGeraldSavette.

Anewmanwasbeingcalledinbytheplotters;andthatmanwasTheShadow’semissary.BiffTowley

hadfoundtwowhowoulddo.HeandGladeTremonthadmadetheirchoice-PinkeyBaird.

Butcircumstanceshadalteredthatdecision.PinkeyBairdwasnottobetheirman.Instead,Cliff

Marslandhadreceivedthejob.

CliffMarslandwasTheShadow’schoice!

CHAPTERVIII.ORLINOV’SCASTLE

CLIFFMARSLANDwasseatedonabroadveranda,smokingacigarette.Beforehimwasawidelawn

thatendedinathickclumpoftrees,cleavedbyanarrowroad.Beyondthatweretherolling

mountainsidesoftheCatskills.

Cliffleanedhisheadbackinhischairandlethiseyesrovestraightupward.Therehesawawallofgray

stone,toppedbyathick,projectingturret.Thishugebuildingwasareplicaofamedievalcastle.

Aremarkableplace,thislargeestatesituatedthreemilesfromthetownofGlendale.Cliffhadfirstspiedit

fromthehillsideroad,thedaythathehadarrivedinGlendale.

Ithadamazedhimthen,thegray-walledbuildingwithitssquatwingsandunevenbattlements.Itlooked

likethefortressofabaronoftheMiddleAges-asightthatwouldhavebeencommonplaceinEurope,

yetwhichwasastonishinginNewYorkState.

IthadnottakenClifflongtolearnthehistoryoftheplace.Ithadbeenbuiltbyawealthyrailroad

magnate,somefortyyearsbefore,andhadbeendisposedofbyhisheirs.Thename“Glamartin”wasstill

inscribedovertheoldstoneentrancegate-forthathadbeenthenameoftheestate.

NowitwastheresidenceofIvanOrlinov,wealthyRussianoftheczaristrealm,whohadbecomea

naturalizedAmericancitizen.

Tothecasualobserver,Orlinov’scastlewasasecludedandplacidplace.Theestatecomprisedsome

thirtyacres,fencedwithahigh-spikedironfence,wellpostedwithsignsthatforbadetrespassing.

Besidesthisbarrier,Orlinovemployedtheservicesofmorethanadozenmen,whoservedinvarious

capacities.

Gardeners,chauffeurs,cooks,andbutlers-thesewerethepositionsthattheyoccupied.

ButCliff,evenifhehadnotbeeninformedbeforehand,wouldhaveimmediatelyrecognizedtheirtrue

caliber.Heknewgraduatesoftheunderworldwhenhesawthem.EverymaninOrlinov’sretinuewasa

close-mouthedmobsterwhohadcomeherefromNewYork.

close-mouthedmobsterwhohadcomeherefromNewYork.

Therewasagunoneveryhip.Thegardenerscarriedweapons;sodidthecook.AsCliffshiftedhis

position,hefelthisownrevolverbulgeagainsthisside.ForalthoughhewastechnicallyOrlinov’s

secretary,hewasalsoanappointedmemberofthecrewofarmedhenchmenwhosevigilancewasnever

ending.

IthadbeenBiffTowley’stasktosupplyOrlinovwithretainers,andtheNewYorkgangleaderhaddone

hisworkwell.EveryoneoftheseunderlingstookordersdirectfromtheRussian.Eachmanhadhisown

duties,andkepthisowncounsel.Argumentsanddisagreementsweretaboo.

Everymanhadagoodreasonforbeingsatisfiedhere,livingeasyandawayfromthebesettingdifficulties

ofManhattan.Hadanyoneattemptedmutiny,theotherswouldhaveswarmeduponhiminaninstant.

INthistransplantedrealmofgangdom,CliffMarslandwasbidinghistime.Hehaddutieshere,otherthan

thosewhichBiffTowleyhadplannedforhim.WhileheappearedtobeanswerabletoBiffalone,hewas

actuallyintheserviceofTheShadow.

Butheknewthathisusefulnesswouldceasethemomentthathebetrayedhishand.Forthatreason,Cliff

Marslandwasplayingawaitinggame.Alreadyhehadlearnedafewfactsofinterest.Hewasholding

themforthepresent.ItwasnotyettimetocommunicatewithTheShadow.

TherewasmysteryhereinOrlinov’scastle;andsofar,Cliffhadnotbeenabletopenetrateit.

Thehugebuildingwasdividedintothreesections,thenarrowcentralportionandthetwosidewings.The

leftportionofthehousewaswherethemajorityofthemenresided,Cliffamongthem.IvanOrlinovand

twoofhisoldesthenchmenlivedintherightwingofthebuilding.

There,Cliffknew,Orlinovhadalaboratoryandaworkshop,Hisonlyassistant-outsideofthemobsters

-wasataciturnRussiancalledPetri,whoneverleftthatportionofthehouse.Thewingcouldbeentered

onlyfromthecentralsection,andthewaywasclosedbyanirondoor.

Onthesurface,itseemedlikelythatOrlinovwasmerelyasuspiciousinventor

Onthesurface,itseemedlikelythatOrlinovwasmerelyasuspiciousinventorwhofearedthatsomeone

mightstealthefruitsofhiscreativemind;butCliffthoughtdifferently.UnlessOrlinovfearedthelawitself,

hewouldnotrequiretheservicesofsuchalargecrewofmobsters.

HowdidaffairsatthisplaceconcernTheShadow?ThatwasaquestionCliffMarslandcouldnot

answer.

Whenhehadarrivedhere,hehadwonderedwhytherehadbeennoaction.Thepresenceofthearmed

forcewasnotsufficienttorestrainTheShadow.Cliffhadknownthatremarkablemantofighthisway

throughtwentyhoodlums.

Butastimeprogressed,Cliff,althoughhehadfoundnosolutiontothemysterieshere,hadgainedan

inklingofTheShadow’spurpose.

Somehow,Orlinovmustpossessthekeytoanamazingschemeofcrime.OnefalsestepbyTheShadow

mightmeandisastertoanyattempttofrustratetheevil.Furthermore,Cliff’sownexperiencewithBiff

TowleyindicatedthatmattersherewerelinkedwitheventsinNewYork.WelldidCliffknowthatThe

didCliffknowthatThe

ShadowwasvigilantinManhattan.

TheonepointthatCliffhadparticularlyobservedwasthatofOrlinov’scorrespondence.Mostofithad

beenaddressedtoGladeTremont,aNewYorkattorney,whorepresentedtheRussianinallhislegal

affairs.

Thisappearedtobeabonafidearrangementthatmighthavenoconnectionwithcrime,yetthe

connectionhadarousedCliff’ssuspicions.

Whilethusengagedinsummarizinghisexperiencesandfindingsinoneweek,CliffMarslandhearda

footfallontheporchandturnedhisheadtoseeIvanOrlinovapproaching.TheRussianseatedhimself

andlookedinCliff’sdirection.Cliffbecamealert.

IVANORLINOVpossessedanappearancethatwasbothbrutalandimposing.Hewasabigbulkofa

man,withacountenancethatwascoldandstolid.Heworeaclose-croppedreddishbeard,whichPetri

trimmedforhimeveryfewdays.

Hiseyes,deepsetbetweenhalf-closedlids,hadahabitofopeningatunexpectedmoments.Whenthey

did,theyglowedlikespotsofflame,lividandthreatening.

Thisafternoon,Orlinovwasmildanddeliberate.Heseemedinathoughtfulmoodashepuffedahuge

blackcigar.Hisauburnbeardglistenedinthelight.ThemanspokepleasantlyasheturnedtoCliff.

“Well,Marslandt”-thevoicewasdeepandmarkedwithadistinctlyforeignaccent-“youhaffbeenhere

oneweeknow.”

“Oneweektoday,”repliedCliff.

“Thatisgoot,”declaredOrlinov.“Ihopeyouhafflikedit.Youaretostayalongwhile,youknow.”

“It’sallthesametome.”

Orlinov’seyesopenedmomentarily;thenclosedastheRussiancontinuedinareflectivetone.

“Imayhaffavisitortonight,”hesaid.“Itissveryimportantthatweshouldnotbedisturbed.You

understandt?”

“Yes,sir.”

“IthinkIhafftoldtyouaboutthemanthatwassherebeforeyou,nein?”

“Youmeanyourlastsecretary?”

“Yess.HewassamanwhospokeRussian,whichwasgoot.Buthewassamanwhomademistakes.

Notliketheseotherswhoarehere.Hewasnotlikeyou.”

“Onemistakeistoomanyforamantomake,”observedCliff,asheextractedafreshcigarettefroma

pack.

“Iamgladyoutinklikethat,”declaredOrlinov.“Thatissbecauseyouhaffcomefromtherightman.Ido

notlikemistakes.Theybringtrouble-andthattroublecomestothosewhohaffmadethemistakes.You

understandt?”

understandt?”

“Exactly,”saidCliff,withemphasis.

IvanOrlinovlaughedgruffly.HeseemedpleasedwithCliff’sstatement.Hearoseandgaveparting

instructions.

“Thismanwillcomeherefordinner,”heexplained.“HeissMr.Tremont,mylawyerfromNewYork.

Youshallmeethim,Marslandt.ButwhenIwishtospeaktohiminprivate,youshallgo.You

understandt?”

“Certainly,”respondedCliff.

“Thereissmuchformethatyoucando,”addedOrlinov.“Butitisswisethatyoushouldbeherealong

timefirst.Ihaffbeenverycarefulinthepast.Whenonemantriestoknowthosethingswhichheshould

notknow,itissbad.Thatwasswhytheonebeforeyouhassgoneaway.Youunderstandt?”

CliffnoddedshortlyandwatchedwhileOrlinovwalkedbacktowardthedoorofthebighouse.

thebighouse.

TheintendedvisitofGladeTremontinterestedhimdeeply.Orlinovhadreceivedaletterfromthelawyer

thatmorning.Evidentlyithadannouncedhiscontemplatedtrip.

AFTERNOONwaswaning.Acarswungaroundthecornerofthehouseandranalongthenarrow

roadwaytowardtheclumpoftrees.Itwasboundforthestation,inallprobability,tomeetGlade

Tremontwhenhearrived.

Whateverthelawyer’sbusinessmightbewithOrlinov,CliffMarslandwasdeterminedtolearnittonight.

Somethingimportantmustbeintheair;otherwiseTremontwouldnotfinditnecessarytocomeupfrom

NewYork.

PerhapsthelawyerrepresentedtheRussianinlegitimateenterprises.Nevertheless,anythingthatmightbe

discussedwouldatleastgiveaclewtowhatwashappeninginthiscastle-likemansion.

CliffMarslandarosefromhisrecliningchair.Hehadnothingtodountiltheevening.SofarasOrlinov

wasconcerned,hisworkwasendedfortheday-unlesstheremightbesome

wasconcerned,hisworkwasendedfortheday-unlesstheremightbesomedetailstopreparefor

GladeTremont.ButtonightloomedveryimportantinCliffMarsland’smind.Hesensedthatthiswouldbe

hisfirstopportunitytogainresultsforTheShadow.

Steppingtothefrontoftheporch,Cliffflunghiscigaretteonthelawn.Heturnedtowardthebigbuilding,

andhissidelonggazewanderedtothewingattheright.Thereinlaythesecretofthisplace.Beforehis

workwasendedhere,Cliffwouldknowallaboutit.

Thesunwassettingoveramountain,andthecoldgloomofnightwasspreadingitshazeaboutthesegray

walls.Thesullenturretsspokeofcrimeandmystery.Soontheywouldbedarkandshadowy.

Therewasaprophetictouchtothescene.ToCliff,thegrowingduskbespokethepresenceofaliving

shadow-amanwholivedwithinthenight.CliffwasherebecauseTheShadowknewthatallwasnot

wellwithinthesewalls.

Crime,butsuspectedonlybyTheShadow!Wasitcrimeofthepastorcrimeofthefuture?Cliffsmiled

grimlyasheenteredthehighfrontdoorandstrodeacrossthedarkeninghallway.

grimlyasheenteredthehighfrontdoorandstrodeacrossthedarkeninghallway.

Tonight,ifallwentwell,TheShadowwouldlearnofplotsthatweretranspiringhere.Hewouldlearnof

themthroughCliffordMarsland’swatchfulness.

CHAPTERIX.CLIFFSENDSAMESSAGE

Itwasevening.ThreemenwereseatedinthelivingroomofIvanOrlinov’sabode.OnewastheRussian;

thesecondwasGladeTremont;thethirdwasCliffMarsland.

Tremonthadarrivedbeforedinner.HehadbeenintroducedtoCliffbyOrlinov.Cliffhadcaughtthe

shrewd,penetratingglanceofthelawyer,andithadplacedhimimmediatelyuponhisguard.

Fromthatmoment,CliffhadsensedthatTremontknewallabouthispresencehere.Hesawaconnection

betweentheattorneyandBiffTowley,theNewYorkgangleader.

Yetnowalullingsilencehadfallen.Thediscussionduringdinnerhadbeenoflittleconsequence.Herein

thelivingroom,themenwereseatedbeforeaglowingfire,foreveningsbroughtchillinthisregionofhigh

altitude.Tremontwasspeakingofthedifficultiesthatwentwiththepatentingof

altitude.Tremontwasspeakingofthedifficultiesthatwentwiththepatentingofnewinventions;buthe

wasnotatallspecificinhisremarks.

Atlastthesubjectchanged.Tremont,glancingfromthecornerofhiseye,lookedtowardCliffMarsland,

whosawtheaction,butgavenoindicationofhavingnoticedit.

“Well,Mr.Orlinov,”saidthelawyer,“Iamgladthatthelastapparatusyoureceivedhasproven

satisfactory.Itisworkingwell?”

“Yess,”saidthebeardedman,staringtowardthefire.

Here,asinthesunlight,Orlinov’sbeardwasglistening.Ithadtheruddyglowofburnishedgold.The

man’seyeswereopen,andtheycaughtthesparkleofthefire.

Inthatface,Cliffdetectedanewexpression-adeterminedbrutalitythatgavetheRussianthe

appearanceofamockingfiend.

“Youwouldliketosee?”questionedOrlinov,staringdirectlyatTremont.

“Ishouldbeinterested,”returnedthelawyer.

“Come,”saidOrlinov.HeturnedtoCliff.“Youwillstayhere,Marslandt.Ihavebusiness-aprivate

business-withMr.Tremont.”

“Yes,sir,”rejoinedCliff.

Themencrossedthelivingroom,andCliffseemedindifferenttotheirdeparture.Hefanciedthat

questioninglookswouldbedirectedbacktowardhim,buthepaidnoattention.Instead,hestared

directlyatthefire.

Heknewwherethosemenweregoing.Throughtheirondoorthatledtothemysterywingofthishouse.

CliffMarslandplayedhunches.Hewasamanofaction.Hehadgainedhiscravingforexcitementonthe

battlefieldsofFrance.HehadcontinueditintheserviceofTheShadow.Inactivityweariedhim.Hewas

mostconfidentwhenhewasindanger.

Yethealsopossessedareasoningmind.HeknewfromwhatbothBiffTowleyandIvanOrlinovhadtold

himthattheprevioussecretaryherehadprovenfalse.

Cliffpicturedasituationverymuchlikethisone-aman,leftaloneinthelivingroom,whiletheothers,

probablytheverytwowhohadjustdeparted,wentawaytodiscussmattersofimportance.Cliff’s

predecessorhadevidentlypried,andhaddoubtlesspaidforhistemeritywithhislife.

That,insteadofbeingarestrainttoCliffMarsland,wasanincentive.Sofar,Orlinovhadtrustedhim.Cliff

wasarmed,andcapableoftakingcareofhimself.Therewasonlyonereasonforcaution.

HemustnotrevealhisgamebecauseofTheShadow.Nevertheless,Cliffwasdeterminedtomakeuseof

thepresentopportunity.

THISlivingroomwasinthecenterportionofthehouse.Itleddirectlytothehall.Therewasnoreason

whyCliffshouldnotgointothehall.Sohearoseandstrolledinthatdirection.

Inthehall,heobservedthedoorthatledtothemysterywing.Thedoorwasaslidingone,anditwas

slidingone,anditwas

partlyopened.

Clifflaughedsoftly.Hesawitasatrap.Idly,helightedacigaretteandsaunteredtothefrontdoor,where

hemadehisexittotheporch.

Twocoursesseemedapparent.Onewastogobackandenterthatopendoor.That,toCliffmeant

certaintrouble.Itwastooobviouslyatesttosoundhimout.Theothercoursewastodonothing;tobe

contentwithknowingthatGladeTremonthadcometoGlendale.

Neitheroftheseplansappealed.Cliffsoughtaschemethatwouldhavetheadvantageofbothandthe

disadvantageofneither.Hestaredtowardthesilentwingofthehouse.

Somewhere,there,TremontandOrlinovwereinconference.CliffwonderedwhatTheShadowwould

doifhewerehere.PerhapsTheShadowmightbehere.Thatwaspurespeculation.

However,thethoughtbroughtinspiration.Cliff’sproblemwastoenterthemysterioussectionofthe

housewithoutgoingthroughtheopendoor.Scalingthewallwouldbea

housewithoutgoingthroughtheopendoor.Scalingthewallwouldbeadangeroustask.Thewindowsof

thegroundfloorwerebarred;thoseabovewerelikewiseprotected.Furthermore,Cliffknewthat

watchfulmenwerelikelytobeprowlingthegroundsaboutthehouse.

Thenhethoughtoftheturrets.Twoofthem,largeandimposing,toweredabovethefrontofthehouse.

Therewereothersatthejointofeachwing.

Betweenthemwerebattlements-highwallsofstonethatcopiedthepatternofgrim,old-timefortresses.

Nonchalantly,Cliffsaunteredbackintothehouseandhummedsoftlyashestrolledintothelivingroom.

Therehismannerchanged.Hepeeredintothedesertedhall,tomakesurethatnoonewaswatchingfrom

thatpartlyopeneddoor.Theinspectionconvincedhimthatwhoevermightbelyinginwaitwaswellpast

theinvitingbarrier.

Softly,Cliffstoletotherearofthehall,andascendedthestepsthatledtothesecondfloor.

Thiswasalittle-usedportionofthehouse.Ithadnoconnectionwithanyportionotherthanthecentral

otherthanthecentral

hallway.

Atthefrontofthesecondstoryweretwodoors,oneforeachofthedisusedturrets.Clifftriedthedoor

onthesidetowardthemysterywing.Hefounditlocked,butnotformidably.Heopeneditwitha

skeletonkey,andascendedawindingstairway,whichterminatedinasmallroomwithintheexpanding

turret.

Here,Clifffoundanuncasedwindow.Heslippedthroughitanddroppedquicklytotheroofbehinda

battlement.Hemadehiswaytothenearestofthesmallerturrets.Thishadanarrow,slit-likeopening,

throughwhichCliffmanagedtosqueezehisbody.

Hewasinasmallroom,andashewalkedacrossit,theflooryieldedslightlybeneathhisfeet.That

indicatedatrapdoor.

Thetrapopenedupward.Cliffdescendedacylindricalshaftofstonebymeansofametalladder.Atthe

bottom,heencounteredanotherdoor,locked.

Itrequiredcarefulprobingwiththekeybeforehemanagedtounlockthebarrier.ThenClifffoundhimself

inalong,gloomycorridorthatranthefullextentofthewing.

THEREwasneedforcautionnow.Instinctively,Cliffgrippedthehandleofhisrevolver.Theweapon

wouldservehimhandily,ifheshouldencounterPetrioreitherofthetwomobsterswholivedinthis

sectionofthestrangehouse.

Bothsidesofthecorridorwerelinedwithheavy,closeddoors.Atlast,Cliffreachedastairway.

Descending,hecametothegroundfloor,wherethestepsended.Peeringalongthecorridortothe

centralpartofthehouse,hesawacloseddoor.Thenherealizedthearrangement.

Theslidingdoorwasmerelythefirstbarrier.Hadheenteredit,hewouldhavefoundbutonewayto

leave-throughthedoorfromthecenterofthehouse.Itwasaperfecttrap;butCliffhadavoidedit.Now

hefeltsecure.

Therewerefewdoorshere,andsidepassagesledfromthesinglecorridor.Cliffwenttoeachdoorin

wenttoeachdoorin

turn.Atlasthefoundtheonehewanted.Thedullsoundofvoiceswasaudible,andasClifflistened,he

distinguishedthetonesofIvanOrlinovandGladeTremont.Oddlyenough,theirwordsreferredtohim.

“Goodman,theoneTowleysentyou,”Tremontwassaying.

“Verygoot,yess,”rumbledOrlinov’sbass.“Good-liketheothers.”

“NotlikeSteffan,”retortedTremont,withashortlaugh.

“Thatmanwassbad,”agreedOrlinov.“Thisone-heissgoot.ButImustwaituntilawhile.ThenIcan

makehimbeuseful.”

“Youaren’ttakingchanceswithhim,though.Thatisbest,untilhehasbeenhereafewmonths.That’sa

nicetrapyouhaveifhegetscurious.Petricouldletthatslidingdoorcloseinasecond.

“Idon’tthinktherewillbetrouble,however.BiffTowleypicksmenwhoarereliable.”

Cliffsmiledashefingeredhisrevolver.Heenjoyedthissituation.Nowhewashearingnewinformation.

“Itissreadyfortomorrownight?”cameaquestionfromOrlinov.

“Nottomorrow,”correctedTremont.“Thenextnight.MattHartleyiscomingtomyhome.Hewillbe

thereatteno’clock.Hehashadtroubleoversomelawsuits.

“ItwasfortunatethatIlearnedofthemandarrangedtogivehimadvice.Owingtothecircumstances,he

ispayingmeaprivatevisit.Ishalldotherest.”

“Ourfriend,thegootdoctor-”

“Hewillplayhispart.Don’tworry,Ivan.Youwillgetyournextshipment.Itmaybethelast,unless-”

“Unless?”

“Unlesswefindothersthatarevaluable.Savettespokeoffurtherplans.”

TherewasaslightstirintheroomandCliffdrewbackalongthepassage.Hewasthinkingashewent.

wasthinkingashewent.

HehadheardofMattHartley.Themanwasaninventivegeniusinthefieldofaviation.Hehadmade

teststodevelopnewformsofaerialtorpedoes,andhadgainedconsiderablepublicitythroughhis

experiments.

Despitethedelaythathehadexperiencedingettinghere,Cliffhadarrivedintimetohearavitalportion

oftheconversation.HeknewthatsomethingwastobedoneconcerningMattHartley.Itwouldhappen

twonightsfromnow.

Thedooroftheroomwasopening,butCliffhadreachedapointofsafety.Hewashidinginashort,

blackpassage,betweentheroomwherehehadlistenedandthestairway.Hewasconfrontednowwitha

problemthathehadnotanticipated.

Whatifthetwomenreturnedtothelivingroomandfoundhimmissing?Itwouldrequiresometimefor

himtogetbackthroughtheturrets.Thenhewouldhavetodescendthemainstaircaseintothefaceof

danger.

Cliffwasponderingfutilely.Theproblemseemedinsurmountable.Butwhilehewasdisturbedbyhis

dilemma,somethingoccurredthatchangedthesituationentirely.

INSTEADofreturningalongthecorridortothedistantcentraldoor,TremontandOrlinovwere

approachingthepassagewhereCliffwasinhiding!Quickly,Cliffdrewhisrevolver.

Iftheycamedownthisshortpassagetherewouldbeonlyonecourse-tofightitoutandfleeforsafety.

Clifftingledwithexcitementasthefootstepscamecloser.

Thenthemen’sformspassedbytheendofthepassage,andthemenacewasended.Afewmoments

later,Cliffheardthemgoingupthestairsthatledtothesecondfloorofthewing.

Theyhadtakentheveryavenuewhichhemustfollowtoeludethem!Cliffwasnowbetweentwo

dangers.Petriatthedoortothecenterofthehouse;OrlinovandTremontonthesecondfloorofthe

wing.

ThenitoccurredtothewaitingmanthatOrlinovandTremontmightintendto

ThenitoccurredtothewaitingmanthatOrlinovandTremontmightintendtostopatoneoftheroomson

thesecondfloor.TremonthadsaidsomethingaboutviewingOrlinov’swork.Cliffsawtheopportunityhe

needed.

Boldly,hecamefromhishidingplaceandapproachedthestairs.Hestolesoftlyupward.Thecorridor

abovewasdeserted.Hewasright;theyhadenteredanotherroom.

Cliffhurriedalongthepassageuntilhecametothedoorofthelittleturret.Heenteredandcarefully

lockedthedoorbehindhim.

Upintheturret,hesqueezedthroughtheslitandscrambledalongbehindtheprotectingbattlement.His

lasteffortwasaquickpulltotheturretwindow.

Thenthecoursewaseasy.Downthespiralstairway-adoorlockedbehindhim-thecentralstaircase.

Withintwominutes,Cliffwasglidingacrossthemainhallintothelivingroom.Hisclothesweredusty

fromthestone.Hebrushedthematthefireplace.Thenhedroppedintohischairandlightedacigarette.

Afterafewmoments,Cliffwascomfortablysettled.Hedrewasheetofpaperandanenvelopefromhis

pocket.

Withafountainpen,heinscribedacodedmessageinclearblueink-thefluidwhichwasusedinallThe

Shadow’smessages.Hesealedtheenvelopeandplaceditinhispocket.

CliffwasonhisthirdcigarettewhenheheardOrlinovandTremontreturning.Thetwoenteredtofind

Cliffstaringmoodilyattheembersofthefire.

“Mr.Tremontissleavingonthenexttrain,”informedOrlinov.“Weshallgowithhimtothestation.Yess.

YouandI,Marslandt.”

Orlinovpressedabuttononthewall.Afewminuteslater,theabrupthonkofahornwasheardfromthe

frontofthehouse.Orlinovarose,andbothTremontandClifffollowedhim.Alimousinewaswaiting

outside,chauffeuredbyoneofOrlinov’sconvertedgangsters.

CLIFFwaselatedastheyrodetowardGlendale.Thiswasagreatbreak.Hehadanticipatedno

difficultyingettingtothestationonthemorrow,forhehadpreviouslybeensent

difficultyingettingtothestationonthemorrow,forhehadpreviouslybeensentwiththechauffeurtoget

themail.Buttonight-intimeforthelasttrain-thatworkedindirectaccordancewithplanswhichhehad

beengivenbyTheShadow.Thebigcarpulledupbythestation.CliffalightedwithTremontandOrlinov.

Thetwomenwereconversingaboutminormatters.

Cliff,ashestrolledbesidethem,waspositivethatOrlinovwaswatchinghim,andthathewasalsounder

scrutinyfromthegangsterinthecar.Cliffsmiledtohimself.Hisopportunitywouldbeheresoon.He

waiteduntiltheheadlightoftheNewYorkexpresscameglowingdownthetrack.Hislefthandslippedin

hispocket.Itemergedholdingthefoldedenvelope.Cliff’sbodywasturnedsothatneitherOrlinovnor

themaninthecarcouldpossiblyspythemissive.

ItwasatthatmomentthatayoungmanidlingonthestationplatformaroseandmovedpastCliff.Their

handsmet,andasthestrangercontinued,itwashe-notCliffMarsland-whocarriedthefolded

envelope.

Calmlyanddeliberately,CliffMarslandhadpassedhismessagetoClydeBurke,whomTheShadowhad

stationedinGlendaleforthispurpose.Constantlyintheneighborhoodofthestation,Clydewasreadyfor

anyreportthatmightbeslippedtohim.

ButCliffdidmore.AsBurkemovedonward,Orlinov’snewsecretaryraisedhislefthandtohiship.His

outthrustelbowwasasignal.Clydesawitasthetrainwasstopping.

ThesignalmeantthatthemessagewasintendedforTheShadow,thatitshouldbetakendirectlytohim.

Clyde,withhishandsinhispockets,steppedaboardthetrain.

ThusitwasthattwopassengersleftGlendalethatnight-eachboundonamission.Cross-purposeswere

involved.GladeTremontwasonhiswaytoprepareforsomenewcrime.ClydeBurkewastaking

informationtoTheShadow.

CliffMarslandthoughtofthesituationasherodebacktoOrlinov’scastle,alongwiththesilentRussian.

Tonight,twomenhadplotted,notknowingtheywereoverheard.Theirplansweredoomedtofailure.

TheShadowwasduetointervene!

CHAPTERX.THESHADOW’SPLAN

ATINYspotoflightwasglowinginadarkenedroom.Theshadowofahandpassedoverthespotof

illumination.Atelephoneclicked.Thelightwentout.Alow,whisperedvoicespokethroughthe

darkness.

Lowwordscamefromthereceiver:

“Burbankspeaking.”

“Report,”saidthevoiceofTheShadow.

Short,terseinformationwasgiven.Theconversationended.TheShadowlaughed.

Althoughitwaspitch-blackinthiswindowlessroom,daylighthadnotyetwanedoutside.Theafternoon

wasjustdrawingtoaclose.TonightwasthetimewhenGladeTremontandMattHartleyweretomeetat

thelawyer’sLongIslandhome.

ThroughBurbank,theonlymanwhocontactedregularlywithhimbyphone,

ThroughBurbank,theonlymanwhocontactedregularlywithhimbyphone,TheShadowhadlearned

thatMattHartleywasstillinflightoutofMineola.Thefamousaviationexperthadleftatnoonforatest

ofoneofhisnewdevices.Hewasnotexpectedbackuntilafterdusk.

Nowalightappearedinthecorneroftheroom.Itrevealedasmalltableuponwhichrestedvarioussmall

articlesofmake-up.TheShadowseatedhimselfbeforethetable,butonlyhiswhitehandsappeared

withinthesphereoflight.Thehandsappearedwithwhatseemedtobeathinmaskofwiregauze,no

morethanaskeletonframeworkfilledwithafewsolidpatches.Theobjectdisappearedasitwasraised

intothedark.

Thehandsworkedwithotherarticles.Thenthetopofthetableswungupwardinthecenter,thevarious

objectsremainingatthesides.Amirrorcameintoview,ontheundersurface,whichwasnowvertical.

OnthehorizontalportionofthetableappearedalargepictureofGladeTremont.

Intotherangeofthelightcameaheadandastrange,weirdreflectionfromthemirror.Itwastheimageof

amanwhoseemedtohavenoface!Guisedwiththecolorlesssurfaceofthethinmask,onlyThe

Shadow’seyeswerevisibleastheyglowedthroughaplasticmassofgrayishblur!

Thehandscameintoaction.Thelongfingersmovedhereandthereaboutthetable,findingtheobjects

thattheyneeded.Upontheartificialbase,thesemblanceofahumancountenancewasslowlyforming.At

lastitresembledthefeaturesofthephotograph.

Still,theworkcontinued,theever-activefingersplyingattheirtask.Thencamethefinalresult.Staring

fromthemirrorwastheperfectlyformedfaceofGladeTremont!

TheShadow’slaughresounded.Hehadfittedhimselfwithaperfectdisguise-sodeceptivethateventhe

closestfriendsofGladeTremontcouldnotdetecttheimposture.

Themirrordisappearedasthetopofthetableswungdownward.Onthevacantsurface,TheShadow’s

handsplacedasheetofpaper.Itwasthelistofnamesthathadbeenpreparedbefore.

Money-AustinBellamy.

Television-PierreRachaud.

Television-PierreRachaud.

AtomicEnergy-ClarkMurdock.

Aeronautics-

Money-

Aftertheword“aeronautics,”thehandofTheShadowinscribedthenameofMattHartley.Thencamea

softlaugh.Thelightwentout.

ITwasafterdarkwhenafigureappearednearthehousewhereGladeTremontlived.Thelawyer’shome

wassituatedsomedistancefromanavenuethatranneartheshoreofLongIslandSound.Thehousewas

surroundedbyahighhedge.

Thestrangerwhohadarrivedinthisvicinitywasscarcelymorethanaphantomshape.Silently,almost

invisibly,heglidedalongthestreetinfrontofthelawyer’shome.Thenhistallformmergedwiththe

blacknessofthelawn.Itpausedbesideaclumpofshrubbery.

Twowhisperedvoiceswereengagedinconversation.Thespeakersdidnotknowthattheywerebeing

overheard.

“What’sthelaytonight,Biff?”

“There’saguywe’vegottoget,Jake.We’retakingnochancesonmissinghim.Yourspotisrighthere.If

youseeanybodysneakingaround,grabhim.”

“O.K.Whoelseiswatching?”

“Plentyofothers.They’reallposted,likeyou.That’swhyIdon’twantanyofyoutoleaveyourplaces.I’ll

beoutfrontinthecar.”

“Ifanybodycomesupthewalk?”

“I’lltakecareofthat.You’reaftersnoopers.That’sall.Grabthem-andgivethemtherodifyouhave

to.”

“Thecoppers?”

BiffTowleylaughedcontemptuouslyatJakeBosch’squestion.

“Notonewithinhalfamile,”hedeclared.“Forgetaboutthat.Thisisabigjobtonight.Getanybodythat

triestosneakinortosneakout.Ifacarcomesupthedrive,orifanyonecomesdeliberatelyupthewalk,

leavethemalone.That’smypart.”

Withtheseclosingwords,BiffTowleyemergedfromtheshrubbery,andmadehiswayacrossthelawn,

passingwithinafootofthespotwhereTheShadowcrouched.

JAKEBOSCHwatchedthehouse.Thefrontwalkwasonthisside;thedrivewayontheother.Hedid

notknowthereasoninbackoftonight’svigil,andhedidnotcare.Itwashisjobtobealert,andtoobey

orders.

Therewasapatchoflightclosebythesidewallofthehouse.Watchingit,Jakesawastreakof

blacknessflickerby.Hedrewhisrevolver.Thenthedarkshapedisappeared.

Jakedecidedthatitwasmerelythemovingshadowofatree.Hedidnotknowthathehadcaughta

fleetingglimpseofTheShadow!

Ahuddledgangster,crouchingnearthebackporch,sawthatsameshape.Hisviewwasacloserone

thanJake’s.Thistoughenedsentinelfanciedthathehadcaughtsightofahumanform.Herosebesidethe

wall,staringintothedarkness.

Then,outofthethicknightcametwosinisterhands.Onecaughtthegangster’swrist.Theother,swinging

sidewise,strucksharplyagainstthemobsman’sthroat.Withagurglinggasp,thewatchercollapsed.His

gundroppedonthegrassbesidehim.

Therewasacellarwindownotfourfeetaway.Itopenedinwardunderthepressureofanunseenhand.

Thebodyofthesenselessgangsterwasforcedthrough.Ithungsuspended;thenslumpedtothefloor

beneath.

Noiselessly,anotherformfollowedit.Thenthewindowclosed.

Atinyflashlightflickered,itsrayssubmergedwithinthedepthsofthecellar.A

Atinyflashlightflickered,itsrayssubmergedwithinthedepthsofthecellar.Asoftlaughsounded.Hands

inthedarkboundandgaggedthecapturedhoodlum.OneofBiffTowley’strustedwatchdogshadfailed

inhisvigil!

Therewasasoft,swishingsoundbythecellarstairs.Thedooratthetopwaslocked;butitslockgaveas

anunseenhandappliedatinymetalinstrument.Thedooropened.TheShadowadvancedthroughthe

silenthouse.

Therewasalightinthefronthall.Crouchinglow,TheShadowatlastcameintoview,buthecouldnot

beseenfromtheoutside.Hewasgarbedinhiscloakofblack.Uponhishead,heworetheslouchhat

thatobscuredhisfeatures.

Lookingrightandleft,TheShadowswungrapidlyupthestairs.Hiscloakswished,andforaninstantits

crimsonliningwasrevealed.Thenthemysteriousfiguredisappearedinthegloomofthesecondstory,

untilhereachedaroomwhereasinglelightwasburning.ThiswasGladeTremont’sstudy.Theroomwas

empty.

Again,TheShadowmovedincrouchingfashion.Hereachedacorneroftheroom,bythedoorofa

closet.Atallbookcaseprojectedtothespotwheretheedgeofthedoorwouldreachwhenopened.The

Shadow’scrouchingformraisedupward.Itmergedbesidetheendofthebookcase,untilitbecamea

motionlessshapethatnoeyecouldhavedistinguished.

TheShadowhadbecomeashadow!

Outofthenighthehadcome.Silentlyhehadpassedthroughtheoutergroupofwatchinggangsters.One

manhadfallenbyhishand.Now,atthedesiredplace,hewaswaiting,readytofrustratetheplansof

GladeTremont.

Tonight,heworearemarkabledisguise.Hisfacewasthefaceofthelawyerinwhosehomehenow

stood!Butthatduplicatedcountenancewashiddenforthepresent.

TheShadowwasdealingwithsupercrooks-menwholeftnotracesoftheirevildeeds.Besidethem,Biff

Towleyandhismobsterswerebutchildren.

Towleyandhismobsterswerebutchildren.

Itwouldbeagameofwitstonight-thebrainofTheShadowpittingitselfagainstthemindsofmaster

criminals.Forthefirsttimeinthisstrangestruggle,TheShadowwouldmeetoneofhisenemiesfaceto

face.

GladeTremontwouldsoonbehere.ThecraftylawyerhadarrangedaconferencewithMattHartley-an

intendedvictimofhisplotting.LikeDoctorGeraldSavette,hewasbentontheperpetrationofinsidious

crime.

Whatwashisplan?

Thatwastobelearned.

Buttonight,GladeTremontwastomeetwiththesurpriseofhislife.Beforethiseveningwasended,he

wouldseehisownface-wornbyanotherman!

ThatwastheplanofTheShadow!

CHAPTERXI.ORLINOVSPEAKSFACTS

SEATEDinthelivingroomofIvanOrlinov’scastle,CliffMarslandwasreviewingpastevents.Hismind

revertedtotheeventsoftwonightsago,whenhehadmadehiscraftyvisittothesidewingofthestrange

house.

Sincethen,Cliffhadbeenchafingbecauseofhisidleness.Hehaddonenothingsincehehadgivenhis

messagetoClydeBurke.Hecoulddonothinguntilhereceivedsomereply.Aboveall,hemustrestrain

himselftonight,foraman’slifemightbeatstake.

InNewYork,GladeTremontwastomeetMattHartley.Thatmeetingheldsomesinisterpurpose.The

Shadowhadbeenwarnedofit.Theoutcome,therefore,wouldbetoGladeTremont’sdisadvantage.

Meanwhile,Cliffmustplayhiswaitinggame.Itwouldbeunwiseforhimtorepeathistriptothe

forbiddenterritoryinthesidewingofthehouse.MuchthoughCliffdesiredtheexcitementofanother

expedition,hecouldnotaffordtotakechancesthatmightbringanencounterwithIvanOrlinovorhis

henchmen.

henchmen.

Cliffhadaverydefinitehunchthattherewasmoreofinterestinthishousethanamerelaboratoryor

workshop.Whencircumstanceswouldpermitit,heintendeddefinitelytolearnthesecretwhichIvan

Orlinovhadmanagedtopreservesowell.

HerecalledtheRussian’sfaceashehadseenitbythefirelighttwonightsago.Themererecollection

madeClifffeeluneasy.

WhileCliffwaspicturingOrlinov,themanhimselfsteppedintotheroom.Clifflookedupinquiringly.The

Russiansmiledpleasantly.Hesatdownandstaredmildlyathissecretary.Thenhebegantospeakina

pleasanttoneofvoice.

“Itissquiet,here,”hesaid.“Veryquiet.”

“Ienjoythequiet,”respondedCliff.

“ItissdifferentfromNewYork,nein?”

“Plentydifferent.”

“Plentydifferent.”OrlinovrepeatedCliff’sexpressionwithalaugh.“Youhaffbeenhereoneweek,

Marslandt.ItisstimenowthatItoldyoumanythings,sothatyoucanbeofmorehelptome.Yess?”

CliffMarslandaffectedadisinterestedattitude.

“ThereareplacesherethatIwouldlikeforyoutosee,”continuedtheRussian.“Come.Ishallshowyou

whereyouhaffnotbeen.”

Hebeckonedashearose,andCliffwalkedbyhisside.

Theyleftthelivingroomandcrossedthehall.Thedoortothewingwasopen.Withabow,thehuge

RussianusheredCliffintotheforbiddenterritory.

CLIFFrestrainedhisenthusiasm.Whilehehadbeenthinkingofavisithere,hehadnothopedtomakeit

sosoon.Helookedabouthimastheypassedtheseconddoor,andpretendedtoviewthecorridoras

thoughhehadcomeintoitforthefirsttime.

“Thereisssomethingstrangeforyoutosee,”declaredOrlinov.“Itissnothere.Itissonthefloorup

above.Come.”

Theyreachedthestairsandwentuptothesecondstory.ThereOrlinovstoppedbeforeacloseddoor.

Cliffnoticedsomethingnowthatbehadnotobservedbefore,whenhehadbeeninhastetotravel

throughthepassage.Thisdoor-aswellastheothersonthefloor-wasfittedwithacross-shaped

panelingthathadasquarecenter.

“Look.”

OrlinovpronouncedthewordlikethenameLuke.Cliffwastoointerestedtoevennoticethetoneofthe

voice.

TheRussian’sfingerwasonthesquarecenterofthepanel.Aslightpress,andthesquaredropped,

revealingasmallpaneofglass.AtOrlinov’sbidding,Cliffpeeredwithin.

Hesawabeautifullyfurnishedroom-apparentlyoneofasuite,fortherewasanopendoorbeyondit.

TheroomwascarpetedwiththickOrientalrugs.Ahugebookcasestoodfilledwithmassivevolumes.

Thefurniturewasofheavymahogany.

ThesefeatureswereofsmallinteresttoCliff.Hiseyeswerefocusedupontheinhabitantoftheapartment.

Anelderlymanwasseatedatawritingdesk,tracinglinesuponasheetofpaper.Heappearedtohave

nointerestinhissurroundings.Hisfacewaslongandsolemn,hiseyesdrearyanddull.

OrlinovdrewCliffawayfromtheopening.Heclosedthepanel.Hebeckoned,andClifffollowedhimto

anotherdoor.Hereapaneldropped,andCliffviewedanotherroom,lesselegantinitsfurnishings.

Thisroomalsocontainedanoccupant.Hewasaforeigner,alarge-headedmanwithabushybeardthat

bristledlikeablackbrush.

Hewaswearingapairoflargespectacles.Hewasseatedinfrontofachessboard,studyingthepositions

ofthepieces.HedidnotnoticeCliff’sfacepeeringthroughtheopening.

“Come.”

Athirdpanelwasopenedforinspection.Thisroomwasavirtualduplicateofthesecond.A

stoop-shouldered,gray-hairedmanwasponderingoveralargebook.Hewasmakingnotationsonapad

thatlaybesidehim.Hewasthefirsttorealizethathewasbeingwatched.Heturnedsuddenlyaboutand

lookedattheopenpanelwithsharp,piercingeyes.

Orlinovclosedthepanel,andconductedCliffalongthecorridor.Heallowedbriefinspectionsofother

rooms.TheseresembledtheonesthatCliffhadseen,buttheywerenotoccupied.

Orlinovmaintainedacrypticsilence.Cliffpondered.HefollowedtheRussiantothefirstfloor.

There,Orlinovopenedthedoorsofotherrooms.Thesewereworkshopsandlaboratories,eachfitted

outinexcellentstyle.Anotherapartmentcontainedavastarrayofbookcasesandfilingcabinets-a

veritablelibrary.

Finally,OrlinovledthewaytotheveryroomwhereCliffhadlistenedtothetalk

Finally,OrlinovledthewaytotheveryroomwhereCliffhadlistenedtothetalkbetweentheRussianand

GladeTremont.ThisprovedtobeasimplyfurnishedofficeOrlinovmotionedforClifftositdown.

THERussiantookastandingpositionattheothersideoftheroom.Cliffwatchedhim,wondering.He

wascompletelypuzzledbythestrangesightsthathehadwitnessed.HefeltsurethatOrlinovwasabout

togiveanexplanation.That,Cliffdecided,wouldbebothinterestingandofvalue.

“Theywerecomfortable?”cametheRussian’squestion.

“Theyappearedtobe,”respondedCliff,knowingthatOrlinovreferredtothemenupstairs.

“Itisswell,”saidOrlinov.“Theycanhaffcomfortiftheywishit.Iftheydonot,theycanhafftrouble.”

Cliffacceptedthisominousstatementwithoutmakingaresponse.HewasanxioustohearOrlinovtalk,

butwastoowisetoquestiontheRussian.

“Fewhaffseenthemthere,”declaredOrlinov.“Yess.Fewhaffseenthem.Thatwouldnotbewise.Do

wouldnotbewise.Do

youknowwhy?”

Cliffshookhishead.

“Because,”Orlinovwasspeakingsolemnly,“thosemenaredead.Dead!Yess!Theyaredeadmen.”

“Deadmen!”Cliffechoedthestatementinspiteofhimself.

“Yess.”Themanwascoldlyemphatic.“Theyaredeadmen.Deadmenwholiff!”

Deadmenwholive!

ThethoughtchilledCliffMarslandtothemarrow.Histeethclenched,andhisfacehardened,ashestared

atIvanOrlinov.HadthehugeRussiangonecrazy?Histonewasserious;hisexpressionhadbeen

positive.

Astrange,wildglowhadcomeintoOrlinov’seyes.Cliffbegantorisefromhischair,thinkingthathewas

dealingwithamaniac.ThentheRussianmotionedhimbackwithanimperiousgesture.Orlinov’sface

becamequiet.Cliffrelaxed.

“Whendeadmenliff,”declaredtheRussianslowly,“theremustbeareason.Yess?Ishalltellyouwhat

issthereason.Thosemenhaffbeenuseful.Issitnotnicetoknowthatbecauseyouhaffbeenuseful,you

canliffwhenyouhaffbeendead?”

CliffwasstaringhardatOrlinov.Hedidnotlikethepeculiaremphasisintheman’stone.Itseemedthat

everyremarkwasdirectedtowardhimself.Cliffsensedadangeroussituationdeveloping.Heremained

calminspiteofhisqualms.

“Ihafftoldyouwhatthosemenhaffbeen,”resumedOrlinov.“Ihafftoldyouthattheyhaffbeendead.

Youwouldliketoknowwhotheyhaffbeen?Giffmethatpenfromyourpocket.ThencanIwritethe

namesofthem-”

Cliff’shandwasmovingtowardhisvestpocket.Herealizedsuddenlythathisfountainpenwasgone.It

wasthepenthathehadusedinwritinghismessagetoTheShadow-thepenfilledwiththespecialink

filledwiththespecialink

thatvanishedafterithaddriedandbeenexposedtotheair!

REALIZATIONdawned.CliffknewthatOrlinovwastrickinghim.Hishandslippedawayfromhisvest

pocket,reachingforthehandyrevolver.SomethingcoldpressedagainstthebackofCliff’sneck.Itwas

themuzzleofagun.Heknewthatanothermovewouldmeaninstantdeath.Hepausedandwaited.

“Ah!”exclaimedOrlinov,withaleeringgrin.“Youaretoowisetomove.Thatissgoot-foryou.You

werenotsowisetositwithyourbacktowardthatdoor.ItissPetriwhoholdsthatgunagainstyou.

“Youtinkthatyouarewise,perhaps.Youhaffmadeagreatmistake.Rememberwhatyouhafftoldme-

thatonemistakecanbetoomuch.Whydidyouleavethatfountainpensocarelessly?”

TheRussian’svoicetookonatoneofsarcasticreproachashechidedhisvictim.

“Yess”resumedOrlinov,“Ihafffoundthatpenthismorning.Ihaffwrittenwithit.Thatissstrangewriting

thatgoesawaysoquick.Perhapsyouhafffoundouttoomuch.Perhapsyouhafftoldsomeone.Thatiss

toldsomeone.Thatiss

whyIhafftalkedtoyoutonight.Youhaffseenthosemenwhostillliff.Thatissbecauseyou,too,will

soonbeoneofthosemen.

“Whenamanissbadforus,wekillhim.Butnotifheisstobeofuse.Itmaybethatyouwillbeofuse.It

maybethatyouwillnot.Weshallsee,yess?”

Cliff’sfacewasobdurate.HeexpectedOrlinovtoquestionhim,nowthathewassuspectedofaplot.

TheRussian’seyeswereblazing,andCliffdetectedasuppressedfrenzythere.Letthemantry,thought

Cliff.HewouldlearnnothingofTheShadow!

OrlinovseemedtobereadingCliff’sthoughts.Helaughedasheroseandcamecloser.Hiseyesstared

towardCliff’sface.Hislipsformedawicked,evilgrin.

“Youwillsaynothing?Goot!Itdoesnotmatter.Ifyouhafflearnednothing,itcandonoharm.Ifyouhaff

heard-lastnight-thatwillbenogoot.Wehaffmadethingssothatitcannotmatter.”

HisshrewdeyeswerewatchingtoseeifCliffbetrayedalarm.Orlinovwould

HisshrewdeyeswerewatchingtoseeifCliffbetrayedalarm.Orlinovwouldgainnothingbyhissurveyof

Cliff’spokerface.Thebeardedmanshruggedhisshoulders.

“Youtinkthatyouarestrong?”hequestioned.“Youtinkthatyouarewise?Weshallseeofthat.You

haffbeensentherebysomeone.Thereissjustonemanthatitcouldbe.ThatissthemantheycallThe

Shadow.”

Clifffailedtoindicatethatthesurmisewascorrect.

“Youtinkthatyouwillnottalk,”laughedOrlinov.“Thatissnotneedednow.Thatchanceyouwillhaff

sometimeafterthis-ifitissneeded.YouwillknowthenhowIhafffoundthewaytomakepeopletalk.

“Thereissonethingthatcankeepyoufromtryingtobewise.Youhaffseenthemenwhohaffoncedied.

Theykeepquietnow.Yess,theyhaffknownwhatitisstodie.Soyoushallseethesame.Mygoot

friend,thedoctor,hehassgivenmeaway.”

Lackingunderstanding,Cliffexpectedtoreceivearevolvershotfromthemanstationedbehindhim.But

stationedbehindhim.But

asIvanOrlinovapproachedandstoodbesidehim,Cliffrealizedthatsomethingdifferentwastotake

place.

Orlinovwasspeakingquietly,now,exceptforgutturalchucklesthatinterruptedhiswords.

“Yess,”hewassaying,“ifthisman,TheShadow,hasstriedtomaketrouble,heisstoolate.Hewillfind

troubleforhimself.Soitmaybethatweshallnotfindyoutobeofusetous.Weshallsee.”

THEwordsmadeClifftightenhislips.HerealizednowthattherehadbeenampletimeforOrlinovto

communicatewithNewYork.

Byamerechance,theRussianhadpickedupCliff’spen.ThushadhedivinedthereasonforCliff’s

presencehere.Orlinov-Tremont-andathirdwhomtheRussiancalledthedoctor-allwere

superfiends.TheplotagainstMattHartleywasnotscheduleduntiltonight.CliffknewwellthatGlade

TremontwasnowcognizantofthenewturnthathadoccurredhereinGlendale.

TheShadowmustbewarned!

Buthow?

InstantdeaththreatenedCliffMarslandifhedaredtomove.Hewasstaringstraightahead,seeingneither

OrlinovnorPetri.HedidnotseethebeardedRussian’shandapproachhisarm,carryingatiny,shining

objectinitsgrasp.

ThesharppointofahypodermicneedlestungCliff’sarm.Hesatmotionless,stillstaring.Hefelta

strange,unexplainableweakness.Theroomwasgrowingblackabouthim.Hisbodyswayed.Heforgot

thepressureofthegunuponhisneck.Hisveinsseemedchilled-freezingwithinhisbody.

OrlinovlaughedasCliffMarsland’sbodyslumpedinthechairandbecamerigid.Cliffheardthatlaugh

fromthemidstofwhirlingblackness.Thenhisbrainceasedtofunction.

Orlinovstoodlookingattheforminthechair.ToallappearancesCliffMarslandwasdead.Thesame

fatehadbefallenhimasthatwhichhadbeenthelotofClarkMurdock,whenthechemisthadstruggled

withDoctorGeraldSavette.

AlaughcamefromtheRussian’sbeardedlips.Inhisnativetongue,hespoketoPetri,thestalwartservant

whostillstoodwithguninhand.Petrianswered.HeandOrlinovpickedupCliffMarsland’sbodyfrom

thechair.

Togethertheytooktheirburdenupthestairstothesecondfloor,HeavythoughCliffwas,theRussians

carriedhimwithease.

Orlinovorderedhismantosetthebodyonthefloor.ThenthebeardedRussianunlockedadoorthatled

tooneofthesmallerrooms.Thetwomencarriedtherigidformintotheapartmentandplaceditupona

couchbesidethewall.

TherewasnoindicationthatCliffMarslandstilllived.Acorpselikepallorhadsettledonhisface.But

IvanOrlinov,leeringhideously,showedmoreinterestinthatformthanhewouldhavewastedupona

merecorpse.Heknewthathisvictimwouldawakenlater.

CliffMarslandhadbecomeoneofthedeadwholived!

CliffMarslandhadbecomeoneofthedeadwholived!

CHAPTERXII.TREMONT’SVISITOR

Itwasnearlyteno’clockwhenatrimcoupeswungupthedrivewaybyGladeTremont’shome.Thelights

ofthecarwentout.GladeTremontsteppedtotheground,andenteredthesidedoorofthehouse.The

lawyerhadarrivedbeforethehourofhisappointmentwithMattHartley.

WhenTremontreachedhisupstairsstudy,heturnedonalightbythedesk.Helookedabouttheroom.

Thoughhisglancewaskeen,itdidnotdetectthatshadowyshapethatstoodbeyondthebookcase.

Thelawyerwalkedovertotheclosetandopenedthedoor.Insodoing,hepassedwithintwofeetofThe

Shadow;yethedidnotseetheformofthemaninblack.

Theclosetdoor,swingingwide,formedabarrierbetweenTremontandTheShadow.Thelawyerleftthe

doorhalfopen,andreturnedtohisdesk.Hesatthere,meditative.

Slowminuteswentby.GladeTremontwasapparentlywaitingforthearrivalofavisitor.Teno’clock

came.ThetelephoneonTremont’sdeskbegantoring.Thelawyerraisedthe

came.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,sternfeaturestookon

amaliciouslook.

Restingbackinhischair,Tremonthalfclosedhiseyesandfoldedhishandsacrosshischest.Heseemed

tobeenjoyingthethoughtofMattHartley’scomingvisit.

Thusunobservant,thelawyerdidnotnoticealongshadowthatstretchedacrossthefloortowardthe

outeredgeofthedesk.Aformfollowedthatstreakofblack.TheShadowglidedfromhishidingplace.

Tallandsilent,hestoodbeforethedesk-afigureofdoom.

GladeTremontopenedhiseyes.Helookedupwardandblinked.Beforehimstoodthemaninblack,a

fantasticbeingconjuredfromnothingness.Theflowingcloak,thebroad-

fantasticbeingconjuredfromnothingness.Theflowingcloak,thebroad-brimmedhat-theseformedthe

figureofthemysteriouspersonagewhohadcomeunseen.

Tremontsawtheglowoftwomenacingeyes.Heobservedthemuzzleofapowerfulautomatic,poisedin

ablack-cladhand.

Fiendsofcrimehadquailedbeforethatfigure.TheShadow,mysteriousavenger,hadbroughtshudders

tothestoutestframes.YetGladeTremontgavenosignofaperturbedspirit.Instead,hestaredboldlyat

TheShadow.

“Goodevening,”remarkedthelawyerquietly.“Ihavebeenanticipatingyourarrivalhere.”

THESHADOWmadenoresponse.GladeTremont,despitehisquietassurance,knewthatafalsemove

wouldmeanhisdoom.Thelawyerremainedinhispostureofaffectedcalm,leaningbackinhisswivel

chair,aforcedsmileuponhisparchedlips.

Hehadspokenthetruth.HehadexpectedTheShadowhere.But,though

Hehadspokenthetruth.HehadexpectedTheShadowhere.But,thoughpreparedforthemeeting,

thoughemboldenedbyasenseofbravado,TremontwasfindingTheShadowamoremenacing

personagethanhehadsupposed.

Itwaswithaneffortthatthelawyerpreservedhispretendedease.Hiswords,intendedtononplusThe

Shadow,werespokeninaraspytonethatclearlyindicatedhistrepidation.

“Yes,”declaredTremont,“Ihaveexpectedyou.Ihaveheardofyou,andIdecidedthatyoumightcome

heretonight.YouhavecometoprotectMattHartley.Inthat,Iassureyou,youhavefailed.”

ThesoundofhisownvoicegaveGladeTremontafeelingofreassurance.Hisforcedsmilebecamea

genuineone.AlthoughhefearedTheShadow,heknewthatthemaninblackwouldhearhimout-so

longashedidnotmakeafalsemove.

“Youhavesoughttopryintomyaffairs,”announcedGladeTremont.“Youhavesucceeded-toa

degree.Beyondthat,youhavefailed.Ifyouwish,Ishallbespecific.”

Thelawyerstaredintotheglowingeyes.Theywerefocuseddirectlytowardhim.Tremontknewthat

thoseburningopticswerekeenenoughtoferretoutafalsehood.Buttonight,Tremontwithmalicious

shrewdness,wasrelyingonthetruth.Hemetthefierystareandcontinuedhisspeechinalowtone.

“Ipreparedatrapforyou,”declaredthelawyer.“HowyoueludeditismorethanIcanunderstand.Butit

isatrapthatworkstwoways.Hadyoufallenintoitwhenyoucamehere,youwouldnowbeinmy

power.

“Isuspectedthatyoumightpassmysentinels.Idoubtthatyoucanescapethemagain.Youcannotleave

thishousewithoutmywillingness.Soitwillbewiseforyoutohearme.”

Subtly,thelawyerwasendeavoringtobaitTheShadow.Histonewasconvincing.Althoughhismind

wasdisturbedbyvaguequalms,TremontmanagedtoassurehimselfthatheactuallyheldTheShadow

withinhiscontrol.

Rightnow,thesituationlayinthebalance.Tremont,withhisartificialsmile,feltsurethatitwouldturnto

hisadvantageasheproceeded.

hisadvantageasheproceeded.

“Twonightsago,”thelawyersaid.“IannouncedmyplantoeffectthecaptureofamannamedMatt

Hartley.Itoldthatplantoonepersononly-amannamedIvanOrlinov,atGlendaleintheCatskills.

“WithOrlinovisamanwhocallshimselfCliffMarsland.Today,Orlinovdiscoveredamysteriousobject

inMarsland’spossession-afountainpenfilledwithinkthatvanishedafteritwasusedforwriting.

“Orlinovdidnotknowthesignificanceofthatfluid.Nevertheless,hecalledmeatmyoffice.Iunderstood.

IhaveheardofthemysteriousmessagesofTheShadow.Mycontactwiththeunderworldisnotaslight

one.”

Tremontpausedandmoistenedhisparchedlips.Hecontinuedwithhiscarefulstory,watchingThe

Shadowintentlyashespoke.

“Isuspected,”saidTremont,“thatMarslandmighthaveoverheardwhatwassaidatGlendale.SoImade

newplans.Thisafternoon,MattHartleytookoffonatestingflight.Inresponsetomysuggestion,he

landed,alone,atanobscurefieldintheCatskills.Thereheexpectedtomeetme.Heencounteredcertain

others,instead.

“Tomorrow,theworldwillknowthatMattHartleyisdead.Hisplanehasbeenblowntoatomsonthat

landingfield.Foolishly-sotheworldwillbelieve-hecarriedaloadedtorpedotomakeatest.It

loosenedfromhisplanewhenhewasforcedtomakehislanding.”

Encouragedbytheshrewdnessofhisremarks,Tremontgrinnedderisively.ThesilenceofTheShadow

indicatedthatthemaninblackwasperplexed.

“Ihavejustcomefrommyoffice,”addedTremont.“ThereIreceivedalong-distancecallfromIvan

Orlinov.Youragent-themancalledMarsland-isinhispower.Toallintents,Marslandisdead.Hewill

continuedead-forever-unlessyoulistentomyterms.”

TheShadow’slong,darkcloakmovedslightly.Itwasthefirstindicationofactionthatthemanofmystery

hadgiven.TremontdecidedthatTheShadowwasperturbed.

“Whytrytothwartourplans?”questionedTremont.“Iamnotalone.Wehavepowerwhichyoucannot

affordtocombat.Iofferyoufairterms.Wehavepreservedthelivesofcertainmen,becausewehave

founditadvantageoustodoso.Yourman-Marsland-isofnousetous.Norwilltheothersbeofuse,

ifweareforcedtotakethedefensive.

“Whileyouremaininactive,thosemenwilllive-yourmanamongthem.Butshouldyoumovesomuchas

afingeragainstus.Marslandwilldie-andtheotherswithhim.

“Ihavehearditsaid”-Tremontlaughedhuskily-“thattheagentsofTheShadowbearcharmedlives,

liketheirmaster.Thistime,oneisvirtuallydead.Hecancometolife,atmyorder.Itisforyouto

decide.”

ThelawyerwaitedforTheShadowtospeak.Themaninthecloakseemedtobeconsideringthematter.

“ShouldIdie,”addedTremont,asanafterthought,“youwilldefeatyourownaim.Mylifeisononeside

ofthescales.Marsland’slifeandthelivesoftheothermen-thereisthecounterbalance!

counterbalance!

“Icanassureyouthatallarewatchful;bothhereinNewYorkandatGlendale.Itisimpossibleforyouto

divinetheextentofourpreparations

“Orlinovisamanofsteel.Heisaspark,readytoigniteamagazine.Puff!Allcouldbegone-lives,

evidence,everything.

“Shouldyouoranyofyouremissariesdaretoapproachtheplacefromnowon,Orlinovwillnothesitate

tostrike.Ourplansarenearingtheirculmination.Letthemproceed,andyourmanMarslandwillbe

restoredtoyou,alive.Trytofrustrateourmethods,andhewilldie.Perhapsyou,too,willperish.”

THUSdidGladeTremontconcludehisoration.Asspokesmenfortwoothervillains,IvanOrlinovand

DoctorGeraldSavette,hehaddonehisworkwell.HisproposalwasonethatTheShadowcouldhardly

failtoaccept.

TremontfeltthathehadtakenthemeasureofTheShadow.Heknewthatthemanofthedarkwasnot

anagentofthelaw.Hewasdealingwithamanwhohadfreedomtoactortostandby,ashemight

prefer.

“Onepointmore,”addedTremont,asaquietafterthought.“Perhapsyoumayhaveawilddreamofkilling

meandmakingamadescapethroughthehumanwallthatprotectsthishouse.Thatwouldbefutile.

“Unlessmychiefcompanionseesmetonight,Orlinovwillbetoldtostrike.Imustleavethishouse.Imust

bealive.Imustkeepadefiniteappointment.WhenIreceivethephonecallforthemeetingIshallsetthe

time.”

TheShadowofferednoresponse.Hestoodunmoving,waitingastheminuteswentby.Tremont

wonderedforawhilethenrealizedthatTheShadowwastestingthetruthofhisstatement.TheShadow

waswaitingforthatcall!

Lethimwait,thoughtTremont.Theminutesnolongerseemedanxious.Whenthephonebellwould

sound,thetensionwouldbeended.TheShadowwouldbeforcedtoagree.

Thebelltinkled.WithaquietglanceatTheShadow,Tremontreachedforwardandliftedthereceiver.

HerecognizedthevoiceofDoctorSavette.

“Yes,thisisGlade,”saidthelawyer.“Heishere…ThemanIexpected…Allwillbewell…Yes,hehas

listenedtomyterms…Ishallseeyoubeforemidnight…Atyourhome…Becarefulandready.Youknow

theplan.”

TremonthungupthetelephoneandlookedatTheShadow.Hewaspositivethathisenemydidnotknow

whohadcalled.

Tremonthadweighedthesituationcarefully.Heknewthathewascovered;thatOrlinovhadbeen

watched.ButSavette,hefeltsure,wastoowellsecludedtobesuspectedofcomplicitybyTheShadow.

“Youhaveheard,”declaredTremontboldly.“Nowletmehearyouranswer.”

Asoft,shudderinglaughcamefromthemaninblack.Moreterrifyingthanhispresencealone,the

mockeryofTheShadowbrokeGladeTremont’snerve.Thelawyersensedthat

mockeryofTheShadowbrokeGladeTremont’snerve.Thelawyersensedthathehadoverplayedhis

hand.

“Iknowyourways,”cameawhispered,sinistervoice.“Ihavedealtwithcrookslikeyoubefore.”

Instinctively,TremontquailedasTheShadowspoke.Hesawhisplansfadingaway.

“Iknowwhocalledyou,”continuedTheShadow.“Savetteisyouraccomplice.Inallprobability,hehasa

codeddispatchtosendtoOrlinov,incaseyoudonotappearathishome.”

TheShadowlaughedagain,andhistone,thoughlouder,didnotemanatefromthatroom.Itcaughtthe

echoesofthewall.Itreverberated,andTremont’seardrumsthrobbedwiththeghostlysound.

“Tonight,”declaredTheShadow,“GladeTremontwillappearatthehomeofDoctorSavette.Later,

GladeTremontwillgotoGlendaleandorderthereleaseofCliffordMarsland.There,inaddition,Glade

Tremontwillendtheschemesofterrorthatnowexist.

“Youdoubtmystatement?Thatisbecauseyoudonotunderstandmymethods.Look!”

Withhislefthand.TheShadowsweptawayhisslouchhatandbroughtdownthecollarofhiscloak.His

headwasfullyrevealed.

Staringatthedisclosedface,GladeTremontgasped.Hewaslookingathimself-hisownfeaturesas

clearlyportrayedasthoughhehadbeenstaringinamirror.

ThelipsofthefalseGladeTremontmoved.TheShadowwasspeakingagainbuthisvoicewasaperfect

imitationofthelawyer’stones.

“IamGladeTremont!”declaredTheShadow.“Iamthemanwhowillacttonight!”

Asheheardthatvoice,therealGladeTremontwiltedinhischair.HehadsoughttocombatThe

Shadow.Hehadplanned,buthehadfailed.

Themastercrookslumpedhelplessly.Hesawdeathnow-deaththathecouldnotescape.With

notescape.With

keennessthatout-rivaledalltheschemesofTremont,andhiscompanions,TheShadowhadfounda

certainwaytofoilthemethodsofthebandoffiends.

Savettewouldbeduped!Orlinovwouldbeduped!Thegamewasended!ButTremont,cowering,

thoughtonlyofhimself.TheShadow’seyeswereflaringthroughhismasklikeface.Theybodednogood

forGladeTremont.

CHAPTERXIII.THESHADOW’SFLIGHT

GLADETREMONTwasinTheShadow’spower.Untilnow,themanofthedarkhadplayedawaiting

game,neveroncerevealinghishand.Fromthestart,hehadrealizedthathewasdealingwithanewgame

ofcrime.

Hehaddivinedthatalltheevidenceagainstthecrookswashangingbyasinglethread-readytobe

droppedintooblivion.Releasedoftheirburden,Tremont,Savette,andOrlinovwouldbebeyondthe

law.

Now,thrustingfromthedark,TheShadowhadcheckmatedthefirstofthe

Now,thrustingfromthedark,TheShadowhadcheckmatedthefirstoftheterriblethree.Hewasmaster

ofthesituation.AsGladeTremont,hemightdeceivethelawyer’scraftyconfederates.Buttodothis,he

mustleavethishouse.

Divestedofhiscloakandhat,TheShadowcouldeasilypassBiffTowleyattheoutergate.Buthemust

firsteliminateGladeTremont.

Thatwaswhythelawyercringedwithfear.HedidnotexpectTheShadowtofireashot-suchmightbe

interpretedasasignalbythemenoutside.ButthelawyerdidexpecttodiebyTheShadow’shand.

Ablowfromthatheavyautomatic-athrustwithanunseenknife-powerfulfingersclutchingathisthroat

-theseweretheharrowingthoughtsthatenteredthecowedlawyer’smind.

TheShadow,howeverdidtheunexpected.Calmly,hedrewhiscloakabouthisshoulders.Hisslouchhat

oncemorecoveredhisfeatures.ThefalsevisageofGladeTremontwasconcealedfromview

WhatwasTheShadow’spurpose?

Gradually,itdawneduponTremontthatthemaninblackintendedtotakehimfromthisplace.The

wisdomofsuchacoursewasapparent.Adeadbody,hastilyconcealed,mightbediscovered,

particularlyifBiffandhishenchmenenteredthehouseforanyreasonatall.Furthermore-thethought

broughtafainthopetoTremont-TheShadowmighthaveauseforhiscaptive.

Thatwasit!Tremont’swaveringpulsebeatsquickened.TheShadowwouldtakehimaway-offtosome

hiddenlair,toholdhimthereahostageasCliffMarslandwasheldatOrlinov’s.Thecheckmatewouldbe

stalemate.Neithersidecouldmove.

Tremontdidnotrelishthesituation;atthesametime,herealizedthattheplansofhisassociateswouldgo

on,uninterrupted.

TremontwasnonetoosureofSavetteandOrlinov.Crooklike,he,himselfwouldhavebeenwillingto

sacrificeacompanionforhisowngood.HefanciedthatSavetteandOrlinovwoulddothesame.

WhatifTheShadowshouldkillGladeTremont?Theywouldretaintheupperhand.Tremontcursed

hand.Tremontcursed

himselfforhisfollyincominghere.

THESHADOW’Sautomaticseemedtobeckon.Weakly,Tremontaroseandmovedinresponsetothe

command.Theblack-glovedhandthatheldtheautomaticwasclosetoTremont’sbody.Thebarrelofthe

gunwasagainstthelawyer’sribs.

Tremonttrembledashesensedthetouchofthemetal.Quivering,hewalkedfromtheroom,crouching

lowatTheShadow’swhisperedorder.

WelldidTremontknowthereputeofTheShadow.Heknewthatthemightyhandwouldnotfalterinthe

faceofdanger.Ashot,now,wouldnotbetoTheShadow’sliking;nevertheless,thatweirdpersonage

wouldnothesitatetousehisgunifhiscommandsweredisobeyed.TheShadowdidnotfearthehordes

ofgangdom.

Theyreachedthebottomofthestairs.Here,TheShadow’shissingwhisperformedoneword:

“Stop!”

“Stop!”

Tremontobeyed.HelistenedwhileTheShadowspokelowandwithemphasis.Thecommandwasplain.

Tremontwastoleaveandenterhiscar;towaitthereforTheShadow.

Itwasthemaninblackwhoopenedthedoor.Standinginthegloom,hisautomaticstillathreat,he

watchedGladeTremontwalkfromthehouse.Thenhistallformflittedthroughtheopening.Thedoor

closedalmostasifthelawyerhimselfhadshutit.

Tremontdescendedtothedrive.Hisfootstepscruncheduponthegravel.Thestepofthecarcreakedas

heenteredtheautomobile.

HecouldnotseeTheShadow-infact,Tremontdarednotlookbehindhim.Heenteredthecaronthe

sideoppositethedriver’sseat.Asheshutthedoor,hestaredpastthewheel.Hesawtheoppositedoor

closingsoftly.

TheShadowhadtrickedhim!Insteadofkeepinghimcovered,TheShadowhadsilentlyflittedpastthe

cartotheotherside.Noiselessly,invisibly,hehadentered.Tremontcouldsee

cartotheotherside.Noiselessly,invisibly,hehadentered.Tremontcouldseeonlyamassofblack.It

indicatedTheShadow-behindthesteeringwheelofthecar!

Thestarterpurred.Themotorthrobbed.Thelightsofthecarcameon-withtheexceptionofthedash

light.Thetwomeninthecarwereinvisible.

TremontsensedtheboldnessofTheShadow’splan.Ifanyonehadbeenseen,itmusthavebeenTremont

himself.Withthecarpullingawayopenly,BiffTowleymightbedeceivedintothinkingthatTremontwas

leavingofhisownaccord,atthewheelofhiscoupe.

Tremontsuppressedagroanasherealizedhishopelessness.WhyshouldBiffsuspectthatanythingwas

wrong?Heandhishoundsoftheunderworldhadbeenwatchingthishouseallevening.OnlyTremont

hadbeenseentoenter.TheydidnotsuspectthepresenceofTheShadow!

Deliberately,TheShadowdroveTremont’scartothecirclingendofthedrive.Heswungthewheel;then

backedthecarandstarteditforward.Heheadedoutalongthedrive,towardthesafetyofthestreet.

Tremontwastooalarmedtomove.Hewasbeingshanghaiedinhisown

Tremontwastooalarmedtomove.Hewasbeingshanghaiedinhisownautomobile,andhecouldnot

preventit!

AllseemedwellwithTheShadow’splan.Thecalmhandlingofthecargaveeveryindicationthatnothing

couldbewrong.Butasthefrontwheelsturnedleftfromthedrive,anunexpectedinterruptionoccurred,

Fromacarhiddenacrossthestreet,ablindingsearchlightturneditsraysdirectlyuponthecoupe!

BIFFTOWLEYwasmakingsure.HeknewthatifGladeTremontwereleaving,thesearchlight’s

momentaryglarecoulddonoharm.Thegangleader,withstouthenchmenbyhisside,waswatching

fromhisownmachine.

ThebrightlightrevealedGladeTremont.ButitshowedmorethanthattoBiffTowley.Itindicatedthat

thelawyerwasnotdrivingthecar.Anothermanwasatthewheel,andinthebrilliancethefullformof

TheShadowwasbroughttoview!

Inatwinkling,Biffsawthesituation.Ahardenedgangster,hehadheardmuchofTheShadow.Like

ofTheShadow.Like

everyotherevildoer,theswarthygangleaderhadsworntosomedayslaythemanwhohadsolong

terrorizedthedemonsoftheunderworld.

“TheShadow!”

BiffTowleyspatthewords.Hiswolfishsnarlroseasabattlecry.Swerving,almostatastandstill,the

coupewasdirectlyinthepathofTowleyandhisgorillas,aperfecttargetfortheirgunfire!

Splitsecondsbroughtresults.Thegleamofthesearchlight;BiffTowley’scry;GladeTremont’sreaction.

Hearingtheshout,thelawyerflunghimselflowatthewheel.HewasgrabbingatTheShadow’sright

hand,whichhelditsautomaticpoisedabovethewheel.Atthesametime,Tremonthaddroppedhishead

andshoulders,fearingthattheymightblockthepathofshotsfromtheothercar.

Inthissuddenturnofaffairs,TheShadowwasnotidle.Theglareofthatlightbroughtataunting,

whisperedlaughfromthegrim,unseenlipsofthemanofthenight.

AsTremont’sformflungtowardhim,TheShadow’sarmcameup.Thebarrelof

AsTremont’sformflungtowardhim,TheShadow’sarmcameup.Thebarrelofhisautomaticcaughtthe

lawyer’sdescendingchin.Tremont’skneesshotforward,hisbackcaved,andhecrumpledontheseat,

hisheadbelowthesidewindow.

TheShadowhadwastedneithershotnortimeinthisquickmeetingofthefirstattack.Hishandhad

swungupwardforadoublepurpose.First,toeliminateTremont;second,tobeattheothermentothe

openingshot.WhileTremont’sheadwasstillhurtlingbackward,TheShadow’sfingerpressedthetrigger

ofthebigpistol.

Therewerethreesimultaneousresults.Aloudreportsoundedwithinthecar.Thesearchlightwas

extinguished.Theclatterofshatteredglasswasheard.

Withsure,swiftaim,TheShadowhadbursttheblindingeyethathadrevealedhisform.Asingleshothad

donethedeed.

Themotorofthecoupesnorted.Aboveitsthrumcamethedefiantshoutsofthwartedgangsters.A

delugeoffireburstfromtheparkedcar.Spurtsofflameappearedfromtreesandbushesnearthehouse,

whereJakeBoschandothermenwerestationed.

Allwerefiringblindly.Thecoupe,gainingspeed,waswhirlingdownthenarrowstreet,afleeing,elusive

targetthatdefiedthemarksmanshipofgangland’sgunners.

Angrily,BiffTowleyhurledhiscarintogear.Hispowerfulmachineleapedforward.Gangsters,

scramblingfromthelawn,leapeduponitssteps.Otherscamerunning,tojointhemadpursuitinthewake

ofBiff’ssedan.

Gangsterswereleaningfromopenwindows,blastingawayatthezigzaggingcoupe.Shotswerewild.

Oathswerefutile.Thecoupehadgainedapreciousstart.

BiffTowley,leaningoverthewheel,leeredgrimly.Ordinarily,hewouldhavetoldhismentostaytheir

fireuntiltherangewascloser.Butnowthistorrentofleadenhailwasworkinginaccordancewitha

well-plannedidea.

Theheadlightsofthesedanshowedthefleeingcarhalfablockahead.Thenbeyond,Biffsawthesight

forwhichhehoped.

forwhichhehoped.

FROMasidelanecamealong,lowtouringcar.Itshottothemiddleofthenarrowstreetandstopped

there.Fromitsdarksidescamenewshots-abarragedirectedtowardtheapproachingcoupe.

TheShadowwastrappedbetweentwofires!Anticipatingsomesuchsituationasthis,BiffTowleyhad

stationedhiscarloadofreserveswithinstructionstoblockthepathofanyescapingenemy.

Hadthecoupecontinuedonitsmaddash,itwouldhaverunintocertaindoom.Haditstoppedinits

course,Biffandhisshooterswouldhavefounditeasyprey.

Asthefirstshotscamefromthemenhuddledintheblockingcar,TheShadowwasmomentarilyoutof

rangefrombothdirections.

ItwasonthatinstantthatTheShadowacted.Alone,betweentwoformidabledangers,hemadean

amazingefforttoeludethemboth.Ontheleftoftheroadwasalowwalllinedwiththetrees.Ontheright

wasahedge.

Thoseblack-cladhandsgavethewheelofthecoupeamightytwisttotheright.Thecarspunontwo

wheels.Itshotoverthelowcurb,andknifeditswaythroughthemattedthicknessofthebarberry

hedge!

Itstiresdiggingdeeplyinthesoftturfofabush-coveredlawn,thecarspedonward,TheShadow’s

amazingskillguidingitalongitslurchingway.

Itcrashedthroughshrubbery,andskirtedlow-branchedtrees.Itsgleaminglightsshowedanoddly

formedcoursetowardawoodenpicketfencethatborderedanextensionofthelane.

Thewoodenspikescrackledasthecardroveitswaythroughtosafety.Almosttopplingasitstruckthe

bumpypathbesidethelane,thecarrighteditselfasthedefthandswhirledthewheel.

WithGladeTremont’sbodybouncingcrazilyathisside,TheShadowpilotedthecardownthenarrow,

windingroadway,headingawayfromthecrossingwherethetouringcarhadawaitedhim.

Alongshoutarosefromtheslopebehind.Thegleaminglightsofthetouringcarhadspottedthereturnof

thecoupe.Thelow-bodiedcartookupthepursuitthatBiffTowleyhadlost.

Backonthesidestreet,Biff,hissedanstoppedpastthespotwhereTheShadowhadhurtledhiscar

fromview,joinedinthemadracetoovertakethemanwhohadfled.

Ashissedanturnedthecornerandspeddownthelaneafterthedistanttaillightofthetouringcar,

footstepspoundedalongthesidewalkbesideBiff’scar.Halfadozenrunninghoodlumswerebringingup

therear.

Byaswift,daredevilchance,TheShadowhadshotfromadeathtrap.Twocarsandmorethanadozen

desperategangsterswereonhistrail.Inthecoupe,grimlyclutchingthejostlingwheel,TheShadow

laughedashebumpedonthroughthenight.Hewasonanarrowwindingroadthatmightleadnowhere.

Whatwouldbetheoutcomeofthismadrace?

Hiscaptivewasbobbinghelplesslyathisside,butTheShadowgavenoheedto

Hiscaptivewasbobbinghelplesslyathisside,butTheShadowgavenoheedtothemanwhomhehad

taken.Hewasengagedinthethrillofthemoment,hismightyschemesandwell-laidplansdepending

entirelyuponwhatmighthappennow.

On,on,wentTheShadow,seekingsomeavenuewherehemightturn,guidinghiswayalongthetwisting

roadthatwascurvingitsrock-incrustedroutedownarugged,ramblingslope.Soonhewouldbeatthe

endofthispath.

Ahead,theremightbesafety.Ahead,mightlieatrapmoreformidablethantheonewhichTheShadow

hadescaped.Thethumpingoftherockyroadwasrackingtheframeofthecoupe.Lifeordeathhungin

thebalancewiththegreathazardyettocome.

Again,TheShadowlaughed.Hismockingmirthrangclearandboldthroughtheblackenedairofnight!

CHAPTERXIV.THESHADOW’SFIGHT

AFLATTENED,wideningstripintheroadahead.Thewheelsofthecoupeswishedasthefast-moving

carspurtedovertheshortstretch.

Thencameasharpturntotheleft-adownwardroadonalow-banked,treelessstretchofland.Beyond

that,somethingwhiteandlevelshonebeneaththeapproachinglights.

Thecoupe,respondingtoTheShadow’surge,hurtledtowardthewhitishmassahead.Thenitshood

tiltedupwardtoalevel.TheraisinglightshurledavividglareupontheblacknessofthewavelessSound.

Aquickfootpressedthebrake.Thecoupeskiddedsharplyuponthedampenedsurfaceofaswimming

wharf.Thecarswungtotheright.Itsrearwheelsskimmedalongtheedgeofthepier,almostdropping

overtheside.

Jammedtoastop,thethicktiresglidedsidewiseuntilthecarhaltedontheveryedgeofthedeepwater

attheendofthepier.

Awildfinishtoadesperateride.Butthethrillofthisamazingepisodewasyettocome.Mereseconds

afterthecoupehadhalted,thebrightlightsofanothercarplungeddowntheslope.

Thedriverofthetouringcarcouldseethedangerashespottedtheplightofthenearlywreckedcoupe.

Hejammedhisbrakesbeforehereachedthewharf.Hisskidwasshorter;hisstoppagewasmore

abrupt.

Thelightsofthesedanwerenowinview.Thesecondofthemob-mannedcarswascomingupwithits

hordeofdesperatekillers.Wildshoutswereheardfromthegunmen.

Coldly,calmly,TheShadowslippedthroughthedoorbesidethedriver’sseat.ThejoltedformofGlade

Tremontcrumpledcompletely,alongthefloorofthecar.Thedoorclosed.

Tremont,helpless,wastrappedwithin.TheShadowgavenothoughttohim.Therewasotherworkto

do.Flighthadended.Fightwastobegin!

Poisedonthestepofthecar,hisblackformclingingtothefartherside,TheShadowwasstandingalmost

abovethewaterydepthsattheendofthepier.Firstonehandrose;thentheother.Eachthinblackglove

wastightaboutanautomatic.

Anopeningshotcamefromthebodyofthetouringcar.Itcrashedagainstthe

Anopeningshotcamefromthebodyofthetouringcar.Itcrashedagainstthesideofthecoupe.The

Shadowgavenosignofareply.Anothershotsplinteredasidewindow.Still,TheShadowwassilent.

Now,emboldenedmenweredashingforward.Withgleamingrevolvers,twogangstersleapedfromthe

touringcar.Fivemore,headedbyJakeBoschscrambledofftherunningboardsofthesedan.Acrossthe

dockstheyraced,protectedbythemeninthecarsbehind,

Theywereanxioustoseizetheirquarry.TheyknewthattheyweredealingwithTheShadow.Where

washe?Hidinginthecar?Stunnedatthewheel?OrhadheleapedintotheSound?

Whereverhemightbe,thesemenwereouttogethimbyforceofnumbers.Awidespread,grimly

snarlingtribe,theywerewedginginlikethespokesofafan.

THENcamethereportofTheShadow’sright-handgun.ThesamedeadlyaimthathadshatteredBiff

Towley’sspotlightproveditsmeritagain;butthistimeitstargetwasahumanbody.

Adashinggangsterscreamedandleapedupward,handsclawinginair.Hisbody

Adashinggangsterscreamedandleapedupward,handsclawinginair.Hisbodyflattenedandsprawled

uponthedockslidingintoahuddledshape.Hisrevolver,skimmingonward,slippedfromthesideofthe

wharfandsplashedintothewater.

Nooneheardthatsplash.TheShadow’sgunwasdeliveringitssecondbark.Anothermanfell.He

sprawledlikeastarfish,hisrevolverstillinhisgrasp.

Theothersweredroppingtothewharf,lyinglowandspread,theirrevolversreturningtheattack.

BiffTowley,alertinthesedan,spottedtheexactplacefromwhichtheshotshadcome.Hesawthedim

topofablackhatabovetherearofthecoupe.

Hisyellgavethesignalashefired.Themeninthetouringcarblazedaway.

HadTheShadowremainedtoriskanotherpressofthetrigger,Biff’sbulletwouldhaveclippedhim.But

thehatwasdroppingtosafetyasthegangleaderfired.Theleadenmissileskimmedthecrownofthe

disappearingheadpiece.

Themenonthedockwerecrawlingforward.Biffandtheotherswhocoveredwerealert.TheysawThe

Shadow’schosenspot.Anothermoveonhispart,anddeathwouldbehislot.

ButTheShadowhadmadeasuddenchange.Crouching,heflunghimselfflatupontheouterrunning

board.Withincredibleswiftness,hewriggledhistallformbetweenthefrontfenderandthehood.Hisleft

armpausedbytheedgeoftheradiator.Hissharpeyespeeredforthunseen.

Twomenwerecrawlingforwardfromthatdirection.OnewasJakeBosch.Withlow,perfectaim,The

Shadowfired.Jakedroppedwithoutasound.

Beforetheotherstartledgunmancouldturnhisrevolver,asecondshotoccurred.Jake’scompanionfell,

writhing.

Nowgunsblazedinfury.Hardbulletscrashedthroughthesideofthehood.Theyneverfoundtheir

mark.BetweenTheShadowandhisenemieslaytheprotectingmotor.Itwasasolidbarrierthatbullets

couldnotpenetrate.

Fourmenhadfallen.Fourofnearlyadozen.Theothersonthepier,realizingthefact,surgedforwardin

amass.Thefirstoftheattackersreachedthehoodofthecar.Likeasoldiergoingoverthetop,heflung

himselfacrossthehood,hisgunarmforward,aimingforthehiddenfoe.

TheShadow,twistedonhisback,hisleftarmbythehood,hisrightagainsthisbody,sawthegleaming

revolverasitshotabovehim.Heheardthebrutalcursefromthegangster’slipsasthemantriedtostop

hisplungeandbringhisweapondownward.

TheShadow’sgunspatupward.Thegangster’seffortsfailedasthebulletcleavedhischest.Hisbody

hurtledforwardintothewaterbeyond.

Inthatwell-timed,preciseaction,TheShadowhadlostaprecioussecond.Anotherfoehadprofitedby

thedelay.Sneakingbytherearofthecar,thismanwasclingingtothebackfender,ontheveryedgeof

thepier.

HecouldseethespatterofTheShadow’sgun.Hangingbackward,holdingbyhislefthand,thisgangster

thrusthisrightarmacrosshisbodyandfired.

Helosthisaimintheeffort.Fromhiscrampedposition,hisshotwashigh.Anotherchancewasallhe

needed;buthedidnotgetit.

TheShadow,serenelyrestingbetweenthefenderandthehood,deliberatelyleveledhisrighthand.His

fingerpressedthetriggeroftheautomatic.Hisshotwastowardtheoneportionofthegangster’sbody

thatcouldnotmove-thewhitelefthandthatgrippedthefenderofthecar.TheShadow’saimdidnot

fail.

Withahideouscry,theman’sholdbrokeasthebulletcrunchedhisgrippinghand.Hisarmsflungup

abovehisheadasheseemedtoleapbackward.Hisbodysmackedagainstthewaterwitharesounding

splash.

ANEWenemymenaced.Hewasmorecautiousthantheothers.Prowlingforward,hehadopenedthe

doorofthecoupe.Hewasreachingthroughthewindow,bythewheel-forhehadfounditopen.He

wasstumblingovertheformofGladeTremont.TheShadowswunguptomeetthisgunman.Ahandand

thisgunman.Ahandand

aheadcameintoview.Apointingrevolvershimmered.BeforeitwasTheShadow’srisingfigure,withits

blackenedautomatic.

Itwasasplitsecondracebetweenhairtriggers,andTheShadowwon.Hisshotechoedlikeacannon’s

roar.Thegangster’sheaddisappeared.Hishandlaylimplyontheopeningofthewindow,thetrigger

guardoftherevolverdanglingfromanervelessfinger.

TheShadowlaughedashegrippedhisrightautomaticinthebendofhisleftelbow.Heextendedhislong

armandtheblack-glovedhandpluckedtherevolverfromthedyinghoodlum’sunresistingclutch.

Scowling,atthewheelofhissedan,BiffTowleyspatlowcurses.SevenmenhadadvancedtotakeThe

Shadow.Sevenbulletshadendedtheirattack.Themanwasademon!Hisworkhadbeenatclose

range,butneveroncehadhefaltered.

Biffnudgedthemanwhosatbesidehim-theonlyotheroccupantofthesedan.Together,they

clamberedfromthecarandfoundprotectionbesidethetouringcar.Thereweretwomenthere.

twomenthere.

“We’vegottogethim!”snarledBiff.“It’sTheShadow!”

InthebadlandsofManhattan,thatnamewouldhaveinspireditshearerswithterror.Here,withthe

echoesofgunshotsstillringingintheirears,theutteranceinspiredBiff’shenchmenwithanewandgrim

incentive.

TheyhadTheShadowwithintheirgrasp,iftheycouldbuttakehim.Theircompanionshadtastedhis

death-dealingbullets.Itwasagameofvengeance,now!

Thenoseofthetouringcarwaspointedatanangletowardthebullet-riddledcoupe.Biff’splanwasa

quickandsimpleone.

“Closeinonhim!”orderedthegangleader.“Driveuptotheendofthepier.”

Themanwhocrouchedatthewheelutteredatersegrunt.Thetouringcarshotforwardandjammedits

radiatorclosetothesideofthecoupe.

“Givehimtheworks!”

BiffTowley’scommandcamefromthesideofthecar.Thetwomenraisedtheirrevolvers.Biffandhis

companionpeeredfromthehoodofthetouringcar.

Fromthisspot,aquickattackwaspossible.YetBiffhesitated.Then,asthoughinanswertoasharpoath

thatsputteredfromthegangleader,ashoutwasraisedfromtheroadthatcametothepier.Fiverunning

gangsterswerearrivingasthelastreserve.

ItwouldbesuredeathforTheShadownow!Tostoptheapproachofthesemen,hemustshowhimself.

Otherwisetherewouldbeahordetoclamberasoneaboutthattiltedcoupe.

“Holdit!”exclaimedBiff,tothethreemennearhim.“Watchwhenheshowshishead-”

Beforethemencouldheedtheirleader’swarning,TheShadow’stallformappearedsuddenlyattherear

ofthecoupe,risingabovethetop-attheveryspotwherehehadmadehisearliestappearance.He,too,

hadheardtheshoutsandnowhiseyescouldseetheclusterofgangsterswho

hadheardtheshoutsandnowhiseyescouldseetheclusterofgangsterswhowerenearingthepier.But

thesewerenothisquarry.

THESHADOWhadoutguessedBiffTowley.Hehadrealizedtheverysituationthatwasspringing

throughtheswarthygangster’smind.Springingupward,almostontopofthecar,TheShadowwasa

mightymonsterofthenight.

Theheightofhisposition,theproximityofthetouringcar-bothgavehimanadvantagewhichBiff

Towleyhadnotanticipated.

Downsweptthehandsthatheldtheautomatics.Onlylong,spittingflamesrevealedthepresenceofthe

guns.Thequickshotsweredirectedatthetwomeninthetouringcar,oneinfronttheotherintherear.

Bothwereraisingtheirrevolvers,astheycrouchedbehindthedoors.

TheShadowclippedthefrontmanintheshoulder.Thegangstermanagedtoreturntheshot,buthisaim

wasfaulty.TheShadow’snextbulletsmashedtheman’sarm.Hedroppedhisgunandfelltothe

protectingfloor.

Theotherautomaticwasnotidle.Whiletheleftusedtwoshotstowoundthemaninfront,therighthand

swungtowardthemaninthebackofthecar.

Hewascrouching,thinkinghimselfsafe.Inthathewaswrong.TheShadowmadealivingtargetofhis

huddledform.

Biff’slonecompanionsawTheShadow,andmadeamaddashforward.HefiredwildasTheShadow’s

bodyswayed.Theanswerwasawhistlingshotthatfelledtheunwarygangster.

TheShadowdroppedflatuponthetopofthecar,andhisautomaticsslippedaway.Theywereempty.

Fromhiscloak,hepluckedtherevolverthathehadtakenfromthedyinggunman.

Thereservesofthegangsterhordewerepoundingacrossthedock,yellingwildly.Theydidnotknowthe

poweroftheirfoe.Theyfiredatthetopofthecarastheyran.

TheShadowignoredtheirfire.Coolly,calmly,heaimedwithperfectmarksmanship.Hewasadifficult

targetfortheapproachingmen.Theywereinfrontofthesedan’slights,which

targetfortheapproachingmen.Theywereinfrontofthesedan’slights,whichBiffhadleftburning.The

Shadowfoundthemeasyprey.

Hisfinalshotsweretimedtogoodadvantage.Mensprawledastheycameon.Two,seeingtheir

companionsfall,leapedbackanddivedbehindthesedan.TheShadowpressedthetriggerasheaimed

towardoneoftheescapinggangsters.Thehammerfelluponanemptychamber.

BiffTowleyhadnotbeenidle.Craftyaswellasbold,hehadseentoomuchofTheShadow’s

marksmanshiptoriskexposinghimself.Insteadofspringingintoview,thegangleadercrawledtotheside

ofthecoupe,andglidedalongthenearerrunningboard.

HeknewthatTheShadowwouldbewatchingforsomeoneontheouterside.Sneakingcautiously,Biff

raisedhimselfbesidethecar,readyforhissurprisethrust.

Hisheadandhandcameuptogether,overthetopofthecoupe.Biffhadintendedtobeclosetohisfoe,

buthehadnotexpectedtheproximitywhichheattained.Ashisfacecameabovethetopofthecar,Biff

foundhimselfstaringintotwoburningeyes,notafootfromhisown!

Biff’shandshotforward.Hisfingertuggedthetriggerofhisrevolver.

Onceagain,TheShadowwastooquick.Ashesawthegangleader’sfaceappear,heflunghisrevolver

squarelyintothatleeringvisage.Themetalmissiveflattenedthegangleader’sface.

BiffTowleytoppledbackwardashefired.HisbulletwhistledpastTheShadow’shat.Thegangleader

landedflatonhisback,besidethecoupe,andhisrevolverclinkedasitstruckthelightofthetouringcar.

TheShadowhadrisenwithhiseffort.Weaponless,now,hiswaveringformbecameatargetforthemen

bythesedan.Undercover,theyopenedfire

Atthesoundofthefirstshot,TheShadowflunghisarmswide.Aloudcrycamefromhishiddenlips.It

dwindledashisformlurchedbackward.Adullsplashfollowedasthefallingmaninblackplungedinto

thewaterbeyondthepier.

“Igothim!”growledthemanwhohadfiredtheshot.

“Goodwork!”exclaimedhiscompanion.“YougotTheShadow!”

THEtwomenhurriedforward.OnesawBiffTowley,groaningonthedockandstoppedtoaidhischief,

theothercontinuedtotheendofthedockandpeeredoutovertheSound.

Hewasstillstaringwhentheothergangsterjoinedhim.Thewatcherraisedhisgunandfiredaskimming

shotacrossthewater.

“What’stheidea?”growledtheotherman.

“ThoughtIsawsomethingfloatingoutthere,”repliedthefirst.

“Don’twastegoodlead.Yougotthatguythefirsttimeyoufired.Comealong.We’vegottohelpBiff.It’s

timewescrammed.”

Thesuggestionwasawiseone.Eveninthisisolatedspotthesoundofgunfirehadatlastbroughtvisitors.

Twocarswerestoppingonaroadway,acrossalittlecove.Themenonthedockcouldhearvoices.

couldhearvoices.

Hurriedly,theyrushedbacktoaidBiffandotherwoundedmen.Theypiledtheircompanionsintothe

carsandpreparedtoleave.Onemantookthesedan;theotherthetouringcar.Withtheirloadof

woundedgangsters,theypulledawayuptheroadthatledtothewindinglane.

Thesilenceofdeathprevaileduponthelittlepier.ThereTheShadowhadfoughthismightybattleagainst

terrificodds,onlytoendhisgloriousfightwithafarewellplungeintotheSound.

Peoplewerearrivingnow,auniformedpolicemanamongthem.White-facedmenwerepeeringatthe

sprawledformsofdeadgangsters.Theofficerpulledamotionlessmanfromthecoupe;thensawanother

bodybeneaththeformthathehadremoved.

Thismanwasalive.Hemanagedtoriseofhisownaccord.Hestaggeredashisfeettouchedthepier,

thensatdownontherunningboardofthecoupeandstaredabouthimwithabewilderedair.

ItwasGladeTremont.Hehadregainedconsciousnessduringtheendofthefray.Now,hecould

scarcelyrealizewhathadhappened.Peoplewerecrowdinguptotalkwiththislonesurvivorofthe

carnage

Menpilingvictimsintocarsthathadgone;deadmenonthedock;alivemanemergingfromthecoupe-

witnesseshadseenallthese.

Butnoone,eitheronthepierortheroadwayacrossthecove,sawthedrippingfigurethatcamefromthe

Soundandcrawledstealthilyamongtherocks,fivehundredyardsaway.

Noonesawthefigure-nordidanyhearthemockinglaughthatcamefromlipsthatwereobscuredby

theflappingbrimofawater-soakedslouchhat.

TheShadow,victorofthefray,hadreturnedfromthewaters.Hehadfeignedadyingplungewhenhe

haddivedtosafety.Thoughweaponless,hehadescapedunscathed.

CHAPTERXV.AFTERMIDNIGHT

ANautomobilepulleduptothedoorofGladeTremont’shome.Apolicemansteppedouttomeetit.

DoctorGeraldSavette,suaveandquestioninginglance,lookedatthemaninuniform.

“YouareDoctorSavette?”askedtheofficer.

“Yes,”repliedthephysician.“HowisMr.Tremont?”

“Allrightnow,sir,”saidtheofficer.“Hewasluckythathedidn’tgetkilled.Hegotcaughtinthemiddleof

ameangunfight.Theywerebattlinginandoutofhiscar.Gorightup,doctor.”

Savettewentintothehouseandascendedthestairs.HearrivedatGladeTremont’sbedroom,and

enteredtofindthelawyerproppeduponastackofpillows.

Nooneelsewasintheroom.Aglassandbottleofmedicineindicatedthatanotherphysicianhadleft.

Quietly,Savetteclosedthedoorandsatdownbesidethebed.

“Ireceivedyourmessage,”hesaid,inalowvoice.“Theytoldmeyouwantedmehere-asyour

physician.Thisisaprofessionalcall.”

Hesmiled,thenaddedreflectively:

“Itisfortunateyoumanagedtocommunicatewithmebeforemidnight.”

“Iamfortunatetobeheremyself,”returnedTremont.“WestruckaTartartonight,Gerald.Wefinished

him,though.That’sonesatisfaction.”

“Tellmeaboutit.”

Briefly,TremontnarratedtheeventsuptothetimeofTheShadow’smadflight.Thatwasthepointat

whichthelawyer’sobservationhadceased.Skippingthestoryofthefightonthedock,Tremontcameto

whathadhappenedafterward.

“WhenIcameto,”hesaid,“theyweredraggingmeoutofthecoupe.Icouldn’tfigurewhereIwasatfirst

-thenIrealizedIwasonthelittledockattheendoftheoldlane.Thepolicemanrecognizedme.He

knewmycar,too.Itdidn’ttakemelongtothinkuptherightsortofstory.”

“Whichwas-”

“ThatIhaddrivendowntothedocktolookattheSound.JustasIwasturning

“ThatIhaddrivendowntothedocktolookattheSound.JustasIwasturningthecoupe.Twocars

cameswingingdownthelane,oneinpursuitoftheother.Thenthegunsstarted.Gangsters,battling.Two

ofthempiledintothecar.Somethinghitmeonthehead.Idropped-andthat’sthelastIknewaboutit.”

“Agoodalibi,”declaredSavette,nodding

“Aperfectone,”saidTremont.“Acceptedwithoutquestion.”

“Whyisthepolicemanhere?”

“JusttoseeI’mallright,”smiledTremont.“Hewillbeleavingsoon.IcalledBiffTowleywhileyouwere

onyourwayhere.”

“Yes?”Savette’seyebrowsbetrayedhiseagernesstohearaboutthegangleader’sreport.

“Hedidn’ttalklong,”declaredTremont,“buthetoldmeallIwanttoknow.OneofhismennailedThe

Shadow.Hewasontopofmycar.

“HesmashedBiffinthefacewithhisrevolver.Noshotsleft,evidently.ThenoneofBiff’smobfired

pointblank,andTheShadowfellfromtheendofthedock.”

“HowdidBiff’smobfare?”

“Badly.JakeBoschwaskilled.Someothers,too.Nearlyallwerewounded.Thatmanwasafighter-but

theoddsweretoogreat.”

“Amazing-hisschemeofposingasyou.Idon’tthinkitcouldhavedeceivedme,however.”

“Heenteredthroughacellarwindow,”observedTremont.“CapturedoneofBiff’smenandtiedhimup.

Thefellowmanagedtogetfree,justaboutthetimetheywerebringingmebackfromthedock.

“I’mgladaboutthat;itwouldn’tbewellforhimtobedowntherenow-oreveninthisvicinity.Hearrived

atBiff’sheadquartersandtoldhimallaboutit.”

DOCTORSAVETTEbecamepensive.Heseemedtobereviewingthescattereddetailsoftonight’s

events.Hewaspicturingthebattleonthepier.Henoddedslowlyasthougha

events.Hewaspicturingthebattleonthepier.Henoddedslowlyasthoughadefinitethoughtwas

comingtohim.

Hisreveriewasinterruptedbythesoundofraindropsthatbegantospatterontheslopingroofoutsideof

Tremont’swindow.Savettenoticedthatthewindowwasopenslightly.

Thenoiseoftherainfallbecameaheavytorrent.Ithadbeencloudyeversincetheafternoon;nowa

stormwasbreaking.

Savettegazedidlyattheblackenedwindow;thenheresumedhismeditation.Now,itwasTremontwho

interrupted.Thelawyeremittedalow,gleefulchuckle.

“Itworkedoutforthebest,”hedeclared.“Itwasastalemate;nowthegameisours.Wecantakeour

time.AsforthatfellowMarsland-”

TremontmadeagesturetoindicatethatCliffwouldbeobliteratedfromthehorizon.

Savetteshookhishead.

“Don’tacttooquickly,Glade,”headvised,inacraftytone.“Wecanneverbetoosure.Iagreewithyou

thatwecantakeourtime.ButIamnotyetsatisfiedthatTheShadowisdead.”

“There’snodoubtaboutit.Bifftalkedwiththemanwhoshothim.”

“Peopledonotalwaysdiewhentheyareshot.IfTheShadowisdead,Iwanttobesureofit.Waituntil

theyfindhisbody,driftingintheSound.”

“Theymayneverfindit,”answeredTremont.“Thereareheavycurrentsalongthispartoftheshore.You

cannotcountonthat.”

“Iamnotcountingonanything,”assertedSavette.“ThatistheverypointIamtryingtomakeyou

consider.Youarerightwhenyousaythegameisours.Wewanttokeepitours.”

“How?”

“BycontinuingtoholdMarsland.Wehavehimsafe.YougaveTheShadowyourultimatum.Solongas

Marslandlives,weareprotected,eventhoughTheShadowmayhaveescaped.”

Marslandlives,weareprotected,eventhoughTheShadowmayhaveescaped.”

“Thatisright,”acquiescedTremont.“Marslandcandonoharm;hemaybeusefulifwekeephim.We

havetoomuchatstaketoallowasingleloophole.Youtookchancestonight.Youareluckytobealive.

Beguidedbymyadvicefromnowon.”

TREMONTrealizedthewisdomofSavette’sremarks.Hesensedthathiscolleagueincrimewasabout

toproposeadefiniteplan.Helistenedintently.

“Youneedavacation,”declaredSavette,assumingaprofessionalair.“Isuggestthatyougoawayfora

trip.Destinationunannounced.Actually,itwillbeGlendale.

“TakeBiffTowleywithyou.Puthiminchargeofforcesupthere.ForgetNewYorkforawhile.

ConcentrateongettingresultsthroughOrlinov.

“Wehaveaccomplishedwhatwesetouttodo.Ourpastiscovered.Thereareonlytwowhohaveever

triedtointerfere-SharrockandTheShadow.Wedrovethefirstaway.Wehaveapparentlykilledthe

second.

second.

“IshallremaininNewYork.YouwillbewithOrlinov,makingsurethatallgoeswell.WithTowleyin

chargeoftheguardstherecanbenomutiny,noreasingofthewatch.ThenOrlinovcandrivethoseslaves

ofhis.Makethemproduce.”

TherewasasteelyglintinSavette’seyesasheconcludedhisstatement.Tremontchuckled.

“Orlinovknowshowtodrive”declaredthelawyer.“Heisgettingresultsaseffectivelyaspossible.Heis

handicappedbyonlyoneitem.Money.”

“Iknowthat,”saidSavettethoughtfully.“Iintendtorectifythatsituation.Icandoitbetteralone,at

present.Ourrealworkisended.Itwasdifficultwiththeothers,becausewehadsetourmindsonthe

oneswewanted.Butmoney-”

Helaughedknowingly.Tremontsawanewsparkleinthephysician’seyes.

“Sharrockcrossedus,”addedSavette.“Otherwise,wemightnothavestartedonournewventure.Ifwe

hadhimnow,wewouldbeallright.Butitwouldbedangeroustogoafterhim.Thereareeasierways;

andIcanfindone.”

“Theneedisimminent,”declaredTremont.

“Iunderstandthat,”saidSavette.“Nevertheless,wemustnotbehasty.Givemethreeweeks-perhapsa

month.BythenIshallhaveaperfectplan.Itmaytakemelesstime.WhenIneedassistance,Ishall

communicatewithyou.”

“Haveyoufoundanysuitablepersonsasyet?”

“Several,”saidSavette,“buteachonepresentsanobstacle.ThatiswhyIhavebeenwaiting.Itwouldbe

agravemistaketochooseone,thenfindanotherwhowouldprovemoreprofitable.Wewanttheone

whowillbeeasiesttowork.”

“Thatisuptoyou,”saidTremontinatiredvoice.“Doyourbest,andletmehearfromyou.Ishallleave

forGlendaletomorrow.”

Savettearoseandbadehiscompaniongoodnight.Hewentdownstairsanddonnedhisraincoat.He

steppedfromthedoor.Thepoliceman,aponchoonhisshoulders,wasstandingontheedgeofthe

porch.HesalutedthephysicianandSavettehastenedthroughthepouringrainandreachedhiscar.

Thepolicemanwatchedthephysician’sautomobiledriveaway.Theofficerhadbeeninstructedtoremain

hereduringthenight.GladeTremontwasanimportantresidentinthelocality.Theheadofthelocal

policeforceregrettedhisneglectinleavingthissectionunguarded.

UPontheroofabovethepoliceman’shead,ashadowyshapeappearedreflectedinthelightfrom

Tremont’swindow.AdrippingcloakglistenedasthefigureofTheShadowcrepttowardtheedgeofthe

roof.

EscapedfromthewatersoftheSound,themanofmysteryhadcometoTremont’shome,toanticipatea

visitfromDoctorGeraldSavette.Outsidethewindow,hehadlistenedtoeverywordthathadbeen

utteredbythetwoconspirators.

TheShadowreachedtheedgeoftheroof.Hisformbecameinvisible.Hislongshapeglidedeasilyover

theedge.Ithungsuspendedamidtherain.

HadTheShadowdroppedtothesoftgroundbeneath,hisfallwouldhaveattractedtheattentionofthe

policeman;butTheShadowdidnotresorttosuchanact.

Hehadchosenthisspotwithcarefuldesign.Loweringonehand,heencircleditaboutapillarbeneaththe

overhangingroof.Theotherarmfollowed.Clingingtothepost,TheShadowmoveddownwardinchby

inch,untilhisfeettouchedtherail.

Theofficerwasonlyafewfeetaway,ontheothersideofthepost.Hechancedtoturnandlooktoward

therailingoftheporch.Allthathesawwasrain.

TheShadow’sformwasmotionless.Theprojectingarmsandshoulderswereablackblotthattothe

officer’seyeswereaportionofthenight.

Thepoliceman’streadsoundedonthewoodenporch.Themanwentdownthestepsandpeeredalong

stepsandpeeredalong

thedrive.Hecamebacktohisposition,andpausedtolightacigarettebytheverypostwhereThe

Shadowhadbeenstanding.

Theblue-tippedmatchthrewaglareasthepolicemanscratcheditonthepillar.Thesuddenblaze

revealednothing.Quietly,stealthilythemanofnighthadglidedawayintothedarkness.

Hewastreadingthedrivenow,butnoteventhegravelgavesignofhispassing.Outtothestreet-then

theonlytokenofhispresencewasadriftingsilhouettethatmovedalongthesidewalkpastablurred

streetlamp.

WithcloakandhatsaturatedbySoundandrain,TheShadowtraveledonwithouttheslightestswishto

indicatehispresence.Invisible,hestoppedbesideadrivewaythatledtoanemptyhouse.Therehe

turnedtoapproachacoupeparkedofftheedgeofthedrive.

Thepatteroftherainontheroofofthecardrownedthenoiseoftheopeningdoor.TheShadowreached

thewheelofhisowncar.Thestartersounded;themotorthrobbed.Thelightscameonasthecarswung

cameonasthecarswung

clearofthedriveandheadedtowardNewYork.Soonitreachedabroadboulevard,andwaslostinthe

trafficoflate-boundcarsreturningtothebigcity.

WHENnextTheShadowappearedhewasinadarkenedroomwhereonlythespotlightofthe

green-shadedlampreflecteditsraysfromtheburnishedtopofabroadtable.

Hishandsalonewerevisible-dryhandsnow.Thoselong,slenderfingershadshowntheirmasterywith

theautomatic;nowtheywereengagedinopeninganenvelope.

Thegirasolglimmeredaboveatypedreport.TheShadowwasreadingwordfromRutledgeMann-

wordthatincludedarelayedmessagefromHarryVincent,theagentwhomTheShadowhaddispatched

abroad:

SharkNiceParisTally

TheShadowinscribedthetranslationofthiscondensedreport,whichconformedwithacodegiven

Vincent.

“Shark”meantSharrock.“Nice”referredtotheMediterraneanresort.“Paris”showedwhereSharrock

hadgone.“Tally”wasanabbreviationforsteamship‘Talleyrand’.

TheShadowwrote:

LocatedSharrockatNice.HeleftforParis.Sailedonthe

Steamship‘Talleyrand’.

EvidentlyVincenthadlostthetrailatNice.Sharrock,travellingtoParishadcontinuedfromthereto

Cherbourg,tocatchthesteamerforAmerica.TheShadow’shandswerestill,indicatingthathewas

ponderingoverthemessagethatlaybeforehim.

ThenthefingersfoundanotheritemsuppliedbyRutledgeMann.Itwasthe

ThenthefingersfoundanotheritemsuppliedbyRutledgeMann.ItwasthesailingscheduleofThe

FrancoLine.The‘Talleyrand’hadleftCherbourgthatday.ItwouldnotarriveinNewYorkforaweek.

TherewassignificanceinthereturnofthismanSharrock.SavettehadboastedthatheandTremonthad

drivenhimaway.Whywashecomingback?Whatwouldbetheoutcomewhentheplotterslearnedof

hisreturn?

Sharrock,stepbrotherofAustinBellamy,mightproveakeytothesituationthatexistedinGlendale.His

returnwasevidentlyunknowntoSavette.WoulditaidordisturbTheShadow’splans?

Onceagain,TheShadow’spropheticlistappeared.Thatpieceofpapergaveitscolumnofwords:

Money-Television-AtomicEnergy-Aeronautics-Money.Thefirstfourtitleshadthenamesofmen

attached.Atthebottomofthecolumnstoodthesingleword:

Money.

Thelistbeganwithmoney;itendedwithmoney.Whateverthepurposeofthethreestatementsin

threestatementsin

between,moneywasthedominatingmotive.MoneywasDoctorSavette’saimnow.

ThehandofTheShadowpausedbesidethatall-importantwordatthebottomofthelist.Itwaited,

lingering.Thencamealaughfromtheblacknessoftheroom.Itwasastrange,sardoniclaugh-atoken

ofmirththatpresagedthedownfallofevildoers.

Thehandwrote.Anothernamewasinscribedtothelist.Forabriefinstantthenamestoodplain,while

thegirasolonTheShadow’slefthandthrewforthitslustrousshaftsofmysticlight.

Thenallwasdarknessastheshadedlampclickedoff.Fromthestillnessofasolid,tomblikeroom,The

Shadow’ssinisterlaughflungagrimandmuffledtaunt.

Outofthedark,TheShadowhadcometonight.Intothedarkhehadreturned.Checkedinhisfirst

attack,driventobaybygangsterhordes,TheShadowhadfoughtagainsttremendousodds.His

presencehadbeenrevealed.Hisstalwarthandwasthwartedforthemoment.

Butwithuncannycleverness,TheShadowhadretiredfurtherfromthelight.His

Butwithuncannycleverness,TheShadowhadretiredfurtherfromthelight.Hisenemiesbelievedhewas

defeated.Theywerealmostconvincedthathewasdead.Theoneadvantagehehadgainedtonightwas

obscurity.

OnlythroughpreservingthepretenseofoblivioncouldTheShadowhopetowithholdthesescheming

fiends.Yethow,fromoblivion,couldhehopetowagethecombat?

Inthefaceofthisdilemma,TheShadowlaughed!Hisbrainhadevolvedsomesystemwherebyodds

suchasthesecouldbemet.Whatmeanscouldthishopelesssituationafford?

OnlyTheShadowknew!

TheShadowalwaysknows.

CHAPTERXVI.APERFECTSCHEME

DOCTORSAVETTEsmiledgrimlyasheleanedbackinhiseasy-chair.Hewasaloneinhisfrontroom,

reviewingthepast,andthinkingofthefuture.Attiredineveningclothes,hehadtheposeofagentleman

ofculture.

FourdayshadpassedsinceBiffTowley’smobhadmetandfoughtTheShadow.Theaffrayhadcaused

agreatstirinthenewspapers.Thegarbledandincorrectaccountshadbeenacceptedseriously.

Solemnsleuthshadsolvedthesituation-sotheysupposed.Itwasassumedthatacrowdofgangsters

hadgonetothedocktomeetrumrunnerscominginfromtheSound.Anothercrewofmobsmenhad

cometomusclein.Onebandhadbeenvictorious.

GladeTremont,prominentattorneyhadunfortunatelybeentrappedinthefray.Thevictorshadfled,

leavingthedeadandwounded.GladeTremonthadescapedwithonlyslightinjuries.

CertainofthebattlingmobsmenhadbeenidentifiedwithagangleadernamedBiffTowley.Hewasnotin

NewYork.Itwassupposedthathehadfled-perhapsbeforethefight-fearingthathewastobe

deposedaschief.Someeffortwasbeingmadetofindhim,buttheattemptwasnotwidespread.

GladeTremonthadgoneawayforarest.Hehadbeenthroughagrueling

GladeTremonthadgoneawayforarest.Hehadbeenthroughagruelingexperience.Hisdeparturefrom

NewYorkhadbeenvirtuallyunmentionedinthenewspapers.

AllthesereportsweregoodnewstoGeraldSavette.Buthehadstillanotherreasontobepleased.The

Shadowhadcompletelydisappeared.Unmentionedbythepress-fornoonehadsuspectedThe

Shadow’shandintheLongIslandaffair-theoneenemywhomSavetteandTremontfearedhadpassed

intooblivion.

Now,SavettehadbeguntoshareTremont’stheorythatTheShadowhadbeenkilled.Thereweregood

reasonsforsobelieving.

Itseemedincrediblethatthemancouldpossiblyhaveescaped.Themobsterwhohadfiredtheshotat

whichTheShadowtoppledhadgazedfromtheendofthedocktoseenoone.ThatwasBiffTowley’s

assurance.

Moreover,GladeTremont’sstatementaboutthecurrentsintheSoundweretrueones.Searchershad

discoveredthebodyofadeadgangsterwedgedbeneathanotherdockahalfmileaway.

away.

NobodyhadbeenfoundthatmighthavebeenTheShadow’s;buttherewaseverycausetobelievethat

hisform,too,hadfounditswaytosomeobscurespot.

MostconvincingofallwasthefactthatTheShadowhadnotrevealedhimself.Therewasnochance-so

Savettethought-thatTheShadowcouldknowofpresentplans.Checkmated,hisonlyhope-ifhelived

-ofsavingCliffMarsland’slifewastocommunicateandcometoterms.Savettewasconfidentonthis

point.Therefore,TheShadowmustbedead.

Nevertheless,thewilyphysicianhadnotchangedhisplanofholdingCliffasahostage.Withhisagent

captive,TheShadowcouldnotdaretostrike.Savette,despitehissmugness,waswellversedinthelore

oftheunderworld.HeknewthatTheShadowwouldneverabandonanunderlingtodestruction.

FORashortwhile,SavettehadentertainedthethoughtthatperhapsoperativesofTheShadowmight

carryon.That,hewassoonconvinced,wasnotonlyillogical,butalsoimpossible.

impossible.

Actually,TheShadowwasalonewolf.Hisspecialagentsweremerelymenwhoobeyedordersblindly,

coveringplaceswhereTheShadowcouldnotbe.Theseleaderlessoperativescouldnotevenknowof

CliffMarsland’splight.

Now,withfullsecurity,Savettewascontemplatinganothercrime.Moneywasneededforadefinite

purpose.Withhispastrecord,itwasonlynaturalthattheschemingphysicianshoulddecidetouseanevil

methodinthefurtheranceofhisdesire.

Reclining,witheyeshalfshut,thefiendmadementalnotationsofpersonswhomhehadinmind.Among

hispatientsweremanywealthypersons;butashehadtoldTremont,therewasanobstaclewitheach

thatpreventedsuretyofaction.

Savettetookchanceswhennecessary.Hehadnotbeensoparticularinthepast,whenhehadfirst

embarkeduponhisinsidioustrailofcrime.Now,withhiscareerbesmirched,andhismindschooledto

easeandperfectioninmethod,hewantedtoperformthecomingjobinthesafestandbestwaypossible.

andbestwaypossible.

Somemindsarenaturallycrooked.GeraldSavettedidnotpossessthequirksandtwistsofthenatural

criminal.Tohim,evilwasusefulonlyasameanstoadefiniteend.He,likehisassociates,hadlefta

bloodytrailbehindthem.Butinthelesserjobs,theyhadletBiffTowleyattendtothedirtywork.

GeraldSavettefelthimselfacriminaldeluxe.Hewasabouttomakehisfarewellbowtohissecret

profession.Fromthenon,hewouldbesecureasawealthy,retiredphysician.Thatwasthegoalhehad

set.

Tremontwantedactionsoon.SodidOrlinov.Bothcouldwait-amonthifnecessary.Unlessaperfect

schemepresenteditself,Savettewouldholdbacktothelimitbeforeperpetratinghislastevil.

Whilehewaited,hewasplayinghissuavepartofareputablephysician.Hewasstrictethically.Hewas

notoverdoinghimself.Hewasenjoyingsocialfunctions,extendinghisconnections,addingtohisprestige.

Awarymethodindeed!

Tonight,Savettewaskeepinganappointmentwithagroupofwealthymen.Glancingathiswatch,he

sawthatitwaspasteighto’clock.Nearlytimetobegoing.Herangabellandsummonedhisservant,

Hughes.

“Orderthecarfromthegarage,”saidSavette.“Bytheway,Hughes,letmehavethatenvelopewiththe

invitationthatIleftonthetableintheotherroom.Getthatfirst.”

Hughesbowedandlefttheroom.Hereturned,carryingtheenvelope;Savetteopenedit.Hesmiledashe

readthecontentsoftheletter.

Thishadcomeasafollow-uptoaphonecallwhichSavettehadreceivedfromLamontCranston,the

millionairewithwhomhehadformedanacquaintance.

Cranstonwasgivingaspecialpartytoafewchosenguests.Theaffairwassetfortonight.Savettehad

acceptedtheverbalinvitation.Thelettercarriedinstructions,tellinghowtoreachCranston’shomein

NewJersey.ItalsoexpressedpleasureinthefactthatDoctorSavettewouldbeabletoattendtheaffair.

WHENthecararrivedfromthegarage,Savettesetoutimmediately.HeheadedfortheHollandTunnel,

reachedtheJerseyside,andarrivedatLamontCranston’shomeshortlyafternineo’clock.

Mostoftheguestshadarrived.Savettewasgreetedbyhishost.Hewasintroducedtotheothermen,all

ofwhomwerewealthyandinfluential.

“Ihavenotseenyouforsometime,doctor,”remarkedCranston,asthetwowerestandingsidebyside.

“Wherewasitwelastmet?”

“Letmethink,”saidSavetteslowly.“Ah,yes.Iseemtorecallit.Weren’twebothatClarkMurdock’s?”

“ClarkMurdock.”Cranstonseemedpuzzled.“Nowitcomesbacktome.Ihadforgottenthenameof

thatchemistchap.Theonewhohadallthequeerexperiments.Veryinteresting.Iwonderhowheis

progressing.”

“Heisdead,”saidSavette,inatoneofsurprise.“Hislaboratoryblewup.Didn’tyouknowaboutthat,

Mr.Cranston?”

“Iseldomreadthenewspapers,”repliedCranston,inalaughingtone.Thenhiswordsbecamesolemn.“I

amsorrytohearthemandiedbyaccidentalcause.Agreatlosstoscience.Heappearedtohave

discoveredsomethingofvalue.Ithoughtthathewasstillatwork,tryingtodevelopthatmachineofhis.”

Anotherguestinterruptedtheconversation.

ITwasnearingmidnight.Refreshmentswereserved.Whileallwereeating,Cranstonmadean

announcement.

“Thisissomethingofafarewellparty,gentlemen,”hesaid.“Thewanderlusthasseizedmeagain.Iam

leavingfordistantregions,tomorrow.”

Abuzzofinterestarose.LamontCranstonhadagreatreputationasaglobe-trotter.Questionscame.All

wantedtoknowhisplans.

“Myplans?”Cranston’sstaidfacetookonacrypticsmile.“Ihavenone,gentlemen.Igowherethemood

gentlemen.Igowherethemood

seizesme.Africa-India-SouthAmerica.Allarealiketome.Idonotfollowthebeatentrail.

“Aloneandunattended,ImaywalkintothemidstofaSenegambiantribe.Thechiefwillrecognizeme.

Unheralded,ImayappearamongtheancientIndiansofPeru.There,too,mypresenceiswelcome.

“IhavebeentoLassa,theHolyCityofTibet.IhavetrekkedthroughtheSouthAfricanveldt.Ihave

exploredthefarreachesoftheAmazon.Igotoplaceswheremyverynameisunknowntothosewho

recognizeme.

“AlloftheprimitivepeopleswhomImeethavegivenmetheirownname.Translated,Iamknownas

‘ChildoftheMoon,’‘WhiteChief,’‘SmokeMan’-andahostofothercurioustitles.Icarryweapons,but

Iseldomusethem,exceptwhenIamtrackinggame.Isurprisemyprimitivefriendswithconjuringtricks,

tobaccosmoke,simplemedicalpreparations,andotherdeviceswhichIcarrywithme.

“IpossessanaptitudeforlearninganydialectalmostasIhearit.Inthisway,Igetalongwell-evenwith

cannibals,whohaveinvariablyconsideredmeofmorevalueasawisemanthanasakettleofstew.On

myprospectivejourney,Ishallencounteroldfriendsandmakenewones.”

“Youmustrungreatrisks,”observedsomeone.

“Ofcourse,”saidCranston.“Sometime,Ishallnotreturn.Noonewilleverhearofmeagain.Well,that

willbeaninterestingwaytoshakeoffthislife.Iprefertheunusual-indeathaswellasinlife.”

“Youwillbegonelong?”

“Longerthanusual.Icannottelltheexactperiodthatmytripwillcover.Thatdependsuponmyvarying

moods.Onthisoccasion,however,Iamdoingtheunusual.Ihavearrangedmyaffairsfortwoyears-

andIamclosingthisestablishmentforthefirsttime.Theservantsleavetomorrow.”

ThebizarrenotionsofLamontCranstonwerehighlyinterestingtothisgroup.Thesewealthymen

preferredthesecurityofNewYorktothedangersofthejungle.Someoneremarkedtothateffect.

Cranstonlaughedinresponse.

“OneisassafeinthejungleasinNewYork,”hesaid.“Ihavetoldyou,gentlemen,thatIamalways

preparedforastrangefate.Itcouldovertakemehere,inthishouse,aswellasinaforeignclime.Thatis

oneoftheodditiesoflife.

“Theparachutejumperdiesfromafalldownashortflightofsteps.Themanwhocatchesrattlesnakes,

diesfromthebiteofamadpoodle.Ithasbeensoalways.Achilles,famouswarrior,wasslainfroman

arrowshotintheheel.Pyhrrus,thegreatgeneral,perishedfromatilewhichawomandroppeduponhis

head.”

Astheconversationcontinued,DoctorSavettefoundhimselftakinganincreasedinterestinLamont

Cranston’sstatements.Themantalkedimpressivelyandmanyofhiswordswereinterpretedbythe

physicianinanunusualway.

Astheguestsbegantodepart,Savettelingered.Hehadbeenhearingmanychanceremarksthat

indicatedCranston’sgreatwealth.Hewasloathtoleave.

Atlast,Savettewastheonlyguestwhoremained.Reluctantly,heturnedtosendaservantforhishat.It

wasthenthatCranstonrestrainedhim.

“Iforgotthatyouarrivedlate,doctor,”hesaid.“Onthataccount,youwerenotherewhenIshowedmy

friendsmyden.Itwillbedisarrangedtomorrow.Canyouwaitafewminutes-longenoughtoviewit?I

canassureyouthatyouwillfinditinteresting.”

“Certainly,”saidSavette.

CRANSTONledthewaytoabackroomonthesecondfloor.Despitehissophistication,Savettewas

astonishedatthesightbeforehim.

LamontCranstonhadcollectedmanycurios.HuntingspearsfromtheAmazon;tigerheadsfromIndia;

oddtapestriesfromChina.Thedenwasaveritablemuseum;butitpossessedunusualfeatureswhich

impressedSavette.

Everyobjecthadahistory.ThistapestryhadhungintheimperialpalaceatPeking.Thislotabowlwas

Peking.Thislotabowlwas

thegiftofaHindufakirinBenares.ThatriflewasapresentfromasquatBoerwhohadcarrieditagainst

theBritishinSouthAfrica.Skins,rugs,silkenropes-allwerespreadabouttheroominabundance.

“Marvelous!”exclaimedSavette,ashelistenedtoCranston’sbriefexplanationsofwhattheobjects

signified.

“Marvelous,tonight-yes,”declaredCranston.“Tomorrow-justsomanymoreitemsinstorage.Thatis

myoneregret,doctor.Ihatetoseetheseobjectsputaway.”

“Idonotblameyou.”

Cranstondetectedaglowinthephysician’seyes.Hebecamethoughtful;thenspokeinaquiettone.

“Perhapsyouwouldliketokeepsomeofthesetrifles,”hesaid.“Ifso,youarewelcometoanyofthem

forwhichyoumayhaveaplace.”

“Icouldnotthinkofit!”exclaimedSavette.

“Whynot?”askedCranston.

“Iwouldberesponsiblefortheirsafety,”rejoinedthephysician.“Supposethatsomethinghappenedto

themwhile-”

“Whatofit?”Cranston’stonewascareless.“Somethingmighthappentotheminstorage.Particularlythe

skinsandrugs.Iwouldprefertoleavethemwithsomeonelikeyourself.Someonewhowould

appreciatethem.

“Ihavehadseveralfriendsinmind,but,unfortunately,allareoutoftown.Theseguestsofminetonight-

wealthy,butnotappreciative.Theybuywhattheywant.Letthem.Youaretheonlyonewhohas

expressedrealadmirationfortheseobjects.”

Cranstonpressedabuttononthewall.Hisvaletcametotheroom.

“Richards,”saidCranston,“wheredidyouleavethatlargeemptybox.Theheavyone,youknow-”

“Inthedownstairshallway,sir,”respondedthevalet.

“Comealong,”suggestedCranstontoSavette.“Ihavetheverythingweneed.”

HEledthephysiciantothehallbelow.There,attherearofthehallway,stoodalargeboxwitha

door-likefront,triple-lockedwithpadlocks.Cranstonthumpeditinandouttoshowitssolidity.

“Thisistheverything,”hesaid.“Iamserious,doctor.Iwouldconsideritbothafavorandanhonorif

youwouldprovideacomfortablehomeforsomeofmyrugsandskins.Addafewofthemoreinteresting

trophiesifyouwish.

“Iamgoingawayforalongtime.Imaynevercomeback.Iattachnostringstomyoffer.

“WhenIreturnfrommypresenttrip,Ishallhaveasupplyofnewcuriosthatwillbelargerthantheold

collection.Largerandofmorerecentinterest.”

“Youareleavingfortwoyears?”askedSavette.

“Possibly,”saidCranston.“Itmightinterestyoutoknowmymethod,doctor.Manypersonshave

wonderedhowImanagemyaffairswhileIamaway.Itisverysimple.”

Heleanedagainstthebox,andpointedupward,towardthesecondfloor.

“WhenIleavehere,”hesaid,“theonlyluggagethatIcarryisalarge,heavyportmanteausuitcase.Ido

notknowwhetherIamgoingtothetropicsorthefrozennorth.IbuythearticlesIneed-trunksandall-

whenIreachmydestination.IdisposeofthembeforeIreturn,soIhavenomorebaggagereturningthan

going.

“Mysuitcasecontainssomepetobjects,ofcoursemyfavoriterevolver,afewbooks,otherarticlesthatI

amsuretoneed,andmaynotbeabletoobtainwhereIamgoing.Moreimportant,however,aremy

draftsandnegotiablefunds.Icarryasupplyofgold,ofcourse.Allthatreferstomytravelingaffairs.

“ButmyaffairshereinNewYorkaresoarrangedthatIcanconductthemasIchoose.Myresources

areverylarge.Ihaveanoldfamilylawyer-alolling,stupidfellow-whoisjustthemanIrequire.He

themanIrequire.He

knowsnothing,excepthowtofollowdirections.

“IfImakeoutchecksandmailthemtoNewYorkorelsewhere,theyarehonoredasifIwerehere.I,

alone,knowwhereIkeepmyaccounts.IfInotifymylawyertodeliversecuritiesorothervaluables,he

doesasItellhim.ThusIcanwatchtheriseandfallofthemarket,nomatterwhereIam,andact

accordingly.”

“Thenyoureallyrelyonnoone,”saidSavette.“Thatis,uponnoonebutyourself?”

“No,indeed,”correctedCranston.“Isometimeswritetofriends.Forinstance,Imightwritetoyouandto

Bartram,mylawyer,atthesametime.Mylettertoyouwouldrequestyoutoobtainonehundredshares

ofacertainstockfromBartram,tosellthemonacertainday,andtodepositthemoneytomyaccountin

acertainbank.”

“AndBartramwouldgivemethestocks?”

“Certainly,whenyouidentifiedyourself.Mylettertohimwouldverifythat.He

“Certainly,whenyouidentifiedyourself.Mylettertohimwouldverifythat.Heisjustanofficeboy.I

keephim”-Cranstonlaughed-“chieflytobeonhandtosettlemyestateifIshoulddiewhileIam

away.”

“Remarkable!”exclaimedSavette.

“Remarkable,butverysimple,”saidCranston.“Iliketodothingsmyownway.Onetime,inSan

Francisco,Imetanoldschoolmatewhoneededtwenty-fivethousanddollars.Thebankwouldgranthim

theloanifhehadsecurity.SoIwiredBartramtosendhimfortythousanddollars’worthofcertainbonds.

Bartramhadneverheardoftheman.Thatdidnotmatter.Hesentthebonds.”

“Amazing!”saidSavette.“Ishouldthinkthatyouwouldbebesetbyswindlers-”

“Never,”saidCranston.“Idonotspeakofmyaffairstocrooks,doctor.Infact,youareoneofthevery

smallnumberofpersonswhoknowanythingatallaboutmymethods.Ihaveacompleterecordofmy

assetsinmysuitcase.

“Rightnow”-Cranstonspokecalmly-“Icouldraisethreemilliondollars,throughmybanksandthrough

Bartram.Allonthestrengthofmysignature,bymail.”

“Haveyouexperiencedanylossesthroughthisloosesystem?”

“Itisnotaloosesystem.Itisatightone.Iknowmyownaffairs.Ikeepmyownrecords.Ilendmoney,I

trustpeople.Iusegoodjudgment.

“Onemanfailedtorepayadebtoffivehundreddollars.Ilostothersmallamounts.Lessthanathousand,

alltogether.Thatprovesmywisdominmymethod.

“Icouldleavetonight.Walkupstairs,takemybag,andstepoutofthishouse.Allright.Notrouble.Asa

matteroffact,IshallnottouchthatbaguntilIleave,sometimetomorrownight.”

“Whattimeareyouleaving?”

“Idon’tevenknowthat.WhenIplease.Butletusgetbacktothecurios.Itistoolatenowforyouto

makeachoice.Theservantsareleavingtomorrowafternoon.Ishallbealonehereintheevening.Ifyou

wish,comeout,andyouandIcanpackwhatyouwant.Youwillhavetoprovidethetrucktocarry

awaythebox.Thatisall.”

“Good,”saidSavette,withatoneofsuddendecision.“Agreatidea,Mr.Cranston.Iacceptyourkind

offer.”

CRANSTONcalledRichards.“Whenareyoupackinguptheden?”heasked.

“Yousaiddayaftertomorrow,sir,”saidRichards.“Everythingelsegoesouttomorrow.Iamtoreturn

laterto-”

“That’sright,”observedCranston.“Ihadforgotten.Tomorrow,Richards,movethisboxupstairs.Doctor

Savetteiscoming.HeandIwillpacksomeofthecurios,andatruckwillcometotakeit.Youpack

whateverisleft,andsendittothatspecialstoragehouse.”

“Verygood,sir.”

“Let’ssee,now”-Cranstonbecamethoughtful-“youandalltheservantswillbeawaytomorrownight

-”

“AllexceptStanley,sir.Hewillbeheretodriveyoutothestation.”

“Icandothat,Mr.Cranston,”observedSavette.

“Surely,surely,”saidCranston.“TellStanleyhecango,also,Richards.Thatwillbeagreathelp,doctor.

Sendatruck.Weshallpacktheboxandletthementakeit.Thenwecanputmyportmanteauinyour

car.Atthattime”-helaughedashespoke-“IshalldecidewhattrainIintendtotake,whatrailroadit

willbeon,andwhereIamgoing.”

Thisarranged,Savettenoticedthelatenessofthehour,anddecidedthathemustbeleaving.Cranston

accompaniedhisvisitortothedoor,andwarmlybadehimgoodnight.

DrivingbacktowardManhattan,DoctorGeraldSavettesmiledinglee.Ashortchucklecluckedfromhis

leanlipsashereviewedallthatLamontCranstonhadsettledandsaid.

Savettehadfoundaperfectscheme.Hehadwaitedwiselybeforeformulatinghisfinalcrime.Soonhe

andhiscompanionswouldrollinunexpectedwealth.

NotevenTheShadowwasamenacenow!

CHAPTERXVII.THEPLANWORKS

ATnineo’clockthenexteveningDoctorSavetteagainarrivedatLamontCranston’shome-exactly

twenty-fourhoursafterhisfirstvisittothemillionaire’smansion.

Henoted,ashecameupthedrive,thatonlyasinglelightwasburninginthehouse.Savettechuckled.He

thoughtofawirethathehaddispatchedlastnighttoGlendale.

Thephysicianwasforcedtoringthebelltwicebeforethedoorwasopened.ItwasLamontCranston

whoanswered.Themillionairesmiledwanly.

“Iameverythingtonight,”hesaid.“IamtakingtheplaceofRichards.Iwasupstairsinthedenwhenyou

rang.Haveyouarrangedforatruck?”

“Itwillbehereinhalfanhour.”

“Good.Iwanttoleaveaboutten.”

Themenwentupstairs.Theyenteredtheden.Cranstonpuffedashenotedthattheroomwaswarm.

“Takeoffyourcoat,doctor,”hesaid.“Iamgoingtoputyoutowork.”

Savettecompliedwiththesuggestion.Cranstonremovedhisowncoat.Investsandshirtsleeves,they

walkedabout,lookingatthevariousobjects.Savettepointedoutdifferentrugsandskins.Healso

selectedafewotherobjects.

Together,themenpiledthearticlesintothebigbox,whichstoodjustwithinthedoor.Cranstonpeered

intotheinteriorasSavettewasarrangingit.

“Itlookslikeapaddedcell,”hesaidwithalaugh.“Haveyouhadanyexperiencewiththem,doctor?”

Savettechuckledandgruntedanincoherentreplyinresponse.Cranston’shandwasrestingonthechair

wherethephysician’scoatlay.Hehappenedtobringitintothelight.Thegleamofmetalshowed

ofmetalshowed

momentarily;thenCranston’shanddropped.

DoctorSavetteturnedfromthebox.Helookedabouttheroomwiththeairofaconnoisseur;then

strokedhischin,reflectively.

“Ithinkthatwilldo,”heobserved“Myroomisverysmall.Icertainlyappreciateyourkindness,Mr.

Cranston.”

“Don’tmentionit,”saidthemillionaire.

“Nowweareready,”declaredthephysician,puttingonhiscoat.LamontCranstonalsodonnedhisouter

garment.

“Imustgetmyportmanteau,”saidCranston.

Hewalkedacrossthehallwayanddisappearedforamoment.Hecameback,luggingaheavysuitcase

whichhesetdownwithathump.

“Allready,”heannounced.“Letusclosethebigbox;thenwecanseeifthetruckmenarehere.”

ThemillionairestoopedbeforetheboxSavettelookedattheman’sfaceinthelight.

Cranstonwascomparativelyyoung,buthisfaceseemedratherold.Itwasalmostmasklike,thephysician

noted,asthoughhisfeatureswereformedfromanartificialmold-asmoothsurfaceoveravisage

beneath.

Thephysician’shandswereinhiscoatpockets.Theymovedrestlessly;thenpausedasCranstonstepped

awayfromtheboxandturnedtowardhim.

“SUREyoudonotwanttotakemore?”questionedthemillionaire.“Thisboxwillholdagreatdeal-”

“Itisratherwellfilled,”saidSavette.

“Listen!”Cranstonhelduphishandforsilence.“Canthatbethetruckyouordered?”

“Iexpectso,”saidSavette.“Ileftwordforittopullupoutsideandwait.”

“Iexpectso,”saidSavette.“Ileftwordforittopullupoutsideandwait.”

“Perhapsyouhadbettermakesure,”saidCranston.“Wait-Icangodownstairs.”

Heturnedtowardthedooroftheden,butSavettestoppedhim.

“Wemightaswellclosetheboxfirst,”hesaid.“Doyouhavethekeysforthepadlocks?”

Cranstonfumbledinhispockets.

“Heretheyare.”Hebroughtoutabunchofkeysandtossedthemtothephysician.“Ishalltrythemto

makesure.”

Heunlockedeachoftheclosedpadlocks.Then,asanafterthought,hewalkedaboutthebox,thumpingit

heavily.

“Excellent,”hesaid.“Nochanceofbreakage,nomatterhowroughlyitmaybehandled.”

Savettewascomingcloser,asthoughtoassistintheexaminationofthebox.

Savettewascomingcloser,asthoughtoassistintheexaminationofthebox.Cranstonagainturnedaway

andwentoutintothehall.Hekickedhisportmanteauwithhisfoot.

“That’sallpacked,”hesaid.“Wearereadytogo.IjustwanttomakesurethatIhaveeverything.”

Hecamebackafterafewmoments’inspectioninanotherroom.Reachingtheden,hepickedupalight

taboretthatstoodnearthebox.Ithadadeeptop,anditsoctagonalinteriorwaslargeenoughtocontain

aconsiderablequantityofarticles.

“Areyousureyoudon’twantthis?”quizzedCranston.“Itwouldfitnicelyinthebox.Nochanceofits

breaking.Withthewaythosesidesarepadded,Icouldtakeatripintheboxmyself,withoutmindingit.”

“Well,”saidSavettethoughtfully,“Imighttakeit-no,Idon’tbelieveso.”

Cranstonplacedthetaboretbesidethebox.Again,Savettemovedcloser.Oncemore,Cranstonturned

away.Hiseyesweresteadyashestaredatthephysician.

“Whatisthematter,doctor?”hequestioned.“Youappeartobeatriflepale.Areyoufeelingfaint?I

youfeelingfaint?I

know-itisthestuffinessofthisroom.Come-letusgodownstairsandseeifthetruckisthere.Thefresh

airwilldoyougood.”

Savettewasnervinghimselfforaquickaction.Thislastsuggestioninterferedwithhisplans.Hegavea

suddengasp,andbegantostagger.Cranstonturnedtohiminconsternation.

“Letmehelpyou,doctor-”

HeheldouthisarmsasSavettestaggeredagainsthim.Withhisrighthand,thephysicianclutched

Cranston’sshoulder.Hislefthand,unseenbythemillionaire,creptstealthilyfromhispocket.

Upwarditmoved,alongCranston’ssteadyingarm.

Atinymetalobjectgleamedinthephysician’shand.Withaquickmotion,hesteadiedhimselfanddrove

thepointofahypodermicneedleintoLamontCranston’srightarm.

Themillionaireutteredasuddenexclamation.HisfacetookonastartledexpressionasSavettestaggered

away.

Thenthemillionairesawthefiendishgleamthatwasspreadingoverthephysician’sface.Hecametoward

Savette,withanunexpectedfury.Hishandswentforthephysician’sthroat.Theevilmanhadunmasked

himselftoosoon.

Cranston’sfingerscaughtthevillain’sneck.AringpressedhardagainstSavette’sthroat.Thenthesudden

holdbegantoweaken.SavetteshovedCranstonaway;themillionairestaggeredbackward,toppled,and

fell,hisshoulderstrikingthefrontedgeofthebox.

Therehelay,helpless,withoutmotion.Savette,histeethtogether,andhisfistsclenched,stoodabovethe

prostratebodyandspatlow,furiousoaths.

HewasrecallingstatementsthatCranstonhadmadelastnightandtonight.Heutteredthemnow,with

evilsatisfaction.Hecarednotthattheunconsciousmancouldnothear.

“Goingawayforalongtrip,eh?”snarledSavette.“Maynevercomeback.Dangersstrikeanywhere-

here,aslikelyasinthejungle.Fillthebox,eh?Withataboret-packedsoit

here,aslikelyasinthejungle.Fillthebox,eh?Withataboret-packedsoitcan’tbreak.Youwouldn’t

mindtakingatripinityourself.

“Wellyoucan.”Savette’svoicebecameahideouschuckle.“Yes,takeatrip.Youaredead,Cranston.

Dead.Forforty-eighthours,sofarasIamconcerned.Buttotheworld,youwillbedeadforever.Dead

-whenIchoosetosaytheword.Deadmensometimeslive-foratime.Youareonewhowilllive,until

yourusefulnessisended!”

SAVETTEexaminedthehypodermic.Satisfiedthathehadgivenhisvictimthefullcharge,hedropped

thesyringebackinhispocket.Stooping,hetumbledthemillionaire’sbodyintothebox.Theform

seemedstiffandinertasthefiendhuddleditamongthepaddingrugs.

Savettestoodbackandsurveyedhishandiwork.Heclosedthedooroftheboxandappliedthethree

heavypadlocks.Hepushedthetaboretalittletooneside.Thenheturnedtothehall.Hewent

downstairs,carryingCranston’sportmanteauwithhim.

Outontheporch,thephysiciangavealowwhistle.Twomencamefromatruckparkedinthedarkness.

parkedinthedarkness.

Savettegavethematerseorder.

“Upstairs,”hesaid.“Bringdownthebigboxfromthelightedroom.”

Whilethemenwereontheway,Savetteplacedtheportmanteauinhiscar.Hewaiteduntilthemen

broughtoutthelargeboxandplaceditonthetruck.Hewavedhishandasasignal,andthetruckmen

droveaway.

DoctorSavettewentbackintothehouse.Hewalkeduptotheden,andlaughedashelookedatthe

taboret.Itwasavaluablearticle,butnotsovaluableastheonethathehadtakeninitsplace.Hepicked

upthetaboretandsetitinacorner.Thetopfloppedopen.Savettenotedthattheinteriorwasempty.

Heturnedoutthelightintheden.Heextinguishedotherlightsonthesamefloor.Hedidthesamewhen

hereachedthedownstairshall.Heclosedthebigfrontdoor,latchingitbehindhim.

Richardswouldbehereinthemorning.Hewouldfindnothingoutoforder.Allofthefurniturehadbeen

removed;onlythefewarticlesthatwereinthedenremainedforthevalettoclearaway.

WhenDoctorSavettereachedhishomeinNewYork,hecarriedLamontCranston’sportmanteau

upstairswithhim.Heopenedthesuitcaseeagerly.Hewentthroughitscontentswithexcitedfingers.

Herewerethearticleshewanted!Checkbooks,lists,andotherobjectsofimportance.Savettefound

goldandnegotiablenotestothevalueoftwothousanddollars.Buthepushedthesevaluablesasidein

contempt.Whatweresuchtrifles?Thissuitcasewouldbethemeansofmakingmillions!

Money!Hewouldhaveitnow.ThefirmofSavetteandTremont,withtheirRussianpartner,Orlinov,

wouldteemwithsuresuccess.LamontCranston’swealthwouldbethebasisofmanymillionsmore!

Curbinghiscriminalemotions,Savetteclosedtheportmanteauandplaceditinacorner.Hebeganto

consideramildersubject,thesimplematterofashortvacation.Savetteleanedbackinsatisfactionashe

restedinhiseasy-chair.

He,too,wouldgotoGlendale.There,LamontCranston,underthesubtletreatmentofIvanOrlinov,

wouldbeinducedtodisgorgehiswealth,atthebiddingofhiscaptors!

CHAPTERXVIII.ORLINOV’STHREAT

ITwaslongpastmidnight.Orlinov’sgraycastlestoodbleakandbarreninthefloodingmoonlight.Its

stonewallsweredeserted;yetitssullenbattlementsandsturdytowersspokeofhiddenmen-at-arms,

readytoriseshouldtherampartsbethreatenedbyanenemy.

Aheavytruckglideduptothemassivegatethatborethehalf-defacedname“Glamartin.”Thelights

clickedoffandon.Inresponsetothesignal,thegateopened,andastockymansteppedoutandwalked

tothesideofthebigvehicle.

Thewatcherhadrecognizedthetruckmenwhowerebringinganewshipmenttothecastle.Allthree-

twotruckmenandonewatcher-werehandpickedgorillasintheserviceofBiffTowley.

Thetruckpassedon.Thegateclangedbehindit.Thetruckstoppedinfrontofthestonebuilding.Men

camefromthedoor.Stronghandsunloadedtheheavyboxfromthetruck.Throughthedoorwentthe

box,intothehallway,thentothesecurityofOrlinov’slivingroom.

Thehandlersnoticedtheheavyfasteningsofthebox,itslongpivothinge,itssolidpadlocks.Theburden

restedonthefloorastheysurveyedit.Thenthemenleft,lockingthedooroftheroom.

Therewasnolightinthelivingroom,savethedyingglowofembersinthefireplace.Themysteriousbox

loomedlargeinthevaguelight.Theonlytokensofactivityweretheflickering,changingshadowsthat

waveredacrossthefloorinresponsetothefaintglowfromthelargefireplace.

Strangeshadowsinastrangeroom!Shadowsthatvariedwiththedyingofthecoals.Shadowsthatflitted

likeghostly,goblinshapes.Shadowsthatwereunreal,yetshadesthatseemedpossessedofanuncanny

life.

Thefaintcracklingoftheembers;theoccasionalcreakingofthefloor;theseweretheonlysoundswithin

thatroom.Then,shadowsandsoundstookonamoreeerietrend.Theywerevagueanduncertainasthe

firelightdwindledalmostintonothingness.

firelightdwindledalmostintonothingness.

Onemighthavethoughtthatelfinfootfallswerecreepingthroughthatroom,thattheheavydoorthatled

tothehallhadopened,andthenclosed.

Inthemysterywingofthehouse,alonegangsterpatrolledthedim,lengthycorridor.Hisvigiltookhim

fromthesecondfloortothefirst;thenbackuptothesecond.

Ontheupperstory,hestoppedfrequentlytoliftupsquarepanelsinthecentersofcertaindoors,tomake

surethatnolightsglimmeredfromtheroomswithin.

Callousedandunimaginative,thiswatchmanwasunperturbedbythecreakingofthefloorbeneathhis

feet,andthestrange,grotesqueshadowsthatheencounteredinthegloomylight.Fantasticsilhouettesdid

notimpresshissordidmind.

Hewasalert,butcalmlyso,ashepatrolledhiscourse.Reachingtheendofthecorridor,heturnedand

wentbackovertheroutethathehadcoveredbefore.

WITHINaveritablecellroom,CliffMarslandlayhalfawakeuponacornercouch.Theflickerofdim

lightpassedoverhiseyesasthewatchinghoodlumliftedthepanelinthedoorthatledtothehall.Then

thepanelclosed.

Ashorttinelater,Cliffopenedhiseyes,fancyingthatanotherbeamofilluminationhadstrayedintothe

room.Thenhefeltthathemusthavebeenmistaken,forallremaineddarkbythedoor.

Cliffpitchedrestlessly.Hewasweariedbythiscaptivity.Hehadfoundhimselfinthisroom,weakand

pepless,afterhehadrecoveredfromtheeffectsofthehypojabbedintohisarm.

Hehadremainedherealongwhile-weeks,itseemed-andhisjailershadbeenuncommunicative.

Actually,Cliffrealized,hisconfinementhadbeenamatterofdaysonly;buttimehadpasseddully.

Hehadeatenthefoodthatwasfurnishedhim.Hedidnotfearpoisonforheknewhewascompletelyin

thepowerofhiscaptors.Hehadrealizedthathehadbeenreceivingamildopiateforhehadconstantly

lackedstrengthsincehiscapture.

Evennow,althougharousedanddisgruntled,Cliffcouldnotovercomethedrowsinessthatgrippedhim.

Hisrestlessnessended.Heslept.

Shaftsofmorninglightflungamelancholyglarethroughthehigh,glass-barredslitsthatservedas

windowsinCliff’sprison.Thecaptiveawokeandagain-asonpreviousmornings-realizedhisplight.

CliffwasinthesamepredicamentasthoseothermenwhomOrlinovhadshownhim.Hewasoneofthe

deadwholived.

Cliffraisedhisheadandadjustedhispillow,preparingforanotherdoze.Hishandstrucksomething.He

raisedthepillow;thenquicklydroppeditwhilehestaredtowardthedooroftheroomtomakesurethat

noonewaswatchinghim.

Beneathhispillowwasapocket-modelautomaticpistol!Halfdazed,Cliffrememberedavaguefitof

wakefulnessduringthenight,followedbyahazydreamthatsomeonewasintheroom.Herosequickly

fromhisbedanddressed.

Withanotherglanceatthedoor,heraisedthepillow,halfexpectingtofindnothingthere.Hehadnot

beenmistaken.Hishandclutchedagun.

Apocket.32,flatasabook,itsmagazineloadedtoeight-cartridgecapacity.Standingbythebed,Cliff

slippedthehandyweaponintohishippocket.Withtherevolverwasaboxofcartridges.Hedropped

thisintheotherpocket.Also,hesawanenvelope.

Withhisbacktowardthewall,Cliffremovedamessagefromtheenvelope.Itwaswrittenincode,inink.

Itborethesewords,asClifftranslatedthem.

Keyonledgeofwindow.Beinreadinesstonight.Actifshots

arefired.Otherwisewaituntilmidnight.Thentakecontrolofupper

wing.

AmessagefromTheShadow!Cliffwaselated.Somehow,hisleaderhadmanagedtopenetratetothis

isolatedspot;tobringhimaweapon;toleavehiminstructions.Cliffunderstood.

isolatedspot;tobringhimaweapon;toleavehiminstructions.Cliffunderstood.Heslippedhishandto

thewindowledge,foundthekey,andleftitthere.

Sometimetonight,TheShadowintendedtoopenanattack.Fiendsofcrimewouldmeettheirmatch,

elsewhereinthisstrange,castle-likeabode.Thiswingwouldbeunderguard.ItwasCliff’sappointed

tasktospringasurpriseattack,togaincontrolofthewing,andholditforwhateverpurposeThe

Shadowintended.

ThusTheShadowwouldstrikefromtwodirections.Hehimselfwouldcomefromwithout;Cliff

Marslandwouldhammerfromwithin.

Thisplacewasavitalspot.Cliff,byasortie,couldcontrolthewingforTheShadow,andthusprotect

theotherprisoners.

Cliffforesawastruggleagainstgiantodds,andthethoughtelatedhim.Heknewwellthathecouldhardly

hopetofighthiswaysafetyfromthisplace,withnearlyascoreofenemiestoblockhispath.Butwith

TheShadowbeatingdowntheopposition,matterswerequitedifferent.TheShadowalonewasmatch

Shadowalonewasmatch

forhalfahundredhoodlums.

CLIFFpondered.Apistolshotwastobethesignal.Hedoubtedthathecouldhearit.Thenhe

rememberedtheexactwordingofthemessage,whichhaddisappearedfromthesheetofpaperhehad

read.

Ifshotsarefired-

TheShadow,shouldheopenanattack,wouldmeetwithacannonadefromOrlinov’shenchmen.Cliff

wouldhearthat,surely.TherewasalsothepossibilityofTheShadowwaitinguntilmidnight.

Cliffknewtheexactnessofhismysteriouschief.Midnightwouldbethezerohour,ifnothingtranspired

beforethen.Cliffburiedtheenvelopewithinthepagesofabook.Hethrustthepaperwithsomeother

sheets.Hesatdowninachairandpuffedatanunlightedcigarette.Hewasallowednomatcheshere.

Thedooropened,andPetristeppedin,carryingatrayofbreakfast.Clifflookedstupidlytowardthe

solemn-facedRussian.HeknewthatPetriwasbackedbyamobsterinthe

solemn-facedRussian.HeknewthatPetriwasbackedbyamobsterinthecorridor.

HeatehisbreakfastafterPetrihadgone.Hedrankbutlittleofthecoffeefurnishedhim,forhewas

convincedthatitwasdoped.

Thedayworeon.Asecondmealatnoon.Cliffbusiedhimselfreadingvariousbooksthatwereinthe

room.Alongafternoondraggedby.Dinner.Thenevening.

Now,Cliffwastense.Herealizedwellthesecurityofhisposition.Therewasnothinginthisroomthat

couldbeusedasaweapon,savethegunthathehadobtainedwithouttheknowledgeofhiscaptors.It

wassafelytuckedinhispocket.OrlinovandPetriweretheonlyoneswhohadkeystothisroom.Any

searchoftheprisonerwouldbeunnecessary.

Duringtheday,CliffhadcometotheconclusionthatTheShadowmusthaveworkedthroughoneof

Orlinov’shenchmen.HedidnotbelievethatTheShadowcouldbehere;norwasitlikelythathehadsent

anotheroperativetothecastle.

Tonight,TheShadowwouldattackfromwithout,knowingthatCliffwouldbeonhandtotakechargein

thevitalsectionofthecastle.ItwouldnotbeaquestionofClifffightingfree;itwouldbeTheShadow’s

worktobattlehiswayinward.

Eighto’clockarrived,thennineneared.Cliffwasanxiousandonedge.Whilehewastryingtomaintain

hiscomposure,hesawthedoormove.Itopened.InsteppedIvanOrlinov

ItwaswithdifficultythatCliffrestrainedhimselffromaction.Hemighthaveoverpoweredthebearded

Russianbyaquickencounter,buthedeemeditbesttowait.HemustnotspoilTheShadow’swell-laid

plans.

ORLINOVwalkedtowardCliffandstoodglaringathim.Thebig,beardedmanwasamenacingfigure.

Cliffmethissparklinggazewithcalmness.Hesawoneofthemobsmeninthebackground,holdinga

revolverinreadiness.

Thiswasatimefortact.YetCliffwasperturbed.Hefearedthatsomethingmusthavegoneawry;that

Orlinovhadlearnedthateventswerescheduledfortonight.

“Marslandt,”growledOrlinov,inhisdeepbass,“Ihaffcomeheretospeakwithyou.Itisswisethatyou

shouldtellmetingsthatIhaffnotyetaskedtoknow.”

Cliffmadenoreply.Hestaredcoldlytowardhisinquisitor.Hewastemptedtodrawhisautomatic,but

knewthatsuchactionwouldprovokeacrisis.ItwasnotuntiltheRussianspokeagainthatClifffully

understoodtheimportofhisvisit.

“Youhaffcomehere,”Orlinovdeclared,“tomaketroublebecausesomeonehasssentyou.Weknow

whoitisswhohasssentyou.HeisscalledTheShadow.”

Thespeakerpaused,andhisharsheyesshonefuriouslyasheadvanced.

“Youwilltellus,”hehissed.“Youwilltellus,Marslandt.WhoissTheShadow?”

“IknownothingofTheShadow,”Cliffanswered.

“Weshallsee,”declaredOrlinov,inanominousgrowl.“Letmetellyouthis

“Weshallsee,”declaredOrlinov,inanominousgrowl.“LetmetellyouthisMarslandt.Wehaffways

herethatcanmakeyoutell!”

Heutteredloudwordsinhisnativetongue.ItwasacalltoPetri.ThesecondRussianappearedfromthe

corridor.Inhishandheheldarevolver.

AgainacommandfromOrlinov.Methodically,Petriapproachedandjabbedthemuzzleofhisguninto

Cliff’sback.Orlinovpointedtowardthedoor.PetrinudgedCliffinthatdirection.

Whatdidthismean?

Cliffrealizedthathewasbeingforcedintoapredicamentthatmightproveasdangerousasitwas

unexpected.Hisguardshovedhimintothecorridor;thereagangsterwaited,alsoarmed.Alongthe

corridor,pasttherowsofsilentdoorsthendownthestairstheywent,tothegroundfloor.

Itwastoolatenowtomakeabreakforsafety.TherewasnothingforClifftodobutwait.Atleasthis

captorsdidnotknowthathewasarmed,andtherewouldbenooccasiontosearchhim.

searchhim.

Cliff’searswerekeen,incasetheymighthearthereportofadistantgun-thesignalthatwoulddenote

thearrivalofTheShadow.

Orlinovpassedthelittlegroupwhentheyreachedthefirstfloor.Heunlockedapanelinthewall.The

barrierslidbacktoshowaflightofstairsdescendingintothecellar.

Cliffadvancedwhenheheardtheorder.Heenteredthegloomywellandwentdownthesteps,still

feelingthethreatoftherevolverthatpressedhisback.

PETRIwasavigilantcaptor.NotforoneinstantdidCliffhaveanopportunitytoreachforhisgun.

Hekeptonhiswayuntiltheyreachedastone-walledroomthathadthemustinessofadungeon.Itwas

lightedbyasingleincandescent.Throughadoortheywent,intoanotherroom,whichalsohadasingle

largelamp.

Cliff’slipspressedfirmlytogether.Herealizedthepurposeofthisjourney.They

Cliff’slipspressedfirmlytogether.Herealizedthepurposeofthisjourney.Theyhadreachedaveritable

torturechamber,belowtheground.Atonesidewasaflat,spike-studdedtable.Acrosstheroomstood

acoffin-likecontrivance,upright,withahingeddoor.

Herewasapost,withmanaclesattached;thereayawningpitinthefloor.Cliff’sdestinationwasaspot

againstthewall,wherefourmetalloopsdangledontheendsofropeswhichpassedthroughpulleys.In

anothermoment,Cliffwasbackedagainstthesideoftheroom,withPetri’srevolverpressingthepitof

hisstomach.

NowthegangstermemberofthetriowascoveringCliff.OrlinovstoodbywhilePetristoopedtoattach

thelowerbandstoCliff’sankles.Nextcamethewrists.

Petriwalkedtoonesideandturnedawinch.ItdrewCliff’sbodytowardtheright;astheropewent

upward,hisarmwasraisedabovehishead.

Methodically,Petristrodetowardtheothersideoftheroom,andturnedasecondwinch.Cliff’sleftarm

washoistedforcibly.Hestoodspread-eagledintheclutchesofthelockingbands,whileOrlinov’sblack

bands,whileOrlinov’sblack

faceremainedmotionless.Atlength,thebeardedRussianspoke.

“Yousee?”hequestioned.“Wehaffplacedyouwhereyoucantell.Thisisshowithassbeendonein

Siberia-manyyearsago.Peoplehavefounditwisetospeakwhenthetorturehassbeenclosetothem.”

Hemotionedthegangstertotheotherwinch.WithPetriatoneside,andthegunmanattheother,both

winchescouldbeoperatedsimultaneously.

“Ihaffgivenyouthechance!”hissedOrlinov“Speak!Tellme:WhoissTheShadow?Whathaffyou

knownabouthim?Speak!”

Cliffremainedobdurate.Orlinovsignaledhismen.Theyturnedthewinches.Clifffeltaterrificagonyas

hislimbsbegantodrawfromhisbody.AgesturefromthebeardedRussianstoppedthebarbarous

torture.

“Youhafftastedwhatisstofollow,”saidOrlinov.“Youshallhaffmore-unlessyouspeak-”

Cliff’sanswerwasafuriousscowl.Hewasdeterminedtowithstandthisbarbarity.Orlinovwatchedhim.

Redlipsleeredthroughthejet-blackbeard.AsignfromOrlinov,andthewinchesturnedfarther.

Asthestrainceasedasecondtime,Cliff’smaddenedbrainbegantoformulateaplan.Hewaswillingto

beartheagonyuntilitkilledhim;butthatseemedafutileplan.

HisdutytonightwastoserveTheShadow.Crippledandhelpless,hewouldbeofnouse.Itwasalong

timeuntilmidnight.Hisendurancehadnotyetbeenfullytaxed.Letthemturnthewinchesfarther;thenhe

wouldoffertospeak.

HecouldtellOrlinovofTheShadow-forCliff’sinformationwouldatbestbebarren.Liketheother

agentsofTheShadow,heknewlittleofthemysteriousman’sways.Yes,thatwasthebestcourse:to

holdout;thenpretendtocryformercy.

WhileCliffMarslandwasthusplanning,Orlinov,too,wasscheming.Hewasamasterofthealmost

extinctartoftorture.HeintendedtoletCliffMarslandsufferawhile;thentoeasehim,thathemight

easehim,thathemight

experiencethetemporaryreliefthatwouldmakethethoughtoffurtherbarbarityunendurable.

Itwasabattleofwits,withOrlinovthemaster.ThehugeRussianhadlookedforwardtothishour,ever

sinceCliffhadbeenmadeaprisoner.Athisurging,Tremonthadgivenhimfreerein.

WhetherTheShadowwasaliveordead,IvanOrlinovwouldforcestatementsfromthelipsofhis

helplessagent.Suchworkwasapleasuretothebeardedfiend.TheRussianspokeinhisnativetongue,

andPetrinoddedunderstanding.

Thegrimgamebeganagain.Thewinchestautenedtheropes.CliffMarslandsethislips.IvanOrlinov

grinnedinanticipation.Hesawsuccess.

Tonight,hewouldlearnthetruthaboutTheShadow!

CHAPTERXIX.THEMANFROMOUTSIDE

THElightswitchedoninthelivingroomofOrlinov’scastle.GladeTremontenteredandsatdownina

chair.Helightedacigarandstaredthoughtfullyatthelargeboxwhichstood

chair.Helightedacigarandstaredthoughtfullyatthelargeboxwhichstoodbesidethefireplace.

Thegray-hairedlawyerhadundergoneametamorphosisduringthestayatGlendale.Associationwith

IvanOrlinovhadcausedachange.Here,awayfromhisstaidofficeinNewYork,theattorneyhadlost

hismaskofrespectability.Helookedthescoundrelthathewas.

ItappearedfromTremont’sairthathewasexpectingthearrivalofsomeone.Hehadleftthedoorofthe

roomopen.Hiseyeswerewatchingtowardthehall.Thelawyerglancedathiswatch.Heroseandbegan

topacethefloor.

Footstepssoundedinthehall.Tremontwaited.Afigureappeared,andTremontrecognizedDoctor

GeraldSavette.Hewavedawelcometohiscompanionincrime.Therascallyphysicianentered,andthe

twoseatedthemselves.

“Ah!”exclaimedSavette.“Therearemytrophies.”

Hepointedsignificantlytothebox.

“Yes,”saidTremont,withanevilsmile.“Wehavekepttheboxhere,awaitingyourarrival.”

“Itmighthavebeenwisetoopenit.”

“Wediscussedthat,OrlinovandI.Wedecidedtowait,chieflybecausetheboxissuchastrongone.We

knewthatyouwouldhavethekeys.Thecontentsarevaluable,youknow.Itwouldnotbewiseto

damagethembydemolishingthebox.”

“That’strue,”saidSavette.“NousetoyouuntilIarrived.Igavetheusualdeathdose-forty-eighthours.

Thereisplentyoftimeyet.Wecouldwaitanothernight;butIthinkitwouldbebesttoopenthebox

now.”

Hebroughtthekeysfromhispocket;then,asanafterthought,heleftthelivingroomandreturnedwith

LamontCranston’sportmanteau.

“Thisisthemissinglink,”hedeclared.“Itscontentsareasvitalasthoseofthebox.”

box.”

Helaidthesuitcaseonthefloor,andopenedit.Tremontdrewclosetowatchtheexaminationofthe

importantarticlesthatthebagcontained.

“WhereisOrlinov?”askedSavette,ashestartedtoliftsomebooksfromthesuitcase.

“HeisquizzingthismanMarsland,”answeredTremont.“Theyaredownstairs-belowground-inthe

wingofthehouse.”

Savetteutteredasharpexclamationashedroppedabookuponthefloor.Hestoodupandfaced

Tremont,anannoyedlookuponhisface.

“That’samistake!”hedeclared“Abadmistake,Glade!Nothingcanbegained.Somethingmaybelost!”

“How?”

“Marslandwon’ttalk.Probablyhecan’ttalk.YouknowenoughofTheShadow’swaystorealizethat.

WeareonlykeepingMarslandherebecausewehavenotyetgainedpositiveevidencethatTheShadow

isdead.”

“OrlinovhasbeenanxioustotestMarsland,”declaredTremont.“Itoccurredtomethathemightlearn

somethingofvaluethatwouldenableustotraceTheShadow’slair-toassureourselvesthatthe

dangerousmanisreallydead.”

“Thefellowwillresist,”warnedSavette.“Orlinovmaycarrythetorturetoofar.Hewilllearnnothing,and

Marslandmaydie.ThenitwouldbeourillfortunetofindTheShadowaliveandactive.Ourhostage

wouldbegone;andwewouldhavearevengefulenemy.”

Tremontlaughed.

“Don’tworryaboutOrlinov,”hesaid.“Ivanisacraftsmanintorture.Hewillnotoverdoit.Hehandleshis

victimsasacatplayswithamouse.WhenheproposedtortureforMarsland,Iagreed.Iwantedtosee

howhewouldsucceedwithsuchaclose-mouthedfellow.

“Hetellsmethathewillworktobreaktheman’sendurance.Easily,slowly-

“Hetellsmethathewillworktobreaktheman’sendurance.Easily,slowly-thenaperiodofreliefthatis

worsethanthetortureitself.OrlinovswearshewillmakeMarslandtalk.Heisgoingaboutitbydegrees.

Sothereisnocauseforalarm.Ourprecioushostagewillnotdie-atleastnottonight.”

SAVETTEpondered,thenshruggedhisshoulders.Afterall,torturewasOrlinov’sstockintrade.Savette

recalledtheefficacyofthebeardedRussian’smethods.

“IfMarslandgivesout,”addedTremont,“Orlinovwillstopfortonight.Ifhegivesinunderthestrain,

Orlinovhaspromisedtoletmeknowimmediately.HewillcomeupherewhenMarslandexpresseshis

willingnesstospeak.Wecanbothgodownstairstohearthegrilling.”

“Here’swishingOrlinovluck,”declaredSavette.“It’sgoodpracticeforhim,afterall.Wehaveanew

customerwhomayneedtreatment”-Savettepointedoverhisshouldertothebigbox-“soifOrlinov

experimentswithMarslanditmaydogoodratherthanharm.I’lltakeyourwordforitthatheisusing

discretion.”

“Letmeseewhatyouhavehere,”saidTremont,pointingtotheportmanteau.

“Letmeseewhatyouhavehere,”saidTremont,pointingtotheportmanteau.

ForgettingMarsland’ssituation,Savetteagainstoopedbeforethesuitcaseandbegantopassvarious

articlestoTremont.

“Lookthemover,”grinnedtherenegadephysician.“Thisisagoldmine,Glade.Arealgoldmine.Better

thananythingwehavestruck.Itgivesusallthefundswewant.

“IcaughtCranstonjustashewasleavingforpartsunknown,tobegonefortwoyears.Heisnowadead

manwhowilllive-andpeoplewillnotknowitforawhile,solongashesignshischecksandsendshis

writtenordersforthedispositionofhisavailablewealth.

“Wecantakeitslowlyandwisely.Timeitwiththeprogressofourexperimentshere.Then,whenweare

throughwiththeothers,wewillbethroughwithCranston,too.Hewillgooutwiththerest.”

“Howwillyoucoverhisdeath?”

“Coverit?Bylettersthathehimselfwrites.Ishallgoabroad,Glade.WordwillcomebackthatCranston

comebackthatCranston

isinAfrica,goingtoadangerousregionofthejungle.Itwillbeeasytoplanttheevidence-especially

withCranston’sownletters.Hewillnotcomeback-thatisall.I’mgladIwaitedforthis.Itisthebest

andsafestpropositionthatwehaveyetencountered.”

“Sixmonthsatthemost,”saidTremontthoughtfully.

“Ah!”exclaimedSavette.“Youhavemadenewprogresshere?”

“Allthatcanbedesired,”declaredthelawyer.“Thetelevisionworkisactuallydone.Somethingnewmay

developinit-butithasalreadyexceededourexpectation.Theenergydevicewillrequiremoretimeto

getittothepointwewant.Itisasureproposition,however.Alittletroublewiththeairinventions.That

willbeironedout.”

DoctorSavettestoodup.Hisfacegleamed;helaughedharshly.Silently,hebegantodisplaythearticles

thathehadstolenfromCranston.Checkbooks,withbalancesmarkedinthem.Accountbooks,carefully

preparedindetail.EachitembroughtagruntofsatisfactionfromGladeTremont.

“Iknowthatlawyer,Bartram,”hesaid.“Asoftegg,ifevertherewasone.Helookslikeahuman

jellyfish.Therewillbeeasywaystoworkthis,Gerald.

“SupposeanunknowninventorshowsupinNewYork-amanwithanideaintelevision,forinstance.

Takingupworkthatanotherdropped-throughdeath.Bartramistheninstructedtogivethischapmoney

-”

“Agoodtie-up,”interjectedSavette,asthelawyerpaused.“Thatwillallcomelater.Itisjustacaseof

playingaperfectgame.Thecardsareinourhands.Everythinghasbeensmoothhere.Itwillcontinueto

be-”

Therewasathumpatthedoor.Savettedroppedtheloosearticlesbackintotheportmanteau.He

noddedtoTremont.

“Comein,”calledthelawyer.

BIFFTOWLEYentered.Thegangleaderwashardlyrecognizable.Abroadstripofadhesiveplaster

ofadhesiveplaster

wasacrossthebridgeofhisnose.Hisforeheadandhischeekswerepuffedandblackish.

Towley’sphysiognomywasnotahandsomeoneatbest.WhenTheShadowhadbasheditwiththe

revolverhehadchangedthecontourofthevilecountenance.BiffTowleyhadgoodreasontoremember

thatgunfightontheLongIslandswimmingpier.

Savettestaredcuriouslyatthegangleader.HehadknownofTowley’splight,anditwouldbehiswork

toremaketheshatteredfeaturesafterBiff’sfacehadmendedsomewhat.

“Whatisit?”questionedTremont.

“Justnabbedabozooutfront,”declaredBiff.

TremontlookedatSavette.Bothmenhadthesamethought.TheShadow!Coulditbepossiblethatthe

manstilllived?Orwasthissomeagentwhowastakinguphiswork?

“Bringhimin,”orderedTremont.

“Bringhimin,”orderedTremont.

Biffwentaway.SavettelookedatTremontwithapprehensiveeye.

“Maybeitisjustsomeprowler,”declaredthelawyer.“Wehaveputonstrictguard.Wearetakingno

chancesnow.”

“It’snotagoodideatobringthefellowin,then,”saidSavette.“Ifheisjustsomeonefromthevicinity,he

maytalk-”

“Don’tworryaboutthat,”repliedTremont.“Noonehasarighttrespassingonthisproperty.Ifthisman

appearstoknownothing,Ishallsimplyreprimandhimforenteringthegrounds.Orlinovhasdonethatto

trespassersfrequently.”

Thedooropened,andamanentered.BiffTowleywasrightbehindhim.Thegangleaderwasplayingthe

partofagroundskeeperontheestate.Savettecouldseethathewasholdingarevolverinreadiness.

“Hereheis,sir,”declaredTowley.“IthoughtIhadbetterbringhiminhere,Mr.Tremont,becauseI

foundthisonhim.”

Hetossedasmallautomaticintoachairbesidethelawyer.Tremontpickedupthegunandexaminedit.

Hecalmlyreleasedthesafetylock.Thusarmedwithaloadedpistol,hewasinreadiness,althoughhis

actionappearedtobeperfectlynormal.

ThemanwhomBiffTowleyhadbroughtinwasstandingwithbowedhead.Hisposedidnotmakehim

appearformidable.Tremontutteredaterseorder,biddingTowleytoleave.Thegangleaderretired,

leavinghisprisonerunderTremont’sguard.

“Well?”hequestionedharshly.

Themanraisedhishead.Simultaneously,gaspsofastonishmentcamefrombothTremontandSavette.

Thenthegray-hairedlawyerchuckled,andthephysicianjoinedwitharaspylaugh.

“HaroldSharrock!”saidthelawyer,inasarcastictone.“Justthemanwehavewanted.Walkedrightinto

seeus.Excellent!”

Sharrock,tallandweak-chinned,staredinastupefiedmannerashefacedhiscaptors.Heseemedtobe

makinganefforttobebold,withoutsucceeding.

GladeTremont’schuckletrailedintoadwindlinglaughthatbodednogoodforthisunexpectedvisitor.

HaroldSharrockhadcomefromtheoutside.Whatwashispurposehere?

Thathewouldpresentlyexplain.GladeTremont’sgrimgazeshowedthatheintendedtomakeSharrock

talk.

CHAPTERXX.THEMANFROMINSIDE

“WELL?”

GladeTremont’sshort,harshquestionwasutteredashestaredintoHaroldSharrock’seyes.Theywere

mild,light-grayeyesthatflinchedastheymetthelawyer’sgaze.Then,withaneffort,Sharrocktriedto

gaincomposure.

Aflushcametohispastyface.Hisweakeyesglistened.Hebithiscolorlesslips

Aflushcametohispastyface.Hisweakeyesglistened.Hebithiscolorlesslipsashelookedfrom

TremonttoSavette.Hismannershowedthatheknewthesemen,andunderstoodtheevilintheirhearts.

“I’vecomeback,”declaredSharrockhoarsely.“Comeback,foranaccounting.That’sall.”

“Thatisenough,”commentedTremont.

Sharrockflinched;thenstaredboldlytowardDoctorSavette.

“Ilandedthismorning,”hesaid.“Iwentuptowatchyourhouse.Ifollowedyouwhenyouwenttotake

thetrain.Ididnotknowwhereyouweregoing.Ididnotknowthatyouhadthisplacehere.WhenIsaw

youenter,Icameafter.Iwantedtogetyou-tokillyou-bothofyou!”

HatredflashedinSharrock’sfaceashedeliveredthisoutburst.TremontandSavettebothreceivedthe

statementcalmly.Theywerenotperturbedintheleast.

“Yourreturnisafortunateone,”declaredSavette.“Wecanusesomeofthosefundswhichbelongto

us.”

us.”

“Belongtoyou!”Sharrock’scrywascontemptuous.“Nothingbelongstoyou!Thereisnothingforyouto

get.IlosteverythingIhadatMonteCarlo!”

“Hm-m-m,”chuckledGladeTremont.“NowIsupposeyouwouldliketohaveusfinanceyou?”

“YoucanguesswhyI’mhere,”blurtedSharrock.“I’mgoingtofacethemusic,that’sall.Killme,ifyou

want.That’sbetterthanjail.I’vecomeheretoseeifAustinisstillalive-tomakeupfortheevilthatI

havedonehim.Itmeansjailforme.Idon’tcare.”

Tremontshookhisheadsadly.

“Whileyouhadthemoney,youforgotAustinBellamy,”hesaid.“Nowyouappeartohaveaconscience.

Averyuselesspossession-aconscience.Iwonderwhatitfeelslike-aconscience?”

HelookedatSavette,andthephysicianlaughed.LikeTremont,hewasconscienceless.

“SAYwhatyouwant,youcrooks!”saidSharrockhoarsely.“Youstartedthedirtywork.Youandthat

renegade,IvanOrlinov!”

“Whatofit?”questionedTremont.“Youareonlygivinguscreditforanexcellentidea.Ihappenedtobe

yourstepbrother’slawyer.DoctorSavettechancedtobehisphysician.Wesawthatyouhadbeen

wrongfullycutoffinhisnewwill.Sowequietlyarrangedhisdeath-withyourapproval-andkepthim

alive,withIvanOrlinovashiscapableguardian.”

“Yes,”retortedSharrock.“Youdidit-forhalfamillion.ThenyoukeptAustinBellamybecausehewasa

threat.YouhaditframedsoIcouldbethegoat.Alldonewithmyorder.

“Youbledme-ahundredthousanddollarsatatime-togettheentiretwomillion.Igotaway,to

France,withhalfamillionleft.Therearecrooksthere,too.Iwasinnomoodtowardthemoff.

“I’mbacknow,broke-allexceptafewthousands.I’mgoingtocomeclean.I’vecometotellyouthat.I

wantedtolearnifAustinwerestillalive-”

“Heisalive,”interposedTremont.“Aliveandwell.Thatmeanswestillhavethethreatwhichyouhave

mentioned.”

“Thatisnotall,”addedSavette.“Youspeakofuskillingyou,Sharrock.Thatisagoodsuggestion-one

whichweshalluse.Butwehaveafewotherdevicesthatarebetterthandeath.Wehaveprogressed

sinceourearlydays,whenwekeptyourdearstepbrotherdopedinacottageontheJerseycoast.”

“I’vefiguredthat,”saidSharrockbitterly.“Youboughtthisplacewithmymoney-”

“WithBellamy’smoney-”correctedTremont.

“Withanybody’smoneybutyours!”criedSharrock.“Youareuptonewmischief.Youhadacottage;

nowyouhaveacastle.Iknowyourgame!Youaretrickingothers-holdingnewprisoners-”

“Excellentreasoning,”declaredTremontironically,asSharrockpaused.“Youhavemadeaperfect

deduction,Sharrock.SoIthinkitwouldbeagoodplantorewardyou.

“Wearekeepingthisestablishment.Itiswellguarded.Itisnecessary.Sototerminateourdiscussionwith

you,weshallletyoutraveltheroutethatothershavetaken,sinceyourstepbrothermadetheprecedent.

“Howwouldyouliketobecomeoneofthelivingdead?”

Sharrock’sfaceblanched.Hetrembled.TremontandSavetteindulgedinvillainoussmiles.

“Tokillyouwouldbeapleasure,”declaredTremont.“Unfortunately,wedonotknowwhatfoolishthings

youmayhavedonebeforeyoureachedhere.Itwouldbebesttohaveyoualive-sothatyoucanspeak

-underOrlinov’spressure.

“Soyoushalltasteofdeath.Itwaskindofyoutocomehere.Othershavenotbeensoobliging.That

box”-hepointedtotheheavyobjectbythefireplace-“containsonenewmemberforourcolony.We

wereforcedtoshiphimhereasweshippedothers.Youhavesavedusthattrouble.

“Whatdoyousay,doctor?Weareverybusyatpresent”-TremontwassmilingtowardSavette-“and

wecannotbeannoyedwithourgoodfriendSharrockatthismoment.Shallwe

wecannotbeannoyedwithourgoodfriendSharrockatthismoment.Shallweputhimawayforthe

deathperiodoftwodays?”

“Anexcellentidea,”returnedSavette.

“Areyoupreparedtoperformtheoperation?”questionedTremont.

Withasuavesmile,Savetteremovedahypodermicsyringefromhispocket.Sharrockquailedashesaw

theobject.ThenthethreatoftherevolverheldbyTremontbecameimminent.Sharrockstoodtrembling,

fearingboththegunandtheneedle.

DoctorSavetteapproachedthehelplessman.HethrewbackSharrock’sarms,andwrestedhiscoat

fromhisbody.Hetoreawaythesleeveoftheman’sshirt.Heraisedthesyringeandpreparedtothrustits

needleintothevictim’sflesh.

PALE,tottering,Sharrockbegantoedgeaway.AshortwordcamefromTremont.Sharrocksawthe

threatoftherevolver.

Hefacedtwodeaths:thatoftheneedlewouldbetemporary;thatofthegunwouldbepermanent.He

knewthathemustacceptone.HelookedfromTremonttoSavette.Therewasnomercyineitherof

thoselividfaces.

“Wait!”exclaimedSharrock,infutiletone.“Letmetalk.MaybeIcan-canforgetwhatIknow-”

“Youwillforgetit,”declaredTremontcoldly.“Certainly.Wearearrangingthatatpresent.Igiveyou

warning,Sharrock.Wedonotintendtowastemoretimewithyou.Youhaveyourchoice-theneedleor

abullet.

“Youhavenofriendshere.Ifyouflinchorrefusetotakethehypodermic,Ishallshootyouthroughyour

yellowheart.Wearenotafraidofanythingyoumayhavedone.DonothopethatIshallspareyou.”

SharrockknewwellthatTremontwasspeakingfacts.Motionless,hestaredweaklyatthelawyer.

Tremontheldthegunleveledtowardtheintendedvictim’sbreast.

Savette,nearertoTremontthanSharrockwas,stoodawayfromthelineofthelawyer’saim,calmly

holdingtheneedleinreadiness.HewasfacingTremont.

Thethreemenformedastrangetableau,theirprofilestowardthefireplace,wherenoembersglowed

tonight.SavettewasawaitingasignalfromTremont-anindicationwhetherheshouldgoaheadwiththe

injectionorwhetherthelawyerintendedtoshoottokill.

Noeyeswereuponthehugebox.Somethingwashappeningthere.Thelonepivothingeononesideof

theboxwasmovingnoiselesslyupward,actuatedbysomemechanismoperatedfromtheinterior.The

motionofthehingestopped.

Nowthedooroftheboxwasopening,slowlyandsilently-openingatthesidewherethehingehad

lifted.Thestrongpadlocks,withtheirfirmhaspsandstaples,wereservingasahinge!Thedoorwas

openingthewrongway!

Clearofthetrickyhinge,releasedbyslotsthatwerenowfreed,thedoorswungwide,pushedopenbya

handfromwithin.Thenoiseofthatopeningturnedsixeyestowardthebox.Tremont,Savette,and

Tremont,Savette,and

Sharrockgazedinstinctivelyinthatdirection.

Movingforwardfromtheboxwasthecrouching,huddledformofamancladentirelyinblack.Hewasa

blottedform,hisbodyshapelessunderitsblackcloak,hisfeaturesinvisibleundertheprotectingedgeof

abroad-brimmedhat.Hishandswerethrustforward.Theyaloneseemedalive.Black-cladhands-in

eachanautomatic!

OnegunwastrainedonTremont;theothercoveredSavette.Theblackformcontinueditsemergence.It

roseandtooktheshapeofatall,sinisterbeing.

“TheShadow!”

ThecrycamefromSavette’slips.ItwasechoedbyTremont’sweakgasp.Theanswerwasasinister,

whisperedlaughfromlipsthatthecloakcollarcovered.ThelaughofTheShadow!Thelaughofaman

whomTremontandSavettebelieveddead!

Neithervillaindaredmove.Fiendsthattheywere,theytrembled.Sharrockstooddumfoundedatthe

dumfoundedatthe

sightofthisstrangeavenger.

Again,TheShadowlaughed.Hehadcaughthisarchenemiesbyawell-timedruse.Thedreadavenger

washere,tosettlescores,intheverylairofhisfoe.Withguardingmobsmenoutside,protectedbythe

wallsofaveritablefortress,thefiendswerehelpless.

TheShadow’slaughwasthesardonicmirthofvengeance.Itwasalaughthatbodeddeath!

CHAPTERXXI.CLIFFFINDSACHANCE

“I’LLspeak!I’llspeak!”

Thewordsweregaspedbyfoam-fleckedlips.CliffMarsland,intheagonyofexquisitetorture,was

callingpleadinglytoIvanOrlinov.

“Youwilltellall?”

TheRussian’squestionwasagrowledretort.

“Yes!”Cliff’svoicequavered.“Letmeloose-I’ll-I’ll-”

“Yes!”Cliff’svoicequavered.“Letmeloose-I’ll-I’ll-”

Hischokingvoicecouldsaynomore.Thestrainofthemaddening,limb-wrenchingwincheswastoo

greatforhimtostand.Cliff’sheadtoppledforwardonhischest.

Orlinovgavetwocommands.Bothwerethesame.OnewasinRussian,andtheotherinEnglish.Slowly,

thewincheswerereleased.Cliff’sarmsdropped.Theropesbecameslack.Hecrumpledtothefloorand

laythere,inert.

IvanOrlinovstaredlongatthemanwhomhehadtortured.ItwasapparentthatCliffMarslandhadheld

outuntilcompleteanguishforcedhimtoyield.Hehadlosthissensesnow.Orlinovwassorry.Itmightbe

sometimebeforethemanwouldspeak.

Cliffhadindeedsuffered;butnotsomuchasOrlinovsupposed.Allthroughthetorture,hehadplayeda

part.Hehadwincedwithoutanoutcry,feigningpainsoeffectivelythatOrlinovhadimaginedhisanguish

fargreaterthanitactuallywas.

Now,too,Cliffwasplayingapart.Hehadtriedtodelaythistortureuntilhefelt

Now,too,Cliffwasplayingapart.Hehadtriedtodelaythistortureuntilhefeltthatitwasbringinginjury

fromwhichhecouldnoteasilyrecover.Thewrenchinghadreachedthatstate.Then,Cliffhadutteredhis

pleadingcry.

Onthefloor,heresembledamanwhohadlostconsciousness.Orlinovleanedoverhimandshookhis

bodyroughly.Cliffmadenoresponse.TheRussianwasconvincedthathisvictimwassenseless

Orlinovbecamethoughtful.Thistorturehadtakensometime.Itwaslateintheevening,now.Bythis

time,DoctorGeraldSavettewouldbehere.BothheandTremontwouldwanttoseethevictim;tohear

CliffMarslandspeak.

TheRussianknewhisgame.Hehadlearnedthatthecombinedremembranceofpasttorture,coupled

withthethreatoffuture,wasaweaponthatcouldforcethemosthardenedmantospeak.Inaddition,

presentease-asapleasantlapsebetweentworackingsessions-wasalsoawaytomakeobdurate

personsreasonable.

CliffMarsland,weakened,unconscious,andweaponless,couldmakenotrouble

CliffMarsland,weakened,unconscious,andweaponless,couldmakenotroublehere.Orlinovsignaled

toPetriandthegangster.ThemenapproachedwhilethebigRussianundidthefettersthatheld

Marsland’sarmsandlegs.

THEunderlingsraisedCliffMarsland,andcarriedhishelplessbodytoacouchinanobscurecornerof

theroom.Theyplacedhimsohisheadwasproppeduponapillow.Hisarmsandlegsweresprawled.

Cliff’seyeswereclosed;butwhenheopenedthem,hewouldseetheroombeforehim.Hewouldview

thepulleyedropesthathadcausedhisformertorture.Hewouldobservetheotherimplementsofbrutality

whichbodedotheragonies.

Itwouldnotbeapleasantthought-thepossibilityofrunningthegamutofIvanOrlinov’sgrimdevices.

Thebedofspikes,theironcoffin,theblackenedpit-allwereformidable.

Severalminuteswentby.Orlinovwaswaiting.HedidnotcaretosummonTremontandSavetteuntilthis

manwouldbereadytospeak.Orlinovintendedtoputonanexhibitionofhisskill,themethodsthathe

hadlearnedsowellinthedaysofczaristRussia

hadlearnedsowellinthedaysofczaristRussia

CliffMarslandstirred,buthiseyesdidnotopen.Hisheadrolledtooneside.Heseemedtosensethe

agonythathehadsuffered.Heraisedhisarmsandpressedthemagainsthisbody.Heturnedonhisright

side,hisarmbeneathhim.Hisheadslumped,andheremainedinert.

Acleverruse!OnethatwasnaturalenoughtodeceiveIvanOrlinov.ItplacedCliff’srighthandoutof

view,closetohishippocket.Atthatinstanthecouldhaveyankedouthisgunandstartedabattlefor

safety.BothPetriandthegangsterhadrevolvers;butneitherwasinreadiness.

ThereweretworeasonswhyCliffdesisted.Onewasbecausehehadsufferedgreatlyandwasweak.

Eachminute,heknew,wouldhelphimtorecuperate.Thesecondwasbecausetimewasmoving.Any

minute,now,mightbringtheshotsthatwouldbeTheShadow’ssignal!

OrlinovstudiedCliffclosely.Itappearedasthoughthevictimhadagainlapsedintounconsciousness.

Nevertheless,hecouldeasilyberevived,sincehehadshownmomentarysignsoflife.Orlinovspoketo

Petri;thenrepeatedtothegangster,inEnglish:

“Waithere.WaituntilIreturn.Ifhehassbeguntoawake,watchhimclose.Haffyourrevolferready.”

“Surething,”growledthegunman,drawinghisrevolverandbrandishingitsignificantly.

Orlinovdeparted.Clifflaymotionless.Hedidnotallowhiseyelidstoeventremble.Hecouldhear

Orlinov’sfootstepsdyingaway.HewouldknowwhentheRussianreturned.

Cliff’sfingers,hidden,clutchedthehandleoftheautomatic.Atanymoment,now,hecouldbegina

surpriseattack.Heintendedtoactquickly.

Asuddenleap,adrawngun-thatwashischancetocatchhisadversariesoffguard.Hewouldhaveto

beattwomentotheshot.Hewasconfidentthathecoulddoit.

Listening,Cliffcouldhearsignsthatindicatedwhereeachofhisenemiesstood.EvenshouldOrlinov

return,Cliffcouldact,forhefeltsurethatthebeardedRussianwouldhavenoguninreadiness.

Thetimeforactionmightbeimminent.Cliff’sonefearwasthatthiswould

Thetimeforactionmightbeimminent.Cliff’sonefearwasthatthiswouldprolonguntilmidnight.How

wouldheknowthathour?SupposeTheShadowwaswaitingforhimtoact?

Thiswasadilemma.Theminutesontherackhadbeentorturousonesthathadseemedmuchlongerthen

theyreallywere.

Itmightbeteno’clock-eleven-evenpastmidnight-forallCliffknew.Hisnaturalcravingforaction

urgedhimtodrawhisgunnow,whilehehadtheopportunity.Butthatmightmeanactionbeforethe

arrivalofTheShadow.

Withoutthemaninblacktohelphim,Cliff’seffortstoescapecouldbenomorethanfutile.Therewere

toomanymobsmenonthesepremises.Hastyactionwouldspoilall.Patientwaitingmightbringsuccess.

SoCliffMarslandwaited.Possum-like,hefeignedunconsciousness,waitingforthesignalthatwould

meanTheShadowwasathand!

CHAPTERXXII.THESHADOWSPEAKS

THEechoesofasinister,whisperedlaughdiedaway.TheShadow,masterinthelairofvillains,madea

downwardmotionwithhisautomatics.

Understanding,GladeTremontloweredhishandandreluctantlydroppedtheweaponwhichheheld.

GeraldSavetteloweredhishandalso,butdidnotreleasethehypodermicsyringe.

TheShadow’sburningeyesglaredatthemenwhomhehadtrapped.Theywerehelpless,andtheyknew

it.TheShadowhadthemathismercy.Whatdidheintendtodo?

“Pickupthepistol,Sharrock,”saidTheShadowinalow,strangewhisper.

Thetallmannodded.Hewastryingtorecoverhiswits.Mechanically,heobtainedthegunwhich

Tremonthaddroppedonthefloor.HestoodbetweenthetwomenwhomTheShadowdominated.

“Youthoughtmedead,”whisperedTheShadow.

HelaughedasheaddressedthesewordstoTremontandSavette.Thestrangeemphasisoneachuttered

emphasisoneachuttered

syllablemadethevillainstremble.Menwithoutmercy,theyexpectednonenow.TheShadowwasa

superman.Thefactthathestilllivedmadehimmoreamazing,intheirminds,thanbefore.

“Youthoughtmedead,”repeatedTheShadow.“ButIlive-asyouhavelearned.Iknowyourschemes

infull.Iknewyourwaysofplotting.Money.Youneededit,Savette.Youwerelookingforavictim.You

foundLamontCranston.”

TheShadowpaused,andSavetteunderstood.Theechoedmockeryofanotherlaughcameasahateful

soundtohisears.TheShadowspokeagain.

“WhatlittleofyourworkIdidnotknow,”resumedTheShadow,“Ihavelearnedtonight.Ishalltellyou

ofyourcrimes,thatyoumayknowwhyIproposegraveconsequences.

“AustinBellamywasyourfirstvictim.Lawyerbetrayedhisclient;physician,hispatient.Yourdeath

serum,Savette,workedthenforthefirsttime.YouspiritedBellamyfromyoursanitarium,afewyears

ago.Thencamethefire-inwhichanotherbodywasrecognizedbyyouasBellamy’s.

Bellamy’s.

“WithwealthgainedthroughyourpactwithSharrock,youtwoplacedOrlinovinthiscastle.Youbecame

brainthieves.ProfessorPierreRachaudwasyourfirstvictim.HeneversailedontheAlbaniawhenitleft

NewYork,cruisebound.

“Youhadtrappedhimbeforethat.Hewasonhiswayhereinabox.YouposedasRachaud.Allthat

wentoverboardwereclothesandfalsewhiskers-throughtheportholeofyourcabin.ThensmugDoctor

Savettewasmerelyapassengerfortherestofthetrip”

SavettelookedatTremontasTheShadowpaused.Themaninblackhadspokenthetruth.Hehad

detectedthemethodbehindSavette’sgame.

“CLARKMURDOCKwasthenext,”resumedTheShadow.“Iwasathishousethatnightwhenyou

seizedhimandleftthebodyofadeadmaninhisplace.IheardMurdockspeaktohisservantaboutthe

box.

“Atthattime,IsuspectedthatsomeonemighthavedesignsonMurdock’slife,

“Atthattime,IsuspectedthatsomeonemighthavedesignsonMurdock’slife,butIdidnotbelievethat

dangerwasduetostrikesosoon.Youwerecleverthen,Savette.

“You,Tremont,havetoldmehowyousnaredMattHartley.Youwouldneverhavesucceeded,hadyou

nottrappedMarsland,mymanhere.Fromthenon,youthoughtyouhadmehelpless.Therewasnoway

wherebyIcouldstrike.Soyouthought.Yettherewasaway.”

TheShadow’slaughwasmockingasitcreptsoftlythroughtheroomandreverberatedeerilyfromevery

corner.

“LamontCranstonwastheway,”announcedTheShadow.“LamontCranston,becausehewasThe

Shadow.Thisboxwaswaitingforyou,Savette.YoucametoCranston’shomewithyourfaithful

hypodermic.YoudidnotseeCranstonplaceanotherinthepocketofyourcoat,andtakeyoursinits

stead.

“Youdidnotchoosetotakethetaboret.SoCranstonusedit,afteryouhadgonetosummonthe

truckmen.Heopenedthehingeofthisbox.Fromthehollowtaborethetookcertainarticleswhichhe

required.Inthebox,LamontCranstonbecame-TheShadow!”

ArealizationdawnedonSavette.Herememberedhowlightthetaborethadseemed,whenhehadlifted

itafterpushingitbefore.Nowonder.IthadcontainedtheweaponsandthegarbthatwereapartofThe

Shadow-articleswhichLamontCranstonhadchosentocarrywithhimonhisjourney.

“Tonight,”continuedTheShadow,“youshallknowthedeaththatyouimposeduponothers.Thedeath

fromwhichmenawake.Withinthisbuildingdeadmenlive.Theywillbereleasedtonight;youshall

remain.

“Thatsyringewhichyouhold,DoctorSavette,willdonicelyforGladeTremont.Ishallletyoumakethe

injection.Ihaveanotherinmypocket.Youwillreceiveaninjectionfrommyhand.Whenyouawake,

youtwo,affairswillbedifferenthere.IvanOrlinovandhishordewillbegone.Ishallsettlewiththem.”

TheShadowpronouncedthesewordswithamazingcalmness.Hespokeasthoughtheconqueringofa

crowdofgunmenwassimpleinaccomplishment.

Savettetriedtosneer.Tremontwaspale.Herememberedhisawakeningafterthebattleonthedock.

TheShadowhadfoughtthentoprotecthimself.Tonight,hewouldhavetheadvantageofasurprise

attack.

“Weshalldelaynolonger,”gibedTheShadow.“Go,Savette.Usethathypodermicwhichyouhold.

Tremontistobeyoursubject.Go!”

MECHANICALLY,thephysicianapproachedGladeTremont.HedarednotdisobeyTheShadow.The

tableswereturned,andSavetteknewwellthatTheShadowwouldnothesitatetostarthisbattlehereby

firstshootinghimandTremont.

Grimretribution!Thesemonstersweretotastethatstateofoblivionwhichtheyhadforceduponothers.

Theyweretoexperiencethatwhichtheyhadtermedtemporarydeath.

Noalternativeoffering,GeraldSavettewrenchedawayTremont’scoatandtoreoffthelawyer’ssleeve.

HewastreatinghisaccompliceashehadtreatedHaroldSharrock,whonowstoodpaleandtense,

watchingthisstrangeturnofevents.

GladeTremontofferednoresistance.LikeSavette,hewasabeatenman.Neitheronecouldstand

againstTheShadow.Evengloweringlooksweregone.Hopelessnesshadreplacedanimosity.Thefiends

weredemonstratingtheircowardice.

TheShadowhadspoken.Hiscaptiveswereforcedtoobey.Savetteraisedthehypodermic.Tremont

quailed.TheShadowspokeagain.

“Proceed.”

Thatsinglewordsoundedliketheknellofdoom.Therewasnoescape.Savettepreparedtomakethe

injection.Then,suddenly,hestoodstill,andhiseyesregainedtheirshrewdness.Foramoment.Theyhad

lookedbeyondHaroldSharrock,towardthedoorofthissecludedlivingroom.

Quickly,SavettedroppedhiseyestowardTremont’sarm.Heappearedtobebusywiththehypodermic.

Butinthatmoment,hehadbetrayedhimself.

TheShadow’squickeyesdartedtowardthedoor.There,awickethadopened.And,noiselessly,a

panelhaddropped.

Peeringthroughtheholeinthedoorwasthefierce,beardedfaceofIvanOrlinov!

Somethinggleamedbesidethatblackenedcountenance.Orlinovwasbringingthemuzzleofarevolver

intoplay,turningittowardthefigureofTheShadow!

Thegamehadbeendiscovered.Orlinov,comingtoconducthisconfederatestothetorturechamber

below,hadbeenwary.Hehadheardthesoundofvoices.Hehaddecidedtolookintolearnwhathad

transpiredsincethearrivalofDoctorSavette.

NowhewaspreparingtoslayTheShadow.Hehadarrivedinthenickoftimetosavehiscompanions

fromthesentencethatTheShadowhadimposeduponthem!

CHAPTERXXIII.THEATTACK

THESHADOWandIvanOrlinovactedsimultaneously.

Theirchancesofsuccesswereequal.TheRussian,withhisgunbesidehisface,hadadifficultaimto

make,butthetallformofTheShadowformedanexcellenttarget.

Orlinov’scountenance,framedintheopenpanel,wasasmallmark,butonewhichTheShadowcould

coverwithaquickswingofoneautomatic.

HadOrlinovattemptedtobeatTheShadowtotheshot,hemighthavesucceeded.ButtheRussian

playedaquicker,moreinstinctivegame.Hedroppedawayfromtheopenpanel.Thelittlebarrierslid

downtoreceiveTheShadow’sshot.

TremontandSavettewereactingeretheautomaticroared.SosureweretheythatOrlinovwouldnotfail

thattheysawonlyonemenacebeforethem-HaroldSharrock.

SavettedroppedthesyringeasheandTremontsprangforward.AlloddswerewithSharrock.Hehad

onlytodrawawayandpumphisenemieswithbullets.Butheactedtoolate.Hedidnotshootuntilthe

menwereuponhim.

Hisgunsoundedamuffledreportasthethreetumbled.ThenTheShadow’sautomaticspoketorescue

him.Savette,theupperofthethree,receivedabullet,andfellawayfromthestrugglingforms.

MuffledshotswererepeatedasSavettedropped.Sharrockrolledover,andTremontstaggeredaway

fromhim,holdingthepistolinreadinessforanothershot.TheShadow’swell-timedaimwasagain

effective.Hisautomaticroared.GladeTremontfell.

Now,TheShadowwassweepingtowardthedoor.Justashereachedit,thebarrierwashurledinward.

RevolversgleamedasBiffTowleyandthreemobsmendashedintotheroom.

Theyhadheardtheshots.TheyhadcomeatOrlinov’sbidding.Theyweremakingamassattacktotrap

TheShadowbeforehecouldescape.

Herehewasuponthem,hisautomaticspumpinglead,histallformswingingawaybehindthedoor.Afew

wildshotsresponded.Theywereall.Themobsmenhadbeentoosureofthemselves.Theyhadwalked

intoaclose-rangeattackfromtwopowerfulguns.TheShadowhadlostnotime.

Hehadnotsavedasinglebullet.Inthisemergency,hedischargedeverycartridge.Hisenemieswereon

thefloor.TheShadowwasunscathed.Laughing,loudandfiercely,heflungawayhispistolsanddrew

twonewweaponsfrombeneathhiscloak.Hehadcomehereprepared,ahumanarsenal.

IntothehallstrodeTheShadow.Threegunnerswereenteringthefrontdoor.TheShadow’sautomatics

jerkedbackandforthashestruckdownhisnewgroupofenemies.

Twoshotsfromeachgun.Fourbullets-onemorethanneeded.Threegangsterslaywithinthedoor,their

bodiescrumpledindeath.

Ahandflashedfromtheslidingdoorthatledtothewing.Orlinov’srevolveranswered.Abulletswished

throughthecollarofTheShadow’scloak.

Oneofthoseautomaticsansweredasthehandslippedaway.Theshotwasperfect.IvanOrlinovuttered

acryofrage.Therevolverclatteredtothefloor,outsidethedoor.

TheRussiandidnotwait.Hedidnotattempttofastenthebarrier.Hefledalong

TheRussiandidnotwait.Hedidnotattempttofastenthebarrier.Hefledalongthecorridor,The

Shadowinpursuit.Themaninblackfiredoneshotthatwastoolate.Orlinovwasturningthecorneras

TheShadowaimedfromtheslidingdoor.

THEN,fromtheotherendofthecorridor,appearedawild,disheveledmanwithupraisedautomatic.

TheShadowlaughedandstretchedhisarms,toshowhisflowingcloak.

ItwasCliffMarsland,comingfrombelow,hissmokingpistoltellingoftheworkthathehaddone.

ThesoundofTheShadow’scannonadehadreachedthetorturechamber.Cliffhadacted.BothPetriand

thegangsterhadfailedtostophim.Hehadtakenthegunmanfirst;thenPetri.

Sweepingforward,TheShadowpointedtothebarrierthroughwhichhehadcome.Cliffunderstood.He

wastoguardbelow,whileTheShadowfollowedOrlinov.

Theypassedatthecenterofthecorridor,Cliffhasteningtothedoor,TheShadowheadingforthestairs.

Themaninblackbecamesuddenlyalertashereachedthesteps.

Thestairsweregloomy,andTheShadowbecameacreatureofthedarkasheglidedupward,stepby

step.Lostinadarkenedcorner,hisgleamingeyesdetectedacrouchinggangster-Orlinov’smanwho

guardedtheupstairscorridor.

Thewatchersawaslightmotion-themovementofaphantomshape.Asheaimedhisrevolverinthat

direction,aburstofflamecamefromthespot.Thegunmanfellheadlongdownthesteps,anothervictim

ofTheShadow.Theroaroftheautomaticwasterrificinthatlow-roofedspace.

TheShadowwasmovingupwardnow.Hesteppedacrossthegangster’sbody.Hepausedbythe

corner,andpeeredalongthecorridor.

IvanOrlinov,arevolverinhisunscathedhand,waspeeringtowardthestairs.Hesawnohumanform;

butacrossthefloorofthecorridor,hediscernedalong,silhouettedpatchofblack.Hefired.

Itwasahopelesseffort.TheShadow’sautomaticbarked.Orlinov’sonegoodwristwascrippled.

NowTheShadow,likealivingmonster,approachedthecringingRussian.YetOrlinov,despitehisfear,

wasgrinningdefiantly,hiswhiteteethglitteringthroughtheblackenedclumpofhairthatformedhis

beard.

“Youhaffcometoolate!”snarledtheRussian.“Youhaffnotstoppedme.Ihaffreleasedthegas.The

deadmenwhohaffliffednowliffnolonger!”

AdanglingcordtoldwhatOrlinovhaddone.TheShadowlaughedsoftly.Thiswasthethreat;theway

wherebyallprisonersinthoselittleroomscouldbedisposedofinemergency.SoOrlinovhadplanned.

Withnomorethoughtofhishelplessenemy,TheShadowreachedbeneathhiscloakanddrewfortha

key.Heinserteditinadoorandturnedthelock.Hewenttoaseconddoor;thenathirdandafourth.

Orlinovwatchedhimbewildered.

Then,onebyone,fourmencameforth,eachfromadifferentroom.AustinBellamy,aworn,haggardold

man,staredspeechless,wonderingwhatthisfreedommeant.

ClarkMurdock,keenandshrewd-eyed,staredatTheShadow;thenglaredtowardOrlinov.Professor

PierreRachaud,aquiet,beardedFrenchman,appearedperplexed.MattHartley,astalwart,

middle-agedman,stoodwitharmsakimbo,alookofcompletesurpriseuponhisfirm-setface.

TheShadowspoke.

“YOUarethedead,”heannounced.“Thedeadwholivedtodothebiddingofthisfiendandtwoother

monsterswhonowliedeadbelow.”

ThevoiceofTheShadowwasaweird,creepywhisper,thatseemedunreal.Itwasasthoughthewallsof

thatstrangecorridorhadspoken,withthemaninblackamerefigureintheirmidst.Althoughthose

wordsmeantfreedomtothemenwhoheardthem,nonecouldrepressashudderattheeerievoice.

“Thatcord”-themuzzleofTheShadow’sright-handgunindicatedthedanglingrope-“wasdrawnby

Orlinov.Itwouldhavereleasedapoisongastokillyouall.Lastnight,however”-TheShadow’seyes

burnedtowardOrlinov-“Idetachedtheinfernalmechanism.”

Orlinovsnarledinhelplessfury.TheShadowstoodabovehim,thesuppressedsoundoftauntingmirth

comingfromhisinvisiblelips.

Suddenly,themockingfigurebecamemotionlessanderect.Shotswereechoingfromthefloorbelow.

Turning,TheShadowsweptaway,hiscloakswishingaudiblyashemovedrapidlytowardthestairs.A

secondlater,hewasgone,leavingfourstupefiedmenglaringatthecrippledfiendwhowassittingonthe

floor.

Thencameawild,high-pitchedcry.AustinBellamy,whoforyearshadsufferedatthehandsofOrlinov,

leapedforwardinmaddenedfury.HisclawinghandstoreattheRussian’sbeard.Hislong,bonyfingers

dugintoOrlinov’sthroat.

TheRussiansoughttoresist.Withbothhandscrippled,hecouldnotmanagetocontrolthemanwhohad

attackedhim.

Likeamongoosebattlingapoisoncobra,AustinBellamy,withallthepent-up

Likeamongoosebattlingapoisoncobra,AustinBellamy,withallthepent-uprageofunhappymonths,

hurledthehugeRussianbackandforth,chokinghim,beatinghisheadagainstthefloorandwalls.

Noneoftheothersmovedtostophim.They,too,hadsuffered.PrimitivethoughBellamy’svengeance

was,theydidnotchoosetoreason.

Whenthefierceoldmanfellexhaustedonthefloor,Orlinov’sheadwastilted,asthoughunhingedfrom

hishugeframe.Thebeardedfiendhadmethisdoom.

Moreshotswereheardfrombelow.Therescuedmenmovedinafile.HartleypickedupOrlinov’s

revolver.Murdockfoundthedeadgangster’sgunonthestairsandchoseitashisweapon.

Inthecorridor,onthegroundfloor,themenfoundstillanothermobster,woundedanddying.Thesliding

barrierwasopen.Theypassedthrough,Hartleyfirst,Murdocknext.

PierreRachaudwasthird;behindhim,AustinBellamydraggedwearilyalong.Morebodiesinthehall.

Thefrontdoorwasopen.Amansteppedinandhelduphishand.ItwasCliffMarsland.

Marsland.

Theothersrecognizedthathewasafriend.Silently,Cliffledthemtothelivingroom.There,onthefloor,

heshowedthemthebodiesofthreemen.

GeraldSavetteandGladeTremonthadperished.BulletsfromTheShadow’sgunandtheshotsfiredby

HaroldSharrockhadcombinedtoridtheworldofthesemonstrousplotters.

ThethirdmanwasSharrock,himself.Hewasdying,fromawoundreceivedwhenTremonthadwrested

therevolveraway.Sharrock,themanwhohadsoughttomakeamends,staredglassilyatAustin

Bellamy.

Theoldman’sface,hardenedfromhatredforOrlinov,softenednow.HeknewthatSharrockhad

betrayedhim,andhadspenthisfortune;buthefeltasenseofpity.

Bellamystoopedtothefloorandraisedhisstepbrother’shead.Thus,withfriendlyeyesuponhim,with

friendlyhandsgraspinghim,HaroldSharrockdied.

CliffMarslandbeckonedtheotherstothehall.Solemnly,theywenttotheporch.

CliffMarslandbeckonedtheotherstothehall.Solemnly,theywenttotheporch.Theretheystoodin

darkness,lookingacrossthemoon-bathedlawn,nolongerdominatedbygangsterhordes.

“ANalarmwillberaised,”explainedCliffMarslandquietly.“Policewillbehereshortly.Iwasaprisoner

here,too.IwasOrlinov’ssecretary.HetrappedmewhenhelearnedthatIwasinvestigatingmatters

here.”

“Whowasthemanupstairs?”questionedMattHartley.“Themaninblack-theonewhoshotthe

Russian.Themanwholaughed-”

“Hewastheonewhorescuedus,”saidCliff.“Theyhadmeinthetorturechamberwhenheattacked.I

methiminthecorridor,whenIwasescaping.”

“Whoishe?”askedClarkMurdock,

“TheycallhimTheShadow,”answeredCliff.

“TheShadow!”

Thenamepassedlikemagicfromonetoanother.ThefameofTheShadowwasknown.Therescued

menunderstood.

Cliffsteppedfromtheporch,andstooduponthelawn,staringuptowardtheoldgraycastle.Theother

menwerewithhim,surveyingthosewallsthathadheldthemprisoners.

ThehugemasonryofGlamartinwassilentnow-silent,wheregunshadthundered.Thelastsurgingwave

ofmobstershadenteredwhileCliffwasguardingthecorridor.TheShadowhadarrivedintimetomeet

them.

Offintheshrubbery,scatteredbythewalls,inotherspotsoftemporarysafetylaywoundedmenand

dying-thoseremnantswhohadstaggeredawaybeforeTheShadow’slastattack.

GladeTremont,GeraldSavette,IvanOrlinov,andBiffTowley.Allfourweredead.Nomanwhohad

claimedleadershipofanyportionofthegangstercrewremainedalivenow.Cliffcouldclaimasharein

thevictoriousstruggleforright;butitwasTheShadow’smasterythathaddominatedthebattle.

dominatedthebattle.

Adistantshotrangacrossthelawn,andechoedfromthecoldgraywallsofthecastle-likebuilding.The

rescuedmenlookedatoneanother.OnlyCliffknewwhatitmeant.

TheShadowhadmetthehenchmanatthegate.Thelastofthemobofevildoershadmethismatch.

Swallowedinthemountainnight,TheShadowhadfinishedtheonlyenemywhoremainedtomenacethe

safetyofthefreedprisoners.

Clifffanciedthathecouldhearthefainttonesofafar-awaylaugh-along,gibingpealofweirdmirththat

blendedintonothingness.

TheShadow’striumphwascomplete!

Deadmenwerelivingnow!

THEEND