The Shadow - 45 - The Embassy Murders by Maxwell Grant

Author:Maxwell Grant
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Street & Smith
Published: 1933-12-31T23:00:00+00:00

Clyde jotted down Menzone’s number. He folded the data which he had received and extended his hand to the South American. Menzone received it warmly. Impressed by Clyde’s promise of publicity and aid in obtaining a secretary, Menzone was gracious to the extreme. He accompanied his visitor to the door and bowed as Clyde departed.

As he took the elevator, Clyde’s last glance toward Menzone’s apartment showed the South American still standing in the opened doorway. Menzone was smiling, apparently pleased because he had been interviewed. Yet there was something sardonic about his expression that made a distinct impression upon Clyde Burke.

The Shadow’s agent, as he strolled from Athena Court, was convinced that Alvarez Menzone’s interest in South American transportation was not the only reason for his presence in Washington.

There was a shrewdness about Menzone that was difficult to analyze. Among the pictures which Clyde had received was one of Menzone himself. Studying the photograph, Clyde could observe the peculiar, lurking smile that appeared permanently upon the lips of Alvarez Menzone.

Clyde had missed this out at the Club Rivoli. He had not seen Menzone closely there. Since his interview with the South American, however, Clyde was convinced of The Shadow’s wisdom in covering this stranger in Washington. The photograph - Clyde studied it more intensely as he traveled toward his office in a cab - gave Menzone the sleek, crafty expression of a villain in an old-time melodrama.

AT the office, Clyde began to arrange his material for a syndicated story. This was Sunday-feature stuff without question. The Pan-American Convention had not yet begun its preliminary meetings. This story would break before the subject of extended transportation would come before the members of the convention.

Clyde visualized graphic pages: Menzone’s portrait - pictures of South American railway equipment -

boxed tables of statistics - a huge map of South America with its dotted lines of proposed railway systems. His first task, however, was to prepare a news story that the Washington journals would gobble. Opening the case of a portable typewriter, Clyde began to pound the keys in two-finger reporter fashion.

The ringing of the telephone came as an interruption. Clyde lifted the receiver. He announced his name; also that of his news bureau. A single word, uttered in a strange, whispered voice, came to Clyde’s ear:

“Report.”

It was The Shadow! Clyde gazed toward the door, to make sure that no chance visitor was about to enter. Then, in brief, concise words, he gave the details of his interview with Alvarez Menzone. He stated that he had obtained a story which was marketable; he added that Menzone was ready to employ a secretary, if he could find the man.

“Call Menzone.” The Shadow’s order came in a sibilant hiss. “Tell him that you are sending him the man he needs. Harry Vincent - a friend of yours - recently arrived from New York.”

Clyde’s eyes opened wide. Harry Vincent! Clyde had not known that Harry was in Washington. Clyde had worked with Harry before; he knew Harry to be one of the most capable agents in The Shadow’s employ.

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