"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 100 - The Man From Shanghai" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

"All goes well, Wardlock," purred the master murderer. "I expected Spark Ganza to have more trouble
with Hessup than with Blessingdale. It would be unwise, however, to continue with Spark when we deal
with Furbish."

An expectant look appeared upon Wardlock's moonish face.
"Therefore," concluded Malfort, "I have chosen another instrument. You will summon Ku-Nuan."

Wardlock's lips spread in a pleased leer. Like Spark Ganza, the secretary seemed to hold a high opinion
of Ku-Nuan. So, for that matter, did Malfort. The master of crime was already gloating as he foresaw
new evil triumph.

"Spark will cover his trail," stated Malfort. "The next move will rest with Ku-Nuan. The last stroke, like
the first, will be my own. I began crime, Wardlock; I shall end it. I have left to others the episodes that
lay between.

"My methods are unique. As a man of reputed wealth and standing, I am above suspicion. No one can
suspect my part in crime. No one can find a trail that leads to me. No one can cope against my efforts -"

Malfort paused abruptly, as he saw a flicker of worry upon Wardlock's face. With a grating laugh,
Malfort added final words of emphasis:

"No one. Not even The Shadow!"

THE tone restored confidence to Wardlock. In his moonish manner, the secretary matched his master's
satanic facial twist. As long as Malfort recognized the existence of The Shadow; as long as he considered
that master foe of crime as a possible adversary, there could be no danger from the hidden source. So
Wardlock reasoned; for Malfort, himself, had once voiced that opinion.

Rising firelight sent long streaks across the floor. They were ominous, those shadows; but Kenneth
Malfort thought them meaningless. He purred, in convinced tone:

"BlessingdaleтАФHessupтАФFurbishтАФtwo are dead; the third will soon be the same. No dead man can
provide The Shadow with a trail."

Sound statements, those; but ones that Malfort might find to be untrue. This murderer had been swift in
moves of crime. That, more than he thought, could account for the security that he still enjoyed.

Moreover, in his mention of names, Malfort had forgotten one. He had not included Durlew, the druggist.
Small wonder, for, to Malfort, Durlew was not even a pawn. Durlew was a side issue; one whom Spark
Ganza could handle. He could be forgotten.

Forgotten people, like forgotten facts, were often the ones whom The Shadow found. Those flickers
from the firelight, with their streaks of shadowy darkness on the hearth, were to prove more ominous
than Malfort supposed.

Chance though they were, those wavering patches of black presaged The Shadow's entry into the affairs
of Kenneth Malfort.

CHAPTER II. A DEAD-MAN'S TALE