careers without having to call in the law.
Therefore, Margo's question really veiled another. She was asking The
Shadow why he hadn't been up to his usual form, in Murk's case.
"Murk was a con man, then," observed Cranston. "You know how those fellows
usually operate. They choose dupes who are quite as greedy as themselves. They
show the suckers how to make some easy money, and then trim them."
"Is that why you let Murk go?"
"Yes. As an object lesson to the dupes, whose money I saved. It would not
have been just for Murk to pay a penalty, while they went scot-free. I had Murk
listed, and was waiting for him to try to trim an honest man."
"Meanwhile Murk turned murderer."
"Something that couldn't be anticipated, Margo. Con men of his type seldom
go in for violence. Besides" - Cranston's eyes steadied upon Margo - "I'm not so
sure that he would have gone in for murder in this case, had the Durez crowd
been an honest lot."
MARGO tried to catch the meaning in those eyes: whether or not Cranston
might be expressing an actual opinion. He was certainly basing his statement on
Margo's own testimony, regarding Jose Durez, which she had learned through Colin
Nayre.
In substance, Nayre had said that Durez planned a new revolution in
Centralba, at the cost of many lives. It might be fortunate, therefore, that
Durez and his fellow conspirators had died.
Unless their revolt could have broken the regime of Luis Castenago and
restored Francisco Peridor to the presidency of a true republic. Such a result
would seem worthwhile, at any sacrifice!
Debating the question for about the fortieth time, Margo returned her
attention to the bay. She kept watching for another mosquito boat that didn't
appear. Reports said that twelve left Miami, the night before, to scour the
coast for Murk Wessel and his batch of murderers.
Capable of sixty miles an hour, those ships would certainly have headed
off an average craft. Their failure to find Murk signified that he must have
come ashore and continued the getaway by land.
In fact, the roof-garden radio was introducing a news commentator, who
supported that probability.
"The search for Murk Wessel has become nation-wide," declared the
commentator, "but nowhere is it being handled more thoroughly than in New York.
The Manhattan police have heard from several unnamed sources, supposed to be
underworld informants, that Murk Wessel was seen in the big city shortly after
noon today.
"How he arrived from Miami, whether by plane, train, or automobile, is not
the important question. The police are trying to learn whether he is hiding out,
or trying to create an alibi. Murk is alleged to have many friends in crimedom.
How far their testimony can be trusted, is doubtful. If Murk seeks an alibi in
this case of wholesale murder, it will have to be a strong one."
Margo leaned toward Cranston.
"Do you think Murk's alibi, whatever it is, could possibly stand?"
"It might," returned Cranston, without a smile. "The police believe a
great deal, Margo. Last night, I understand, an officer at Miami Beach actually
