Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 185 by Maxwel l Grant

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

CHAPTER XII. THE FORCED TRAIL

LATE that night, Matt Scarnley paid a solo visit to Manhattan and made a round of various dives in the badlands. A familiar figure in Bowery hang-outs, as well as along the waterfront, Matt had many friends of a sort.

Replenishing a depleted mob was usually easy work for Matt, but lately he had gained a sense of discrimination. Two experiences with The Shadow had convinced Matt that mass fighters were no good.

He wanted lone wolves, and was willing to pay for their services.

Matt had several in mind; among them were two of particular merit. One was Cliff Marsland, a stony-faced killer if ever there was one.

According to rumor, Cliff couldn't chop notches in his gun because there would be no gun left. Matt always laughed when he heard that gag. He figured it showed the ignorance of those who told it. They didn't know that Cliff always carried two guns.

There was another story, though, that impressed Matt strongly. It was said that Cliff Marsland was gunning for The Shadow. When questioned on that point, Cliff's usual answer was to suggest that the questioner have another drink. But he had never denied that he was looking for The Shadow.

Therefore, Cliff was a man Matt needed. He might find The Shadow, if he worked along with Matt.

The other candidate was a wizened rowdy called Hawkeye, who had a cute way of winning bets.

Hawkeye would invite anyone to mark a half dollar and chuck it into the depths of a dark alley.

If cops weren't around, Hawkeye would pull a gun and dent the half dollar with a bullet, provided that some sucker would bet a sawbuck that he couldn't do it.

Any marksman who could pick out targets in the dark would be a great help when The Shadow showed up, according to Matt's logic. So he wanted to sign Hawkeye along with Cliff, and Matt was more than pleased when he found the pair together in an underground den known as Red Mike's.

Matt put the proposition and they listened. The thing that convinced them was the bank roll that Matt hauled from his pocket. They let him peel off bills, like leaves from a self-shedding head of lettuce, until his fingers showed a stiff reluctance. Therewith, Cliff and Hawkeye decided they had received a proper price.

Telling them to stay around Red Mike's, where they would hear from him when needed, Matt continued his rounds, hoping to acquire other capable sharpshooters who might prove less expensive.

Before leaving, Matt called in a few recruited thugs from outside and told them to stick with Cliff and Hawkeye. In so doing, Matt unwittingly prevented Cliff from sending Hawkeye along the trail of their new employer. Which was most unfortunate, because Matt's two new aces happened to be agents of The Shadow.

Not knowing that Matt had captured Harry Vincent, both Cliff and Hawkeye silently agreed that they could pass up the trail tonight. It was their job to tip off The Shadow whenever Matt's mob moved, and they were in a perfect position to perform that duty.

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