Shadow 151 - Voodoo Trail 06-01-38, 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

RESUMING his throne, the Voodoo Master had The Shadow’s captors bring their prisoner to a square-shaped mat that stood between the fire and the throne. Leboux was crouched behind the group, fumbling on the floor. None of the cult members noticed the overseer’s actions. They were watching Mocquino and The Shadow.

Low-toned, Mocquino addressed The Shadow, as he motioned for the natives to draw the slouch hat from the prisoner’s head. The flickering torches revealed the face of Lamont Cranston. At the sight, Mocquino smiled.

“We meet again!” gritted Mocquino. Except for The Shadow, only the natives heard those words; and to them, English was a foreign tongue. “I, Rodil Mocquino, risen from the dead; and you, Lamont Cranston - otherwise The Shadow - bound for the tomb!”

The Shadow’s stolid silence made no impression on the Voodoo Master. Retaining his low purr, Mocquino continued:

“Once I sought mere wealth, through murder. Later, my quest was power, through the same method. At present, I seek both; and I have gotten them. I acquired them without your knowledge, but I foresaw the trouble that you finally brought.

“That was why I used zombis to kill that traitor Hyler, and his scheming attorney, Quinrick. I lost one zombi; Leboux said that the man had perished with you, but I suspected otherwise. You were clever - aiding Sayre and Grulen.

“But tonight, Cranston” - Mocquino’s chuckle was a gloat - “your methods failed! Marcia Cortell was under observation; reports concerning her were incomplete. I prepared for your visit, realizing that you might even penetrate here.”

Mocquino motioned for the darkish men to turn their captive about, so that he faced the cult members who stood beyond the fire. There, The Shadow saw demoniac expressions. Influenced by Mocquino’s power, those dupes were hoping for The Shadow’s death.

The voodoo doctor leaned forward from his throne. Again his low tone was for The Shadow alone.

“You would accept death, if you knew it would defeat me,” voiced Mocquino. “Therefore, I know that you have taken precautions. The sudden disappearance of Lamont Cranston would be noticed. But there would be no suspicion, if he should temporarily return among his friends.

“My present methods allow for that. You have seen how my zombis recover - and forget. You shall become one of them - to taste the living death. Not by a slight shock, which you might withstand, but one more powerful. One strong enough to give any one the semblance of death - even The Shadow!”

Reclining upon his throne, Mocquino called to the members of the cult: “Shall this intruder die?”

A chorus answered, repeating the single word:

“Death!”

Mocquino’s left hand probed a second switch beside his throne. He voiced a sharp signal, understood by his native followers. With one accord, they sprang away, releasing their grip so suddenly that The Shadow had to catch his balance.

Mocquino pressed the switch.

Sparks flew from the mat on which The Shadow stood. They came from a metal plate beneath it, where Leboux had attached hidden wires.

The Shadow was flayed by the crackling current; when it ceased, an instant later, he rolled headlong toward the fire.

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