“It is unusual,” admitted Harry.
“Doctor Guyon is a wise investor,” asserted Kendall. “He holds stock in various enterprises in which I am associated. He still persists in being a physician, but he has made his fortune through commercial propositions.”
HARRY noted that he and these three men now formed a group apart from all the rest. This was evidently a planned procedure, for Clayton Landow promptly brought up the subject which he had discussed with Harry that afternoon.
“Regarding the United Theater Chain,” began the governor’s son. “I told Mr. Vincent that he might mention it—”
“Landow called me at my office,” interrupted Kendall, turning to Harry. “He told me why you were in town. The answer which he gave you was final. I have absolute authority to decide; nevertheless, I discussed the subject with Doctor Guyon, who is as large a shareholder in Kendall Theaters as myself. His opinion is the same as mine.”
Doctor Guyon was nodding wisely as Kendall spoke.
“I do not doubt,” continued Kendall, “that your proposition has its merits. Nevertheless, our decision stands. We are making the profits that we expect. That closes us to all outside suggestions.”
There was a slight challenge in Kendall’s tone. Harry Vincent caught it, and nodded his head in acknowledgment. He knew that he was welcome here as a guest; as a proponent of a rejected business deal, he might lose Kendall’s favor. He could see signs of apprehension displayed by Clayton Landow.
Harry acted wisely.
“I simply needed your own answer, Mr. Kendall,” he said. “I appreciate your frankness. It enables me to go back to New York and report that I have done my utmost. Let me wish you the greatest of success in your theatrical enterprises, and let me add that should you ever care to change your decision, the United Theater Chain will be glad to hear from you.”
Clayton Landow seemed pleased by Harry’s tactful statement. Doctor Guyon still nodded his approval. Foulkrod Kendall smiled. The millionaire felt himself a theatrical magnate. This visit from the representative of a New York corporation now added to his pride.
Besides putting himself in Kendall’s favor, Harry had gained a keen insight into the millionaire’s character, and that of two of Kendall’s associates. Kendall, himself, was a domineering man. Although he was commercially successful, Harry suspected that the millionaire was not above petty and unfair practices.
Doctor Conrad Guyon, on the contrary, impressed Harry as a man of science, who had wisely invested his earnings with going enterprises. From the business standpoint, Guyon was no more than Kendall’s echo, blindly following the millionaire’s lead.
Clayton Landow, a likable young chap, was Kendall’s prospective nephew by marriage. As son of the governor of this State, Landow probably gave distinction to the theatrical venture. Despite his title of general manager, Landow was actually no more than a detail man who took all important orders direct from Kendall.
The guests went in to dinner. During the sumptuous repast, Harry made the acquaintance of a young lady on his left. He learned new facts; that Doctor Guyon, recognized highly as a psychiatrist, was newly appointed examining physician in the State penitentiary, located in New Avalon; and that the marriage of Clayton Landow and Miriam Kendall, Foulkrod’s niece, was scheduled to take place within three months.
IT was after dinner, however, when the guests were chatting in the living room, that the principal event occurred so far as Harry Vincent was concerned. Within the space of a few minutes, The Shadow’s agent gained his final accomplishment in the city of New Avalon.
A new guest was announced. Harry arose as the man entered the living room, and faced a tall, immaculately garbed young man whose shrewd but handsome countenance was adorned with a neatly pointed mustache. It was not until he was shaking hands that Harry heard the arrival’s name. Foulkrod Kendall announced it as he made the introduction.
“Mr. Ronald Elverton,” said the millionaire. “He is a representative from Highby-Tyson, Limited, England’s greatest manufacturers of silverware. He has come to visit our plant.”
Ronald Elverton!
The name rang in Harry’s ears. This was the man whom he had come to seek. Once Elverton had reached New Avalon, The Shadow was to be notified.
Elverton passed to others of the group. Harry Vincent noted the man’s profile. Harry’s suspicions were aroused. The Shadow’s agent smiled to himself as he made the mental comment:
“If that chap is from Highby-Tyson, I’m actually the representative of the United Theater Chain!”
The masquerading agent of The Shadow felt sure that he had discovered a crook in smooth disguise. Elverton, a guest in Foulkrod Kendall’s home. Traced through the millionaire!
Tonight, Harry would send a telegram to New York. Its innocently worded message would tell Rutledge Mann that the quest was ended. One of two replies would come, to tell Harry whether or not to remain in New Avalon.
Considering the future, however, Harry felt sure that his recall would be dependent entirely upon The Shadow’s present activities. If the master of darkness were free to leave New York, he would come at once; if not, he would reach New Avalon as soon as possible.
With crime brewing — whatever it might be — the work would belong to The Shadow.
Harry Vincent had found his man!
CHAPTER XI
KENDALL GIVES ORDERS
THE following afternoon, Clayton Landow was surprised when a boy entered his office to announce that Foulkrod Kendall was outside. It was seldom that the millionaire visited the offices of the Kendall Theater Corporation. Usually, Landow was summoned to Kendall’s own office, in the Kendall Building.
Landow, himself, hurried to the door to admit the overlord. Kendall walked pompously into the office and motioned to Landow to close the door. When they were alone, the millionaire, seated beside Landow’s desk, put a prompt question, and hurried to the man opposite him.
“What about this man Vincent?” he asked. “Is he still in town?”
“I believe so,” replied Landow, in surprise. “He called me this morning. He said that he expected to leave tonight.”
“Humph,” grunted Kendall. “It would be better if he had gone already.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t like him.” Kendall’s tone was positive. “That’s sufficient, isn’t it?”
“Vincent seemed an agreeable chap,” commented Landow.
“Socially, yes,” admitted Kendall. “But he may be up to some game.”
“Regarding our theaters?”
“Indirectly. We have frozen out all competition, but there have been attempts on the part of independents to open rival theaters.”
Clayton Landow nodded soberly.
“Suppose,” continued Kendall, “that this man Vincent plans to organize such independents? It may mean a rival circuit, operated by the United Theater Chain.”
“That would not be in keeping with the United policy,” returned Landow. “You need fear nothing on that score.”
Foulkrod Kendall appeared to be in a fault-finding mood. He walked about the office, wearing a worried look.
“We can’t be too sure of our managers,” he declared. “They may be reached, if a plot is on foot. It means that we must use tighter methods in all our operations.”
“Our system is well organized,” said Landow mildly.
“I see room for improvement,” objected Kendall. “I can point out one thing right from the start. That is the collection of the week’s receipts. I want to supervise it myself, in full.”