Though The Shadow had not yet learned that his agents had been captured, the prisoners were already as good as free from the toils of Doctor Roy Tam. When he returned tomorrow to question Harry and Cliff, the shrewd Chinese physician would find his captives flown.
Comfort and sleep were theirs for the rest of the present night. On the morrow, they would awake refreshed, to enjoy the luxurious hospitality that guests received in the home of Shan Kwan the Mandarin.
Strange and bizarre were the experience of those who sought to play a part in the destiny of the mighty Fate Joss from Jehol!
CHAPTER XIV
THE LOOKOUT POST
IT was approximately midnight when Noy Dow and Loy Ming had completed the arrangements that insured the departure of the prisoners from Doctor Tam’s. At the same hour, The Shadow was ready to fare forth from the hiding place where he kept the Fate Joss.
Sounds from the outer room of the old garage had told him that Hawkeye and Jericho had arrived to begin a long watch. The Shadow, blinking his flashlight, made a final survey of the Fate Joss and the War Dogs.
Stooping by one of the squatty cannons, The Shadow examined the plug within the muzzle. He did the same with the second weapon. Extinguishing his light, he departed silently through the darkness. He left Harry Vincent’s coupe parked where it was. Unlocking the outer door, The Shadow blended with darkness.
Soon after that, a light gleamed in The Shadow’s sanctum. Reaching for earphones, The Shadow formed contact with Burbank. He gave brief commands.
“Instructions to Hawkeye,” stated The Shadow. “He and Jericho to take quarters in the room with the Joss. To remain there until notified that Vincent and Marsland are ready to relieve them.”
“Instructions received,” came Burbank’s response.
“Emergency precautions have been arranged,” added The Shadow. “Give Hawkeye full details of steps to take in case of an attack, in accordance with instructions that you have already received.”
An affirmative response from Burbank. The light clicked off. The Shadow departed from his sanctum. There was time, even yet, for a visit to another place. The Shadow was on his way to see Yat Soon, the arbiter.
TEEMING Chinatown still glimmered, even after the midnight hour. Gawking tourists strolled past buzzing clusters of Orientals. Uniformed police maintained their reinforced patrol. The Shadow, however, skirted the thicker regions. Using every device to avoid spying eyes, he reached the entrance that led into Yat Soon’s. Once past the portal, The Shadow threaded his way to the arbiter’s reception room.
Yat Soon received him in the inner chamber. Greetings exchanged, the arbiter studied The Shadow with inquiring eyes. Then Yat Soon spoke.
“Of the Fate Joss I know naught,” remarked Yat Soon, cryptically. “My hope, honored friend, is that the idol is held by good hands. Should such be the case, I do not need to know. I, the arbiter, am sometimes forced to speak when I am questioned. What I, Yat Soon, have not heard, I do not have to tell to any one.”
The inference was plain. Yat Soon had decided that it was best for him to remain unacquainted with The Shadow’s actions. Such was the arbiter’s confidence in his black-clad visitor.
“I have learned, however,” resumed Yat Soon, “that two have sought the Fate Joss. One has come to me, with a just claim. He brought me this, did Shan Kwan the Mandarin.”
Yat Soon passed Roucard’s receipt to The Shadow. The cloaked visitor spoke in Chinese; Yat Soon nodded his affirmation. The Shadow, too, was suggesting that Hoang Fu had taken the money from Roucard.
“Such is my belief,” stated Yat Soon.
Again, The Shadow spoke. The arbiter’s eyes opened wide. He was learning, from The Shadow’s lips, that Roucard had held the fifty thousand dollars. He was hearing the details of The Shadow’s first struggle with Hoang Fu.
Then came new details: those of The Shadow’s fight at Laudring’s. Once more Yat Soon nodded, as he heard of the attack which had finally resulted in the death of the Chinese giant.
“Hoang Fu was evil,” decided Yat Soon. “His death was a deserved one. I, Yat Soon, have spoken.”
The Shadow made no further statement. Of the Fate Joss, he had said nothing. Yat Soon smiled wisely; then his sage face sobered. He spoke in English.
“Hoang Fu was the servant of one Doctor Tam,” he declared. “That fact was known to Shan Kwan; it was known to me, as well. There are many who have served Doctor Tam. All have chosen — by serving him — to forget the ways of China. Of those others, slain on the night when Hoang Fu died, some are known to have served Doctor Tam.
“My task is to find Doctor Tam; to learn of his abode; to be ready to call upon him for speech, in answer to the claim of Shan Kwan the Mandarin. Yet Doctor Tam, in forsaking the ways of his native land, has chosen not to recognize the authority that I, Yat Soon, possess.
“Should I send a servant to Doctor Tam, nothing could be gained. Doctor Tam would not listen to the messenger of Yat Soon. Yet Doctor Tam must be reached — by some one to whom he will speak.”
YAT SOON’S eyes were steady. His suggestion carried the inference that he would welcome The Shadow’s aid. After a momentary pause, Yat Soon added:
“The one who will seek Doctor Tam shall have my aid. Yet that seeker will be allowed to act as he may choose. He may delay his visit to Doctor Tam until such time as he may deem best.”
There was depth to Yat Soon’s statement. The arbiter had guessed that The Shadow might be holding the Fate Joss, intending to dispose of it. If such were the case, Yat Soon decided, The Shadow might wish to wait until the shipment had been made, before attempting a move against any one concerned in crime that involved the idol.
Yat Soon’s guess was a good one. It fitted with The Shadow’s actual plans. Therefore, it brought a question, uttered in Chinese, that indicated The Shadow’s willingness to cooperate with the arbiter. Yat Soon nodded as he heard The Shadow speak; then replied:
“You have asked how I, Yat Soon, can be aided, since I do not know the abode of Doctor Tam. I shall answer by telling of something that I have learned, within the hours since Shan Kwan the Mandarin did leave my presence.
“I have learned that Doctor Tam was seen on two nights, passing through the quiet street whereon the empty curio shop of Kao Dwin is located. It was Kao Dwin who saw Doctor Tam. For Kao Dwin, since he has closed his business, has been in my employ.
“I sent for Kao Dwin, in hope that he might tell me news. I was fortunate to learn what he had seen. Tonight, at this very hour, Kao Dwin is in his empty shop. From behind its windows, he is watching the street.
“I have told Kao Dwin that another may soon join him, bearing a token from myself, Yat Soon. Should you choose to watch with Kao Dwin, that token shall be yours.”
The Shadow spoke agreement. Yat Soon bowed. He opened a panel and showed a large closet filled with clothes of American and Chinese pattern. He pointed to a dressing table, where wigs and make-up box were ready. Leaving The Shadow, Yat Soon went to the outer room and closed the portal behind him.
A DOZEN minutes later, The Shadow stepped from Yat Soon’s inner room. He was no longer cloaked in black. Instead, he was wearing dark trousers of an American cut, with a loose tunic of Chinese style. Over this, he had a large jacket; his features, fully in view, were those of a Chinese.
Yat Soon blinked at the excellence of the make-up. He noted a hawk-like characteristic of the yellowed face before him; yet The Shadow’s expression was so bland and solemn that it offset any American resemblance. The wig that The Shadow wore seemed part of his own head. When he donned an old felt hat, he looked like a typical resident of the Chinese quarter.