Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 164 by Maxwel l Grant

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

CHAPTER XI

A TRIP TO HARLEM

RAGLAND laughed and slid an arm around Pearl's pliant waist. He drew her closer and kissed her.

"Just a man trying to sell me something," he said, carelessly.

Pearl, who had listened unseen to the talk between Ragland and Starr, knew

exactly what the interview was about. But she pretended otherwise.

Pearl made no effort to slip from the broker's embrace. For entertainment,

she suggested they visit a Harlem night spot where marijuana smokers congregated.

At first, Ragland wasn't so eager. But Pearl persisted with cute, giggling

stubbornness. She had been once before to the joint, she said. It was a place where smart tourists went for the biggest thrill in Manhattan. No danger whatever - and lots of fun.

In the end, Ragland agreed to go.

They left the hotel by a side entrance, and took a taxicab.

Pearl gave the driver directions. She told him to stop at a certain corner

in upper Harlem. On the trip uptown, she was gay and eager. Ragland had never before realized how alluringly beautiful she was. He forgot everything but the lovely girl who sat so close to him on the dark rear seat of the taxi.

But he looked puzzled, when the cab drove away and left them standing on a

shabby street corner in a rather dismal section of Harlem.

He was more puzzled when Pearl frowned, and admitted she was not sure if this was the right corner. Her glance had darted down the side street for a brief instant. She had expected to see someone. That person was not visible.

Pearl gave a soft laugh. She pretended to Ragland that she had forgotten the address of the marijuana joint.

"Let me think a minute. I'm almost sure this is the right street corner."

Suddenly, she gave a delighted exclamation. Her eyes, roving past Ragland's shoulder, had seen what she was looking for. A man had appeared suddenly on the sidewalk part way down the side street. He lit a cigarette.

The

match flare showed his lean profile. A moment later, he backed out of sight.

Pearl's laughter was like silver bells.

"I remember now! Of course, this is the street! The place we're looking for is right past that big ice plant down the block. Come on!"

She took Ragland's arm and the two walked eastward. The street was dim and

deserted. It was particularly dark in front of the icehouse. There was nothing to be seen but a loading platform and a few empty trucks, parked for the night.

Pearl veered closer to the platform. A man who was slumped drunkenly on the wooden steps, rose unsteadily and staggered toward them.

Ragland didn't notice the man at first; but Pearl did. He was the same man

who had lit a match as a signal.

It was Bump Wilson.

BUMP swayed close to the beautifully gowned girl. His hand reached out.

What he said and what he did was so insulting that Pearl uttered a stifled scream. She shrank back, pulling loose from Ragland.

The broker's face flushed with rage. He uttered a quick oath. His fist clenched, drove at the chin of the drunken man.

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