The Shadow - The Shadow's Justice Part 7

When Carter Boswick had finished his questioning, he sauntered away from the information booth, his luggage in the custody of a porter. Harry Vincent stepped up and asked for a railroad time-table. Stacks Lodi did the same. Both, in walking away, followed the direction that Carter had taken.

Harry, consulting his time-table, pa.s.sed the ticket window where Carter now stood, and overheard the young man making reservations. Harry kept on his way.

Stacks Lodi, arriving later, stood at the next window and heard the negotiations between Carter Boswick and the agent.

From then on, all paths diverged. Carter's western limited did not leave for a few hours. The young man checked his luggage and went from the station.

Harry Vincent sought a telephone booth. Calling a number, he stated what he had learned. He hung up the receiver and awaited a return call.

Stacks Lodi also used a telephone, in a different part of the station. His call was to Hub Rowley. He listened intently to the big-shot's response. His face gleamed as he heard Hub's words. He was smiling a wicked grin when he walked away from the booth.

The aftermath of this sequence of events came when the western limited pulled out of the Grand Central Station on its trip to Chicago.

Carter Boswick, deeply engrossed in a book that he had purchased, was seated in the club car. His mind was at ease. He had made it quite evident that he was going to Europe, via Montreal. Instead, he was off to visit the exact spot mentioned in his father's secret message-some unknown locality in the wilds of Wisconsin.

Across the way sat Harry Vincent-a quiet young man who was apparently unconcerned with those about him. At the card table, Stacks Lodi had already begun to amuse himself with a game of solitaire.

OPPOSING forces were at work. Carter Boswick, sure that he was free, with all knowledge of his secret trip a minus quant.i.ty, was already under the vigilant surveillance of two men-one who represented justice; the other, a tool of crime.

Once again, Carter Boswick was heading into trouble. Stacks Lodi, the trouble-maker, was on his trail.

But still, Carter was under the secret protection of The Shadow. Harry Vincent, The Shadow's agent,had been deputed to be close at hand, forewarned that danger might strike.

Action was in abeyance on this journey. These men-neither of whom suspected the other's presence-were the advance guards. They were but the instruments of greater minds, the nullifying influences put forth by Hub Rowley and The Shadow.

Conflict was brewing between the big-shot and the dread avenger. The struggle would center about Carter Boswick, who had plunged himself into this fray for millions which rightfully belonged to him.

The impending battle was one that promised strange results-and into its fury would come others; men whose important parts in the drama of crime had not yet been revealed. Carter Boswick was totally unsuspecting of what lay ahead.

But The Shadow, hidden being of darkness, knew that unexpected consequences would soon manifest themselves. Plans long fostered were due to reach their startling climax when Carter Boswick gained the goal that he sought!

CHAPTER XI. THE SHADOW'S PLAN.

TWO nights had pa.s.sed since Carter Boswick had set out from New York City. The third evening had fallen. Along a lonely road in northwestern Michigan, a swift coupe was speeding at sixty miles an hour.

Harry Vincent was the man behind the wheel. His eyes were steadily focused upon the gravel road that stretched before him. His hands responded to every b.u.mp of the jolting highway.

Despite the ordeal of the rapid drive, Harry wore a smile. He was nearing the end of his journey.

Obedient to The Shadow's order, Harry had followed Carter Boswick to Chicago; and had again taken up the trail when the young man had boarded a train north. At Green Bay, Wisconsin, a long break had occurred. Carter Boswick had been forced to wait over several hours for a connection.

This had given Harry an excellent idea. He was confident that no harm would befall the man whom he was protecting while Carter was traveling by train. The real danger lay at the stopping points. Hence Harry had used the interval to obtain an automobile capable of high speed. His study of the road maps convinced him that he could beat the time of Carter Boswick's train.

Now, with only a few miles to go, Harry was half an hour ahead of his schedule. He had waited at Green Bay until Carter Boswick had left; then he had burned up the roads in his untiring effort to reach the final destination before Carter arrived. This place was Junction City, a Michigan town some miles north of the Wisconsin border.

What was to happen at Junction City?

Harry had no inkling. He had been instructed to stay close to Carter Boswick, particularly after the end of the journey had been reached. That was exactly what Harry intended to do now. His only qualms concerned the fact that he had let Carter get out of sight during the travel from Green Bay to Junction City.

Harry Vincent had long been an agent of The Shadow. He had encountered many adventures while working in behalf of his mysterious master. In every instance, Harry had been free to act upon his own judgment when occasions arose. This had proven to be one of those cases.

Harry had changed from train to automobile for two definite reasons. First, because he feared that Carter Boswick might become aware of his presence during the final stage of the trip; second, because he knewthat a car might come in handy at Junction City. The opportunity to obtain one at Green Bay had been too good to miss.

In all his episodes in The Shadow's service, Harry had encountered mystery. He had never gained an inkling as to the ident.i.ty of his unknown employer.

Instructions came through only two sources-Rutledge Mann, a chubby-faced insurance broker in the Badger Building in New York City; and over the telephone, from a hidden agent named Burbank.

Through contact with one or the other, Harry received all routine information; but in times of emergency, he frequently received mysterious orders from The Shadow himself. Harry antic.i.p.ated some such occurrences during this new adventure; for he was now far away from the usual base of operations.

THOUGHTS of the unfolding mission, coupled with anxiety for Carter Boswick's present safety, spurred Harry unto a final burst of speed which ceased only when his headlights revealed a welcoming sign on the outskirts of Junction City. Here, Harry slackened the speed of the car and rolled easily through the lighted streets of a small town.

The sight of a signal light down a side street showed Harry that he was near the railroad, and he guided his car to a b.u.mpy road that ran alongside the tracks. He finally came to a stop close beside a dilapidated railroad station.

Harry parked and waited. With lights extinguished, he could see the station platform beneath the dim glow of lamps from the overhanging roof. Leaning back in the seat, Harry took account of other surroundings. Down the street was an old building which bore the weather-beaten sign: "Junction House."

That, in all probability, would be Carter Boswick's stopping place.

A tenseness came over Harry Vincent as he began to review all that had happened since he had watched Carter Boswick at the information booth in the Grand Central Station in New York.

It was evident that Carter Boswick, although he had come directly to Junction City, had not made the best possible use of his time. Harry was already here ahead of him; and other persons could easily have achieved the same result. Therefore, trouble, if brewing, could begin tonight.

Harry glanced anxiously toward the station. His eyes became suddenly intent as he noted a peculiar phenomenon. One of the overhanging lights twinkled, as though something had pa.s.sed between it and Harry. Then came a second twinkle from the next light; a third from the one farther on.

The whole effect was ghostly. Apparently, the solid form of a living being had moved along that platform; yet Harry had seen no more than an instantaneous blinking of each light.

It was happening again! This time from the opposite direction. Harry gripped the steering wheel. He knew that this could not be due to a peculiarity of the electric current that supplied the lights. No-some one had certainly pa.s.sed along that platform!

In moments such as these, Harry Vincent regarded all signs as matters of consequence to himself. At first, his thought was one of hidden enemies. Then, puzzling the matter over, he gained a more hopeful thought.

Perhaps that curious manifestation signified the presence of The Shadow! Harry drew a breath of relief. It was possible that The Shadow, himself, might have come to Junction City. A fast hop by air-the slow progress of trains and attendant connections would be bettered by many hours.While Harry still watched the lights, wondering if they would blink again, he heard the distant whistle of a locomotive. The sound was repeated with increasing loudness.

At last, the bright headlight of the engine bathed the station with brilliance. Harry still gazed at the platform. He saw no one lurking there.

The train came to a stop. Harry saw a young man alight, and recognized the figure of Carter Boswick.

He saw Carter pick up a pair of heavy suitcases and start diagonally across the street. He was obviously going to the Junction House.

But Harry, yielding to a hunch, still waited. He saw another man get off the train, with a valise in hand.

Harry stared in sudden recognition. He was sure that he had seen the man before-on the limited between New York and Chicago!

HARRY was correct. This man was Stacks Lodi, still on Carter Boswick's trail. Harry saw Stacks light a cigarette, then leisurely follow the course that Carter had taken.

As soon as the second man had entered the hotel, Harry started the motor of his coupe, drove a short way up the street, turned, and pulled up at the door of the Junction House.

Harry carried his own suitcase into the hotel. No bell boy came to receive it. Harry guessed the reason.

The place would not have more than two attendants; both were at present employed in showing the previous guests to rooms.

Signing the register, Harry noted two names inscribed there. One was Carter Boswick, in Room 208; the other was Antonio Lodi, in Room 215.

The slouching clerk read Harry's name; then wrote 222 after it. He rang a bell, but nothing occurred for several minutes. Then an unkempt bell boy came shambling down the stairs. The clerk tossed him the key.

After establis.h.i.+ng himself in Room 222, Harry donned a pair of soft-soled slippers, and went out into the hallway. He noted a light beneath the door of Room 215, which was near the head of the stairs. He went on to the front of the hall, and spied Room 208. No light showed there. Evidently Carter Boswick had retired.

Starting back, Harry heard a click. He slid to the stairway that led toward the third floor, just as Stacks Lodi came out of Room 215. The man was fully dressed. Harry saw him go downstairs.

Listening at the top, Harry could hear him talking with the clerk. The discussion seemed to concern a good brand of cigar for a discriminating smoker.

The clink of coins indicated that the purchase had been made. Harry heard a remark concerning the coolness of the night. Stacks was praising the fine air of the vicinity. The slam of the front door meant that some one had gone outside.

Harry stole to the front of the hall. He opened a window above a small porch that projected over the sidewalk. This portion of the hall was almost totally dark. Harry slipped noiselessly to the porch and lay flat, peering over the edge.

He could see Stacks Lodi just beneath. The man was holding a cigar in his hand. He raised it to his lips as Harry watched, and drew two long puffs. The cigar gleamed twice. The hand dropped with the cigar; then came up for another puff. Down again, it returned, and this time the smoker puffed five times.The meaning of those short, bright glows suddenly dawned upon Harry. Stacks Lodi was flas.h.i.+ng the number of his own room-a signal to hidden eyes in the outer darkness-across the street, where total blackness reigned!

After a brief pause, a second signal was given. Again, the cigar glowed twice. Down; then up; but this time, there was no increase of the light. On the third trip to the signaler's mouth, the tiny gleam occurred eight times-another slow procession of sustained puffs.

The first signal had been 2-1-5-the number of Stacks Lodi's room; the second had been 2-0-8-the number of Carter Boswick's room. Harry saw Stacks turn and walk back into the lobby. Waiting no longer, Harry crept into the hall and crouched there, expecting Stacks to come up the steps.

As minutes drifted by, Harry suddenly realized the man's plan. Stacks Lodi had given the number of his own room-indicating it as a spot of entrance for men from the dark. He had given Carter Boswick's room to tell them where to go. But he, himself, intended to remain in the lobby, establis.h.i.+ng an alibi, no matter what might happen; and also being in a position to deal with the clerk, should such action be necessary!

HARRY returned to his own room. The light was still on. The moment that Harry entered, he stopped just within the door.

The side of the hotel was on a vacant field. If men were out there, they could easily see any one within these rooms, while the lights were on. Harry recalled that he had been foolish enough to go over by the window when he had first entered. In fact, the window was slightly open now, as he had left it.

That must be corrected at once. Harry reached for the light switch; then his eyes spied an envelope that was lying beside the bed.

Stooping, Harry picked up the object. One corner of the envelope was smashed in. Harry realized that it had been scaled through the open window by some one standing in the outer darkness below. An accurate piece of swift marksmans.h.i.+p had sent this unexpected message here. Harry opened the envelope and drew out a folded note.

Clear blue ink greeted his eyes. The writing was in a code which Harry understood. A message from The Shadow! Harry translated it rapidly: Bring Carter Boswick into your room. Explain that danger threatens. His place will be taken as soon as he is gone. Wait until after commotion has begun. It will convince him of danger. Drop from window.

Your car has been moved to rear of hotel. Escape with Boswick.

As Harry watched, the writing began to disappear, as though an invisible hand were erasing every sentence. Word by word, the entire message faded.

That was the way with letters from The Shadow. If they fell into the wrong hands, the enemy could profit nothing. The ink which The Shadow used a.s.serted its vanis.h.i.+ng properties the moment that it came in contact with the air.

Harry turned out the light. He stole to the window; instead of closing it, he opened it wide. He could barely see the ground beneath. He recognized that the drop would be an easy one.

Now to call on Carter Boswick.

A tenseness had come over Harry, and under this influence he failed totally to calculate the time element.

He did not realize that this message might have come into his room just after his departure, and that hehad been away for many minutes during his observation from the porch outside the hall.

Nor did he know that almost immediately after Stacks Lodi had come back into the lobby, there had been a shadowy motion outside the door of the hotel.

Harry, by his dilatory action, was unwittingly holding back The Shadow's plan. In fact, as Harry crept along the hall, he was thinking too much of what The Shadow might intend to do-and not enough of his own part.

Carter Boswick out of Room 208-The Shadow there in his place! What a surprise that would be for those who might be coming up through the window of Lodi's room, to make an unexpected attack upon a sleeping victim!

This thought was uppermost in Harry Vincent's mind as he tapped at the door of Carter Boswick's room.

The response that came gave Harry new a.s.surance. The man within was still awake. His voice, though sleepy, showed that he would be ready to listen to what Harry had to say.

The time was here for Harry's first action in accordance with The Shadow's plan.

CHAPTER XII. THE ALLIANCE.

"MR. BOSWICK?".

A prompt reply came to Harry's question.

"Yes," said a voice through the door. "What do you want?"

"I have an important message for you."

A key turned. The door opened. Carter Boswick faced Harry Vincent in the dim light of the hall. Carter was fully dressed, except for coat and vest. He had evidently been taking a short nap. Harry was pleased at this sign of vigilance.

"My name is Vincent," Harry explained. "I must talk with you. My room is down the hall-222-and it would be wise to go there."

Suspicion showed in Carter Boswick's eyes. Suspicion faded. Harry's countenance was one that showed complete frankness. Carter realized that this unexpected visit must mean that trouble threatened. Harry looked like a friend.

Nodding his willingness to accompany the man who had come for him, Carter Boswick picked up his coat and vest from a chair beside the bed. Harry Vincent pointed to the other articles that could be seen from the hall-hat, overcoat, and two unpacked suitcases. He picked up the luggage while Carter took the hat and coat.

"Hurry along," whispered Harry tensely. For the first time, The Shadow's agent was beginning to realize the amount of time that had been consumed.

Harry preceded Carter along the hall. He noted the door of Room 215 as he pa.s.sed. He turned to see if his companion was following him. Carter was some fifteen feet behind, just nearing the door of Stacks Lodi's room.

Instantly, Harry discovered an impending menace. During the moment that Harry had pa.s.sed, the door had opened, un.o.bserved by Carter, who was not watching it. The door had swung inward, and Harry could see the figure of a man crouching just within the darkness."Look out!" Harry blurted the warning as the crouching man leaped forward.

Swift action followed. Carter Boswick turned just in time to encounter the attacker. The man's uplifted arm was descending. The striking hand held a blackjack. With an instinctive defense, Carter struck the blow aside, and planted his fist against the side of the fellow's head.

Harry, dropping the suitcases, had simultaneously sprung to the rescue. He arrived just as the attacker tumbled to the floor. He grabbed Carter Boswick's arm, in a quick effort to draw his companion from the danger zone.

It was then that Carter blundered!