Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 024 by Maxwel l Grant

Author:Maxwel,l Grant
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf

CHAPTER XIII. THE RESEARCH

THE SHADOW'S sanctum was alight. A mellow bluish glow spread throughout the entire room. The pale, mysterious hue ended abruptly as it reached the unreflecting walls, which were jet-black in color.

Even the floor was black. The Shadow, as he stood in the center of this mysterious chamber, had the appearance of a living silhouette - a projection of black that extended from the darkness that surrounded him.

Less than an hour had elapsed since the man of the night had battled with desperate denizens of the underworld. Phantomlike, he had disappeared into gloom, to pursue a path which was untraceable.

Now, in this spot whose existence was known to him alone, The Shadow was returning to the task that lay ahead.

The weird figure moved across the room. A motion of one arm beside the wall caused a parting of

enshrouding curtains. A row of massive volumes were displayed, niched in a portion of the opened wall.

These were the archives of The Shadow - those complete and detailed records that listed every event in The Shadow's ceaseless war on crime; from minor skirmish to extended battle.

The black-clad figure shrank almost to nothingness as it stopped to consult one of the heavy bound books. The black-brimmed hat was raised. Not only the gleaming eyes, but the face beneath them appeared visible. In this sanctuary, there was none to see the hidden features of The Shadow.

His study ended, The Shadow replaced the volume that he had consulted. Another curtain opened and displayed a cabinet. From a drawer, The Shadow removed a folder. He carried it across the room to the polished table above which hung the work light.

Hidden switches clicked. The room was in darkness save for that single corner where only a shining tabletop received illumination.

From a single tome among his archives, The Shadow had gained the records that he wanted. The folder which now appeared in the light contained the details. Its contents - carefully prepared reports - slid into view. Before the eyes of The Shadow lay the facts that concerned the checkered career of Charles Kistelle.

Among the crooks whose schemes had been thwarted by The Shadow, Charles Kistelle was unique. His course of crime - so the records showed - had been limited, yet smooth.

Kistelle had come within The Shadow's sphere of action, due to his connection with other criminals. He was a man who had chosen to remain in the background until opportunities for evildoing came his way.

WHEN The Shadow had met and demolished Kistelle's associates, this lurking criminal had seen the writing on the wall. Through pure coincidence that had worked in his favor, Kistelle had been saved from destruction with the others.

A minor figure in a gigantic scheme that had failed, Kistelle had taken advantage of opportunity. He had fled, leaving the field to The Shadow.

Others had done this before; but invariably they made the mistake of believing that The Shadow would forget them. Kistelle had been too wise for that. He had not only stayed away from his old associations; he had been clever enough to avoid New York entirely.

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