The Shadow - 215 - The Wasp Returns by Maxwell Grant

Author:Maxwell Grant
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Street & Smith
Published: 1941-01-31T23:00:00+00:00

VELMA sank back, limp, unable to believe her senses. Then, as she quivered

with unbelievable fear, she heard a calm-toned voice that eased her troubles and

ended her bewilderment.

This was The Shadow, not Gopher. He was explaining how and why he had reached the hide-away, and asking her what had caused her own arrival there.

The girl panted out her story, giving the details as best she could. She found that it wasn’t necessary to make excuses for the other night, when she had tried to intervene in Cranston’s behalf. The Shadow fully understood her motives, on that occasion.

What he now wanted was information regarding the Wasp, and Velma, unfortunately, was unable to supply them. Her only lead to the Wasp was through

Gopher, a fact which she declared.

Meanwhile, the cab was circling the block, to pick up finally the trail of

cars that were leaving the vicinity of the warehouse. The Shadow leaned forward

to hold a brief discussion with the driver; then, as they sped along in pursuit, he spoke to Velma.

“You mistook me for Gopher,” he declared. “Unfortunately, one of my own men has done just the opposite. He is up in a car ahead, riding along with Gopher’s crew.”

Velma gave a gasp.

“Naturally, he will be in danger,” continued The Shadow, “as soon as the fact is discovered. I want you to press that situation.”

“But I don’t understand -“

“It is simple enough,” interposed The Shadow. “It has to happen eventually, so the sooner it occurs, the better. If you are concerned in the matter, you will establish yourself with Gopher, and retain the confidence of the Wasp.”

“Of course!” exclaimed Velma. “But if Gopher knows that I came with you

-“

A low laugh interrupted.

“Gopher thinks that I am dead,” declared The Shadow. “Your escape will convince him further. Tell him that you ran into some men who used to work for The Shadow, and that another of that group is with him. Leave the rest to me.”

Velma nodded. The Shadow spoke to Moe, who spurted the cab ahead. As the other cars neared a traffic light and slackened, not realizing that the cab was

on their trail, Moe wheeled up beside them. At that moment, The Shadow opened the door of the cab and gave Velma a slight shove.

Taking the cue, the girl sprang out into the street and darted for the nearest car, shouting, for Gopher’s benefit:

“Grab him! The man who is in there with you! He used to be with The Shadow!”

It was Harry who interrupted, by making a dive of his own from the rear door of a car. He had long since recognized his mistake, and was looking for an

out. Sight of Moe’s cab told him that The Shadow had provided one.

Before crooks could train their guns on Harry, he was in the cab. Shots came from its window, wild ones that could never have been credited to The Shadow. The cab wheeled the corner, as if seeking flight of its own, followed by belated bullets from Gopher’s two-car crew.

Then Velma was

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