One man had schemed. He had crossed the border. He had sent others on their way. Each carried limited wealth upon his saddle; each had, somehow, gained immunity from that suspicion which spells the end of crime.
Five had gone; the sixth was choosing his own course. Yet, even now, his way was certain. In the months to come, this man would deal in crime whenever he might be summoned.
He was a man who had dealt in crime before; but now, within his scheming mind lay plans for supercrime. He was ready to defy The Shadow! This band of criminals would strike — no one knew when. But until they struck, there would not even be any suspicion.
When this crime broke forth, would The Shadow know? Could The Shadow solve this crime?
CHAPTER II
BOLD CRIME
TWO men were seated in an oak-paneled study. The room was obviously a portion of a palatial home, for its heavy furnishings, from thick rugs to massive mahogany desk and chairs, symbolized the last word in expense.
One man, evidently a visitor, was sitting in a comfortable chair, idly smoking a cigarette. There was a certain restlessness in his attitude, but it did not betray itself upon his face. His features bore an impassive look. In fact, all who had ever met Earl Northrup were impressed by the singularity of his appearance.
The immobile expression of Northrup’s countenance was accentuated by the characteristics of his physiognomy. His nose was broad and his cheeks, chin, and forehead seemed to slope away in uniform fashion.
His lips were thick and heavy. His eyes had a steady stare that changed only when they sparkled. Eyes and lips alone were the portions of Northrup’s countenance that gave any evidence of emotion.
The other man — the owner of this home — was a dignified, elderly gentleman, with aristocratic gray hair. He was seated at the desk, going over a stack of papers with absolute indifference to Northrup’s presence. That was the way with Anthony Hanscom. He was a business man who had become successful through concentration.
At last Hanscom glanced up, and his eyes met Northrup’s. The elderly man smiled wanly. He pushed the papers aside, and leaned back in his swivel chair. He folded his hands and rested them beneath his chin.
“You’re a very patient man, Northrup,” he commented. “I think you are probably the most patient man in this part of Illinois. That’s why I enjoy having you out here. Work comes first with me, and it’s a pleasure to have a guest who does not interfere with it.”
Northrup indulged in a slight smile. His restlessness, which had been unnoticed by Hanscom, was now gone. He glanced idly above Hanscom’s head, and gave a short grunt of surprise as he noticed a clock upon the mantel.
“Quarter of nine,” he commented. “It’s getting quite near train time, Mr. Hanscom.”
Hanscom looked at the clock and frowned.
“That’s right,” he remarked. “Let’s see — that express to Chicago stops here in Tilson at nine fifteen. It will take us fifteen minutes to reach the station. I had no idea time had gone so rapidly. I must call my secretary at once.”
HANSCOM rang a bell beside the desk. A quietly dressed young man entered the room. This was Carl Walton, Hanscom’s secretary.
“It’s getting late, Walton,” said Hanscom. “I didn’t notice the time. These bonds” — he drew a package from a desk drawer — “will have to wait. I intended to go over them while you took off the numbers. I don’t like to neglect the job, especially as I will be a week in Chicago; at the same time, I ought to be on hand. Northrup was going over them with me; that’s why he came up tonight. However—”
“I can come back from the station,” interposed Northrup quietly. “There’s no reason why Walton and I cannot do the work together. I have nothing to do this evening.”
“Don’t put yourself to that trouble, Northrup,” responded Hanscom. “The work can wait until I come back. I’ll just put the bonds in the safe and forget about them.”
“It’s no trouble to me,” insisted Northrup.
“Very well,” declared Hanscom. “I’ll leave the bonds here, Walton. You can take off the numbers while Mr. Northrup and I are riding to the station. When you’re finished, let Northrup go over the bonds when he comes back. After that, put the bonds in the safe and lock the combination. If Northrup does not come back, lock them up before you leave the room.”
“I’ll probably be back,” said Earl Northrup.
Carl Walton nodded and left the study. Anthony Hanscom began to make the last preparations for his journey, talking to Northrup as he did so.
“I’ll be glad to get to Chicago,” asserted Hanscom. “It seems as though I am anchored in Tilson. Business is good here; I have this beautiful home; and I should be satisfied. Nevertheless, I like the big city. I have to get up there frequently. I don’t see how you can stand it here in Tilson all the time.”
“I’ve only lived here about eight months,” responded Northrup, with a sour smile. “Maybe after a few years I’ll be glad to get away, too.”
“You have established yourself very nicely,” said Hanscom, with an approving nod. “You have the right idea, Northrup. If a man comes to a small city with a reasonable amount of capital, and applies himself to a stable business, he is bound to succeed — especially when he is honest and friendly, as you are. Good will means a lot when a man has a limited number of neighbors.”
“I have found that to be true,” answered Northrup. “I have found Tilson an exceptional town. Of course, much of that is due to your presence here. Without Anthony Hanscom, Tilson would be merely another spot on the map of Illinois.”
“Becoming complimentary now, eh?” laughed Hanscom, “Well, I guess you mean it, Northrup. You have a good business head, and I like your sincerity. Most of the people around here are limited in ideas. Well — we can have a last chat on the way to the station. I’ll go along in your car with you. Sorry you aren’t going to Chicago with me.”
Hanscom rang the bell; then went to the door to meet Carl Walton. The secretary was bringing Hanscom’s bag. The gray-haired man took it from him and hurriedly left, accompanied by Earl Northrup.
CARL WALTON closed the door of the study and picked up the stack of bonds. Noting the numbers, he marked them down one by one on a sheet of paper. Walton was slow and methodical in his work. That was his principal qualification as secretary to Anthony Hanscom.
Secluded here in Tilson, Hanscom, despite his wealth and numerous interests, managed to keep his affairs on a simple, definite basis. He did not require a secretary with initiative. Hence Carl Walton had an easy task, although the salary was low.
Walton’s job involved very little responsibility. When Anthony Hanscom left Tilson, the secretary merely handled minor affairs during the employer’s absence. Walton did not even know the combination to the wall safe in the room. It was a strong box of the latest pattern; one built to defy the most expert cracksman; yet it was seldom that Hanscom left articles of value in the house.
Tonight was one of the few exceptions. Hanscom had conducted business involving the transfer of various securities and had kept the bonds at home for a few days. Now, the examination of the bonds had been postponed, and after taking off the numbers, Walton’s only duty would be to put the bonds in the safe and leave them until Hanscom returned.
While Walton was completing his task, he heard the whistle of the train leaving the station for Chicago. It reminded him that Earl Northrup had intended to return and that the bonds must be kept out in case Hanscom’s friend came back to the house.
Walton knew little about Northrup except that he had come to Tilson several months ago, and had made a good impression in the town as a man of means. Northrup had easily acquired the confidence of Anthony Hanscom, and it was because of Northrup’s own interest in sound investments that Hanscom had invited him to look over the bonds. Here, in the house with Walton, the securities were safe, especially as Mosier, Hanscom’s six-foot butler, was also on duty.