The Shadow - 87 - The Ribbon Clues by Maxwell Grant

Author:Maxwell Grant [Grant, Maxwell]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Street & Smith
Published: 1935-09-30T22:00:00+00:00

Mallikan’s face showed a worried expression in the light of the portico.

“That would have been bad,” decided the shipping man. “I carry no revolver of my own; I have no permit and I know nothing about firearms. I am glad that I did not encounter Dave Callard.”

Cardona led the group back to the house. The chauffeur was beside him, with Mallikan. The Shadow then glided from his hiding place, took a swift turn in the opposite direction and started around the house.

When he neared the little side door where he had first seen Partridge, The Shadow stopped and crouched by the gloom of the wall. Sheltered under the wing of the house, he saw men who were standing there.

Commissioner Weston was holding the brass candelabrum. Beside him were Courtney Dolver and Clyde Burke. Lessing was there also; under his right arm, the servant held his rifle; from his left hand he gingerly dangled a gleaming revolver.

CARDONA and the others were arriving. Weston nodded a greeting to Mallikan; then spoke to the detective. As he did so, the commissioner reached over and took the revolver that Lessing was holding.

“Lessing found this by the bay window,” explained Weston. “It is a revolver of .38 caliber; one cartridge is empty. It is the gun from which the bullet was fired. Luckily, the assassin missed his opportunity. The brass candelabrum stopped the shot.”

“We ran into Callard out front,” stated Cardona “He got away from me; then managed to shake off Partridge and Cray. That was what all the shooting was about.”

“You exchange shots with him, Cardona?”

“No. We fired after him. He didn’t use a gun at all. I guess this revolver you found explains why. He dropped it, like he did with the gat at Shurrick’s.”

Weston nodded. He saw Mallikan looking toward Dolver; so he introduced the pair. Dolver’s face showed pallor; but the importer managed to frame a weak smile.

“It’s too bad you didn’t see Callard,” said Mallikan to Dolver. “You might have been able to identify him with your assailant at the penthouse.”

“I never saw his face,” returned Dolver. “That is, no more than his chin. It was a rugged one; rather square.”

“Like mine,” nodded Mallikan, rubbing his own jaw.

“Yes,” agreed Dolver, “and he was about your build, Mr. Mallikan. Broad-shouldered; perhaps taller, but that I could not say. He seemed to be crouched.”

“That answers Callard’s description,” assured Mallikan. “Well, Mr. Dolver, you have been fortunate. So for that matter, have I. If I had not lost my way here, I might have run squarely into Dave Callard.”

“You came in by the lane?”

“Yes. I stopped some distance back to take my bearings; then came along.”

Weston ended the conversation by suggesting that the group go into the house. Cardona was grumbling because the revolver found by Lessing bore no fingerprints. The group entered the side door; the portal closed, lights went out. Full darkness reigned beside the house.

Totally obscure, The Shadow moved across the lawn. His vigil here was ended for the present; for he knew that police would now patrol the grounds.

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