The Red Envoy was now gazing directly at The Shadow. He spoke again, and there was a note of finality in his voice.
“I do not know your purpose,” he said, “but it conflicts with mine. Therefore I intend to kill you. After I do so, I may take the trouble to learn who you are. But I may mention that I already have a very good idea of your identity.
“But before you die, let me inform you that I have detected the presence of your influence in many ways. I have looked forward to this meeting with you. I have also made excellent arrangements for just such a time.
“I expected that you would be here. My agents prepared for it. I myself have found time to accomplish several things before you came here.
“Your accomplice, Harry Vincent, was in the way. He interfered, and I deal quickly with those who seek to put themselves in my way.
“Beneath the cellar of this building is a room known as the submarine chamber. It is barred by a steel door, that opens with a combination. The only man living who knows that combination is Professor Whitburn, who lies there unconscious.
“Your friend — Harry Vincent — is in the submarine chamber. He has pleasant companionship in the person of a young lady who was formerly one of my agents, but who came here to warn him against me. I do not deal kindly with those who prove false to me.
“No power alive can save them; for water is pouring in upon them. They will live thirty minutes longer, perhaps.”
THE Red Envoy stopped abruptly. He was close to The Shadow now — not more than four feet away. The man in the black cloak had slumped; he seemed shorter than before. His upraised arms were drooping. His fingers were slowly closing.
“They will live thirty minutes longer,” said the Red Envoy. His words became very slow and distinct. “But they will outlive The Shadow by just thirty min — “
The left hand of The Shadow made a movement; the thumb and third finger snapped together. There was a flash of flame, and a sharp explosion, like a pistol shot, directly in front of the Red Envoy’s eyes.
The man staggered back, and threw his left arm across his face. Like Prokop, he had been momentarily stunned by the unexpected burst of flame.
(Note: When he recounted this portion of his chronicle, The Shadow raised his hand, snapped his fingers, and produced the very effect that I have described.
He informed me that it was an astonishing trick, known as “The Devil’s Whisper,” produced by the instantaneous action of two chemical compounds — one on the thumb; the other on the finger. The Shadow stated that he had improved the experiment, so that he was able to produce a most startling effect.
I have access to the chemical formula that will cause this amazing result; but I have refrained from publishing it because of its danger.
An inexperienced person runs great chance of serious injury when attempting this experiment. - Maxwell Grant.)
The crimson mask served as a partial protection against the blinding flare. The Red Envoy caught himself, as he encountered the edge of the desk, and promptly fired two shots at the spot where The Shadow had been.
But the man in black was no longer there. He had started toward the door as his opponent pressed the trigger.
Wheeling, the Red Envoy discharged two more bullets in the direction of the departing Shadow. But his eyes blinked beneath the red mask and the shots went wild.
The masked man closed the door of the study, and turned the key. Then he chuckled triumphantly. He knew where to find The Shadow, if he wanted him; and the man in black had gone to attempt the rescue of those who were in the submarine chamber.
It would be a futile attempt; yet it gave the Red Envoy the very opportunity he required. He had come to find the plans; they were now within his reach.
He had foiled The Shadow, even though that remarkable man had made a miraculous escape from certain death.
Working quickly, the Red Envoy pried open the back of the professor’s watch. He found the key, and unlocked the drawer. Reaching within, he seized a large envelope that lay there.
One minute later, the only person in the study was Professor Whitburn. The old professor still reclined in his chair, with the semblance of death upon his features.
CHAPTER XXIX
IN THE SUBMARINE CHAMBER
THE water had risen in the submarine chamber. Arlette had dragged Harry from the floor, and had laid him against the steps that led up to the steel door.
Harry Vincent opened his eyes, and gazed about him. His senses slowly came back; little by little he realized the danger of the situation.
The water, already four feet deep, was still rising. It had reached the base of the high-set machine which Professor Whitburn had designed as a torpedo tube.
Arlette was momentarily elated at Harry’s recovery. Then the hopelessness of the situation impressed itself upon her; and she broke down utterly.
She collapsed, limp and helpless, upon the stone steps. The flashlight rolled toward the rising water. Harry caught it just in time.
Harry watched the water pour in; he tried to estimate how long it would be before the room was entirely submerged. He had been half unconscious for several minutes. He had no way of judging the time.
A sound came from above. Harry groped toward the door. He was sure that he heard some one tapping. He listened. Single taps came at intervals. Harry tapped in return.
A quick, short message arrived in telegraphic code: “Hold out. Am working on lock.”
Harry replied: “The water is rising. Hurry.”
He did not know who his intended rescuer might be. It seemed improbable that Marquette could have returned. Possibly Professor Whitburn had discovered the situation.
He waited, and heard slight clicks from the other side of the door. He looked toward Arlette. The girl lay exhausted, her eyes closed.
Harry tapped: “Must save girl here with me.”
There was no reply. Then a sudden thought occurred to Harry. He tapped another message:
“Water coming through open sluices. They were opened after door closed. Must be controlled outside of this room.
The clicking sounds ended abruptly. Harry’s last piece of information had evidently given the rescuer an idea.
“Will seek sluice control,” came the message. “You can save girl.”
THE final statement dumfounded Harry. How could he save Arlette? They were both prisoners here; if one could be rescued why not the other? He must discover what was meant. He quickly tapped back a single word:
“How?”
The response was immediate.
“Through tube.”
The meaning dawned on Harry. This was the room from which Marquette had shot the torpedoes! Would it be possible to send a human being the same way?
Harry remembered that there was an underground channel that led to the lake. It must be a hundred yards in length. Such a trip under water would be impossible.
He turned his lamp toward the torpedo tube. He saw one of the torpedoes standing by the wall. Part of it still extended from the water.
Harry descended the steps, and found that the water nearly reached his armpits. He walked to where the torpedo stood, and managed to hoist it into the carriage that stood in front of the tube.
He unscrewed the metal end of the torpedo. It was hollow, and contained ample room for a person. There were no wing attachments to the shell; evidently those were put on when the experiments were made.
How long could a person live, within that container? Not long, Harry thought. At the same time, one could not live long in this submerged chamber.
Then he noted a peculiarity in the cap of the experimental torpedo. It had slots, which were backed with metal strips that could be moved away.