“Sure it is,” growled Lingo. “And none of you guys” — he glowered at Buzz — “can tell me that the chinks aren’t smart. Say — I’ve got buddies down there that’ll pull anything I ask!”
“Like Koy Dow?” put in Blitz. “He was smart. I met him.”
“Yeah,” returned Lingo. “Koy Dow. He’ll fix a trap that would land six guys like The Shadow. He’s the guy I’ll see about it, too. If I can only nab one guy that could be good bait—”
“That’s the trouble,” observed Blitz.
Silence. Men were speculating. Hawkeye noted that Buzz had a far-away look. Again, Hawkeye spoke.
“Listen, Lingo,” he urged. “Suppose I spread it to the grapevine that you’re after some mug that’s working for The Shadow. Pipe it along that you’ll make it worthwhile for the fellow that brings in one of The Shadow’s stoolies.
“That’ll stop the squawks for a while. The guys that want you out will figure you’ve got something, that you’re following a real lead. Getting The Shadow. They won’t holler about rubbing you out while they’re seeing how they can grab a reward by bringing in one of the mugs you want.
“Maybe they’ll snag a bird for bait. Meanwhile you have it fixed with Koy Dow. Don’t let nobody in on what you’re going to do until we’ve landed the boob for the trap. Then you can plant him at Koy Dow’s.”
“And then?” demanded Lingo.
“Another pipe along the line,” responded Hawkeye. “Letting it out, like it was a slip, that you’ve got The Shadow’s stoolie at Koy Dow’s. Then, The Shadow—”
“I get it.” Lingo came to his feet as he made the interruption. “Let the rest of it slide until we’ve tried the first part. It’s a long shot but we can’t lose much by trying it. Spill it to the grapevine, Hawkeye. Let’s see how it goes.”
Lingo was reaching for a coat as he spoke. He gave instructions to Jericho.
“Keep the place until I get back,” he ordered. “I’m going down to see Koy Dow. Come on. Blitz. You can stick with me until we get near Chinatown. Then I’ll leave you. I’ll see you later, Buzz. You too, Hawkeye, after you’ve tickled the grapevine.”
A FEW minutes later, Hawkeye left the others outside of the apartment house. The little agent was eager as he strode along. He had gained the point he wanted. Lingo had ordered him to send a rumor out by the underground telegraph of the bad lands.
A report, first, to Burbank. The Shadow would learn that Hawkeye had again put over one of the cloaked chief’s schemes. Also word about Buzz Dongarth. For Hawkeye had watched the lieutenant’s departure.
The Shadow believed that Buzz was Rook Hollister’s representative in the underworld. If so — and Hawkeye believed The Shadow was right — the news of Lingo Queed’s proposed trap would travel to Rook before it hit the grapevine.
If Harry Vincent lay in Rook Hollister’s power, the big shot would find it advantageous to deal with Lingo Queed. Once such a course began, The Shadow would have a tracer on Rook.
So Hawkeye reasoned; and the little spotter grinned with glee as he foresaw potential success to The Shadow’s coming scheme. By dealing with those in view, The Shadow might reach the enemy who had taken cover.
Subtly, The Shadow had ordered Hawkeye to spring his talk with Lingo in the presence of Buzz Dongarth. Through hidden steps, The Shadow was letting Rook Hollister believe that it would soon be time to move.
From Rook would come the bait, once Lingo fixed the trap. That bait would be a boomerang to the big shot who supplied it. What was more, The Shadow’s strategy could prove the most effective way of regaining Harry Vincent from the toils of the foe.
CHAPTER XIX. BUZZ SWINGS A DEAL
IT was not until the next morning that Hawkeye returned to Lingo Queed’s. Hawkeye had not trailed Buzz Dongarth. The Shadow had ordered hands off. Even though it was probable that Buzz might be in communication with Rook Hollister, the policy was to let Buzz strictly alone.
Hawkeye knew that The Shadow’s course was wise. If Rook Hollister had captured Harry Vincent, he might have put him on the spot immediately. If so, Harry would long since have been past recall.
If Rook, as was more likely, had chosen to keep Harry as a clue to The Shadow, it was logical that he would keep him indefinitely. The one danger to Harry would be an inkling that The Shadow was trailing Rook through Buzz.
Hence, Hawkeye was sure that The Shadow was waiting developments. With no report whatever from Harry, the probability that he was a prisoner had increased. But, conversely, the fact that Clyde Burke had sent no report appeared as proof that the reporter was safely en voyage to Havana.
Hawkeye had started things last night. The grapevine was working strong. Hawkeye had proof of this while riding up in the elevator with Gumbo. The gorilla whispered the inside news that Lingo was on the lookout for double crossers who had sold out to The Shadow. This information had come to Gumbo from pals outside.
When Hawkeye reached Lingo’s apartment he found Blitz Schumbert there with the big shot. Jericho was on duty. A short while after Hawkeye’s arrival, the huge bodyguard answered the door and admitted Buzz Dongarth. Hawkeye noted an eagerness in Buzz’s manner.
“Something I want to spill to you, Lingo,” greeted Buzz. “Let’s go in the other room where we can talk alone. This is a hot piece of news.”
“Spring it in a hurry, then,” ordered Lingo. “What’s the matter with Blitz and Hawkeye hearing it? They’re O.K., aren’t they?”
“All right,” decided Buzz, after a moment’s consideration. “Here it is. This grapevine stuff has turned out big. You want one of The Shadow’s stools don’t you? Well, I’ve found out who has one.”
“Who?” queried Lingo.
“Rook Hollister,” responded Buzz calmly.
A BLANK expression came over Lingo’s face, Blitz began to scratch his head in perplexity. Then Lingo delivered a raucous guffaw.
“Rook Hollister!” he ejaculated. “Say — what have you been doin’, Buzz, falling for a spook racket? I bumped that palooka myself, even though I haven’t been shouting about it. Now you come in and say—”
“I say that I’ve got word from Rook Hollister,” interposed, Buzz. “He ain’t dead; he’s only hiding out. Don’t ask me where he is or how he pulled it, because I don’t know. What counts is that he’s still alive and got guys workin’ for him.”
“You mean I bumped some dummy?” quizzed Lingo. “A sap that looked like Rook? Up there in his apartment?”
“That must be it,” returned Buzz. “But Rook hasn’t got it in for you, Lingo. He knew the finger was on him; and he wasn’t blaming the fellows who wanted him to be rubbed out. It looks like Rook knew The Shadow was after him too; that’s why he ducked.”
“Where’d you get this dope?” demanded Blitz.
“Dope is right,” snorted Lingo. “Sounds like Buzz has been hitting a pipe down in one of the hop joints!”
“This is straight stuff,” insisted Buzz. “I got a telephone call this morning — from Rook. I didn’t believe it was him myself until he talked a while. When I was sure of it, Rook gave me this proposition. He knows I stand in right with you, Lingo.
“Rook wants to work fifty-fifty. He says you’re in the same spot he was. He’s willing to let you keep on as big shot, while he stays under cover. But you’d be partners, see?”
“Rook’s got a big heart along with his cold feet,” scoffed Lingo. “What do you think of that proposition, Blitz? Rook was too yella to stick it out for himself. Now he wants half the gravy.”
“Sounds to me like Rook is pretty smart,” objected Blitz. “I wouldn’t call him yellow, Lingo. He bluffed the whole lot of us, the way I see it. What’s more, he’s where he can stage a comeback, while you’re on the skids. It looks to me like Rook is the guy who is sitting pretty.”