Grant, Maxwell - The Shadow 163 - Shadow Over Alcatraz by Maxwell Grant

Author:Maxwell Grant
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Tags: Detective, Mystery, Crime, Suspense, Adventure, Thriller
Publisher: Street & Smith Publications
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

MURDEROUS desire flickered on the man’s bulldog features. Had The Shadow budged, Elthar would have gladly pumped away. But The Shadow forestalled gunfire, by going immediately into a part that suited Barreau.

He acted as the professor might have - cowering, raising his arms. His eyes looked hunted, fearful - enough so to suit Elthar. The fellow saw a better chance than murder. He took The Shadow for Barreau and decided that he could win favor by bringing this prisoner back to Zanigew. That prospect had an added touch that pleased Elthar. It would mean torture for a second victim.

In guttural tone, Elthar ordered The Shadow to approach. Still cowering, the prisoner came up the rough steps; Elthar could see him tremble. Shifting within the doorway, Elthar motioned The Shadow through. Shakily, the prisoner went past.

Then, it came: a stroke produced with whippet speed.

With a whirl about, The Shadow took Elthar, gun and all. He flung the fellow in a somersault half through the doorway keeping the gun for himself. Flattening, Elthar hit the narrow ledge and came to his feet wild-eyed.

A choking hand took his throat, shook him with the fierce play of a terrier’s teeth. All the while, The Shadow kept Elthar covered, but did not fire. There were ways in which the fellow could be useful; contrarily, his disappearance might bring complications.

The Shadow’s hand relaxed. Elthar subsided on the ledge. His snarling manner was gone; he raised his head hopelessly, as he looked along the passage. Then, before The Shadow could spy his face, Elthar shouted a name:

“Jollian!”

The Shadow wheeled. He saw a man dashing down the sloping corridor in response to Elthar’s shout. Another of Zanigew’s crew, aiming a gun as he came. Knowing the alarm that gunshots could produce, The Shadow didn’t accept the duel.

Instead, he hauled Elthar upward, as a shield. Jollian slackened, crept closer, with a dart-eyed method of watching for signs of The Shadow’s gun. Closer still, he tensed for a spring. The Shadow was ready for it. As Jollian lunged, Elthar’s figure, pushed by The Shadow, took a forward plunge to flatten the rescuer.

Jollian didn’t lose his gun. He pumped away as he sprawled. The side step that The Shadow made along the very fringe of the ledge was dangerous. It saved him from the shots, however, and a quick-footed twist brought him inward toward the wall.

He wouldn’t quite reach Jollian. Recovering, Elthar blocked him. Shoved back toward the abyss, The Shadow had to take a sideward dive. As he went, he stabbed a shot at Jollian, attempting to halt the fellow’s regained aim.

Jollian slumped. It was up to Elthar. Leering, he lunged upon The Shadow, expecting to batter the prone fighter’s head against the rock. No time to aim - The Shadow’s gun had doubled beneath him. But his feet were free.

Strong legs supplied a scissors motion that clipped Elthar’s lurch. That crisis didn’t allow for subtle tactics. The Shadow gave all the power he had. Elthar took a sideways hurtle over the edge of the cleft.

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