Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 060 by Maxwel l Grant

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

CHAPTER XIII. IN THE HIDEOUT

THE old Coblenz Hotel was a deserted structure of crumbling brick that stood within the confines of the underworld. The buildings that adjoined it were squat two story structures that were also in sad need of repair.

No longer used as regular residences, these houses had been occupied by vagrants. Neglected by their owners, the buildings had reached the last state of decay. Only bums who lacked the necessary dime would stay there in preference to a flop house.

Cliff Marsland, loafing at Red Mike's, had seen Muggsy Wagram answer the telephone, in response to a wave from Red Mike, the proprietor of the dive. Muggsy had left immediately afterward. Cliff had trailed him. He had seen Muggsy enter the third house below the empty hotel.

Cliff's inference was well calculated. Muggsy would not be calling on a chance bum who happened to be living in the building. The only answer was that this must be Marty Lunk's hideout. Hence Cliff had mentioned that fact in his report to Burbank.

Waiting at a telephone one block from the old hotel, Cliff had received the return call to stand by. Going back to the old house, he knew that this must mean a quick arrival of The Shadow. Confident of that fact, Cliff decided to learn more.

The Shadow's agents, though they followed every bidding of their chief, were men who used their own judgment as they operated. Had Muggsy Wagram come here with a crew of mobsters, Cliff Marsland would have been content to wait outside. Positive, however, that no guards were on the job, Cliff crept to the door of the old house and entered.

A dim light, showing from the second floor, revealed a broken stairway. Cliff crept forward. He moved carefully up the steps. Creaks avoided, he reached the top. There he observed the source of the light.

The illumination came from the opened doorway to a room. The door itself had been removed, probably by prowling thieves. Edging to the side of the hall, Cliff reached the opening. He listened.

"SO that's the story, eh?" Cliff recognized the growl of Marty Lunk. "He wants me up there by ten o'clock. Well - I'll be there."

"He says to bring some gorillas with you," came the tones of Muggsy Wagram. "What's more, he says you can keep on goin'. The job is set - but it ain't in New York."

"Where is it then?"

"He didn't say. He's goin' to talk to you. But the outfit's all ready, Marty."

"At Red Mike's?"

"Naw. I'd be a sap to have 'em hangin' around there. Down the alley past the Black Ship - that's where I'm keepin' them. They're tipped to take orders from you."

"That's the idea, Muggsy. All right - listen. I'll slide down there and start out with the mob. See? You go back to Red Mike's. Mooch around there, like you've been doing. It ain't a good idea for you to go out of town. I may need you here.

"I'll take the outfit" - Marty's voice carried eagerness for action - "and I'll stop at Jerwyn's on the way.

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