Shadow 091 - Zemba 12-01-35, The by Maxwell Grant

Author:Maxwell Grant [Grant, Maxwell]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Street and Smith
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

OUTSIDE the window of this suite was a balcony. Similar projections existed all along the level of the fifth floor. Cliff, like Harry, had noticed them; but Harry had observed a point that had escaped Cliff. The balconies, though wide apart, were all supported by a broad cornice that ran the full length. That offered Harry a prompt route to Room 504.

Extinguishing the light, Harry climbed out to the balcony. Cold, driving drizzle swept against his face. The hotel wall was dark; but the cornice, being of marble, showed grimy whiteness in the gloom. It was a wide pathway; but a dangerous one, for the stone was slippery. Nevertheless, Harry felt that he could manage it.

Detaching his stout belt, he girded it about a thin iron post midway in the side rail of the balcony; then thrust the free end of the belt through the buckle.

Climbing over the rail, he gripped the loose end of the belt with one hand and clutched the brick wall of the building with the other. Carefully, he edged along to the next balcony.

All the way, Harry was prepared for a slip. He was backing away from his own balcony, ready for a quick scramble to safety should he loose a foothold. The belt, he believed, would serve him in the pinch; but the test never came. As he reached the end of his life line, Harry slid his other hand along the wall and encountered the rail of the next balcony.

Harry would have regained the belt for further use, if possible; but he saw no way to obtain it except by a return journey. However, he had gained complete confidence through this first foray. He let the belt slide down and rest upon the cornice. Scrambling over the rail of the new balcony, he reached the other side and began a beltless trip for the balcony beyond it.

Reaching his goal, he made another similar trip and this time arrived upon the balcony that was outside of Room 504. Crouching in the darkness, Harry tried the window. It was open a few inches at the bottom. Beyond it were curtains. Counting upon them for cover, Harry moved the sash upward.

Though there had been no orders from The Shadow concerning the protection of Room 504, Harry felt that he was acting in accord with his chief’s interests. Those in The Shadow’s service were expected to use their own initiative when occasion demanded.

This was an unusual case; one that puzzled Harry. He could not remember any time when an unknown intruder had so boldly penetrated to The Shadow’s own abode. That fact, however, made Harry’s action seem all the more necessary.

Huddled in the darkness of the window sill, Harry could hear a creeping sound within the room. At the same time, he caught a very slight noise from the door. Cliff had arrived and was trying the knob. Apparently, the door was latched. The prowler had heard it and was taking some action.

Creeps came closer. Hunched shoulders arrived before Harry’s eyes.

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