THE SHADOW SPEAKS
THE VOICE was coming from a radio in the corner. All stared in that direction. No one made a move. Rufus Cruikshank was most amazed of all. Somehow, without his knowledge, the radio had been prepared for this event!
Rising words turned to a laugh. It was a long peal of taunting merriment, a shuddering tone that made the listeners quail. Even Herbert Carpenter was frozen by that sinister laugh, despite the fact that he was here at The Shadow’s bidding.
“Once before, you heard my warning,” came that awe-inspiring voice. “You did not heed that warning — although it came from The Shadow.”
“The Shadow!”
The name was echoed by startled, feeble lips.
“Crime came to Seaview City,” continued the voice of The Shadow. “Crime came. Crime conquered. Crime was ended — by my will.”
Police Chief Yates was staring toward the radio. He had received credit for the clean-up; but in his honest heart, he knew that mystery had surrounded that great event.
“One of the crime kings was captured,” said the voice. “He went to prison. He escaped. He fell into my hands. Tonight, he has fought against crime. He is with you now — speaking truth. He is ready to go back to prison. He has obeyed my bidding.”
All eyes were upon Herbert Carpenter. Every man present sensed that this was no trick. Somehow, a mysterious personage called The Shadow had arranged a hook-up with this room, so that he could hear as well as speak.
Thoughts were reverting to that weird night in the Green Room at the Hotel Pavilion, when The Shadow had been the silent member present at the committee meeting.
“Crime must end,” came The Shadow’s words. “It can only end through the obliteration of these fiends who have made it. Your opportunity lies before you now.”
Silence followed — thick, deep silence. Mayor Cruikshank rose sternly, the only one of those present who still held his composure. He looked at the frightened committeemen. With a snort of indignation, he strode across the room toward the radio.
All wondered the purpose of his action. To Herbert Carpenter, it was a gesture — as though Cruikshank intended to place himself firmly on the side of The Shadow in the war against crime. Police Chief Yates had the same thought. A firm smile appeared upon his grim face.
“Perhaps you think that crime cannot be ended,” came The Shadow’s voice, its tones mocking and sardonic. “Crime can be ended — at this very moment.”
As the voice paused, Rufus Cruikshank spoke in challenge to the group.
“You hear?” he said. “Good. The purpose has been accomplished. This was done through my arrangement — as it was months ago — to prove to you that—”
The voice of The Shadow interrupted.
“One man brought crime to Seaview City,” that voice declared. “One man who has kept his identity a secret. Wheels Bryant, master of crime, is among you at this very moment. Listen well — while I speak his name—”
A momentary pause. Rufus Cruikshank calmly pulled the cord from the radio. His stern eye was accusing as it roved among the faces of the Public Safety Committee.
“IT will be my privilege to declare that name,” said Cruikshank, with a firm voice. “I shall point out the Judas in this gathering. Look at yourselves. Study your own faces—”
As Cruikshank paused for effect, sharp glances centered upon three men.
Louis Helwig, Raymond Coates, and Graham Hurley were the ones suspected.
Each man looked frightened and guilty. Which was the culprit?
Rufus Cruikshank, tall and dignified, calmly lighted a cigar. Herbert Carpenter, hunched beside Police Chief Yates, was looking toward the mayor.
Cruikshank’s head bent forward. The flicker of the match did not reveal his features. He turned his face upward and puffed.
A familiar aroma reached Carpenter’s nostrils. He saw Cruikshank smile. He heard the mayor’s voice subtly tinged with a tone that Carpenter well remembered, but had not recognized until now.
“There are certain men among us” — Cruikshank was speaking coldly — “who are all to blame in part. But one of them is the man. He is the crook of crooks. His name—”
“His name is Rufus Cruikshank!”
The wild cry came from Herbert Carpenter. Unable to restrain himself, the convicted blackmailer leaped forward in a frenzy. Cruikshank, who had advanced to within a few feet, went down beneath the attack.
Police Chief Yates was on his feet, ready to shoot. He held his fire for fear of killing the mayor, who was rolling on the floor in Carpenter’s grasp. The fighting convict was shouting words of condemnation.
“Wheels Bryant!” he cried. “The big shot! A double-crosser!”
Men were leaping to the rescue. Cruikshank, momentarily free, smashed his fist squarely against Carpenter’s chin. The accuser collapsed and was gathered up by angry hands. Police Chief Yates stood above his body with leveled automatic. Cruikshank, striving to regain his composure, glared about him.
He did not see Graham Hurley. The hotel proprietor, a look of real understanding on his face, had made his way to the wall. He was plugging the radio wire back into the socket.
“This man is a rogue” — Cruikshank was indicating Carpenter. “You are right — a crook is always a crook—”
A voice interrupted — the voice of The Shadow!
“Listen well” — the sinister, accusing tones were beginning where they had left off — “listen well, while I speak his name—”
Cruikshank, his face distorted with rage, was plunging toward the wall. But before he could again reach the radio, the dread voice of The Shadow had made its final utterance.
“His name is Rufus Cruikshank!”
WITH an irate cry, Cruikshank seized the small radio cabinet and dragged it from the wall. He turned and faced the other men. His face was livid. He stood revealed in all his evil.
Wheels Bryant! Well had the master crook planned crime! Here, in a prosperous, growing resort, he had established himself as Rufus Cruikshank. His goal had been the mayor’s chair. He had gained it. Of all in Seaview City, he was best able to further crime, while posing as a champion of reform!
To Police Chief Yates, this final exposure came as a stunning blow. He was the last to realize the truth. He had been double-crossed by this crook. He had obeyed Cruikshank willingly. He had told the mayor all his plans. He could scarcely believe his own eyes, now.
But as he faced Yates, Wheels Bryant gave the final proof of his guilt. He knew that of the men before him, only one was capable of resisting him — for Yates, alone, was armed. Before the police chief could rouse himself to action, Cruikshank, with a hideous roar, hurled the radio cabinet forward.
Yates dodged the heavy object. It struck his right shoulder, and toppled him sidewise. His revolver fell to the floor.
Wheels Bryant — no longer playing the part of Rufus Cruikshank — leaped across the room and gained the door to his little office. Yates, with a furious shout, grasped his revolver and started in pursuit, followed by the other men.
The police chief yanked open the door of the other room. His enemy was gone. The open window showed the route by which Wheels Bryant had made his swift departure.
Yates was at the telephone, calling headquarters.
The alarm was out. There could be no escape for Wheels Bryant — erstwhile Rufus Cruikshank. Seaview City, an island resort, would be blocked within ten minutes!
Without waiting another moment, Yates was on his way. The big police chief was after his archenemy — the man who had pretended to be his greatest friend and supporter. The harbor — the airport — these were closed. Wheels Bryant was still here in Seaview City.
Back in Cruikshank’s home, startled men still stood, wondering at the sudden, amazing turn of events. As they woke to the realization that the government of Seaview City was now in their hands, they stared aghast.
The broken radio lay on the floor — silent. But gazing eyes looked toward it as though the shattered instrument was a thing of life.
For from that ruined cabinet had come astounding words, uttered in a voice that carried tones of doom. Through it, The Shadow had uttered his denunciation.
The voice of The Shadow!
Even now, its sinister sound seemed real in the recollections of those who had heard it.
For the words of The Shadow had unmasked the superfiend of crime!