Harry noted the alphabetical arrangement of the numerals. The entire pamphlet contained but a few hundred terms and he rapidly completed his copying. Then, with eagerness, Harry brought the jotted envelope from his pocket. He was anxious to learn what Menzone had said over the telephone.
“Fee. Alk zay fela.”
Harry wrote this first in simplified Agro; then beneath it, the English translation, gained from a search through the vocabulary.
Fe. Alk za fela.
“Yes. I am ready.”
Harry continued:
Sovo. Bol bota atex vodo of alta.
“Good. You said that night less one.”
Harry pondered. The phrase “night less one” puzzled him. Then he caught the meaning. He inscribed, the corrected sentence: “You said that last night.”
Alk rofe folo folo bole rojo became: “I brought the papers you needed.”
Harry took the last phrases more rapidly:
Alk deek kire… Fee… Sake hoda. Seek alta eeta. Kye kye deek rema. Reen alk kode… Alk deek deek rema.
“I shall come there… Yes… Hour eight. Minute one five. They will come later. When I have left… I shall return later.”
Harry saw quickly that “hour eight, minute one five” simply meant fifteen minutes after eight. The system of notation, in Agro, was reduced to nine digits and a cipher, numbers being formed as one would give a telephone number in English.
He also observed that “deek deek,” literally “shall come shall come” signified “shall come back.” The word “the” was not used regularly in Agro, but Harry found a notation that “co” meant “the” whenever necessary. A simple example was given: “co ka,” literally “the him” meant “the man.” “Co ki ki,” literally “the them,” meant “the men.”
Harry deposited the code book back in the drawer. He knew that he had made a remarkable discovery. This unfamiliar language, Agro, was obviously the means of communication between crooks who were working toward a common cause. Alvarez Menzone was a member of that band. He was keeping an appointment at present — where, Harry did not know — with some other malefactor.
These facts must go to The Shadow!
Harry glanced at his watch. It was nearly nine o’clock. Menzone might be back at any time. Harry began to fold the sheets that he had copied. He stopped, fancying that he heard footsteps in the hallway.
It could not be Jose. The lazy Filipino had retired before eight o’clock. Was Menzone making a surreptitious return?
Harry listened intently. He decided that his imagination must be working. He turned his gaze downward toward the papers that he was folding. Again the sound. Harry looked up quickly. The door to the room was open. Standing there, a revolver in his hand, was a stocky, hard-faced man.
“Where is Menzone?” came the rasped question.
A dawning recognition completed itself as Harry heard the words. He knew this intruder. It was Vic Marquette, of the secret service!
THE man at the door sensed Harry’s expression. He advanced into the room. He eyed Harry closely. He lowered his revolver.
“Hello, Vincent,” said Marquette. “What’re you doing here?”
“Working as secretary for Alvarez Menzone,” returned Harry promptly. “I’ve only had the job for about a week. Menzone is out at present.”
Marquette became thoughtful. Harry Vincent was the man of whom he had spoken to Fourrier — the one whom Vic Marquette had good reason to class as an agent of The Shadow. Already Vic had come to a conclusion, namely that Harry’s presence as Menzone’s secretary was final proof that The Shadow was watching affairs in Washington.
Vic knew well that Harry would not — perhaps could not — make any statements that involved The Shadow’s activities. At the same time, Harry Vincent could be sworn in as Vic’s aid — and the secret-service operative was ready to trust this man with whom he had teamed before.
“How soon will Menzone be back?” asked Vic.
“Any minute now.” Harry’s tone was anxious. “If he finds you here—”
“He’s going to find me,” interposed Marquette. “I’m going to nab that fellow, Vincent. What’s more, you’re going to help me.”
Harry nodded. There was no alternative. The Shadow had given no instructions to cover an emergency such as this. On occasions where choice was needed, it was the part of The Shadow’s agents to use their own discretion. Duty prompted Harry to side with Vic Marquette, in preference to Menzone.
“What’s this?” Vic Marquette had spied the code book in the drawer. He brought it out. “Does this belong to Menzone?”
“Yes,” returned Harry, seizing the opportunity. “Menzone is a crook — so far as I can see. He was talking on the telephone tonight, using an odd language. I unlocked the desk drawer after he had gone. I found the code book. I copied it in shorthand.”
“Keep your copy,” chuckled Vic. “I’m keeping the original. Say, Vincent — you’ve uncovered something. I know you’re on the level. This is another time you’ll be working with me on the showdown.”
Harry produced the copy of Menzone’s conversation. Vic Marquette chuckled and clapped his companion on the shoulder. He began to read Harry’s translation. Harry watched him intently.
Neither man was observing the door. Neither saw the figure that appeared there, plainly framed: A tall, spectral form, clad in black cloak and hat. The Shadow, like Vic Marquette, had arrived at the apartment, occupied by Alvarez Menzone.
Watching with burning eyes, listening to the words that passed between his agent and the secret-service operative, The Shadow was divining what had occurred. He heard Vic Marquette muttering the sentences which Harry had translated. As completely as if he had received a report from his agent, The Shadow was gathering the details that had brought about this scene.
“So that’s the game, eh!” Marquette was saying. “No wonder those foxes have been dodging us. Agro — an international language. Say — I’ve run into some cuckoo lingoes, but this has them all stopped.
“There’s a bigger bird in back of this, Vincent. This fellow Menzone is working for him. That’s where Menzone has gone tonight — to see the big shot. We’ll be ready for Menzone — you and I. When we meet him, we’ll be on our way. We won’t stop until we’ve met the big bird that’s in back of him.”
Vic Marquette arose as he spoke. The secret-service man was ready to spread the snare for Menzone’s return. The figure of The Shadow faded into darkness beyond the door. Silently, it issued from the hallway; swiftly it reached the living room and crossed to the outer door.
The final barrier closed behind The Shadow. The black form merged with the darkness of the stairs. Leaving Vic Marquette and Harry Vincent to trap Alvarez Menzone, The Shadow had left for the street below.
A whispered, sibilant laugh came from the darkness where The Shadow had passed, unseen.
CHAPTER XV
THURK STRIKES
DARVIN ROCHELLE was walking up the marble steps that led to the second floor of his palatial residence. He was carrying his cane; as he reached the top, he used it to aid his halting limp.
A smile beamed on the face of Darvin Rochelle. He had made his trip downstairs in company with Alvarez Menzone, after an excellent interview with that capable worker. He had spent a while on the ground floor; now he was returning to his office. It was nine o’clock and Rochelle was expecting another visitor.
Reaching the office, Rochelle found Thurk, the dwarf, crouching in a corner. Chuckling, Rochelle addressed his trusted minion:
“Kay kode. Kay zay sovo. Sovo sovo, Thurk. Alk rojo eef bole. Co kay atex deek golo. Kay zay voso. Alk rejo bole.”
Rochelle’s use of Agro displayed an interesting variant in the term, “rojo eef.” The use of the negative “eef” with the verb “rojo” signified “not.” In English, the statement signified in fulclass="underline" [2]
2
Note: Although Rochelle adapted English idioms to Agro, the language itself followed a form patterned after languages of Latin derivation. This was true of verbs. The word “bata,” for example, could be interpreted as “come” or “is coming,” Similarly, the past tense “bota,” meant “came” or “have come.” Agro, as Rochelle himself stated, had not reached its completed stage. Rochelle had evidently postponed its further development while he used its simplified rudiments for the purpose of communication with his agents. MAXWELL GRANT