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

SIMULTANEOUSLY with the sound of footsteps, the door swung open, and a big-shouldered,
ugly-faced ruffian thrust himself into the room. In his right hand, this fellow held a big revolver. He
covered Scoffy with a weapon, and a fierce grin appeared upon the pockmarked countenance.

"Bennie Lizzit!"

The name was gasped from Scoffy's lips. The intruder laughed as he closed the door behind him.
"Didn't expect to see me, eh?" he snarled. "Who'd you think I was - that smart dick comin' back?"

"What dick?" questioned Scoffy, trying to bluff.

"Joe Cardona," jeered Bennie Lizzit. "Say - that clod-hopper was lamped when he hit the avenue.
Everybody knew he was down here. I heard where he headed. I figured maybe he was comin' to see
you."

"What'd he want to see me for?" asked Scoffy. "I ain't said nothin' to him, Bennie. You an' me - we're
pals and -"

"We was pals," retorted Bennie. "But not no more - you squealin' rat!"

Scoffy saw what was coming. Bennie Lizzit was between him and the door. With a frenzied cry, the
trapped stool pigeon made a dash for the window. Bennie overtook him; with a sweep of his arm, the big
gangster sent the little man spinning into the corner.

"Honest, Bennie!" Scoffy was pleading. "Honest - I didn't squeal!"

"You mean you ain't goin' to squeal no longer!"

With these words, Bennie shot his left hand forward, and pinned the stool pigeon's neck to the wall.
Before the cornered squealer could manage to squirm away, Bennie made a vicious swing with his right
arm. His revolver landed squarely upon the side of Scoffy's head.

The little fellow sagged. Bennie Lizzit delivered another skull-crushing blow. He released his left hand.
Scoffy's body tumbled to the floor. The stool pigeon was dead.

Bennie gloated as he surveyed the work which he had done. Still holding his revolver, he turned toward
the door.

The murderer's eyes began to bulge. His fist tightened on his revolver. His hand, however, did not rise.
Bennie Lizzit, killer though he was, felt pangs of fear at the uncanny event which was taking place before
his gaze here in this gangster hide-out.

The door was swinging open, of its own accord. As Bennie stared into the darkened hallway beyond, all
that he could see was a pair of blazing eyes. As he stared, the murderer saw a form materialize. He
gasped as he observed a being in black that appeared just within the doorway.

"The Shadow!"

Bennie's blurted recognition was a fitting tribute to the mysterious presence of The Shadow. A tall form
garbed in black, The Shadow had arrived as an avenger from the night. His shape seemed spectral