Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 094 by Maxwel l Grant

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

CHAPTER XIV. THE FINAL VIGIL

FRANCISCO LODERA wore a strained countenance when he entered the study with Luval. The secretary motioned him to the chair before the desk; then took Modbury's chair for his own. Lodera was prompt with a statement.

"Gwendolyn saw something," he told Luval "What could it have been? Do you think that Geoffrey Chiswold is alive?"

"Geoffrey is dead," returned Luval, seriously. "That much is certain, Lodera."

"Then was it a ghost?"

Lodera's face had lost its darkish hue. The Spaniard had been impressed by Gwendolyn's story.

"It was not a ghost," replied Luval, "nor was it a human being. No one could have escaped from that front room."

"What did Mund tell you?"

"He swore that he saw nothing. He would have spoken differently if he had seen. Mund tells the truth to me."

Luval smiled wisely as he spoke. Lodera nodded, relieved.

"Of course," agreed the Spaniard, "he is the man whom you bought when you first came here ahead of Modbury. You told me about that, Luval. Gwendolyn imagined something; that was all. Of course, it could not have been Geoffrey Chiswold. He is dead, as you say. And if it were someone else -"

"Since Miss Ralthorn could not have seen Geoffrey," interposed Luval, blandly, "we have proof that her imagination tricked her. Ghosts are not real, Lodera. It was a hallucination; that is all."

"But if she mistook someone for Geoffrey - someone who was outside this door - then that person might have listened -"

"There was no one. Forget the matter. All will be well; you can trust me for that, Lodera. Keep your mind centered upon tomorrow night."

"That is best." Lodera arose. "I must go downstairs. They will be wondering about my absence.

Gwendolyn, too, is down there. I should be with her."

Luval was rising. He held up a warning hand as a cautious tap sounded at the door.

"It is Mund," declared the secretary. "He has come to tell me that Mr. Modbury wishes me downstairs.

You must wait" - he glanced at a desk clock - "yes, wait for a full ten minutes before you come down."

LUVAL opened the door. Mund was standing there. The secretary spoke to the servant. Luval told Mund to station himself in the front room. The bulky man nodded his acknowledgment. The two departed, Luval pulling the door almost shut behind him.

Lodera began a troubled pacing back and forth in front of the desk. The Shadow, watching, knew that he was still thinking about the ghost; and Lodera's face showed deep perplexity. Five minutes passed.

Lodera began to show restlessness. At the end of two minutes more, he had tilted his head to one side, as if listening.

Suddenly, Lodera made a dart for the door. He was too late; he stepped back from the threshold as the barrier opened. He was faced by a trio of men: Barton Modbury, Sir Rodney and Lord Cedric. Lodera chewed his lips for a moment; then gave a slight laugh that sounded hollow.

"I thought you were in here," he said to Modbury. "The light was on and the door ajar.

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