“You won’t be able to do it, professor,” declared the gang leader, with regret in his tone. “How can you fight a man you can’t find? They’ve tried to get The Shadow before. He’s stopped every one that’s chanced it.
“When the big shots found that The Shadow was real, they framed every way they could think of. They even planted a bunch of gorillas around the radio studio where he broadcast. They never found him there.
“When he shows up any place, it’s like he did tonight — through a skylight — out of the air — from the middle of a mob—”
“They lacked technique,” interrupted Urlich impatiently. “I am different from those of whom you speak. I not only possess incredible methods of dealing with my enemies; I am also analytical. It is not necessary to find The Shadow. There is a simpler way.”
“What’s that?”
“Let him try to find us.”
“How?”
Professor Urlich smiled. He shook his head as he studied Larry Ricordo. The gang leader’s bewilderment was proof that his ability lay with guns and not with strategy.
“There is a cause for everything,” observed Urlich. “We must, therefore, seek the cause of The Shadow’s appearance tonight. In some fashion, The Shadow learned that Alfred Sartain’s life was in danger. How did he gain cognizance of that fact?”
“I can’t guess,” returned Ricordo. “Only The Shadow knows.”
“He did not learn of it through observing you, myself, or Jocelyn,” continued Urlich. “If he suspected any one of us, he would have struck in our direction before tonight.”
Larry Ricordo tightened his fists as he heard this theory. The gang leader did not relish the thought of being tracked by The Shadow.
“Had he suspected Duster Brooks,” analyzed Urlich, “The Shadow could easily have counteracted Duster’s activities as Sartain’s butler. This, therefore, eliminated all possibilities but one.”
“Slips Harbeck?”
“Exactly. Your unwarranted efforts to cover Sartain were the element which led to the failure of my perfectly-planned scheme.”
“Slips wouldn’t have let anything out,” objected Ricordo. “I just talked to him by telephone and he’s a wise bimbo. I can’t figure that, professor.”
“You lack analysis, Ricordo. Slips Harbeck, at your order, assembled a squad of gangsters. I assume that all of them were reliable men. However, your lieutenant must necessarily have done some talking in order to obtain his underlings.
“You speak of The Shadow as a constant deterring factor in the underworld. It is quite obvious that he learned of Harbeck’s activities, and promptly covered your lieutenant.”
“That would be The Shadow’s way!” blurted Larry Ricordo. “You’ve hit it, professor! Maybe he didn’t get onto Slips at first; he might have spotted one of the gorillas getting ready for a job.”
“Two men,” stated Urlich, “alone knew of your connection. One was Duster Brooks — now dead. The other is Slips Harbeck — still alive. I need you, Ricordo, and I need the services of your men. I intend to employ them in the trapping of this man you call The Shadow.
“There is a limit to the amount that any person can know. At present, The Shadow knows that Slips Harbeck is engaged in unusual crime. If we use some one in place of Slips, The Shadow may be clever enough to cover your new lieutenant. Slips is capable; we do not want another.”
“You’re getting me twisted,” inserted Larry Ricordo. “I can’t quite figure it, professor.”
“Wait until I have finished,” remarked Urlich. “We have one purpose at present: to end the career of The Shadow. Our way, then, will be clear. The Shadow, on the contrary, is seeking to prevent death. He succeeded by covering Slips Harbeck; therefore, he will continue to cover Slips.”
“And then—”
“He will seek to destroy any plot in which Slips is concerned. Therefore, I will plan an apparent trap — like the one I had for Alfred Sartain — which The Shadow will investigate.”
“Getting wise to it by watching Slips?”
“Exactly. But on this occasion, the trap will be set for The Shadow himself!”
A GLOATING grin appeared upon Larry Ricordo’s evil face. He saw the purpose now. Once again, Slips Harbeck would be summoned by his ganglord chief. But this time, Slips would be a cat’s-paw, the agent who would lead The Shadow into one of Professor Folcroft Urlich’s subtle snares!
“But if The Shadow is covering Slips,” said Ricordo, voicing a momentary doubt, “he’s liable to bump off Slips at any time—”
“Not a bit of it,” interposed Urlich. “He knows by now that Slips is merely a tool in the game. Why should he end the link that may lead him to those higher up?”
“To you and me,” growled Ricordo, in a troubled tone.
“To you, first,” stated Urlich. “But have no fear on that score. You have kept out of sight very effectively, Ricordo. You will continue to do so in even better fashion. You will remain with me. You will be safe here.
“Even if Slips Harbeck should reveal your name, it would prove to our advantage. I would like nothing better” — the scientist’s venomous smile proved his words — “than to have The Shadow visit me here. That, however, should prove unnecessary.
“Your first duty is to give Slips Harbeck instructions by telephone. Tell him to wait frequently at the place where he hears from you. Within a few days, the time will be ripe. You will be forced to leave here long enough to plant the trap; but no one will be the wiser, for you will do that work alone.
“Slips Harbeck knows nothing of Jocelyn. We need not fear that link. Furthermore, Jocelyn’s valet, Grewson, is secretly in our employ; and we can question him regularly regarding matters there.”
“If Slips is being watched by The Shadow,” declared Ricordo, “we might take a long shot and let Slips try to get him with a mob—”
“No,” stated Urlich decisively. “That shows your error, Ricordo. You lack tactical experience. Such action would not only reveal our purpose; it would also be futile. We can be sure that when The Shadow covers Slips Harbeck, he is prepared for emergency. Furthermore, we have no proof that The Shadow, himself, is the one who is observing Slips.”
“That’s a good point,” admitted Ricordo. “I’ve heard it noised about that The Shadow has some smart guys working for him. If one of his stool pigeons is on the job, we’d be wasting our time. You’ve got the right idea, sure enough. We’ve got to put a smooth one across on The Shadow, using Slips to do it.”
Professor Folcroft Urlich smiled and nodded as the gang leader voiced this final approval of the plan. He watched Ricordo’s face. He saw a perplexed expression come upon the hardened features. Calmly, he voiced the question that was in Ricordo’s mind.
“You are wondering,” said Urlich, “what method I intend to use to eliminate The Shadow.”
“I was thinking that,” admitted Ricordo.
“I shall show you,” smiled the professor. “Come with me, to the laboratory. After that, you can communicate with Slips Harbeck.”
The professor led the way down the spiral staircase. Larry Ricordo followed, still wondering.
Bewilderment was within the gang leader’s brain. Tonight, he had seen The Shadow act. Now, he was to see plans prepared for The Shadow’s doom!
Silent death! How did Professor Urlich intend to loose it now? Larry Ricordo wondered; and through his evil mind ran the thought that at last The Shadow would encounter a superman who would prove his equal!
CHAPTER VII. THE SHADOW LEARNS
SLIPS HARBECK’S favored underworld resort was a notorious dive known as Red Mike’s. This place, which gained its name from its proprietor, was a meeting place for gangsters that existed under police tolerance. It was an underground speakeasy frequented by those members of the bad lands who were temporarily free from trouble with the law.