Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 247 by Maxwel l Grant

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

CHAPTER XII. THE DEADLOCK

IT hadn't taken Moe Shrevnitz very long to shake off the pursuit of the police cars. With the head start The Shadow gave him, the expert cabby had dropped right out of sight and let the chase go by on its long journey uptown.

Nevertheless, Moe was cautious when he poked the cab from hiding and he made a wide circuit in driving back to the Cobalt Club.

The Shadow approved Moe's tactics. Or, rather, Cranston approved them. For it was the calm-mannered Mr. Cranston who alighted from the cab when it stopped in front of the club.

Again the doorman was perturbed. He felt that the tradition of the Cobalt Club was falling clear out of sight when so fastidious a member as Lamont Cranston could stoop to ride in common cabs on two successive evening.

Entering the club, Cranston found that the news of Tex's death had arrived ahead of him. Inspector Cardona had gone over to investigate the case, and reports from the "front" were rolling in like election returns.

The only reason why Commissioner Weston hadn't gone to the Arizona Club was because a visitor had arrived before he could leave. The arrival was Noel Grath, here to inquire the status of his brother Leon.

Joining the conference, Cranston found his friend the commissioner quite perplexed.

"It is preposterous, Cranston!" exclaimed Weston. "People are trying to blame The Shadow for the death of Tex Danver, simply because they found him in the office where Tex was lying dead."

"Circumstantial evidence, commissioner," remarked Cranston calmly. "I thought it always went a long way with you."

Weston's gaze darkened, then brightened again.

"It can't in The Shadow's case," he declared, "because we don't recognize The Shadow officially.

Besides, we have heard definite testimony to the effect that someone else was present in Tex's office."

"You have identified the other man?"

"Not yet. We hope to do so shortly."

As he spoke, Weston glanced toward Noel Grath and noticed that his companion's face was troubled.

With a smile the commissioner reached into his pocket and produced Tex's affidavit.

"Danver gave me this," stated Weston. "It exonerates your brother in the matter of the Sarratin murder.

So cheer up, Noel. The Shadow is innocent, and so is Leon."

Cranston wanted to know the details of all that had happened at the Arizona Club, so the commissioner gave them. According to all reports, The Shadow had performed an amazing disappearance. Later, he had reappeared, only to vanish again when patrol cars had started to pursue him.

"They should have been searching for the other man!" stormed Weston. "He was definitely the person who murdered Tex. Why, the fellow actually escaped through a secret exit in Danver's office!"

The statement brought a sharp glance from Noel.

"A secret exit, commissioner?"

Weston nodded.

"So Tex had a private way into his place!" exclaimed Noel. He picked up the affidavit and tapped it. "In that case, this paper -"

Noel paused, and Weston eyed him, puzzled.

"What about the affidavit?" demanded Weston. "Do you see anything wrong about it?"

Hesitation showed itself on Noel's face, and Cranston understood.

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