As Lingo Queed, a gangster who had served as fixer, go-between and interpreter for powerful lieutenants, The Shadow had learned when crimes were brewing and rackets were about to ripen. As The Shadow, with agents aiding him, he had staged attack upon crime workers. His crafty drives had passed as the work of rival mobland factions.
Rook Hollister had sensed The Shadow’s hand. He had faked his death deputing Trip Burley to assassinate Donald Manthell in his place. But The Shadow, making use of his guise as Lingo Queed, had been in with the plotters who had planned to rub out Rook.
Koy Dow was a friend of The Shadow’s. That was why he was Lingo Queed’s friend also. For Lingo Queed — a faked personality — had been The Shadow all along. The Shadow had planted Hawkeye to listen in on the plots because The Shadow himself, having to play the part of Lingo, could not have trailed Trip Burley, whom he suspected as a spy of Rook Hollister’s.
Of all The Shadow’s agents, Burbank alone had known the double role that The Shadow was playing.
That was why Burbank had chuckled when giving a report from Hawkeye. The Shadow, through Burbank, had ordered Hawkeye to make the very suggestions that he wanted. Then, as Lingo Queed, The Shadow had reluctantly accepted the suggestions in the presence of lieutenants.
All for effect upon those who had acknowledged Lingo as the lord of the underworld. Because of his position, The Shadow had been unable to wage war after he became big shot. But he himself had sent tips to Detective Joe Cardona.
THROUGH Hawkeye, The Shadow had started the faked circumstances that had made Jericho private bodyguard for Lingo Queed. While holding the dangerous throne of big shot, The Shadow had an agent by him. No spies present to mooch in on The Shadow’s calls over his private telephone; no chance for would-be assassins to sneak in — for Jericho had been instructed to do all that Lingo told him.
The trap at Koy Dow’s had been framed by The Shadow to ensnare The Shadow. A clever arrangement with the Chinaman whereby The Shadow could mysteriously rescue Harry Vincent when the agent was placed there as bait. Koy Dow had told The Shadow of that exit below.
After the supposed trapping, Koy Dow had waited for The Shadow to return as Lingo Queed, knowing that there would be trouble when the trap was found empty.
As Lingo, The Shadow had beaten Buzz Dongarth to the shot. Then Koy Dow and his Chinese henchmen had taken up the battle, that The Shadow might depart.
Originally, The Shadow had planned to maintain his role of Lingo Queed; to square things for Koy Dow, if possible — at least to preserve his own position. Such, until he could get at Rook Hollister.
With his rescue of Harry Vincent, The Shadow had learned where Rook was hiding out. He had also gained news that Clyde Burke was a prisoner. The Shadow had promptly made new plans.
But Rook, as his lips mouthed a defiant snarl, was thinking of something else. He realized that his deductions had been but half right. The Shadow had slain Trip Burley, as Rook had guessed. Lingo Queed had profited by taking credit. The entire sequence, however, had been The Shadow’s lone craft.
After planting his .45 on Manthell’s body, The Shadow had seen opportunity for himself as Lingo Queed.
He needed another gun to stage his bluff with the lieutenants. As The Shadow, he had departed, taking Rook’s initialed gun, which would not do in the frame-up. As Lingo, he had returned with a .38. He had exchanged it for Trip’s .32 and had replaced it afterward.
As Rook stood glaring at The Shadow, he realized the cloaked victor’s purpose. The Shadow had eliminated the actual murderer of Donald Manthelclass="underline" namely, Trip Burley. Since then, he had given the law its innings.
To cap that campaign, he was willing that the police should gain the big shot who was actually responsible for Manthell’s death. Rook Hollister had feigned death; ironically, The Shadow intended to let him live. The thought griped Rook.
Bart Koplin was tense and glowering. In Bart, Rook saw an ally who could serve as dupe as well.
Furiously, Rook spat an order for a vain attack.
Thinking that Rook was with him, Bart leaped viciously upon The Shadow.
As the foolhardy private dick came squarely into the path of the gun muzzle, Rook sprang behind him.
The Shadow had no alternative. He had to clear Bart in order to get at Rook. One automatic barked.
The slug found Bart’s body; but the heavy-jowled private dick kept on coming.
Bart fought like a wounded bull as he clutched at The Shadow’s weapons. He grabbed one automatic as it aimed at Rook. The Shadow’s shot boomed wide as Rook dived headlong toward the door that led to the stairway.
Bart sagged suddenly. The Shadow whirled clear of him.
Leaving Clyde Burke in charge of Prexy, who was still groggy, The Shadow swept in pursuit. Rook was halfway down the staircase when The Shadow reached the top. There was no chance for a shot at present.
The Shadow hastened downward; he gained ground while Rook was opening the lower door. As the big shot sprang into the vacated passage, The Shadow reached the bottom of the stairs.
Brawlers were subsiding. Shouts still came from portions of the Roof Cafe; but the tide had moved elsewhere. Momentarily clear, Rook yanked a revolver from his pocket and faced about to aim at the stairs. The big shot wanted to get The Shadow; but the cloaked avenger had expected him to turn.
Holding to the darkness of the stairway, The Shadow was taking aim, his cloaked form deep in the gloom of the steps. Rook was backing toward the door of the service elevator. The Shadow was prepared to spring out upon him.
Then came an interruption. The door of the service elevator banged open. Joe Cardona, a revolver in hand, sprang into view as Rook turned at the noise. Astonishment showed on the face of the ace detective as Joe saw the big shot whom he believed was dead.
Rook Hollister snarled as he aimed for Joe Cardona. The detective swung his gun muzzle toward Rook.
Fingers reached triggers simultaneously. It was a situation such as Cardona had falsely pictured at Rook Hollister’s apartment; where two fighters stood well prepared to wipe out each other.
In the split-second before the instant of the coming duel, a flash tongued from the stairway. The spurt of flame was accompanied by the roar of an automatic. Hard upon The Shadow’s shot came the bark of a revolver as Joe Cardona fired point-blank at Rook Hollister.
The big shot never delivered the bullet that he had intended for Joe Cardona. Winged by The Shadow, Rook had faltered. The Shadow’s slug had clipped Rook’s aiming arm; Cardona’s leaden pellet had found the big shot’s evil heart.
TURNING, The Shadow had headed up the stairs before Joe Cardona could reach the open door. The detective suspected trouble up above; followed by a squad, he was starting to investigate.
Up in the living room of the high apartment, Clyde Burke saw The Shadow enter. The reporter heard pounding footsteps from below; he nodded as he listened to hissed instructions that sounded incongruous from the faked lips of Lingo Queed.
Clyde was to tell his story. Bart Koplin, wounded; Prexy Storlick, stunned, would be prey for the law.
Clyde could tell Joe Cardona the odd circumstances that had brought him here. With Harry Vincent out of the picture, there would be no need for mention of The Shadow’s part.
Regaining his slouch hat, The Shadow affixed it to his head. Clyde Burke heard a whispered taunt of triumph. Staring, the agent saw his chief sweep out through the open door to the broad promenade. By the griffon pillar, The Shadow attached the wheeled carrier. Then Clyde quickly closed the door and turned to greet the incoming detectives.