"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 043 - The Crime Clinic" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

where crime was fostered, he had every reason to keep his identity unknown. After short, quick glances
along the street, Cardona turned and entered the alleyway.

Perhaps there were those who knew Cardona's gait; perhaps there were spying eyes that had caught that
momentary revealment of the detective's face. Whichever the case might be, there was a distinct activity
along the street immediately after Detective Cardona's departure.

Another idler across the street turned suddenly and walked away. A sneaky, stealthy man slipped from
the protection of an obscure doorway. He passed a lounger who was standing beside the steps of an
elevated station. This fellow sidled away as though a relayed message had been given.

NEWS was going through the underworld that Joe Cardona had arrived within the realm of crime. The
grapevine telegraph was hard at work, reporting this event. Such was the way in the badlands of
Manhattan.

Yet amid the subdued excitement, no one had noted the activities of the first individual who had taken
action after viewing Joe Cardona's face. This fellow had passed as one of the underworld. He looked
like a husky gangster, who had every right to be in this forlorn district. Hence he had passed
unchallenged.

In the light of a dingy cigar store, this man who had seen Cardona appeared as a different type. His face,
though firm and determined, showed a keenness lacking in the usual gangster. Ensconced in a telephone
booth, he called a number, and announced his identity in a low voice.

"Marsland reporting," were his words.

"Report," came the order, in a quiet voice.

"Cardona in vicinity," announced Marsland. "Entered alley alongside Climax Brass Shop. Went into third
house on the left."

"Report received."

This secret conversation had a meaning. Cliff Marsland, pretended gangster, had reported Cardona's
arrival. The man to whom he had spoken over the wire was a chap named Burbank - one whom Cliff
had never seen, yet with whom he had much in common.

For Cliff Marsland was an agent of The Shadow; and Burbank was The Shadow's contact man. As a
prowler in the underworld, Cliff picked up data of importance, and sent it to Burbank; the contact man,
in turn, relayed it to The Shadow.

To the underworld, a secret visit by Joe Cardona was a matter of importance. Whatever concerned the
underworld, concerned The Shadow also. For The Shadow, mysterious personage whose very identity
was unknown, battled crime and swung the balance of power into the hands of justice.

Cliff Marsland, sensing suppressed excitement in the neighborhood, had picked up the information that
Joe Cardona had been seen. He had passed the word along to The Shadow. From now on, it would be
The Shadow's province to learn why Joe Cardona had set forth on a secret mission.
JOE CARDONA was a detective of capability. He had a tendency, however, to rely upon grit rather
than craftiness. He had come to this district, confident that he could conceal his identity. So sure of that