Shadow 169 - River of Death 03-01-39, 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

THE figure that moved gingerly along that dangerous two-inch ledge was no longer Lamont Cranston. The black robe of The Shadow covered his well-tailored clothing. His hands were gloved. His piercing eyes were like glints of flame under the brim of a black slouch hat.

This disguise had come from an innocent-looking brief case carried aboard the showboat by Lamont Cranston; as if he had come directly to the showboat from a business conference.

The porthole of Turner’s cabin had been partly swung open. The Shadow could see and hear everything that went on inside. He himself was shrouded in darkness.

For the first time, he was aware of the real motive of the bloody raid aboard the Equator. He learned that priceless gems had been stolen from the liner. More than that, Turner’s vicious growl told him that the gems had since been stolen from the bookshop fence, John Brody.

Turner coolly accused Deegan of being the smart bookshop thief. Deegan laughed. He replied, not to Turner, but to the sullen Pike.

“Don’t let me worry you, Pike. But my guess is that you and Brody are the suckers in this game. Why the hell should I want the gems? My business is gambling. I can make all I want from roulette. My bet is that Ned Turner pulled the stunt to double-cross a dumb gun-slinger named Pike and a greedy fence named John Brody. It’s the old army game. One cut is better than three!”

“Nuts!” Pike growled. But he looked uneasy as he studied the face of his suave employer.

Deegan gave Turner no chance to reassure his henchman.

“Let’s get back to my business. What about selling me the gambling concession to fleece some of those wealthy apes you got aboard here?”

Turner’s face was flushed. He hedged. He promised Deegan he’d give him a definite answer after the stage performance was over. The whole thing was done so neatly that, without committing himself, Turner convinced Deegan the gambling arrangement was in the bag for him.

The two even shook hands before Blue Chip left the cabin.

The moment they were alone, Turner’s whole manner toward Pike changed. He leaned closer, his voice so low that the listening Shadow could barely make out the whispered words.

He told Pike the real reason for his velvet handling of Deegan. A new gem theft was to be pulled this very night!

“I had expected to wait another week for things to quiet down,” Turner said, “but something has happened to force our hand. The ship with the stuff concealed aboard is leaving port sooner than I expected. She’s sailing tomorrow morning.”

“Why the sudden speed in sailing?” Pike asked.

“Because she secured her cargo sooner than the line officials expected. Some kind of a quick deal was made with an exporter. The Silver Knave -“

“Silver Knave?” Pike uttered a startled oath. “Is that the name of the ship?”

“Yes.”

“Then I think I know now who he is! It’s gotta be him!”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about Roy Hollister! I got some straight dope on him only this afternoon.

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