Maxwell Grant - The Shadow 038 by Master of Death

Author:Master of Death
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2011-11-15T00:41:46+00:00

A look of elation appeared upon Barratini's face. He clasped Sayre's hand; then turned toward the door where the heavy rapping was continuing its ceaseless beat.

"Just a moment!" called Barratini. "Just a moment, outside there!"

Reaching the door, Barratini paused long enough to see that Rupert Sayre was out of sight. The black-haired surgeon opened the door and stepped back.

A thin, cadaverous man stalked into the room. With swinging hand, he closed the door behind him and approached Barratini with an ugly, steady gaze.

Rupert Sayre, eyeing the situation through the crevice of the side door, was horrified by the ghastly scene. To the young physician, this exceeded the description which Barratini had given him.

The arrival was unquestionably the final criminal upon whom the famous surgeon had operated. There was recognition in Barratini's eye, and Sayre could see him shrinking away from the corpselike visitor.

This creature was a monster - and Barratini might well be the one who had created him. Fear and remorse were registered upon the eminent surgeon's face, and Sayre could see his body tremble. For a moment, the young doctor was ready to spring forth and grapple with the hideous visitor; then, like an automatic figure, the man stopped, and his threatening gestures ended. Drawing a hand from his pocket, he thrust an envelope toward Doctor Barratini.

The surgeon received the envelope. He faltered as he opened it. Crisp bank notes came forth in Barratini's hands. The physician sidled across the room and inserted the money in a table drawer. The cadaverous man stalked slowly after him. Barratini turned to face this vigilant automaton who was dogging his footsteps.

"Come!"

The ugly creature uttered the summons in a harsh voice. His hand again moved toward his pocket. Sayre could see that whatever the brain-riddled criminal had lost in initiative, he had gained in purpose, under the direction of Eric Veldon, the fiend who had sent him here.

Joseph Barratini smiled weakly. He bowed as he picked up his hat from a chair. Accompanied by the summoner, he walked deliberately from the apartment. At the door, however, he paused, to throw a desperate glance toward the door where Rupert Sayre was hidden.

As soon as the outer door had closed behind Joseph Barratini and the corpselike man, Rupert Sayre sprang from his hiding place. The young physician realized the need for caution. He knew that this transformed man who accompanied Doctor Barratini was evidently under definite instructions. It would be wise not to excite suspicion. The monster might be dangerous, if he saw any one coming to interfere with Barratini's departure.

The corridor was empty when Sayre reached it. The moving dial above an elevator door showed that Barratini and his conductor were descending. Sayre rang the bell. Another elevator stopped a few moments later. Sayre reached the lobby just in time to see Barratini and the mechanical man passing through the revolving door. The young physician hurried on their trail, carefully keeping them within sight.

On the sidewalk, Sayre saw the automaton usher Barratini into a large limousine.

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