The tingling of the telephone bell was answered by Allard. He heard a query for Weston and turned the phone over to the commissioner. Weston showed excitement at the news he received.
"An attempted robbery at Henshew's apartment!" exclaimed Weston. "Inspector Cardona had just arrived there. I must go at once! Sorry to leave you, Allard. Perhaps Burke will stay -"
"Burke is a newspaper man," smiled Allard. "He would probably prefer to accompany you, commissioner."
Clyde gave a nod of thanks for Allard's suggestion. He departed with Weston. Kent Allard remained alone in his chair by the window, staring out over the city. His eyes could note the reflection of the darkened pane. He saw the Xincas retire to their quarters, knowing that their master preferred to remain alone.
The whispered tone that came from Allard's lips was one that the Indians had never heard him utter in the jungle. It was like an echo of a strident mirth those same lips had delivered tonight.
The subdued sound was the laugh of The Shadow.
CHAPTER XIX. FACTS FOR THE LAW
THROUGH his penetrative knowledge of Madden Henshew's methods, The Shadow had put a bad crimp in the crime-leader's game. Moreover, The Shadow had gained insight into the plans of Michael Chanbury, the only other person who had been keen enough to suspect Henshew as the man behind robberies and murders.
Tonight, Henshew had received a sheer jolt, through the loss of the gems that had been his chief stock in trade. By lurking at Henshew's until the crook returned, The Shadow had impressed his identity on both Henshew and Shark Meglo.
There could be no doubt in their minds regarding the removal of the jewels. They would figure that those gems, in the possession of The Shadow, were beyond reclaim.
All that Henshew had gained was a temporary breathing spell. By posing as an intended victim who had luckily escaped death, Henshew would be firmly established with the law. Later, under pretext of an extended business trip, Henshew could decamp entirely from New York. In such event, Shark would join him elsewhere.
There remained one opportunity, however, that Henshew would never let pass. The Shadow had left Henshew the chance to launch Shark Meglo into one more crime; a stroke that would lift the total of their secret wealth to a level higher than ever before.
Henshew would go after Chanbury's uncut diamonds.
The move could not come tonight. Henshew was tied up with the law, giving details of the havoc at his apartment. Shark was dodging the police, shaking off trailers while he sought a new hide-out. Crime seemed settled for tonight.
Tomorrow, with full reports at his disposal, The Shadow could prepare against Henshew's last campaign.
Until then, he preferred to play the quiet part of Kent Allard.
Freakish chance sometimes disturbed a waiting game. On this occasion The Shadow could foresee no likely combination of circumstances that would cause trouble before tomorrow. Every one who might figure in later events was present in their proper place. Whatever their purposes, all should stay fixed.
It happened, however, that criss-crossed events were due to produce new tragedy; one wherein The Shadow would not intervene.
AT eleven o'clock, Michael Chanbury was aroused from bed by a servant's raps upon his door. There was a visitor very anxious to see him. The caller was Jim Tyrune.
Chanbury told the servant to take the detective to the portrait room. Donning a dressing gown and slippers, Chanbury joined Tyrune there.
"Why have you come so late?" queried Chanbury. "If you wanted to see me, you should have called earlier. I have been home all evening, with not a thing to do. After I have gone to bed, you arrive."
"I've got big news, Mr. Chanbury," explained Tyrune, breathlessly. "It couldn't wait! There was a robbery at Henshew's apartment - at least, an attempted one!"
"What!" Chanbury came to his feet, behind the desk. "When did that happen, Tyrune?"
"At nine o'clock - just after Henshew got back from Philadelphia. And who do you think pulled the job?
Shark Meglo!"
Chanbury looked incredulous. Tyrune shook his head.
"That ruins our theory," said the dick. "Henshew is on the level. I was down there, after I heard about it.
The place was a wreck! Shark and his outfit just about ruined it. Joe Cardona was there getting the details -"
"Tell me something," inserted Chanbury. "Does Henshew know you came here?"
"I don't think so. I was going to call you on the telephone, but I changed my mind. Too many people there. I thought I'd better run out and see you."
Chanbury seated himself at his desk. He pressed a buzzer to summon a servant. He asked if Miss Merwood had retired; the servant replied that she was reading in the library. Chanbury requested her presence in the portrait room.
While they were waiting, Chanbury told Tyrune that he intended to dictate a statement, and that he wanted careful check on every detail. Tyrune nodded wisely, although he wondered just what new theory Chanbury might have to offer.
Eleanor arrived. She seemed surprised to find Chanbury and Tyrune in conference:
"I didn't know that you would need me this evening, Mr. Chanbury," said the girl. "You weren't here when I came back from town. I only stayed in for dinner. I could have worked tonight."
Chanbury explained that he had not intended to do any work, and had, therefore, retired early. Tyrune's late visit had called for this special session. Noting a calendar on the desk, he began a statement that Eleanor transcribed in shorthand.
"ON the evening of the sixth," declared Chanbury, "James Tyrune entered the apartment of Madden Henshew, in search of evidence regarding the Silsam robbery. He effected entry with a special pass-key, copied from one that he previously examined in the janitor's office. The special key is in our possession, as Exhibit A."
Chanbury raised his hand for a pause. He turned to Tyrune, with the question:
"Is that satisfactory?"
"The facts are," replied Tyrune, "only I don't just know whether I had the right to go there."
"Add this, Eleanor," ordered Chanbury. "Tyrune's action was done at the order of Michael Chanbury."
Eleanor transcribed the statement; Tyrune looked relieved. Chanbury opened a desk drawer, to bring out the labeled pass-key. While he fished for it, he continued:
"Tyrune uncovered settings in the drawer of Henshew's writing desk. He did not, however, find the secret hiding place where Henshew kept his gems."
"Wait a minute, Mr. Chanbury," broke in Tyrune. "The gems weren't at Henshew's at all!"
Chanbury sat astonished: "What do you mean?"
"I mean that Shark didn't make a grab tonight," explained Tyrune. "He raided Henshew's apartment, and shot it all to pieces! Somebody - maybe it was The Shadow - was on his trail, to give him a battle. Half of Shark's crew was left there; but there's nothing gone."
"Who told you that?"
"Henshew. He said he couldn't understand why Shark came there, unless it was a grudge. Henshew swears that he keeps all his gems at his office!"
Chanbury was pounding the desk.
"The fox!" he exclaimed. "I see his big game. Of course, he couldn't let the police see that secret strong box behind the bookcase. It was too much like the place that the law found before."
Tyrune started to say something. Chanbury stopped him with a wave. To Eleanor, he dictated:
"On the same night, the sixth, Henshew visited Michael Chanbury, to show him a collection of gems. We have a list of those jewels, personally compiled by Chanbury. Exhibit B."
Forgetting the pass-key, Chanbury produced the list of the gems that he had copied from memory. He handed it to Eleanor, with instructions to type it later. To Tyrune, Chanbury said:
"Henshew will come here again, to inform me privately that the gems were actually stolen from his apartment. He will request me to keep the matter confidential. I shall have to agree, because Henshew could deny that he ever had such items. His word would be as acceptable as mine."