THE SHADOW drew a hissing breath. He clutched at Clyde, hurried him back along the corridor. Edith Allen and Bill Chandler were standing where he had left them, rooted in terror. Chandler's arms were about the girl in a protecting gesture.
The Shadow whispered briefly to Clyde. Then the darkness of the cave swallowed The Shadow for a few moments. When he reappeared, he was carrying something in his hand. Clyde took it from him, walked to where Chandler and Edith stood. He handed the object to the young man.
It was the Cup of Confucius. Even in the harsh yellow light of the lantern
on the floor, the marvelous beauty of the fabulous cup was evident. Under its grime of centuries old dirt, the priceless jade gleamed with a soft, living beauty. The nine mystic circles of jewels sparkled. There were rubies, emeralds, diamonds, pearls - Chandler's eyes bulged as he looked at the cup.
So
did Edith's.
"Is... is Bruce dead?" the young man faltered.
Clyde glanced at The Shadow. The Shadow had told him what to say.
"It all depends," Clyde said, slowly. "Do you really love Arnold Dixon enough to want to keep him from dying of heartbreak?"
"Yes, yes! He's been more than a real father to me!"
"And you've been more than his real son. Bruce was his son only by name and birth. He's dead now, blown to pieces. But Arnold Dixon need never find it out. Go back to him. Take the cup. Tell him you followed the thieves and recovered it. Timothy and Rodney are dead. They can never betray your secret.
"The police will never find out the actual facts behind this case. The Shadow will take care of that. He wants you to continue in what no longer will be a deception. Fate and an old man's need has changed you to Dixon's son.
You're the honest son he's always wanted to have. Go home to him, Bruce Dixon, and take Edith with you!"
Tears welled from Edith's blue eyes. She turned, stared toward the spot where The Shadow had been. The spot was empty. The Shadow had melted into darkness.
Edith's steps took her into Chandler's outstretched arms.
"I want to go home with you, Bruce, to your father. He needs you - and I love you!"
FROM the fire-blackened stones of the foundations that once had supported the stately Carruthers mansion, a dark figure glided. It moved rapidly under the lonely stars in the sky. It vanished without sound.
A faint whisper of sibilant laughter was the only indication that a living
being had moved across that open spot.
The Shadow was satisfied. The case was closed, forever.
Other cases would intrigue the Master of Darkness, however - particularly one that would lead him along a "Treasure Trail." Millions in bullion lay between the rotting ribs of an old frigate under the East River's treacherous waters, but only The Shadow could pierce the innermost secret of its strong box
at the end of the "Treasure Trail."
THE END