Whom did The Shadow expect to interfere? The crooks had not, to Harry’s knowledge, left the island.
Harvey Wendell, whom Harry had cause to regard as an evil factor as potent as the lurkers on the isle, was spying on Zach Telvin and his friends. There was no reason, Harry believed, to suspect that Wendell would have a purpose to board the old derelict.
Wendell had gone out again last night, however. Harry had heard the secretary sneak from the house.
The fog had prevented Harry from watching where Wendell went, but Harry was sure that the man had taken to the river. Had The Shadow encountered Wendell?
Puzzling cross-purposes! Yet Harry felt sure that they would soon be explained. Events had a way of reaching a quick culmination when The Shadow arrived in the field. As he went downstairs to breakfast, Harry felt a strong sense of security. He was ready for any danger that might lie ahead.
Weston Levis breakfasted with Harry. Wendell did not come downstairs until afterward. It was evident that the man had overslept. The morning passed. Wendell went out before lunch and did not return.
During the placid noonday meal, Harry began to discuss his own affairs with Weston Levis. He remarked that he would like to visit some spots above Saunders Landing, while awaiting further news from New York. During the conversation, Harry learned that there was another landing six miles up the river, on the opposite side.
“I might go up there and look around,” Harry suggested. “That is, if the motor boat is available.”
“It is available,” smiled old Levis.
“Thanks,” said Harry. “I’ll wait until later, though. It’s pretty hot in that open boat. A clear day — a heavy sun — I think if I start after three o’clock, I would be acting wisely. I can have my dinner at the upper landing — I suppose there is an eating place there.”
“There is,” remarked Levis.
AS the afternoon progressed, there was no sign of Harvey Wendell. Harry sat on the veranda. Levis strolled about the plantation. On two occasions the old man stopped by the porch to inquire if Wendell had returned. Harry gave a negative reply each time.
While Levis was away on another stroll, Hadley arrived in the old truck.
The overseer came up on the porch, filled his pipe, and began to chat. Harry had become good friends with Hadley. He liked the man, and it was good policy to maintain a cordial relationship with him.
“Seen Wendell?” questioned Hadley, while he puffed at his pipe.
“No,” returned Harry. “Not since breakfast.”
“Humph,” grunted Hadley. “What does that fellow do with all his time? He acts like he was busy — but I notice that he takes plenty long when he goes to Knoxport.”
Harry was watching Hadley as he saw the overseer staring toward the river.
He noticed that Hadley’s lips were moving, and he detected that the man was silently muttering vague thoughts concerning the sallow-faced secretary.
It was obvious that Hadley did not like Wendell. But for the fact that he was now under definite instructions from The Shadow, Harry would have begun to draw out opinions. He fancied that Hadley might have something definite to say regarding Harvey Wendell.
Weston Levis appeared upon the lawn. His first question was one which he had asked before. This time it was addressed to both Harry and Hadley. The old man wanted to know if Wendell had returned.
“Mr. Vincent says that he hasn’t been here,” announced Hadley. “And what’s more, I haven’t seen him myself. By the way, Mr. Levis, I want to talk with you about these men we’ve hired. They’re pretty slow on the job. Come over here and let me show you how they’ve been loafing on the shacks they’re building.”
Hadley and Levis walked around the corner of the house. Harry, still seated on the veranda, sensed that Hadley had a particular purpose in speaking to Levis — a purpose other than the one that had been mentioned. Intuition told Harry that something was due to break.
Not long afterward, Levis reappeared. As the old man approached the veranda, Harry could detect a grave look on his face. Harry knew that questions were going to be asked. He prepared himself.
As an agent of The Shadow, Harry was left to his own judgment in matters of unexpected consequence.
Harry had already proven his ability to use resourcefulness. He felt that he could exhibit it now.
“Vincent,” declared Levis seriously, as he seated himself upon the porch, “I want to talk to you. I want your frank answers to my questions. Tell me: have you any special motive other than the real-estate proposition for staying in this vicinity?”
“Only my instructions from New York,” answered Harry truthfully. “I am working for interests represented by Rutledge Mann, who specializes in investments. I have remained here because of Mr. Mann’s telegraphed instructions.”
“I shall be frank with you,” returned Levis. “’My secretary, Harvey Wendell, has expressed doubts to me regarding your purposes. Wendell is, perhaps, more observant than I. He is apt to be overly suspicious.”
Harry nodded his agreement.
“Wendell has been a rather odd sort of an employee,” continued Levis. “Hadley, on the contrary, has worked for me a good many years. He is a man in whom I impose the greatest confidence. Last night, Hadley tells me, some one left this house and returned later on. Hadley believed the man took a trip on the river. I am not questioning the purpose of that trip. I know only that either you or Wendell was the man who left the house. Your affairs are your own. Will you tell me this: were you the man who went out?”
“I was not,” responded Harry calmly.
Weston Levis looked squarely into Harry’s eyes. The old man’s gaze was stern, but kindly. Levis nodded slowly; then said:
“I believe you, Vincent. I also believe Hadley. Therefore, the man who left this house was Harvey Wendell.”
Harry said nothing; Levis resumed his talk in a serious manner.
“Understand, Vincent,” he said, “Wendell is in my employ. I want to know what he is doing. Hadley has been watching Wendell; and Hadley feels sure that it was Wendell who went out. In order to be fair, I first questioned you regarding your own actions. Now that I am convinced of the truthfulness of your reply, I may tell you that Hadley has suspected Wendell of making previous excursions of this type.
“I want to ask you something else. I do not ask you to be unfair to any one. My own suspicions are now well-grounded. Have you seen any evidence of Wendell being on the river at night?” The question was a firm one. Harry was thoughtful. He realized that he must use good judgment. Harvey Wendell, Harry knew well, was interested in affairs upon the isle of doubt. There were crooks upon that isolated plot of land. Wendell was the cross-purpose in the situation.
Under less extenuating circumstances, Harry could have cried out his true thoughts — that Harvey Wendell, too, was a crook in search of ill-gotten spoils. But to reveal this to Weston Levis might interfere with the plans of The Shadow.
At the same time, Harry could see a subtle test in Levis’ question. Harry had observed Harvey Wendell making secret trips from the house. Perhaps Levis or Hadley had seen Harry watching the secretary. To deny all knowledge of Wendell’s actions, and thus to defend the man, might be the worst thing possible.
It could promptly put Harry under suspicion of being Wendell’s accomplice in some questionable enterprise.
IN his previous answers to the old man’s questions, Harry had adhered to the truth, with careful reservations. A deliberate lie would now be disadvantageous. It would not only be difficult to put across; it might cause trouble with tonight’s arrangements.
With Weston Levis a dupe of Harvey Wendell; with Hadley a faithful yeoman, who followed Levis’ instructions, there was nothing to fear by playing fair with Levis. To maintain his own position as a respected guest, Harry knew that he would do best to deal in frank statements.