Farrow understood the rest of that adventure. Kent Allard, returned to his own friends, had naturally stated that he had escaped from a prison camp. By thus accounting for his absence, he had kept the future open for further service as a secret agent.
"The war ended," continued Allard. "I found that aviation offered part of the life I needed; but it provided neither the action of battle, nor the keen work of the secret agent. I rejected the idea of becoming a soldier of fortune. I considered warfare an uncivilized institution except when absolute necessity required it.
"I saw such necessity in a field that others had neglected. Crime was becoming rampant in America and elsewhere. Underworlds were organized, with their own hidden battle lines. Only a lone foe could pierce that cordon; once inside, he would have to move by stealth, and strike with power and suddenness. I chose that mission."
FARROW could see the expression of Allard's face. In the light, the clear eyes concealed their burning power. At moments, however, Farrow noted the hawklike semblance of Allard's countenance. He remembered the same trace in other faces that he had seen The Shadow wear.
"I resolved to bury my identity," declared Allard. "I flew South and landed purposely in Guatemala. I spent a few months among the Xincas and gained their friendship. I came home, disguised so none could recognize me. I became The Shadow.
"During my new career, I found it necessary to appear in many places. Sometimes the actors in the scenes of the underworld were mere puppets, manipulated by master-plotters who posed as men of high esteem. There was need, too, to learn what the law intended.
"I had once known Lamont Cranston, millionaire globe-trotter, whose hobbies were exploration and aviation. Cranston was often absent from the country; so I adopted his appearance. It gave me all the advantages that I needed. As Cranston, I found occasional opportunities to stop in Central America and visit my isolated friends of the Xinca tribe."
Farrow had listened breathless. A sudden thought struck him. He started the question:
"Did Cranston ever learn -"
"That I look his place?" smiled Allard. "Yes. I had to settle that matter, once. I visited Cranston, as The Shadow. I let him see me as himself. That visit gained Cranston's full cooperation. Ever since, he has obligingly stayed away, whenever I have requested his absence. There have been occasional complications; but all were easily managed, until the present case."
Farrow understood. That Croydon air crash had left Cranston unable to cooperate further, for the present. The millionaire's name had come into headlines. Soon, Cranston would be back in America; but he might be unable to travel for the next few months. The Shadow had needed another role; so he had become himself.
"As The Shadow, I have become widely known," remarked Allard, in a methodical tone. "Though I have remained untraced, there are many who can testify to my whereabouts at certain times during the past twelve years. There is one place where I could never have been, during all that while.
"That place is Guatemala. By returning home as Kent Allard, I have chosen the best of all possible identifies. No one will ever link me with The Shadow. As Allard, I shall be welcome everywhere. I have already established myself with Commissioner Weston. I can enter the same circles where I appeared as Cranston.
"I have long foreseen this prospect. All that I awaited was the necessity of becoming myself. The longer I waited, the better. Twelve years were long enough."
RISING from his chair, Allard raised his cloak and placed it over his shoulders. He donned the slouch hat. As he drew on his gloves, Farrow saw the glow of a fire opal that shone from the third finger of The Shadow's left hand. That stone, shimmering with every hue of the rainbow, had long served as The Shadow's token.
The opal was a girasol, a gem of sparkling beauty, found only near Zimapan, in southern Mexico. There was a history to the unmatched specimen that The Shadow wore. For the present, he did not take time to relate the details to Slade Farrow.
The Shadow's girasol was the great "eye-stone" of the Xinca tribe. Pressed southward, centuries ago, they had carried that gem to Guatemala as the symbol of promise, to be delivered to the great bird god who would arrive from the sky.
That Xinca legend involving the girasol probably had its origin in the Aztec myth of a white god who would some day visit them. The Aztecs had welcomed Cortez and the Spaniards, because of such a legend, and had suffered disaster thereby. The Xincas, persisting in a similar belief, had greeted Kent Allard.
He had been worthy of the legend. His coming had ended strife among the Xincas. Often had their white god left them; always had he returned. Ever from his finger shone the great "eye-stone," the Xinca gift that had awaited him.
A glove covered the girasol. Cloaked completely in black, Kent Allard was again The Shadow. In the guise that suited his return, The Shadow resumed the chair beside Slade Farrow.
The Shadow's past was told. He was ready to discuss the future. The Shadow was resuming the trail that he had left to others during his forced absence from New York.
CHAPTER XIV. CRIME'S NEXT STEP
FARROW had all the data that The Shadow wanted. Burbank had forwarded all reports to the criminologist, so that they could be in order when The Shadow returned. Producing his files, Farrow placed typewritten sheets upon the table, together with newspaper clippings.
Clyde Burke had culled a great deal of information. Going the rounds with Joe Cardona, the reporter had listed the names of many possible suspects - all jewel brokers or salesmen of doubtful repute. Cardona had quizzed a dozen or more; and news of the police search had traveled. The rest of the questionable group were becoming hard to find.
When he had finished his study of the scattered evidence, The Shadow questioned Farrow regarding an opinion. Farrow had one.
"I would say that Cardona has taken the wrong course," he declared. "It seems obvious that there is a crime leader behind Shark's raids. But there is no real evidence to show that such a person belongs to the particular class that Cardona supposes."
"Cardona is following Henshew's advice," reminded The Shadow. "No one knows the jewel trade better than Henshew."
There was a significance to The Shadow's tone that Farrow did not catch. Farrow was too concentrated upon his own ideas.
"Henshew knows the jewel market," admitted Farrow, "but that could indicate that he cannot see beyond it. He would naturally be prejudiced against unethical jewel brokers. That is why he suspects them."
Farrow picked up a report of Clyde's visit to Henshew. Carefully, Farrow read over every statement that the prominent jewel broker had made.
"Logical enough," commented Farrow, "but too restricted. In effect, Henshew believes that some small-time jewel merchant has developed into a master-crook. My opinion would be just the opposite. I suspect that some big-time crook has learned the gem business sufficiently well to dupe such victims as Hugo Silsam."
Farrow reached for lists of his own. He checked over names of known criminals. Some were swindlers; others racketeers. Any of them might have the capability that Farrow credited to them.
But Farrow admitted that the list did not satisfy him. He had been looking into the affairs of those criminals during The Shadow's absence. There seemed to be some flaw in every case.
"Perhaps I have missed on one of them," said Farrow. "What is more, I may be entirely mistaken.
Henshew's theory could be correct. Nevertheless, it is froth, whether right or wrong. It was Henshew's positive manner that convinced Cardona; not the man's accuracy in analyzing the case."
SEATED, The Shadow brushed Farrow's documents aside. He drew off his right glove brought out a fountain pen and took a sheet of blank paper. He drew a circle near the top of the page in ink of vivid blue. In the circle, he neatly inscribed a name, using two lines: Hugo