The Shadow’s bullets sped before two desperate men had blocked the way with their own bodies. The Shadow’s quick shots were also launched before The Python could jab the triggers of his pointed revolvers. A snarl coming from his lips, the master crook capsized with guns unfired. His hands were clawing, loosened as they lost their weapons, when Weston and Cardona pitched upon him.
The Shadow wheeled as a revolver barked. It was Duronne’s gun; the groggy Coilmaster had managed to fire a shot at Bornick’s shoulder. The lawyer was wavering, wounded. Duronne, his daze ended, was wheeling toward The Shadow. The crook’s revolver barked again; its report was simultaneous with the blast of a swinging automatic.
One bullet whizzed close as it passed The Shadow’s ear. The other, traveling in the opposite direction, found a living target in Duronne. The Coilmaster rolled groaning to the floor, whereon his chief, The Python, already lay dead.
To save Weston and Cardona, The Shadow had driven two bullets straight through the evil heart of Danton Califax. Death had been delivered to The Python. Life remained to The Shadow. A mirthless laugh, reechoing through the room where guns had talked: such was the departing triumph of the master fighter, who, with justice, had gained the final victory.
WHILE The Shadow had dealt with The Python, the law had finished the supercrook’s lieutenants and their followers. Luke Duronne, wounded, was one of few survivors; as was Albert Thurney, already captured by Markham and a squad of detectives. These prisoners belonged to the law; so did a few others, such as Warthrope, bound in his room; and Warring, nabbed with Thurney.
Laxley, also. Burbank had finished with the blue lights, after sending that last signal ordered by The Python. A signal with a double meaning; for it had brought the law upon attacking crooks. Burbank had gone from the signal tower; but Laxley still lay there, to be found by investigating police. Burbank had left the lower door open, as a sure clue to the law.
Louis Revoort was safe, with his treasure. All spoils of Danton Califax — erstwhile The Python — had been reclaimed by the law. The Python had paid full penalty for his self-confessed robberies and murders.
Three valiant men had gained rescue through The Shadow. Weston and Cardona, unscathed; Bornick, with but a minor wound — they could well testify to the prowess of The Shadow. But only The Shadow, in his own archives, could record the full tale of his desperate, uphill conflicts with that superfoe, The Python.
From those annals has this chronicle come; this story of The Python, the master rogue who failed, when confronted by The Shadow’s might!