Maxwell Grant - The Shadow 054 by The Death Clew

Author:The Death Clew
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2011-11-15T00:40:39+00:00

While his lips formed a fierce, distorted grimace, Shakes Niefan pressed his jimmy into place against the edge of the frail door. He was sure that this barrier was locked. The man within was calling the police.

There was no time to lose.

Pausing, Shakes heard the clatter of the telephone receiver. He used the jimmy with full force. A startled cry came from within. Hiram Engliss knew now that danger had arrived.

Woodwork splintered from the door. Another wrench of the jimmy. As Shakes leaned to his work, he heard a window come open; he caught the shout that Hiram Engliss uttered:

"Help!" The man was frantic. "Help! Burglars--"

The door snapped open. Shakes Niefan dropped his jimmy as he plunged forward. His right hand shot to his coat pocket. He was face to face with a pale-faced, elderly man who was turning from the window.

Hiram Engliss was holding, an old-fashioned pepper-box--a four-barreled pistol that looked like a honeycomb.

The gun was wobbling in the old man's hand. Hiram Engliss, clad in dressing gown, was ready with a frantic effort to stop this intruder. Wildly, he fired. Even at this close range, the bullet went wide.

Shakes was bringing out his revolver with a hand that shook as much as the old man's. But the murderer lacked the nervousness that had gripped Hiram Engliss. The pepper-box spoke with a puny bark. Again, the aim was faulty.

Shakes pressed the trigger of his stub-nosed revolver. His hand had steadied for the action. His aim had its customary perfection. The old-fashioned gun fell to the floor as Hiram Engliss collapsed.

Shakes Niefan lost no time. He yanked open the bureau drawers. They contained no papers. Turning, Shakes dashed down the stairs. He passed the living room, hurried through the front door and crossed the court.

Shouts came from other windows. Shakes turned and delivered a shot that shattered a pane. Heads bobbed from view. Shakes reached the street. He saw a taxicab stopping at the opposite curb.

"Scram!" shouted the murderer.

Cab driver and passenger jumped to the sidewalk. Shakes grabbed the wheel and shot the car full speed ahead. A patrolman appeared as the cab reached the corner. Shakes opened fire. The officer ducked for the cover of a doorway. He responded with futile shots as the cab swung around the corner.

Once again, Shakes Niefan had delivered death. The murderer was still ahead of The Shadow's pursuit.

The police had shown their inability to cope with his swift ways of killing.

The taxi swung into an obscure block. It came to a leisurely stop as a patrol car sped past. The police were on the way to the scene of death; but the murderer had gone.

Shakes Niefan again wore his evil smile as he alighted from the cab and strolled along the street. Safely away, a new hideout chosen for tonight, he was ready to make his telephoned report concerning the death of Hiram Engliss.

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