The Shadow 190 The Hooded Circle by Maxwell Grant

Author:Maxwell Grant [Grant, Maxwell]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Street & Smith
Published: 1940-01-21T23:00:00+00:00

Many points needed to be clarified, but Cardona was sure they would be when he located either Dustin Hayde or Cleek Dargo. Figuring that both were hiding out in Manhattan, Cardona went back to New York.

MEANWHILE Pinewood was troubled with a problem that Cardona hadn’t bothered about. It was the servant problem, for the new raid by the Hoods had made it worse. Half a dozen servants had walked out, giving no notice at all, as soon as news had spread that criminals were again abroad in Pinewood.

Most of them had simply left word that they would send for their belongings later. People were doing their utmost to keep the remaining servants satisfied, but all were threatening to quit. It looked as though Pinewood would soon be devoid of household help, except for the oldest and most faithful retainers.

It was hard to get new servants. Word had spread that Pinewood wasn’t healthy. Employment agencies couldn’t find takers for the attractive offers that were made. Luckily, a few persons came to Pinewood on their own, willing to take jobs, and Marjorie Merton was fortunate enough to hire a new chef.

He was a huge African, who laughingly boasted that he was big enough to take care of himself and he looked capable of proving it. His name was Jericho Druke.

There was a special reason why Jericho came to Pinewood. He had been summoned there by The Shadow. Other secret agents of The Shadow were among those who applied for jobs as servants and got them.

Cliff Marsland, who often roved the underworld while working for The Shadow, made himself appear quite presentable and got a job as a footman.

Hawkeye, a wizened little fellow, looked enough like a jockey to pick up a stable boy’s job at Kelm’s.

All that Hawkeye had to do was look wise and pretend he knew something about horses, which he managed to do successfully.

A position as a chauffeur was easily acquired by Moe Shrevnitz, who customarily drove a taxi for The Shadow. A fifth agent, Clyde Burke, didn’t have to get a job to stay in Pinewood. Clyde was a reporter for the New York Classic. His newspaper assigned him to Pinewood, to be on the lookout for news.

Thus, counting Harry Vincent with the others, The Shadow had six men on the ground, to serve as a fighting squad in case the Hooded Circle attempted new crime.

Somehow, crime seemed in the air.

Dustin Hayde had become an outlaw. He no longer needed to cover up his dirty work. His career as an artist was through. Having revealed himself as a big-time crook, it was likely that he would make the most of it. Hayde’s best bet was Pinewood. He knew the district, and had acquired a grudge against everyone who lived there.

The old servants who remained, and the few new ones who arrived, were bolstered by local deputies and private detectives. Paced by Courtney Kelm and Humphrey Benholme, the wealthy residents of Pinewood were offering their challenge to crime. Hayde and his Hoods were due for a warm reception should they come again.

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