Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 123 by Maxwel l Grant

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

CHAPTER XI

THE SHADOW'S TERMS

TWENTY minutes after Marquette's departure, a distant clock donged half past eleven. The single clang, floating through chill air, was like a signal.

It brought a response within Bryland's apartment.

Half past eleven was the logical time that Bryland might be found back in his apartment, after an evening at the theater. The sound in Bryland's living room, however, was not that of an unlocking door.

There was a click; but it came from an inner wall. Following it, there was

a smooth rumble, a sound that denoted heavy motion, yet which was so muffled that it could not have been heard outside the door of the apartment.

There was a repetition of that barely audible rolling; then the click again. A figure crept through the living room, reached the door and listened there. Crossing the room, the man lowered the window shades; then turned on the

corner light.

The glow from the desk revealed Frederick Bryland, his square-jawed face wearing a triumphant smile. The crook found the security box; also the key

that

Marquette had used. Bryland knew that his ruse had succeeded.

Satisfied that the secret service men were gone to stay, Bryland picked up

the telephone and called Fairfax. He told a servant that he had stopped at his apartment; but would arrive home within the next hour.

From the servant, Bryland heard news of the search that had been made at the mansion. He expressed surprise; snorted angrily and hung up the receiver.

Ready to leave by the apartment door, Bryland reached for the lamp switch.

As he did, he gained a peculiar sensation that he was being watched.

Anxiously,

the crook looked everywhere.

The room seemed empty; the lamp flung its glow to every corner except one beside the outer door. With a shrug, Bryland decided that he was imagining something. He reached again for the lamp switch.

As he pulled the switch, Bryland was startled by the result. Timed to the click of his switch there was another, from the main light switch just within the door. Bryland did not hear the other click; hence he was completely amazed by the consequence. As Bryland's lamp went out, the ceiling lights came on.

Wheeling about, Bryland blinked. He was dazzled by the light; he was overwhelmed by sheer desperation at this proof that he was not alone.

Moreover,

he was caught completely off guard. Though he instinctively reached for his revolver, Bryland stopped the move before he finished it. He knew that he was trapped.

STANDING at the door was the intruder who had so completely surprised the crook. Bryland's lips lost their smile; hard though they were, those lips trembled as Bryland's sullen, deep-set eyes spied the being who had tricked him.

The invader on the threshold was cloaked in black; his burning eyes focused from beneath the brim of a slouch hat.

All other features were obscured; but below the eyes loomed the muzzle of an automatic, gripped by a blackgloved fist. The Shadow, finding the secret service in charge at Bryland's, had taken time to fully equip himself. That done, he had come here to find Bryland in person.

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