Shadow 197 - Death in the Stars 05-01-40, The by Maxwell Grant

Author:Maxwell Grant [Grant, Maxwell]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Street and Smith
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

WITH all his fakery, Scorpio had moments when he seemed thoroughly sincere. This was one of them. His words impressed Lois. She had wondered sometimes about Niles - whether or not she was actually in love with him. Despite herself, the girl had doubts.

But the others weren’t thinking of Rundon in emotional terms. Scorpio’s mention of the missing man roused Hugo Grendale to new anger.

“I see your intimation,” began Grendale. “Something has happened to Rundon since his abduction. He is dead -“

“No, no,” interrupted Scorpio. “Both he and Carradon are alive and well. Chandra” - he leaned forward to call the servant - “bring me those notes that we found here.”

Chandra brought the notes. They were genuine, signed by the missing men, though they had evidently been written under pressure. Both were alike, stating that their captors were willing to consider negotiations for their release.

“It’s the boldest thing I ever heard of!” exclaimed Grendale, in total amazement. “Imagine it! A kidnaper handing over his own ransom notes in person! That’s what you’re doing, Scorpio.”

“Not at all,” argued Scorpio. “As I stated. I found the notes here. I thought that very probably” - his tone was shrewd - “some of you had received word that they were sent to me. Rather than put myself in a false position. I am turning them over to the sheriff. I also felt that, in any event, you would be relieved to know that the missing men were safe.”

“Safe?” demanded Grendale. “Where?”

“I do not know.” Scorpio gave a regretful shrug. “By the way, have you found any trace of Barcla? When you do, I would like to bring charges against him because of his forcible entry here. I am quite sure that Miss Melvin will testify against him, since she was the person who saw him flee from this house.”

For sheer cheek, Professor Scorpio stood paramount. His suave twisting of circumstances to suit his own convenience was remarkable, even to The Shadow. As Cranston, The Shadow had chatted with many men who tried to cover up crookery, but none had come up to Scorpio. The bearded professor had a way of mixing fact with fable, that none could imitate.

His points driven home, he was rising from his chair to conclude the interview. Suavely, he was reminding everyone that he had been delivering a lecture all during the excitement the evening before; that his Hindu servants had been with him and could also be excluded from any blame for the things that had occurred.

The gaping sheriff tried to call a halt by producing a search warrant, but Grendale growled for him to put it away. There was no use searching Scorpio’s Castle today, Grendale argued; not with Barcla gone.

As Scorpio smiled them to the door, Grendale was giving him a parting glower, nothing more. It was Denwood who caught a glance from The Shadow, and spoke for the committee.

“By the way, professor,” declared Denwood. “We are looking forward to your next seance.”

A troubled look flashed over Scorpio.

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