Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 064 by Maxwel l Grant

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

CHAPTER XIV. THE NEW MOB

"HELLO, Cliff."

Cliff Marsland looked up from a table at the Black Ship. He recognized the hard-faced rowdy who was sliding into an opposite chair. The fellow was known as "Muggsy" McGilly. He was another gorilla of Luke Gonrey's ilk.

"Hello, Muggsy. What's new?"

The rowdy looked about. Seeing no one close by, he leaned across the table. His tone was both cautious and confidential. Cliff sensed that serious business was afoot.

"Luke Gonrey was talkin' to you two nights ago," informed Muggsy. "Right here at this table. Supposed to meet you last night, wasn't he?"

Cliff made no reply. Muggsy laughed.

"It's O.K., Cliff," he assured. "Spud Claxter sent me here."

"Spud Claxter?" Cliff acted as if he had never heard the name.

"Sure," chuckled Muggsy. "Luke was workin' for him. You know all about it."

"Yeah?" Cliff was still quizzical. "Say - where's Luke? Have you seen him?"

"Luke got crippled in that fight out at Currian's," stated Muggsy. "Him an' a lot of other guys. He told Spud about you. Spud needs a new mob. I'm in it. So are you."

"For when?"

"Tonight. Listen. There's real dough in it. One grand. Are you on?"

Cliff nodded.

"Up in Soklow's old garage," stated Muggsy. "Half an hour. The mob's goin' out. Be there."

Muggsy started to rise. Cliff stopped him. He had one question - a natural one.

"Say," he inquired. "What's come of Luke?"

"I don't know," answered Muggsy. "Spud says he's been taken care of. But I ain't seen him. Maybe he's in a badder way than Spud wanted to say."

"When did you see Spud?"

"Half an hour ago. I've been sort of hidin' out, lately, an' he knew where I was. Snook in there an' slipped me the word. Told me to see you."

Cliff sat silent after Muggsy had left. He had figured that Luke Gonrey had been dropped in the battle with The Shadow. But Cliff, following his chief's instructions, had made the Black Ship his habitat in hopes that the missing mobster might show up. This news from Muggsy explained why Luke had not arrived. It also gave Cliff the very break he wanted.

HALF an hour from now; at Soklow's garage. Cliff knew what his task would be. He was to serve as one of the outside crew, just as Luke had served in the raid on Currian's. This was better than before. It would be to The Shadow's liking. Cliff got up and strolled from the dive. He reached the store with the battered phone booth and put in a call to Burbank.

The contact man ordered him to remain. Five minutes passed. The bell rang in the phone booth. Cliff snatched the receiver from the hook. He spoke. Burbank responded. The contact agent had communicated with The Shadow; the orders were for Cliff to go along with the mob.

It had been after nine o'clock when Muggsy had dropped into the Black Ship. It was nearly ten when Cliff entered the old garage and growled his name to the first mobster who challenged him. He was being initiated into Spud Claxter's methods.

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