"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 128 - The Shadow's Rival" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

notice
it. After that, The Shadow eased the door outward, with the same consummate
skill.
Through a narrow crack, The Shadow saw Chink Rethlo. The jaundiced public
enemy was growling from his chair, saying more about the bulls. This time, he
was specifying one police officer.
"Joe Cardona! Huh! That palooka thinks he's big time since they made him
an inspector. Look at what this news sheet calls him. An ace! If Cardona's an
ace, I'll take a hand of deuces!"
The Shadow's second gun was out. His shoulder was ready to jam the door
open. He could see some members of Chink's crew. They were in suitable
position. Then came a sudden change that made the layout even better. Chink
was
leaning forward in his chair, one hand upraised.
"Listen, you bozos. I hear the elevator coming up. It must be Morry,
bringing up some news."
With that, Chink rose from his chair. He gazed toward the elevator and
the
others did the same. Crooks were totally off guard, so far as The Shadow's
door
was concerned. Shifting, the black-clad avenger could just see the elevator
door. The Shadow delayed action.
His attack was ready. The opening of that door would be the zero hour.
Morry, in the elevator, would be the only one to see The Shadow's door swing
open. The fellow's shout would turn Chink and the other crooks squarely toward
the muzzles of The Shadow's guns.
Zero hour. The time for the long-awaited thrust. Another stroke from The
Shadow, straight to the heart of crimeland. Helpless astonishment was due for
Chink Rethlo and his wanted band.
 THE SHADOW, likewise, was due for a surprise.
The elevator had stopped. Its door clanged open with a vicious sweep.
Inside were six headquarters men, their guns bristling toward the center of
Chink's living room. Foremost in the unexpected group was a swarthy, stocky
man
whose poker-face meant business.
The law's leader was Inspector Joe Cardona.
The Shadow could not fire. His bullets might have reached the elevator.
He
was fortunate to have a metal-sheathed door between himself and the barrage
that
came. Cardona and his squad lost no time in starting battle. Chink Rethlo's
savage roar was their signal for action.
With his shout, Chink whipped out a revolver. His pals grabbed for their
guns. The only one who brought his gat to aim was Chink, and be never pulled
the trigger. Cardona beat him to the shot. Hard upon the bark of Joe's
revolver
came a supporting salvo from the elevator.
Chink Rethlo toppled, riddled by the bullets of the law. Other crooks
staggered, clipped by police shots. The rest let their guns fall; reached
their