Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 216 by Maxwel l Grant

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

CHAPTER XII. WEIRD FLIGHT

No longer did Paula Rayle have a doubt that The Shadow was a friend. His swift handling of the three Chinese proved that his earlier exploit had not been a mere feud with the strangler who had first invaded the apartment.

Paula realized that this cloaked friend must have been on watch before the Chinese arrived; that his entry from the window had been in answer to the very brief cry that she had given when she saw the hideous face behind her chair.

She feared, at present, that The Shadow was about to leave, and that would mean a return of both horror and danger. Hoping that he would listen to her pleas, and stay, Paula reached The Shadow as he stepped back into the apartment.

Feeling the grip of trembling hands upon his arm, The Shadow turned to view a very ardent face, with eyes that showed their full sincerity. Paula's lips were finding words, which at first were somewhat disconnected, though she managed to express her gratitude. Then, inspired by the burn of steady eyes that met her own, Paula became quite calm.

"I'm sure they came here for the necklace," she said. "I had just begun to realize that it must be very valuable, and that I bought it by mistake. Am I right?"

The Shadow's nod told that she was.

"Then take it," urged Paula. Reaching for the clasp, she managed to undo it, and let the necklace trickle into The Shadow's extended hand. "It is rightfully yours, for having saved my life."

"It is not mine," replied The Shadow. "It belongs to a Chinese princess named Mei Luan."

For a moment, Paula's eyes flashed angrily.

"Did Mei Luan send those Chinese to take it?" the girl demanded. "If she did -"

"She did not," interposed The Shadow. "They came from Li Husang, an ambitious criminal who considers murder to be a very necessary part of his elaborate schemes."

Paula shuddered at mention of murder. Then, with a nervous laugh; she said:

"At least, I shall be safe if I no longer have the necklace. Only -"

The glow of her eyes, the sudden flush of her cheeks, were more expressive than any words that Paula could have added. She felt horribly abashed by her own statement, for it meant that she was putting the burden of danger on The Shadow.

True, he had proven his ability to deal with followers of Li Husang, but Paula felt that she had behaved quite shabbily. Mere apology would not be sufficient. To amend her fault, Paula reached for the necklace and took it from The Shadow's hand.

"Let me keep the necklace," she said bravely. "Whatever the consequences, I must face them. If I need protection, I can call the police."

The Shadow's laugh gave sibilant interruption. It struck Paula very forcibly that events must have reached a state where things were happening before the law could move to stop them. Certainly, it was The Shadow, not the police, who had intervened in Paula's behalf this evening. There was something else that came home with a shock.

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