"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 027 - The Silent Death" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

"To-night," said the professor, "we encountered temporary defeat. When we saw police detectives enter
Alfred Sartain's studio, we knew that there was no further hope. That is why I told Thomas Jocelyn to go
to his residence; it is also why I brought you here, Ricordo. It was not wise to remain in that office across
the street."

"You're right it wasn't," returned Ricordo. "Not with The Shadow on the job. I'm worried yet, professor."
Urlich indicated a telephone.

"Communicate with Slips Harbeck," he ordered. "Call the number in the usual fashion. This telephone,
Ricordo, is arranged on a special wire. It cannot be traced. It has the number of a telephone in a
deserted house miles from here."

Ricordo grinned and picked up the telephone. He called a Manhattan number, the underworld spot
where Slips Harbeck made his headquarters. Professor Urlich went out of the room while the gang
leader talked with his lieutenant. When he returned, he glanced inquiringly at Ricordo.

"THE SHADOW queered the job all right," stated Larry. "He nailed those two gorillas in Sartain's studio.
He nicked the other pair, and he almost got Slips. The only reason they made a get-away was because
Brooks put up a fight.

"Slips had a guy watching the apartment house. He says The Shadow got Brooks in the finish. The cops
brought out the body."

A quizzical frown appeared upon Professor Urlich's forehead. The evil-faced scientist studied his
gang-lord aid. He put forth a question that startled Larry Ricordo.

"Tell me," demanded Urlich, "who is this whom you call The Shadow? The one whom we saw to-night.
Let me know all that you have learned concerning him."

"The Shadow?" Ricordo's question was tinged with awe. "Say, professor, I spilled a lot about him back
there in the officeтАФuntil you told me to let the matter rest until later."

"You were excited then," interposed Urlich. "At present, we are quiet. You can speak with calmness.
What is The Shadow? Is he a gang leader, like yourself тАФor is he a detective?"

"No one knows what he is," confessed Ricordo. "That bird must have a racket all his own. He crowds in
on any good lay that he hears about, and puts the kibosh on it. He's not hooked up with the bulls; he's
not a crook."

"You mean," quizzed Urlich, "that he is a roving personage of the underworld, seeking adventure through
encounters with dangerous criminals?"

"That's about it," admitted Ricordo. "There's plenty of big shots that have missed out when they met The
Shadow. Plenty have checked out, too. He plays a cute game, professor. Lays back and lets a good lay
get all set; then steps into it himself."

"Remarkable," observed the scientist. "I have heard of this person, but I preferred to regard him as a
myth. However, after to-night -"