Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 004 by Maxwel l Grant

Author:Maxwel,l Grant
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf

CHAPTER XVIII. THOSE WHO FOLLOWED

LAMONT CRANSTON'S cab sped westward across New York. The driver had been given a destination more than a mile away. But now he received new instructions. The man in the back seat leaned forward through the window, and exhibited a ten-dollar bill.

"Turn quickly," he said. "Left at the next corner. Double back. Go by the house which I just left."

The cab wheeled around the corner. The driver made another quick turn to the left, down a narrow street. Realizing that his passenger had some plan afoot, the man at the wheel chose an unfrequented byway.

But before he had reached the avenue beyond, he was aware that another car was roaring down the narrow street. The cab driver mumbled to himself, as he realized that he was being followed.

A taxicab is not a vehicle for speed; but it is designed for quick turn and prompt control. Lamont Cranston, calmly smoking a cigarette in the back seat, smiled as he felt the cab swerve around another corner.

Lamont Cranston leaned into the front seat.

"When you come to the house I left, stop there," he said. "I am going back."

"Oh," exclaimed the driver. For a moment he thought that the pursuing car was imaginary. "Shall I go slower, sir?"

"On the contrary," replied Cranston calmly, "I would appreciate it if you would go faster."

The cab whirled along the avenue. It was approaching the corner where it must turn to reach Zuvor's house. Cranston again spoke through the window.

"Take this one corner slowly," he remarked. "It is rather dangerous."

The driver nodded approvingly. The avenue turned at an angle at the point mentioned. The corner was indeed a bad one. The cab was nearing it now.

The driver applied his brakes with a jolt. The cab skidded slightly, as it came to a standstill; then the taximan swung the wheel, and the cab leaped forward like a living creature.

As it shot down the street, a sedan turned from the avenue, in close pursuit.

THE driver stopped his cab suddenly in front of Prince Zuvor's house. Leaping from his seat, he opened the door. At that instant, the sedan came up behind.

The taximan stepped back in amazement. Then he reached in, and turned on the light. To his utter astonishment, the back of the cab was empty!

The man's bewilderment was observed from the sedan. A tall, broad-shouldered fellow stepped to the sidewalk, and approached the cab.

"What's the matter, bud?" he asked.

"The matter!" ejaculated the cab driver, forgetting all about the recent pursuit. "I had a passenger in here a minute ago. Now he's gone!"

With an oath, the other man dashed back to the sedan. The big car swung around, and climbed the curb on the opposite side of the street, making its turn with the greatest possible speed.

It shot up toward the avenue; and just as it arrived, a cab left the corner. A man was staring through the back window. The sedan moved in immediate pursuit.

Lamont Cranston laughed slightly, as he rolled along in the new cab.

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