The Shadow - 56 - The Crime Crypt by Maxwell Grant

Author:Maxwell Grant
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Street & Smith
Published: 1934-05-31T22:00:00+00:00

Standing in the doorway was a tall, square-jawed man who gripped a .38. The revolver was covering Brisbane Calbot. The collector’s arms came up; he backed away.

“Good work, Croaker,” laughed Fingers, as he recognized the tough, though pasty, face of the killer whom he had summoned. “Keep this bimbo covered while I open the box.”

With cool indifference, Fingers turned and began his work upon the knob. He laughed sourly as he proceeded, talking to Brisbane Calbot as he went along.

“It would be easier,” he remarked, “if you gave me the combination. What’s that? No answer? How would a bullet from my friend’s gun suit you?”

Brisbane Calbot remained silent. Fingers Keefel muttered, another laugh.

“You’d rather die, I’ll bet,” he declared. “Well, maybe you will - maybe you will. And if you’re dead, you can’t tell us. We don’t like to stay around long after a guy takes the bump. So we’ll let you keep your funny mug shut. Keep watching, old-timer, and see how a safecracker works.”

BRISBANE CALBOT stared. His lips were pursed. As Fingers Keefel had suggested, the outraged collector was ready to face death without speaking. He had a sort of nervous confidence in the door of his safe. As Fingers growled at missed combinations, Calbot felt hysterical elation.

Fingers began to talk. It was his way of working. His growled remarks reached the door of the curio room and brought a smile to the ugly lips of Croaker Mannick.

“The last job,” was the comment that Fingers made. “I fixed it for you and you walked in, Croaker. This is a better lay for you than the one out on Long Island. Say - I helped you out when I yanked off that light, didn’t I?

“You’re cool with the gun, Croaker. The way you beat old Fatty Bogart to the shot was neat. You had to scram plenty fast. Brodie’s mob ran into trouble that you got out of. Didn’t they?”

“Yeah.” Croaker’s growled affirmative indicated an unpleasant recollection.

“Don’t get nervous, Croaker,” laughed Fingers. “Say - if I could handle a gat like you can, nothing would make me nervous - not even The Shadow.”

“Yeah?” Croaker’s voice showed actual nervousness. “Well, when I scrammed, there was some guy firing in the dark - and I didn’t like it.”

Fingers poised his hand. His smile faded. A grim look appeared upon his face. He half-turned his head to look toward Croaker. The gleaming .38 was trained steadily upon Brisbane Calbot; but Fingers fancied that he saw a nervous expression on Croaker’s face.

“This is the last job, Croaker,” assured Fingers. “I don’t blame you for wanting to get it over with - if you’ve got a hunch that The Shadow might mix in. Well - we’ll scram when we’re through - and there’s nothing more to worry about.

“Not even The Shadow can get wise to the next stunt that Duke Larrin’s going to pull. He’ll get what he’s after - and it won’t be phony junk - so he said. We’re not in it - and neither is Brodie.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.