"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 096 - North Woods Mystery" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

murderer with ease. He had spared the killer so that he might make the fellow talk. Tam had spoiled that
opportunity.

There was, however, no criticism in The Shadow's tone. He knew that Tam had acted in an effort to stay
the murderer's hand. Loyalty, to The Shadow, was a greater virtue than wisdom.
"Kai Luan."

The Shadow looked toward Tam as he spoke. The name came almost as a question. The Shadow
wanted Tam's information regarding Kai Luan. Solemnly, Tam shook his head; then spoke.

"Kai Luan is a mystery," declared the Chinaman. "Who he isтАФwhere he may beтАФno one knows. I
believe that there is no one named Kai Luan."

The Shadow's eyes were steady. He wanted to hear more. Tam was close to Chinatown. Chances were
that he had learned facts which had as yet escaped The Shadow.

"Among those who are foolish," explained Tam, looking straight toward The Shadow's eyes, "there has
been talk of one called Kai Luan. He is a friend of those who are evil. He has sent them money. They
have harbored men from Kai Luan."

The Shadow looked toward the dead Mongol. Tam nodded.

"Others such as that one," explained the Chinaman. "Mongols, who may have come into Manchuria,
since the boy emperor has ruled Manchukuo. Fanatics, ready to do murder.

"I have heard of the others. This is the first that I have seen. He served Kai Luan. His own voice told that
fact. Still, there may be no Kai Luan. It is a name, perhaps, that these have uttered and that others have
heard.

"Robbery and murder have struck here in New York. Loon Kow must have been threatened. He sent
for me. That is all that I can tell. How or when the Mongols came to New York is as baffling as the name
of Kai Luan."

THE SHADOW stepped over to the Mongol's body. The killer was clad in rough American attire. The
Shadow found objects in the dead man's pockets. He laid the assortment upon the desk.

A few Chinese coins were mixed with American silver. A crude pipe, probably fashioned by the Mongol,
contained a bowl that was thickly encrusted. With the pipe was a small bag of goatskin that served as a
tobacco pouch. In addition, The Shadow found a roll of crisp bills that totaled fifty dollars.

The Shadow examined the currency in the light; then passed the bills to Doctor Tam, who had taken the
swivel-chair behind the desk. Tam arched his eyebrows and questioned:

"Counterfeit?"

"Yes," responded The Shadow. "I have seen others like them. All recently."

"I have seen them," nodded Tam. He was studying the bills. "I thought that they were genuine. Yes, I
have seen serial numbers close to these. Kai LuanтАФ whoever he may beтАФis playing a profitable game."