Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 134 by Maxwel l Grant

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

CHAPTER XI

THRUSTS IN THE DARK

MIDNIGHT was long past. Professor Dorth's lonely mansion stood silent beneath the moonlight, a ghostly edifice despite the solidity of its grim, gray

walls. Every light within that mansion had been extinguished. The occupants were

asleep.

Beneath the moonlight, a solitary figure viewed the old mansion. Cloaked in

black, this visitant seemed as spectral as the house which he so carefully observed. He looked like a ghostly being, come to haunt the mansion of murder.

The Shadow had returned, prepared for a sojourn within Dorth's stronghold.

His car lay hidden near a road at the bottom of the hill. The Shadow had crept up the slope on foot. His present pause was made with purpose. The Shadow was studying the old house, looking for the best mode of entry.

Outside walls offered no direct opportunity; for their windows were barred.

The Shadow knew, however, that there were inner windows facing the courtyard.

They would probably offer a means of entrance, if they could be reached.

Therefore, The Shadow's task was to scale the outside wall.

Darkness sheltered the near side of the house, for the moon had passed beyond the grim building. The near side, in which the turret was located, was only two stories in height. It offered the shortest route over the roof.

When he had picked the spot he wanted, The Shadow advanced. He reached the

point where the turret joined the rear annex.

This connection was made to The Shadow's order. The rounded wall ended against a square end of stone. This offered a triangular space, with surfaces on

each side. In total darkness, The Shadow began an upward climb.

At the top, The Shadow rested upon the conical surface of the turret roof.

To his right was the wall of the annex, a story higher. Straight ahead was the higher wing on the opposite side of the inner court. It did not quite block the

light from the descending moon; peering downward, The Shadow could see

unbarred

windows within the courtyard.

The junction between rounded turret and square-ended annex was the same within the courtyard as on the outside wall. Easing from the turret roof; The Shadow began a steady descent.

His form was only momentarily visible in the moonlight; Once within the triangular wall space, The Shadow became a blotted shape. When he reached the courtyard, he was in a blackened pit, free to move at will.

THE SHADOW chose a basement window at the rear of the building. From statements made by Harry Vincent, he knew that the laboratory was located there.

The Shadow found grated windows; but the fastenings were loose. Dorth had evidently deemed it unnecessary to make continued inspection of gratings that were located within the courtyard.

In total darkness, The Shadow silently loosened the bars. The job was perfect; when he pressed the laboratory window inward, he was able to draw the grating shut behind him and jam its rusted fastenings into place. He closed the

window; found a shade above it. He drew the blind; then moved about the laboratory and pulled down other shades.

Using a flashlight, The Shadow found a light switch.

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