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!
CHAPTER XX
BIG TOM RESISTS
A SPEEDING coupe came whirling along a broad avenue of Seaview City. A policeman dashed into its path. The car swerved right, swung on two wheels, and narrowly missed the curb as it turned into a side street.
The officer raised his gun to fire. Two shots flashed from the coupe. The policeman fell, but the coupe kept on. Other men in uniform dashed to the rescue. A commandeered car took up the pursuit.
Rufus Cruikshank, mayor of Seaview City, was the man in that coupe. He had leaped into the car — one of his own vehicles — at the entrance to the garage behind his home.
Now, he was trapped. Even with the handy automatic that he had kept in the door pocket of the car, he could not hope to overcome those who were on his trail. Quick action was a method which Chief Yates had established among the resort police. With emergency orders to stop and pursue every suspicious car, the entire force was out tonight.
Had Wheels Bryant invoked the personality of Rufus Cruikshank, he might have been able to spread a bluff. But he hesitated to attempt it. He knew that Yates was adamant. With the force, the chief was supreme.
The narrow street, along which Wheels Bryant was fleeing, led directly to the board walk. That placed him in a trap. As he crossed another avenue, new police sprang into view. As the coupe shot toward the end of the street, other officers dashed down from the board walk.
The coupe stopped. The converging police would soon have their man, if he hesitated. But Wheels dashed out of the car and into the entrance of the club Catalina. There he paused long enough to shoot down one policeman who was closer than all the others. Wheels went up the stairs in long strides.
An attendant stood in surprise as he recognized the features of Rufus Cruikshank. The fleeing mayor shoved him aside, and hurried into Big Tom’s. Both doors were open, for this place was running without molestation. But now, consternation reigned; for this was to be the last night.
Big Tom had not expected a raid; hence he stared wild-eyed when he saw the mayor burst in. Attendants who would have stopped any other intruder sank back, aghast.
Big Tom’s amazement increased when he found Rufus Cruikshank gripping him by the arm. Then a long gasp came from his fat face when he heard the voice of Wheels Bryant speaking.
“The cops!” growled Wheels. “They are after me. Stop them! Quick!”
Big Tom could scarcely move. He could not believe his senses. Then he realized that whether the order came from Wheels or the mayor, it was one and the same. Wheels Bryant bossed Big Tom Bagshawe. Rufus Cruikshank bossed Seaview City.
“Get to the door!” thundered Big Tom. “Stop whoever tries to get up! That goes for everybody!”
The order was none too soon. As attendants started to obey, pulling revolvers from beneath their uniforms, the first of the invading policemen burst into view.
WHEELS BRYANT snarled. He fired a shot at the invader. The policeman fell. Big Tom Bagshawe needed no further word. He knew now that Wheels Bryant and Rufus Cruikshank were one and the same. Urged by Cruikshank, he unlocked the door of the little office.
The two crooks were inside the room, the door closed behind them. Big Tom threw the lock. He stood, with revolver in hand. Wheels Bryant was at the safe. He had it open. Seizing a bag in the corner, he began to pile money into it.
“Fooled you, eh?” he questioned. “You never figured that Wheels Bryant was Rufus Cruikshank, did you? Well, the racket’s ended, now — just as I was going to pull the biggest game of my life!”
The staccato barks of revolvers were sounding outside. Big Tom’s men — hardened gangsters under their attendants’ uniforms — had opened the fight.
“Going to kidnap Rufus Cruikshank,” continued Wheels. “Great idea, eh? None of the boys would have been wise until they saw Rufus himself, stepping on the boat. That would have knocked Hooks Borglund cold!”
“Hooks?” asked Big Tom breathlessly. “Where is he?”
“Dead,” informed Wheels Bryant, packing more money away. “That’s the trouble. He got bumped. That started the trouble up my way. Say” — Wheels suddenly changed the subject — “I guess those gorillas can’t hold out much longer.”
“How many police are fighting them?” asked Big Tom.
“The whole force,” responded Cruikshank.
Big Tom stood aghast. He knew now that his men must fight. There could be no other escape. Gangsters, all of them, they would try to make a break. That would be impossible now. The roar of revolver shots now sounded like a cannonade.
“Listen, Tom” — Wheels Bryant was speaking coldly — “I’m going to scram — with this.”
He pointed to the bag. It was filled with gold and bills — a million in new loot, that had been deposited in Big Tom’s keeping.
“How about me?” questioned Big Tom.
“You’re staying right here,” answered Wheels. “You’re all right.”
“Yeah? Staying here — to take a rap — like Carpenter? Staying here — to be double-crossed?”
“Not that, Tom. You had a mess here before. It wasn’t your fault. Neither is this one. I ran in here — that’s all. I made a mysterious getaway. That’s your story. There’s no connection between you and me.”
Big Tom pondered. He did not know that Carpenter had told his story; that his own connection with the crime kings was known.
“If you scram,” declared Wheels, “they’ll follow us, sure. They’ll know it’s phony. But if you stay, keep mum and all that — they won’t know anything. You’ll get your split later.”
“All right,” said Big Tom reluctantly.
He went to the desk and turned a key in the lock just above the drawer. Wheels Bryant pressed the broad flat top. It slid back mechanically, to reveal an opening four feet square.
Wheels Bryant pressed a lever. A dull, mechanical sound was heard. Wheels waited, listening to another noise. The gunfire had ended. Men were pounding at the door to the office!
THE mechanical noise ended. The top of a little one-man elevator had reached the bottom of the desk, level with the floor. Wheels Bryant dropped the bag into the opening. He climbed into the desk, and pressed the lever.
His form, visible from the waist up, began to move downward. Wheels caught the edge of the desk top. It slid back and covered the shaft as he disappeared.
The door of the office was crashing. Big Tom stood trembling. Then, realizing that he would not have time to escape even if he wished, he leaped to the desk and fumbled with the key.
Down came the door. Police Chief Yates stood covering Big Tom Bagshawe with an automatic.
“Put them up!” he yelled.
Big Tom raised his hands, leaving the key in the lock. Chief Yates strode into the office.
“Where’s Bryant?” he demanded.