The Shadow - 188 - House of Shadows by Maxwell Grant

Author:Maxwell Grant
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Street & Smith
Published: 1939-12-22T01:00:00+00:00

A gaze of understanding passed between The Shadow and his rescuer. Producing a handkerchief, Miss Prudence wiped a trickle of blood that crossed The Shadow’s forehead. Pouring a glass of brandy, she placed it to his lips and lifted his head so that he could drink.

The brandy had a reviving effect. Miss Prudence poured another glassful and proffered it, but The Shadow shook his head. Raising himself weakly on one elbow, he was slumping when Miss Prudence steadied him against the couch back.

The Shadow turned his head slowly toward the hallway; his eyes became puzzled. Then, from the third floor came the poundings of a hammer: Larkin, repairing the broken shutter. The Shadow’s eyes showed recollection, his lips uttered a whispered laugh.

Miss Prudence seated herself on the couch and reached for her knitting. Calmly, she announced:

“Yes, they have all left. No one saw me help you into the house. Nor did anyone suppose that you could be hidden in this room. I was here when they arrived.”

THERE was a pause, during which The Shadow’s gaze inspired the old lady to continue.

“I like to form my own conclusions,” declared Miss Prudence. “I wanted to learn more before turning you over to the police. I learned that my attorney, Mr. Hebler, is a very excellent liar. He did not know” - she chuckled - “that I saw him from my window on the second floor.

“I watched him wave to men across the street, with his umbrella. I saw the shots they fired. Yet Mr.

Hebler claims that all the gunfire came from the third floor of this house. He said that I heard echoes.

Faugh!”

Pausing, Miss Prudence listened, heard Larkin still at work above. She leaned toward The Shadow.

“Tell me,” she said earnestly. “Who are you? Why did you come here? What reason should Mr. Hebler have to lie?”

The Shadow replied. His tone had the calmness of Cranston’s, though, at intervals, he paused to rest.

During those intervals, Miss Prudence nodded.

Soon, she was talking, too, stating facts that fitted with the rather amazing things The Shadow told her. At the end of ten minutes, Miss Prudence came to a set decision.

“You must remain here tonight,” she said. “I shall prepare the guest room for you. But there is more that I must tell you!”

The Shadow interrupted with a warning whisper. Larkin was coming down the front stairs. Miss Prudence hurried to the doorway, met the butler and told him that he could retire.

“I think I shall sit up awhile,” she said. “It is very restful by the fire. Good night.”

At the top of the stairs, the faithful Larkin paused. He thought that he had heard Miss Prudence’s voice.

Listening, he realized that he had. She was talking in the library.

Her voice stopped suddenly and Larkin heard an interrupting whisper, which he mistook for a hiss from a log in the fireplace.

Continuing to his room on the third floor, Larkin shook his head. Poor Miss Prudence, talking to herself as she sat beside the fire. Maybe she was getting old; or perhaps it was the excitement of the evening.

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