Grant, Maxwell - The Shadow 299 - The Banshee Murders by Maxwell Grant

Author:Maxwell Grant
Language: eng
Format: azw3, mobi
Tags: Detective, Mystery, Crime, Suspense, Adventure, Thriller
Publisher: Street & Smith Publications
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER XII

LIKE Lamont Cranston, Phil Harley could have told the police his theory regarding Winslow Ames; but Phil also doubted that he would be believed.

What was more important, Phil felt that he had gained certain leads, which if right would enable him to track down crime; but if wrong, would only give away all he knew, should any of the facts be made public.

There again, Phil’s situation resembled that of The Shadow, except that they were concerned with different persons. It would have been well if Phil and The Shadow could cooperate with each other, but so far they hadn’t gotten along at all; nor was there any way that they could reach each other.

Of course Phil’s main lead was Arline Forster, who struck him as much more of a mystery girl than Thara Lamoyne. Phil knew where to reach Arlene; namely at the Plaza Central. At least he hoped he could reach her there, but so far none of his phone calls to her room had been answered.

Phil was thinking this over as he watched the seals disport in the oblong pool at the Central Park Zoo. He’d thought that going over last night’s ground would help some, but it hadn’t. Now that it was getting dark, Phil decided to go to his own hotel, with a stop-off at the Plaza Central.

The route led past the buildings where the jungle animals were housed. The cages there were arranged to open indoors as well as out, so several sizeable beasts were on voluntary outdoor display, including a rather intelligent leopard.

Each outdoor cage had a barred door, out of reach across a low picket fence. The doors were fastened with formidable padlocks and evidently the handsome leopard rated high among the animals because his cage had a shiny new padlock. The leopard looked at Phil when Phil looked at it and then the leopard yawned.

Only it wasn’t just a yawn; the leopard gave a low growl. In leopard language it was saying that it didn’t like something and since Phil was about the only thing in sight, he was probably what the leopard didn’t like.

So Phil proceeded to the Plaza Central.

Just inside the door of that lavish hostelry, Phil was greeted by a peculiar gasp that reminded him a trifle of the leopard’s expression of annoyance. Again, Phil was the object, but this time the annoyed party was a girl.

And the girl was Arlene Forster.

“Good evening,” announced Phil, politely; “and what have I done to be rebuffed?”

“I’d rather not talk about it,” returned Arlene. “I have an appointment. Good-bye.”

“Since you’re going my way” - Phil supplied this as Arlene went out the door and turned along the street - “you won’t be sparing any precious minutes if you give me the particulars.”

“All right, then.” Arlene tossed her blonde head haughtily. “I just don’t like your persuasive way. That business of arguing me into taking a carriage ride around Central Park, for instance.”

“But I didn’t persuade you!”

“Then who did? I made a phone call and came out of the booth.

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