GARDEN OF DEATH.......................................................................................................................................1

Maxwell Grant.........................................................................................................................................1

CHAPTER I. THE SILENT MANSION .................................................................................................1

CHAPTER II. THE VANISHED PROWLER........................................................................................5

CHAPTER III. A MATTER OF MURDER ............................................................................................8

CHAPTER IV. THE SHADOW'S RETURN ........................................................................................12

CHAPTER V. CREATURES OF NIGHT............................................................................................16

CHAPTER VI. CRIME'S CANDIDATES ............................................................................................20

CHAPTER VII. THE HOUSE OF FLOWERS .....................................................................................23

CHAPTER VIII. THE SHADOW'S LINK ............................................................................................28

CHAPTER IX. MURDER RETURNED ...............................................................................................31

CHAPTER X. THE TRAIL DELAYED ...............................................................................................35

CHAPTER XI. MURDER MUST OUT ................................................................................................39

CHAPTER XII. ENOUGH OF MYSTERY ..........................................................................................42

CHAPTER XIII. AGENTS OF THE SHADOW..................................................................................46

CHAPTER XIV. WHEN FLOWERS TALKED ...................................................................................51

CHAPTER XV. GAME FOR GAME...................................................................................................54

CHAPTER XVI. AROUND THE CLOCK ...........................................................................................59

CHAPTER XVII. BAIT FOR MURDER ..............................................................................................62

CHAPTER XVIII. DEATH STRIKES ..................................................................................................66

CHAPTER XIX. WINGED BLACKNESS ...........................................................................................69

CHAPTER XX. BATTLERS OF NIGHT .............................................................................................73

CHAPTER XXI. ASSISTED DOOM...................................................................................................76

SERENELY, the Bendleton mansion basked amid the shelter of shade trees that skirted its broad, wellkept

lawns. In the thinning light of the setting sun, the house absorbed the laziness of the Indian Summer

Only one pair of eyes in a thousand would have detected menace beneath that tranquil setting. It happened

His eyes alone betrayed the identity of the singular visitor who had come to Long Island to visit Richard

Bendleton. Burning eyes, whose glow seemed the reflection of the sinking sun that was screened by the high

hedge behind the mansion. Except for those eyes, The Shadow's features were calm, composed, even maskish

Like the mansion itself, The Shadow gave an outward appearance that would have deceived the average

observer. Outwardly, The Shadow was Lamont Cranston, leisurely New York clubman, human symbol of

wealth and indolence. He had come to Long Island in his new limousine, which was piloted by his regular

The limousine, of the convertible type, had its top thrown back so that its passenger could better enjoy the

favorable weather. That lowered top also enabled the complacent Mr. Cranston to gain a very complete view

Singular, that The Shadow, whose adventures had taken him to ghoulish, ruined manors at the dead of stormy

nights, should view the serene Bendleton mansion with a sentiment akin to horror; yet, the consideration of

The Shadow had been in Bendleton's mansion. He knew that the proximity of shading elms and maples

produced an early darkness within the house. Always, lights were needed an hour before sunset; not only in

the gloomy halls and the deep living room, but in Bendleton's secondfloor study, which had a single

There were no lights glimmering from the house, though Bendleton had promised to be at home. Considering

the urgency of Cranston's visit, which concerned important financial transactions that Bendleton had not

detailed by telephone, the silent house, sunlit without but darkish within, had all the semblance of a morgue.

Cranston was alighting at the front walk which led to the house. Over his arm were black garments that the

"There may be other visitors, Stanley. It would be better not to block the entrance. Take the car around to the

Stanley glanced back as he drove away. Not seeing Cranston, he supposed that his employer had strolled

directly to the front door of the great house. Stanley's guess was wrong. Actually, Lamont Cranston had

Close to the house, he was sliding into the garments that he carried: a slouch hat and a black cloak. Under the

shelter of treefringed walls, Cranston obliterated one personality to become another: The Shadow.

There was a side entrance to Bendleton's. It led through a socalled sun porch, which was only sunny in the

morning. At present, the inclosed porch was streaked with gloom, through which The Shadow moved like a

There were eyes present, sharp enough to discern the motion in the gloom, and their owner cocked his head,

The sharpeyed viewer was a redandblue macaw, perched in a large cage above a porch table which bore

two potted geraniums, side by side. Like the macaw's plumage, the red flowers caught the trickly sunlight that

came diluted through the tree branches outside; but The Shadow remained only a mass of smoky blackness,

Reaching the door, The Shadow found it unlocked. He opened it, stood in the block of gloom that made the

IT was wise to pause before crossing that threshold. The whole house, horrendous in its silence, was like a

The air was musty, but warm. The Shadow could scent a faint odor resembling almonds, which other persons

might have attributed to their imaginations, for its traces faded with the air that whispered in from the

Another whisper accompanied the fitful breeze a grim tone of low, restrained laughter that lacked all mirth.

A slight swish of the gloomshrouded cloak evidenced that he had crossed the fatal threshold. Through the

great, somber living room, the master of darkness was picking his way to the hallway beyond.

The thing that lay on the hallway floor looked like a crumpled rug bunched into an awkward pile; but no rug

belonged at that spot. There was a twinkle of The Shadow's tiny flashlight as he stooped to inspect the object.

Instead of examining the body further, The Shadow looked elsewhere for the cause of death. Stepping to the

rear of the hall, he turned on a table lamp and looked above it, to a gilded cage, much smaller than the one

The little cage contained a canary, which was lying wilted, on its back, its upraised claws even more pitiful

Before extinguishing the lamp, The Shadow noted a package that lay on the table. It measured about six

inches square, and it was addressed to Bendleton's sister, who lived in Philadelphia. The writing was in a

feminine hand, obviously that of Bendleton's daughter, Fay, whose name was in the upper corner. On the

package lay twelve cents: two nickels and two pennies, which were to cover postage.

Moving to the stairway, The Shadow paused there. Stabs of sunlight, from a small westerly window, revealed

the flat top of the newel post, which had circular streaks upon its oakstained surface, indicating that this had

been the accustomed spot for one of the geranium pots that The Shadow had noticed on the sun porch.

Going up the stairs, The Shadow entered a hallway even gloomier than the one below. His guarded flashlight

gleamed again, disclosing a shape that even his keen eyes could not have discerned in the thick darkness of

One hand of this victim was extended and halfclosed, as though it had tried to claw the door against which it

Either of two actions might have been the secretary's last effort. Jennings could have tried to knock, or he

might have sought to grip the doorknob and turn it. Either case was an indication that Bendleton was in the

Slowly, The Shadow turned the knob and opened the door inward. A warning sound stirred from the room

a fierce, low hiss amid the darkness. Strained imagination could have identified it as anything from a snake's

challenge to the snarl of a trapped assassin; but The Shadow remained unperturbed.

He knew the hiss for what it was: the sizzle of a radiator. Under thermostatic control, the heat had come up

Turning to blocky darkness that represented Bendleton's desk, The Shadow found another lamp and pressed

its switch. He saw what he expected: Bendleton's body, crumpled in its chair, tilted forward partly across the

Rugged, yet kindly; crowned by a wealth of gray hair, the countenance of Richard Bendleton looked the same

Doom had come swiftly, suddenly, for Bendleton was in the midst of work. Stacks of financial reports and

correspondence rested on the desk; all relating to the Alliance Drug Corp., the extensive business which

The dead man's arm had bushed a few letter aside and they had fallen to the floor. The reason: Bendleton had

been reaching for the telephone when death struck. In fact, the phone was lying off its stand, just away from

Bendleton's halfopened hand. His face was resting on that same arm, but turned away from the phone,

Whether Bendleton was talking to someone, or just beginning a call, was a question, though The Shadow

inclined to the latter theory. For the moment, however, the matter was quite unimportant. The Shadow's

attention was riveted by an object on the desk the first evidence that in any way gave direct trace to the

It was a little doll, about five inches high, fixed on a plywood pedestal. To be exact, it was a weathertelling

doll, for the pedestal so stated. Moreover, the doll had a skirt, which indicated the weather by its changes of

A novelty of the Nineties, such weather dolls had recently been revived; The Shadow had seen them on

Perhaps the chemicallytreated cloth was none too accurate as a weather indicator; but as a barometer of

death, it had startling merit on this occasion. The Shadow had seen such dolls in blue and pink, but this one

Carefully lifting the doll, The Shadow examined it closer to the light; then, with a low, cryptic laugh, he

Opening the package, he found what he expected: another weather doll. Fay Bendleton had given one to her

But the doll in the package was quite normal. Its skirt was a conventional blue. Tightly boxed, the second doll

For a few minutes, The Shadow pondered; then he placed the black skirted doll in the package and wrapped

it. Sliding the package and its curious evidence beneath his cloak, he carried the normal doll upstairs and

Outside, the sun had completely set. Save for that lamp in the study, the house was filled with darkness.

Under the lamplight, The Shadow watched a full five minutes. There was no change in the color scheme of

Turning out the lamp, The Shadow left the unimpaired doll on the desk. Retaining the package, with its

blackskirted evidence, he returned downstairs. He opened the front door, tested it, to find that its automatic

Dusk was thick across the front lawn, but birds were chirping busily from high tree branches. Those sounds

Just as The Shadow caught the human murmurs, someone turned on a searchlight from a car. The brilliant

In that instant, The Shadow was swinging the door shut as he wheeled back into the gloom of the front hall.

He was quick enough to hide himself, but arrivals saw the door slam. There were shouts, echoed from about

WITH his slam of the front door, The Shadow blocked the invaders coming from the walk, but from their

yells, he knew they'd come smashing through windows to reach him. Whoever the arrivals were, The Shadow

couldn't afford to let them grab him, or even get a real impression as to his identity.

His only course was to play the fugitive, so swiftly and effectively that his trappers would be mystified as

well as unsuccessful. With that aim in mind, The Shadow cut through darkness for the nearest and most

It was blocked before he reached it. The door came smashing inward, and The Shadow, wheeling back across

the living room, was almost spotted by the glare of flashlights. He caught glimpses of uniforms and knew

Two factors, quite unrelated, were responsible for The Shadow's present predicament.

First: the telephone off the hook in Bendleton's study. The central operator must have worried about it and

called the police. Second, The Shadow's inspection of the study wasn't quite over when the police arrived.

They'd seen the light go off and had promptly surrounded the house, sure that something was amiss.

At this hour, with dusk actually at hand, the gloom of the mansion's interior was noticeable on sight. One

light, going off, with none to replace it, smacked of a prowler. Though the police expected to find a burglar,

rather than a murderer, they'd class a fugitive as both should they capture him.

Such wouldn't help The Shadow's own investigation of Bendleton's strange death. But he wasn't planning to

be captured. The invading police would have to see him first, and he didn't intend to let them manage even

A pair of officers, springing into the living room, saw curtains swishing from the farther doorway, marking

the course that The Shadow had taken. Dashing across, they heard the smash of a window and darted in that

The Shadow, meanwhile, was hurrying up the front stairs, intending to find a back route down again.

Unfortunately, the police recovered from their mixup in time to turn toward the stairs, themselves. As

flashlights swept the steps in an upward bath of light, they threatened to expose The Shadow at the landing,

Still desirous of escaping unsighted, The Shadow vaulted the banister and landed squarely in the rear hall,

near the table there. It was a clever ruse, a reversal of his course in vertical fashion, rather than in the usual

Of four police heading for the stairway, not one saw The Shadow's sideward leap and the drop that followed

it. The clatter of their own feet drowned the light sound with which the cloaked fugitive ended his drop.

Another turn, a short dash, and The Shadow would have either of two routes through the front door, or the

A fifth flashlight gleamed from a door that slashed wide near the rear of the hallway. The Shadow had

scarcely time to whisk away before the glow was full upon him. At that, the flashlight's owner, a cop who had

entered from the kitchen door, managed to spy a diving, though undistinguishable, shape.

This time, The Shadow's strategy was even more remarkable. Headlong, he gauged the exact position of

Harvey's body, which his first pursuers had so far missed. Clearing the butler's dead form, The Shadow

continued toward the front door. The cop from the kitchen sped his flashlight in pursuit, but stopped it on

THE officer had every reason to suppose that Harvey represented the man who had dived from the glare.

With a shout, the lone pursuer reached the dead butler and stooped beside him, yelling that he had made a

Police on the stairway came about, to join him; but there was one who hadn't quite reached the stairs. That

fellow turned, his flashlight swinging with him. He caught a passing glimpse of The Shadow, opening the

The Shadow changed his course instantly, for he heard the shout that accompanied the sweep of light. He saw

that his discoverer was springing toward him, and he had to settle the flashlight before its blinding eye

focused full upon him. The thing that The Shadow used was an old umbrella stand by the front door.

Circular in shape, the umbrella stand formed a solid and fairly heavy cylinder, some four feet high. Dumping

the umbrellas and canes from within it, The Shadow sent the cylinder rolling on its side with the sincere urge

It took two pins, the cop's legs. Floundering to the floor, the bluecoat lost his flashlight. On hands and knees,

he scrambled after it; but by the time he regained his feet, The Shadow was gone.

His route was toward the curtained living room, and The Shadow had a weapon, which he would certainly

need, for police revolvers had begun to talk. The Shadow's weapon wasn't a gun; it was one of Bendleton's

Meeting an officer shoulder on, in the middle of the hallway, The Shadow sidestepped and caught his

A revolver bullet punched the ceiling as the cop hit the hardwood. The Shadow was gone again, through the

curtains, as flashlights burned his way. He yanked a curtain loose and flung it, with a spreading sweep, from

Police blazed shots into the room beyond; then, their flashlights showing no one in sight, they took it that the

Some went across and around the crumpled curtain; others cut out by the front door and reached the screened

porch by a route so short and quick that there was no chance for any fugitive to be gone before they arrived.

Yet when those two quotas of police met each other with their glaring flashlights, there was blank space in

The fugitive, whoever he was, had seemingly vanished in their midst. As if in proof of his invisibility, they

The sound was at their very shoulders, and they wheeled with guns and flashlights, to see a ruffled macaw

Meanwhile, The Shadow was performing the sequel to his remarkable disappearance.

Back in the doorway between living room and hallway, he was rising from beneath the curtain that he had

flung. He'd needed a quick hiding place, so he had provided one. That wide fling of the curtain was more than

a gesture. With it, The Shadow had made a forward fall to the floor in acrobatic style, landing ahead of the

Under the descending folds, The Shadow had gained absolute concealment. None of the excited police

Sounds from the porch told The Shadow that his pursuers were engaged in argument, with the macaw acting

Picking up Bendleton's cane, The Shadow went out through the kitchen and paused to look toward the porch.

The police were coming out with their flashlights, determined to scour the grounds. Slipping them would be

easy enough, but their search would soon bring them to the limousine parked in the rear lane.

Stanley wouldn't be gone; in fact, the commotion that occurred was all the more reason why the welltrained

chauffeur would wait for Cranston's return. Explanations, however, would be embarrassing for Stanley,

should the police find him. Even more so for The Shadow, should he be questioned as Cranston, regarding

The only way for The Shadow to detach himself from all erroneous connection with the deaths of Bendleton

PICKING out the sweep of a flashlight, The Shadow approached it, then made a quick turn as the beam

As before, an officer sighted a fleeting figure and shouted for the others to join the chase. The Shadow was

gone, with a quick dart behind a clump of shrubbery near the rear of the lawn, but the flashlights showed the

From the other side, The Shadow was weaving a course to a rear corner of the grounds, shaking the shrubbery

Hurrying to cut him off, the pursuers didn't spot the point where he reversed his dash, for The Shadow was

completely out of sight. Picking an opening in the hedge, The Shadow eased through, without a trace, and

located his pursuers by their voices. They had reached the inner corner of the grounds, near a large apple tree.

On the high branches, The Shadow could see the ruddy fruit against the afterglow of the sky. The apples were

Taking Bendleton's cane by the ferrule, The Shadow gave it a long, hard fling across the hedge, landing it a

The police heard the cane clatter in the branches. Apples were still pelting them as they arrived beneath the

tree. The cane didn't fall, its hooked handle had caught a branch, where they couldn't see it in the darkness.

They jumped to the logical theory that the fugitive had climbed the tree, only to slip among the branches.

Heading the other way along the lane, The Shadow reached the limousine, which was barely discernible in

the dusk. He was removing his cloak and hat as he silently opened the rear door. Timing his next action to the

shouts that he still could distinguish, The Shadow spoke in Cranston's calmvoiced tone:

As Stanley pressed the starter, guns began to spout back by the apple tree. The police were carrying out their

threat against an imaginary fugitive. Shooting up into the branches, they didn't hear the limousine's starter,

Headlights, faced the opposite direction, were hidden by the hedge as the limousine rolled away. Finished

with their useless fusillade, the searchers came plunging through the hedge a little later; but, by then, the

There was no mirth, however, in the laugh that throbbed from The Shadow's lips as he rode back to

Manhattan in the guise of Cranston. His escape from the police was not an exploit; it was merely a correction

A mistake which had threatened even the meager evidence from which The Shadow, otherwise Lamont

IN the wellequipped laboratory that adjoined his sanctum a place hidden away in the heart of Manhattan,

and known only to The Shadow The Shadow was making tests with the weather doll that he had brought

from Bendleton's. He was working with sooty scrapings from the chemically treated skirt; sooty particles

Of one thing, however, The Shadow was certain. Some deadly gas was responsible for the blackness that

It wasn't The Shadow's usual policy to appropriate evidence which might serve the law. In this case, the

situation had been thrust upon him. Planning a quick trip to his lab and back, The Shadow had hoped to

replace the weather doll himself, and had left the unchanged substitute to fill in temporarily.

There was a chance as always that a murderer might return. If the killer came across a blackened weather

doll, he would certainly remove it; hence, it was better, at the time, that The Shadow should have taken it.

All that was changed, of course, by the sudden manner in which arriving police had given The Shadow a

surprise workout. If they'd come a little sooner, The Shadow would have left the weather doll for them.

Still, having taken the evidence, The Shadow didn't exactly regret it. For one thing, he was wondering what

verdict would be found in Bendleton's death, without the incriminating evidence of the weather doll.

Quite possibly, the murderer hadn't known that the doll was in Bendleton's study. If so, the deaths of the three

men and a canary might have the elements of a socalled "perfect" crime. On that chance, The Shadow

decided that the death gas must be of an untraceable type, possibly akin to phosgene.

On the blacktiled laboratory bench stood a glass bell containing the figure of a weather doll, one of several

that The Shadow had purchased after reaching town. A hose ran from the bell top, branching to various tanks.

The Shadow was experimenting with carbonyl chloride, in combination with hydrogen cyanide, plus gaseous

He was seeking a combination that would have a deadly effect, along with the faint, almost flowery odor that

he had noticed in Bendleton's house. Also, the gas would have to produce a blackness on the weather doll. At

last, the reaction came. Dark streaks appeared on the doll's skirt, proving the experiment a success.

The Shadow was detaching the hose, when a buzz came from the sanctum. Entering the curtained room that

adjoined his laboratory, The Shadow picked earphones from the wall and spoke to his contact agent,

Burbank, who reported that Ralph Weston, the New York police commissioner, was on his way to the Cobalt

Leaving the sanctum, The Shadow entered his limousine, which was waiting on a darkened street. Placing his

cloak and hat beneath the rear seat, he told Stanley to take him to the Cobalt Club. Riding as Cranston, The

Bendleton's death was murder, accomplished by a gas that had a remarkable penetrating effect, yet which was

unlikely to leave proof of its use. Whether Harvey and Jennings had been intentional victims was another

It might be that they were merely unfortunate enough to be on hand when murder enveloped them, along with

their employer; just as Bendleton's daughter, Fay, had chanced to be out of the house at the time death struck.

As for the motive behind the murder, that was something The Shadow intended to discuss with his friend the

ARRIVING at the Cobalt Club, The Shadow took on Cranston's strolling gait. He ran into Commissioner

Weston in the foyer. Weston was a brisk chap, usually the first to open a conversation, but on this occasion,

"You'll have time later," interrupted Weston. "Right now, I'm starting to investigate a most important case. A

"But I can't," returned Cranston. "I'm trying to tell you that I have a dinner engagement "

Cranston paused, as Weston showed annoyance at the thought that a trivial dinner engagement could interfere

with something really important. Then, in Cranston's easiest style, The Shadow added the words that

"A dinner engagement," he repeated, "with Richard Bendleton, at his home on Long Island."

Grabbing Cranston's arm, the commissioner piloted his friend out to the official car, explaining that their

engagement was one and the same. Cranston wouldn't dine with Bendleton, but he was going to the house,

Bendleton was dead, two others with him, under mysterious circumstances. If he had told Cranston anything

Since Weston put it that way, The Shadow confined himself to matters that had preceded Bendleton's death.

"Bendleton intended to organize a new company," he told the commissioner. "Not a subsidiary of Alliance

Drug Corp., but an independent corporation, to be capitalized at a million dollars."

"Not at all," was Cranston's response. "Bendleton talked of new drugs, that would benefit humanity.

Discoveries as remarkable as quinine. He specified one in particular, a preparation to be called Somnotone,

entirely harmless, but with sleepinducing effects that would render it equal to an anesthetic."

"On the contrary," returned Cranston," he planned a nonprofit corporation. Otherwise, he would not have

Coming from anyone but Cranston, the commissioner would have considered the statement preposterous. It

happened that he knew the altruistic tendencies of his friend. It wouldn't be like Cranston to seek profits from

Evidently, Bendleton was a man with similar ideas, who had found it difficult to interest investors in his

humane proposition, until he had contacted Cranston. It seemed that the human race, in general, stood to lose

much through Bendleton's death. In his turn, Weston had lost something: namely, the theory that Bendleton

"If no one was going to make anything," began Weston, "there wouldn't have been much point in anyone

Weston ended his statement abruptly, under Cranston's steady gaze. Perhaps Cranston's eyes caused the

commissioner to catch the other side of the picture; if so, Weston didn't realize it. He actually thought he had

"All the more reason for murder!" exclaimed Weston. "That's it! Bendleton could have been holding out on

people who wanted to clean up with the new discovery. Tell me, Cranston: who invented the Somnotone

"I expected to learn that this evening," was the answer. "Bendleton promised to introduce me to the inventor

"I doubt it, commissioner. The company would claim the discovery, if such were the case."

THERE was a double meaning to The Shadow's statement. They might find one answer to Somnotone;

The full significance was dawning on Weston when the official car pulled up to Bendleton's Long Island

mansion, situated within the city limits. Police were on guard outside, and the mansion was well lighted, a

striking contrast to The Shadow's earlier visit. However, Weston's hopes went glimmering as soon as he and

A medical examiner was present, and he already had the answer to triple death. Bendleton's own physician, a

Dr. Williams, was also present, and concurred with the official medico. Everything pointed to one of those

rare, yet actual, cases wherein the steam radiators had consumed the oxygen supply in an overheated house.

As both physicians pointed out, Bendleton had kept the place as tightly closed as a drum. There had been a

week of rather chilly weather, and Bendleton hadn't aired the house because of one mild day. The constant

Of course, there would be autopsies on the bodies, but both doctors were convinced that such would support

When Weston remarked that the house wasn't stuffy, the police surgeon pointed to the windows that invading

officers had smashed, claiming that the action had admitted the muchneeded air too late. These were

regrettable deaths, that had occurred through misadventure. It was Dr. Williams who softened the disaster,

"At least one life was spared. It is fortunate that Bendleton's daughter, Fay, was not here when the tragedy

"Where is Fay Bendleton?" came Cranston's query. "Odd that she hasn't returned."

"She probably went to get Theophilus Malbray," stated the physician. "He was expected for dinner, also, Mr.

"You mean Professor Malbray?" he quizzed. "The famous horticulturist, who lives on the heights above the

"The same," he said. "Since Richard Bendleton is dead, I am no longer breaking a confidence when I tell you

that Professor Malbray is the creator of the remarkable new drug that Bendleton hoped to give to the world.

Malbray will be grieved, when he arrives and learns of Bendleton's death, but the shock will be much greater

"I must insist, commissioner, that the news be broken to her with the utmost care. Her health has been none

Weston was nodding his agreement, when they heard the arrival of a car out front. It could only be Fay

Bendleton, with Professor Malbray. The group started toward the door to meet the newcomers, and a silence

Amid that silence, The Shadow was considering the coming moments in terms of a more distant future. He

was confident that the testimony of Fay Bendleton, as well as that of Professor Malbray, would have an

important bearing on this matter which The Shadow's own experiments had proven to be murder!

FAY BENDLETON was steeled to the worst, from the moment she entered the house. Commissioner

Sight of police outside the house had alarmed Fay before she stepped from the car. She would have arrived

Anxiety only increased the loveliness of Fay Bendleton. She was a frail girl, inclined to paleness, and

excitement gave her face a needed color. Her blue eyes were earnest, as she looked from person to person,

seeking a word of hope. When Dr. Williams stepped forward, she understood the worst, and took it bravely.

Simple and direct, the words were the best way of telling the girl the news that she expected. Fay's eyes went

shut; her blond hair tumbled as her head tilted forward. She swayed as Williams and Malbray supported her;

Looking at Cranston, Weston caught a slight negative headshake; then, tactfully, the commissioner

Dr. Williams nodded his appreciation. He helped the girl to a couch, insisting that she lie down. He sent for a

glass of water, and gave Fay two pills to swallow. Within a few minutes, the girl was resting comfortably.

"We must thank Professor Malbray," he undertoned. "Those pills are a moderate dose of Somnotone. You can

observe the quieting effect on Miss Bendleton." He turned to Commissioner Weston. "Suppose you take

On the way upstairs, The Shadow had a good chance to observe Professor Theophilus Malbray, a man of

whom he had heard much, but had seen nothing. Malbray was known as a habitual recluse, and he looked the

He was elderly, with wrinkled features, but his stride was spry and his eyes clear. White hair added to his

benign appearance, and his face took on an expression of deep sorrow when he saw the body of his dead

Some persons would have classed Malbray as eccentric; others would have termed his actions to be the marks

of genius. From the moment that he finished viewing the body, Malbray seemed to enter an absentminded

Stoopshouldered, his clothes hanging baggily, he paced across the room, his chin deep in his hand. His lips

moved, as though he were talking to himself. When he sat down near the desk, he looked from face to face

Commissioner Weston was explaining all that happened. At moments, Malbray nodded; at other intervals, he

seemed not to hear. Though he had been at Bendleton's previously, he viewed the room as though he had

never seen it. At times, he glanced at papers lying on the desk; once, he reached for the telephone, only to

He saw the weather doll, the one that The Shadow had substituted for the blackened one; picking up the

By then, Weston had finished his harangue without a verbal response from Malbray. A bit irked, the

"Oh, yes," returned Malbray, in a dry tone. "Very intently, commissioner. So you believe that Bendleton's

"Evidence! Bah!" A gleam came to Malbray's eyes. "Nothing is accidental, commissioner; this case, least of

RISING, Malbray gave a wrinkly smile, which showed a bitter shrewdness at the corners of his lips.

"The untimely manner of his death proves it," Malbray asserted. "Bendleton was ready to buy my new drug,

Somnotone, because Dr. Williams and others have tested it to their satisfaction. Mind you, he wanted the

discovery to benefit mankind. Therefore, he died by the hand of man. It is nature's law, that one should die

Weston felt that this sort of conversation was carrying them far from the proper track.

"I have said as much," returned Malbray. "Here!" He picked up a handful of letters from the desk and thrust

"But we have gone through that correspondence, professor. It contains names, of course, but only in a

"And why else should Bendleton have died?" demanded Malbray. "Except in a business way? He wanted to

benefit the world, without profit. In certain circles" Malbray bobbed his head wisely as he turned to other

This might be the kernel of something. Weston tried to pin Malbray down to fact.

"Of course," answered Malbray. "Every large drug company in the country would want it."

Malbray rubbed his chin; then shook his head. Weston began reading off names mentioned in Bendleton's

letters. He came to one: Kirby Eldwald. Malbray brightened suddenly, and nodded.

"I remember Mr. Eldwald," he declared. "He came to my house, like Mr. Bendleton. How long ago" the

keen eyes went shut "I can't recall. I pay no attention to time, commissioner. What few appointments I

make, I forget. As for such instruments as these" he gestured to the telephone "I cannot tolerate them. I

Weston gestured an impatient interruption; Malbray was off the track again. He had supplied one important

point: the fact that Kirby Eldwald wanted to purchase Somnotone. Head of the Apex Drug chain, a huge

Making a note of Eldwald's name, Weston was about to question Malbray further, when Dr. Williams arrived

The girl's expression was quite composed when she entered the study. Fay, herself, was proof that Malbray's

new drug, Somnotone, had merit. She was quite herself, an indication that the medicine had no harmful

effects; at the same time, she was able to contain the emotion that had previously seized her. When she

"Poor dad," she said, in a sorrowful tone. Then, turning to Weston, she added: "Dr. Williams tells me that his

The commissioner hesitated; then nodded. Before Weston could speak, Cranston intervened.

"You could help in establishing the fact," he said. "The commissioner would appreciate it, Fay; and I know

The girl nodded, her eyes meeting Cranston's in a steady manner. She understood that even the most trivial

points might prove of value. With a slight monotone in her voice, she recounted her own experiences during

SHE had gone in town in the morning and made a few purchases, among them the weather doll, which she

mentioned specifically, because it happened to be in sight on Bendleton's desk. She added that she had

bought two of them, and left one in a package, addressing it to her aunt in Philadelphia.

Arriving home, Fay had lunched with her father. Later, she recalled, a man had arrived from the electric

At that point, Weston was about to blurt something, when Cranston intervened again.

"By that time, Fay," he queried, "did it impress you that the house was stuffy?"

"Yes, it was," the girl answered. "But dad always kept the place so tightly closed. Really" she shook her

"Why not find the man from the electric company?" Cranston's suggestion was to Weston. "He might be able

"But I can't," exclaimed Fay. "He didn't state his name. Electric men never do. He was a new man, and I

remember what he looked like. He was rather short and stocky and wore a sweater. His face well, I'd

"Much later in the afternoon," Fay declared, "dad suggested that I drive over and get Professor Malbray. He's

so forgetful, you know" she gave a slight smile toward Malbray "that dad was afraid the appointment

would slip his mind. So I drove across to Manhattan by way of the Triboro Bridge, to the professor's house."

"To remind me of my engagement," acknowledged Malbray. "One that I would actually have forgotten, if

Weston suggested a trip downstairs. When they arrived at the lower hall, Fay glanced toward the table

"The package I mentioned," said the girl. "Harvey must have mailed it. I left it on that table, along with the

postage money. Harvey always looked there when he took out any mail that dad gave him. Occasionally,

They went out to the screened porch, where the macaw piped its "Hello." Looking toward the cage, Fay saw

"I wonder why Harvey brought the geraniums here," she expressed. "One belongs at the bottom of the stairs,

and the other in my room." She pondered momentarily, then: "I suppose he decided to water them and

Weston wasn't in a mood to discuss geraniums. He'd learned about all that he considered valuable, what little

it was. When Professor Malbray suggested that Fay return to his house, Weston agreed upon it. Fay, herself,

"It's so pleasant there!" she exclaimed. "So far away like another world! I can be calm there even though I

Fay left with Malbray. They took along the macaw and the geraniums. Commissioner Weston remained to

make a routine inspection; after ordering two policemen to stay outside the house, Weston suggested that he

During the journey, Weston talked in terms of Eldwald, and electric men, but did not mention geraniums.

"JUST one point, Cranston," mused the commissioner. "The matter of the prowler. I'd say he was an ordinary

burglar, who was watching the house, hoping for a time when it would be empty. When no lights appeared at

"The fellow couldn't have been a murderer, for by that time, Bendleton and the others were dead. In fact, the

prowler had no connection with the case, for he touched nothing important, such as Bendleton's papers.

"Finding dead men was enough to scare him away. He might return, though, as soon as the bodies are

Cranston had no comment on the matter. It was after he had dined with the commissioner that he gave it his

Leaving the Cobalt Club, Cranston entered his limousine and drew out black garments from beneath the rear

seat. Still Cranston, he ordered Stanley to take him to Long Island. During that ride, Cranston merged into the

He ordered Stanley to stop some distance from the Bendleton mansion. A gliding figure, The Shadow became

a part of darkness itself. With one pause only and a brief one he continued on to Bendleton's.

The brief pause was at a mailbox, where The Shadow posted a package that he brought along. It was the one

that Fay had addressed to her aunt, but instead of a blackskirted weather doll, it contained one of the new

A soft, whispery laugh stirred the thick darkness. The Shadow was returning to a scene of crime to learn more

details that he needed. True, he was also the unknown prowler whose return Weston somewhat anticipated;

The Shadow expected no foolish tangle with blundering police. He intended to accomplish a single mission;

that of discovering the actual source of the death that had reached three men in one simultaneous stroke.

IT was very dark in Bendleton's cellar, a fact which pleased The Shadow. There was moonlight outdoors, and

since none of the glow filtered indoors, it was safe to assume that a light, inside, would not be noticed by the

The Shadow turned on the light in question. It was close to a large furnace, which occupied a compartment of

Though an oil burner, the furnace was flanked by ancient coalbins, their windows heavily boarded, since they

were no longer used. This explained why no light could escape the compartment. But it wasn't wholly

He turned out the light and stole back to the rear of the cellar, stopping at a window that he had used for

Men paced past outside; then halted. The Shadow heard a gruff voice that he recognized. It belonged to

Inspector Joe Cardona, a very able police official. Cardona had been out of town that afternoon; otherwise, he

would have handled the Bendleton case from the start. Apparently, Joe was on it now, but didn't feel much

"Never mind about showing me inside," Cardona gruffed to the cops. "In one breath, the commissioner orders

me out here; in the next, he tells me he's learned everything he needs. Looks like he only meant me to check

"I'll stay around a half hour, until you two are relieved. We'll take a look inside, then, because there'll be four

of us, instead of two. It will mean a quicker checkup inside. Routine stuff, but the commissioner likes it."

Deciding to profit by the half hour, The Shadow returned to the furnace and again turned on the light. The

furnace was a large one, with its main pipe leading backward at an angle. The space was low beneath the

pipe, and so dark that The Shadow had to use his flashlight when he crouched within it.

His probe brought immediate results. Against the tinny surface of the pipe, The Shadow found two blobs that

looked like solder, spaced six inches apart. Turning the flashlight downward, he discovered tiny dabs of

silvery metal on the floor. Removing a glove, The Shadow tested the warmth of the furnace pipe. His laugh

These were clues that would ordinarily pass unnoticed. Apparently someone had done a small solder job on

the pipe, which was slightly dented. But the dent was recent, otherwise, rust would have shown through the

marred paint. The dent, like the solder, could have been applied today. The warmth of the pipe fitted with The

Someone probably the electric man mentioned by Fay had attached a cylinder made of some lowmelting

substance directly to the furnace pipe. The thermostat that controlled the heat had done the rest.

As the afternoon cooled, the furnace heat increased, and the pipe did the same. Having reached a required

temperature, the heat fused the special gas container and released its deadly load.

Turning the flashlight upward, The Shadow saw the final clue he needed. There was packing around the pipe,

where it went up through the cellar ceiling, but some of that packing had been removed so that the gas would

filter up through into a space beneath the stairway, where the heater pipe passed.

Once started, the gas must have rapidly permeated the house, which explained why a special combination of

gases had been employed. The gas had to be lighter than air, of penetrating quality, and a sort that would not

The electric man had come around one o'clock, but the exact time of his visit didn't matter. The deadly work

would have begun at shortly after four, in any event, because that was when the furnace heat had increased. A

half hour more and Bendleton was dead, along with his servants; while The Shadow, arriving some time after

five, was fortunately too late to experience ill effects from the dissipating gas.

Similarly, Fay Bendleton, who left about four o'clock, had gone too soon to become a victim. Her father had

suggested the early start, so she could drive to Malbray's before darkness settled, and through that

FINISHING his inspection, The Shadow eased out from beneath the pipe on the other side. As he did his

shoulder brushed one of the empty coalbins. He paused suddenly, only half in the light, listening intently.

He was sure that he heard a slight stir past the whitewashed boards that marked the side of the bin. Dropping

It would have been easy to deliver a sinister whisper through the cracks of the whitewashed boards and

follow with shots through the flimsy barrier, should his challenge be ignored. But The Shadow hadn't

forgotten that police were outside and that their number would soon be increased.

Shots were something to be reserved for an emergency that hadn't yet arrived. Apparently, someone was in

the coalbin stalking The Shadow, a very foolish policy, considering that stalking was The Shadow's own art.

Reaching out with his free hand, The Shadow tapped the furnace pipe and produced a clinky sound, which

indicated that he had moved in that direction. Immediately, he crept noiselessly forward, to the entrance of

His ear close to the boards, The Shadow heard a slight accompanying sound, indicating that his stalker was

also on the move. The next thing was to reach the entrance of the bin, round it, and fling a surprise attack

He was around the corner of the bin door, swinging his gun hand ahead of him, when a crouched figure

lunged upward to meet him. Great brawny hands were lunging for the blackcloaked attacker, coming more

Instead of trying to clamp the thrusting hands, The Shadow slashed his gun between them with a hard,

downward stroke. He expected his adversary to dodge, which would have enabled The Shadow to pull the

Instead, the lunger thrust his head right into it, taking all the poundage of The Shadow's terrific swing. It was

probably as hard a blow as The Shadow had ever delivered, and it violated the cloaked fighter's policy of

A most unfortunate occurrence, unless this attacker proved to be an actual murderer who deserved the death

that such a stroke could give. The Shadow couldn't understand why his opponent hadn't dodged; but that

proved only a trivial puzzle. Far more amazing was the fact that the mighty smash didn't stop The Shadow's

Talking the skullcracking stroke like a mere mosquito bite, the huge lunger clamped a mighty hand on The

Shadow's gun, plucked it from the gloved fist that held it and slugged back with a force that made The

Only by a headlong dive did The Shadow escape the smash of death. The gun butt grazed his head, and even

that force, less than a glancing blow, sent the cloaked fighter sprawling, groggy.

As he rolled to the inner corner of the coalbin, bringing up against a stone wall, The Shadow heard the finish

of his opponent's stroke. The sledged gun struck the partition of the bin and split the wooden wall apart.

Light flooded in from the cellar. In the midst of the splintered partition, The Shadow saw his snarly opponent.

Though half dazed, The Shadow no longer wondered why the gun butt had rated second best when it met

The Shadow's adversary wasn't a man; it was an ape, as huge an orangutan as The Shadow had ever seen, in

THE orangutan liked the game of skull slugging. He was trying to detach himself from the wreckage of the

partition, so that he could come back and really mash the blackcloaked human who had sagged in the depth

Groggily, The Shadow was trying to draw another gun with one hand, while he used his other hand to get to

his feet. He'd have to be out of the way before the huge ape charged. A few bullets wouldn't stop such an

Half to his feet, The Shadow slipped. His hand clutched the thing that accounted for his sprawl. It was a large

lump of coal, one of a scattered few remaining in the old bin. Ill luck, his hand encountering that lump, while

he was trying to shunt himself up from the floor. But The Shadow had a way of changing bad luck to good.

Half slumping against the wall, The Shadow flung the coal lump at the ape. The black rock bounced from the

creature's shoulder, bringing a response that amounted to a monkey's guffaw. The big fellow liked this new

game of throwing things. He forgot the slugging business and flung the handiest of missiles; the gun that he

It missed The Shadow's shoulder as he rolled to his feet. Scooping up the gun with one hand, The Shadow

grabbed coal lumps with the other and flung them, to keep the orangutan busy. In turn, the ape snatched

From far outdoors came a peculiar sound, the hoot of a great owl. The Shadow heard it, and so did his ape

foe. To The Shadow, it could have been an imitation hoot, delivered by a human throat; to the orangutan, it

The prolonged "Hooooo" was repeated, and before The Shadow could bring his gun to aim, the orangutan

Rapidly, The Shadow followed. He could hear the hoot repeated; steadily, from the far corner of the grounds.

There were shouts outside, several of them indicating that the new detail of two patrolmen had arrived,

joining with Cardona and the others. They'd heard the terrific smashes from the cellar and were coming to

It would be more than trouble if they met the orangutan. Firing after the creature, The Shadow tried to wound

it before it could escape but his aim was badly off. Unscathed, the ape went out through the cellar window,

and The Shadow followed, still shooting. His daze cleared as he reached the night air.

The owl hoots were coming from the direction of the apple tree, and the ape was making toward the spot.

Steadying, The Shadow pulled his trigger, this time with better aim. His shot was spoiled when a blueclad

foeman sprang upon him. With a quick grapple, The Shadow managed to fling the cop aside.

Cardona and the others didn't hear that scuffle. They were shooting from around the house, their target the

orangutan, which they mistook for a human figure, as The Shadow had. The ape was traveling too fast for

them, so they ran after him, losing their quarry in the shrubbery near the apple tree.

The Shadow was sure he heard the crackle of the hedge, but Cardona and his men stopped beneath the tree.

The cop that The Shadow had tossed was coming up to join them, thinking they were after the fighter who

had grappled him. Hoots were still coming from the tree, and Cardona fired two shots into the air as a

Amid those shots, The Shadow heard the whine of a departing car and knew that men had met the orangutan

beyond the hedge, to take the creature away. The situation was almost the duplicate of the one that The

Shadow had provided that afternoon. Marauders were gone, with no chance to overtake them, except for the

"COME down, you!" Cardona was addressing the accomplice in the tree. "If you don't, we'll let you have it!"

A derisive hoot was the only answer. Cardona repeated his command, and received another hoot in return.

Aiming upward, Cardona and his men aimed for the next hoot they heard. Poor business for the accomplice

Cardona was right; the shots did bring him down. The hooter descended, along with falling apples, and struck

Cardona squarely in the shoulder. Starting back, the inspector stopped short and stared at the bulletriddled

The victim was the one and only thing that Cardona hadn't expected from the tree. It was a big hoot owl, that

had been voicing a genuine call. The fact left Cardona baffled. A human fugitive answering a real owl's call

was a puzzle. He might have understood, had he realized that the fugitive was an ape, not a man.

There was one who understood: The Shadow. His laugh, lowwhispered, told that he, the master of darkness,

was departing from this scene where creatures of the night had played strange parts in an aftermath of crime.

KIRBY ELDWALD was a middlesized man whose shoulders had the shape of a coat hanger, with a

squarish face above them. An odd face, Eldwald's, with eyes that were always quizzical, even when his lips

were furnishing a pointed statement. Nor did his lips lessen the enigma; instead, they increased it. They had

Even Eldwald's one outstanding merit seemed phony. His merit was his frankness, and it didn't seem to fit

him. As he sat chatting in Weston's office, Eldwald spoiled the police commissioner's whole morning.

Weston had brought him here to be quizzed, and Eldwald was answering questions before they were even

Not for a moment did Eldwald deny that he sought the new drug, Somnotone, and had hoped to outbid

"Of course I've been up to Malbray's," Eldwald declared, in a clipped tone that matched the darty maneuvers

of his eyes. "He supplied me with some Somnotone pills for physicians to test. I had mine analyzed."

"Not exactly," returned Eldwald. "You see, Malbray's discovery is really a process that he begins from the

ground up. He grafts rare plants from all over the world, gets a combination that no one else can duplicate. He

blends the results of such hybrid herbs, and winds up with something you can analyze but can't fully define or

Weston looked across the desk to his friend Cranston, who had been invited specially to hear the quiz.

Cranston's thoughts seemed far away, so Weston saw fit to jog him back to the present.

"Listen to this, Cranston!" snapped the commissioner. Then, to Eldwald: "What did the analysis of

"It's akin to datura," explained Eldwald. "The jimson weed is a species of datura; both narcotic and

poisonous. It has a dash of Indian hemp, too. You know, the plant that produces marijuana. Only, it isn't

"Let's put it this way. You're familiar with coffee from which the caffeine has been extracted to render it

harmless. Well, Malbray has done the same thing with Somnotone. The stuff ought to knock you out, but it

doesn't. My experts can't figure it out. Extracting the harmful elements from datura or marijuana doesn't make

Eldwald paused, giving Weston the longawaited chance to put a question. At that, Eldwald still held the

edge, for his statements had built up to a logical query, the very one that Weston therewith made.

"Of course," nodded the squarefaced man. "I've been to Malbray's. His whole place is a gigantic

greenhouse, filled with rare plants from all over the world. He grows all kinds of flowers, in and out of

"You've heard of famous plantgrafters like Luther Burbank. Well, you'd think they ended their education in

Eldwald's enthusiasm was contagious. He was certainly giving Malbray a wonderful buildup. Then, in

"So Malbray thinks that someone murdered Bendleton," declared Eldwald tartly. "I suppose he refers to me."

"None were necessary," interrupted Eldwald. "However, I wouldn't have murdered Bendleton. Not even to

Weston threw a quick glance at Cranston; then turned again to Eldwald, to question briskly:

"From Bendleton," responded Eldwald. "He was a fanatic, with those humane ideas of his. He wanted to ease

human suffering; I hoped to profit from it. Don't forget that both Bendleton and myself rate as successful

businessmen. He'd suddenly sailed off on a tangent, while I was staying to my orbit."

WESTON tried to construe the full meaning of Eldwald's remarks. Slowly, the commissioner stated:

"You were both successful businessmen, you and Bendleton. You could both make money without going in

"Exactly," agreed Eldwald. "But when Bendleton's mind soared beyond the profit motive, he repudiated his

The commissioner gave a short laugh. Turning in his chair, he spoke to The Shadow.

"You heard what I heard, Cranston," declared Weston. "Eldwald is advancing the preposterous notion that

Bendleton might have planned to murder him, rather than see Malbray's new drug devoted to profit instead of

humanity. You are a man of ideals, Cranston. I shall let you refute Eldwald's claim.

"Tell him what you would do under similar circumstances. Could you, as a humanitarian, possibly consider

disposing of a man's life purely because he blocked your plans for easing the sufferings of persons you had

"Consider yourself in Bendleton's position; assume that Eldwald had beaten you at every turn. Tell Eldwald

Cranston's eyes fixed steadily on Eldwald, surveying the covetous eyes and false, smiling lips.

"Had I been Bendleton," Cranston's tone was even, cold in its steadiness, "I could never have forgotten

While Weston gaped, Eldwald arose, gave a long, pleased laugh and clapped his hand on Cranston's shoulder.

"You see, commissioner?" he queried. "Your friend Cranston agrees with me. So have others, when I've put

the case the way you two just heard it. Well, commissioner, I must be leaving. Don't worry about murders.

They could hear his laugh from the corridor, as he left. When Eldwald's merriment finally died, Weston

"You mean he was getting somewhere with you, commissioner," interposed Cranston. "It was time you tried

"You will have another, any time you want. Eldwald is too busy running the Apex Drug chain to leave town

in a hurry. Probably too busy, also, to have taken time to murder Bendleton, personally."

The final words brought results: they brought Weston back to the matter of Bendleton's death. First, the

commissioner stated that accidental death was still regarded as the cause, though the bodies of all three

victims Bendleton, Harvey and Jennings had shown a slight lung congestion, under autopsy.

This was sufficient to delay temporarily the medical examiner's verdict, which explained why Weston had

There was another phase of the Bendleton case that Weston felt was trivial. It concerned the visitor who had

posed as a man from the electric company. The police had learned that the company had not sent anyone to

read the meter at Bendleton's. But Weston did not regard the early impostor as a possible hand in murder.

He classed the man as an intended burglar, taking a preliminary look at the premises. At dusk, Weston

The commissioner happened to be confusing the earlier visitor with The Shadow, but Cranston did not

enlighten him on the mistake. Cranston was more interested in something else the commissioner had to say.

"INSPECTOR CARDONA reported another marauder at midnight," declared Weston, letting his lips form a

smile beneath his shortclipped mustache. "He bases his findings on vague sounds in the cellar, and a figure

"We might credit those things, if the inspector had not also supposed that the fugitive had a friend up in the

same old apple tree. The accomplice was hooting like an owl, which was quite sensible, because he turned

Therewith dismissing matters more important that he recognized, Weston remembered a subject that had

"Regarding Professor Malbray," declared the commissioner. "He still may furnish a few shreds of

information concerning Bendleton. It is also possible that Bendleton's daughter might give us more facts.

"Therefore, I must go to Malbray's, and it would be helpful if you accompanied me, Cranston. The visit

would seem less official, and, as a friend of Bendleton's, you could encourage both Malbray and the girl to

"We can stay there until four o'clock, and then go to the Central Park Zoo. We shall meet Inspector Cardona

there, after he returns from the Bronx. He's covering the Bronx Zoo first" Weston's smile broadened

Weston noticed that Cranston smiled, too, but the commissioner did not catch the significance of the

expression. It was actually The Shadow's commendation of Cardona's thoroughness, which Weston regarded

as a triviality. Cardona, at least, was still hoping to uncover a murderer's trail.

Anyone, anything, even a hoot owl, was a candidate for crime, in Cardona's estimation. The fact pleased The

Shadow, for it paved the way to an inquiry of his own. Commissioner Weston would be doubly irked before

Weston would learn that Cardona's interest in owls could be outmatched by Cranston's zest for gathering facts

THE trip to Malbray's was made in Cranston's flashy new limousine, instead of Weston's official car. Near

the northwest extremity of Manhattan Island, Stanley squeezed the big car through a narrow gateway and

This was one of those inaccessible sectors of Manhattan that still retained its primitive appearance: ground

which Weston had never seen, and which Cranston remembered only from a visit several years before.

Both received a surprise, when the car swung out from the trees and stopped at Malbray's mansion.

Weston hadn't expected to see so large a house, while Cranston was intrigued by its altered condition. He

remembered an old mansion, with a small greenhouse attached, which he had viewed at a time when Malbray

Today, the mansion itself was dwarfed by the great greeneries surrounding it. The place looked like a

Met by a stolid, shortbuilt servant, the visitors were conducted through the ground floor of the mansion.

Some of the greeneries were lowbuilt, containing shrubs and plants; others were quite high, for they held

At the rear of the house, the arrivals reached a small conservatory, where Professor Malbray received them.

Shaped like a cubicle, the conservatory was something of a workshop, which was not surprising, since

Malbray, a horticulturist, needed surroundings that provided both light and air. The rear windows of the

Those steps led down into the most magnificent flower garden that the visitors had ever seen. The garden,

In a sense, the garden was a patio. Fronted by the conservatory, it had side walls which began as short

extensions of the house itself; then became great walls of glass, cut into many panes, in typical greenhouse

The rear of the patio was also of glass, and its roof, nearly thirty feet above the ground, was made up of

Upright posts and steel cross girders supported the structure. The patio, itself, was about fifty feet in width,

and considerably deeper. There was only one way to enter it by those steps that led down from the

True, there was a doorway in the far wall, but it was blocked off by a pool at the rear of the garden. The pool

was quite deep, and floating on its surface were many lily pads, with colorful water flowers.

Other species of aquatic plants, such as water hyacinths, were visible, but the beauty of the flowered pool

seemed slight, compared to the major portion of the garden that occupied the foreground.

There, in beds and banks, grew flowers of every color, size, and species. The whole setting was a luxuriant,

exotic riot wherein growing things outmatched the magnificence of a rainbow. The air was heavy with the

scent of mingled fragrance, which came not only from the flowerbeds, but from trees among them. Every tree

Vying with cherry blossoms and dogwood were such flowering shrubs as forsythia and mock orange. But the

beds of flowers, numbering their varieties by the hundred, rather than in mere dozens, were definitely

Seeing the interest of his visitors, he pointed out clusters of roses, which included the climbing variety,

stretching over an arched trellis. He indicated groups of lilies, splashed with unusual colors.

"If you are botanically inclined," declared Malbray, "I should be glad to take you on a thorough tour of this

THERE was something soothing about Malbray's tone. It fitted the lulling fragrance of the garden, and the

visitors caught the spell. Commissioner Weston, however, had other matters on his mind, and broached them.

"We'd like to talk to you, professor," said Weston, "and to Miss Bendleton, too."

"She is in the garden," he said. "I shall call her." He stepped to the door of the conservatory, then paused and

turned to the shortbuilt servant who had brought the visitors: "You may go, Verber."

As Verber went back into the house, Malbray called for Fay and she appeared through the trellised arch.

Sight of Weston rather jarred her, so Cranston stepped forward as the girl arrived.

"Merely a social call, Fay," he said quietly. "Commissioner Weston merely came along because the professor

Weston smirked, to indicate that he loved flowers. Fay settled gratefully into a chair, and sighed as she

"I've been here for days," she declared. "No for weeks! Time seems to float by perfectly in this lovely

Her blue eyes were dreamy, her pale cheeks showed a flush. It was as if she had imbibed strength from the

flowers, to improve her own beauty from its usual waxen state. Then, with a sudden eye sparkle, Fay came

"Don't take me too literally, commissioner," she said. "But if you stayed here a while, you would understand

that there is much in what I say. In this house, time actually ceases to exist."

"Fay is right," nodded Malbray. "She is one person who sympathizes with my inability to keep

"The professor mentioned his dislike of telephones," reminded Fay. "He detests clocks just as much. There

"And no sundials in my garden," added Malbray emphatically. His face denoted pain. "Why people should

use the sun, the great giver of life, to mark the passage of precious moments, is something beyond my

Fearing that the professor was off on one of his philosophical rambles, Weston intervened with the natural

"We don't," returned Malbray. "We ignore it. As Fay says, we deny its existence. We recognize day and

night, because they are apparent. We never count the weeks, the months, nor even the seasons. I have solved

the problem of the seasons" he gestured toward the garden "by growing flowers exactly as I choose."

"There is one season here," reminded Fay dreamily. "Springtime! It is always springtime, professor."

Malbray was about to warm up to that theme, when a new interruption came. Someone knocked at the

hallway door; recognizing the rap, Malbray arose. They heard him speak to Verber. Returning, Malbray

"Nothing of consequence, Fay," said Malbray, as he read the message. "It concerns tulip bulbs. They are still

"Dunwood is trimming the bamboo," said Malbray. "Why don't you go watch him, Fay?"

"You can return to them. When you do, don't forget to notice the Silene noctiflora. It is a very fragrant

species of the Catchfly. Its flowers will interest you. They are the white ones, at the left of the lily pond."

FAY left, to join Dunwood in the tropical bamboo department, which was in one of the larger greenhouses.

"A very useful plant, the Catchfly. A small flower that attracts insects and traps them. If you would like to see

"Sorry, professor," Weston interrupted. "We must discuss something else. I've talked to Kirby Eldwald

regarding that drug of yours. Somnotone. From what he says, he was actually trying to outbid Bendleton for

"He was," admitted Malbray. "With poor Bendleton dead, he is after it again. Read this telegram. I disguised

He produced the crumpled telegram and handed it to Weston, who read it aloud. The message was from

Eldwald, declaring that he was meeting friends at eight o'clock and wanted Malbray to be present. Eldwald

"Of course not," replied Malbray, with a weary headshake. "I sometimes manage to arrive at a given place,

"He will probably come here, as he has before, hoping to buy the exclusive rights to Somnotone."

Malbray nodded. Rising, the professor strolled to the door that led out to the garden.

"Eldwald offered the same price as Bendleton," said Malbray. "One hundred thousand dollars, to cover costs

"I would have, had he lived. I suppose that humanity will gain, even while Eldwald profits, should I sell him

my precious drug. Nevertheless, I prefer to wait a while. Another sincere man, like Bendleton, might come

"Only with Bendleton and Eldwald," he replied. Then, pointing out into the garden: "Observe that tree,

Weston looked, and acknowledged that it was. He was staring toward a highbranched tree, that bore

funnelshaped flowers of blue. It was Cranston who diverted the commissioner's attention to a smaller tree

"Not the jacaranda," remarked Cranston. "Professor Malbray refers to the hursinghar, commissioner."

"That is where this one came from," acknowledged Malbray. "The hursinghar is the only known species of

the genus Nyctanthes. I meant to point it out to Fay. She would appreciate it, especially when its yellow

flowers are fully open. I shall remind her to watch it and inform me when they do."

HE turned and gave a grieved glance at Weston, who had drawn a watch from his pocket, to note the time.

Remembering Malbray's pet aversion, the commissioner pocketed the watch apologetically, and remarked

Malbray signaled with a buzzer that brought Verber. He told the servant to show the visitors out by way of

Weston wasn't at all pleased by the detour, though he noted that his friend Cranston was taking interest in the

various tropical trees that they passed, pausing particularly to study a manylimbed banyan that was fenced

There were other similar trees that could be seen through screens of bamboo and spreading palms, but

During the rapid excursion, they failed to see Fay Bendleton, though they caught her voice amid the clips of

"So I love flowers!" stormed Weston, as soon as he and Cranston were in the limousine. "I hope I never see

With a slight smile, Cranston leaned forward and spoke through the speaking tube:

DURING the ride to the Central Park Zoo, Commissioner Weston discussed the only development that

interested him: the new attempt, by Kirby Eldwald, to purchase the remarkable drug that Professor Malbray

Weston insisted that it might have a new bearing on the death of Richard Bendleton. Yet, as he talked, the

After all, Eldwald had openly admitted that he wanted to buy the drug, so his telegram to Malbray was

something to be expected. Indeed, if anything, Malbray's mention that both Bendleton and Eldwald had

offered an equal sum for Somnotone rather bolstered Eldwald's argument that he not Bendleton was the

However, Bendleton was dead, while Eldwald wasn't. If the medical examiner's verdict could only be delayed

a short while longer, Weston might conceivably gain evidence pinning murder on Eldwald.

Meanwhile, The Shadow, impassive in his guise of Cranston, was mentally debating just how soon he should

Cardona hadn't found a hoot owl, but he had uncovered something close to one in the person of the zoo's

Cardona was in Truban's office when the new arrivals entered. Seated behind his desk, Truban had all the

"You said something about an Annex," reminded Cardona. "The Loftus Annex, didn't you call it?"

Truban took the party to the Annex. It was some distance from the zoo proper, along a path that led under an

arched bridge, beyond a pond, and up to a building that nestled, almost out of sight, in a wooded patch of

"The endowment was provided by Engledon Loftus," stated Truban. "Mr. Loftus spent large sums acquiring

specimens throughout the world. He gave some to the zoo outright, on condition that the remainder would be

The Shadow remembered Engledon Loftus, a millionaire who liked wild animals, even though he hunted

them. Loftus had been killed in an African elephant hunt, several years before. The Shadow also knew that

Loftus had kept a sizable menagerie on his estate in the Catskills, but its transfer to Central Park was a recent

When they met Karl Stuggert and had a look at the collection, The Shadow understood why.

STUGGERT was a bigjawed, scarfaced man, who had a stoop and walked with a limp, which Truban

informed, in a whisper, was a souvenir of a tiger hunt. Privately, the listeners agreed that Stuggert would look

He certainly had a tougher appearance than any of the animals. In one cage a tawny puma raised its head and

gave a halfhearted snarl, only to sink back like a tabby cat when Stuggert flourished a stick at its nose.

The dingoes, wild dogs from Australia, looked more like a batch of coyotes and yipped in suitable style.

There were curious beasts like armadillos; while the prize of the collection was a unau, or twotoed sloth,

The Annex, itself, was quite small, and at the end of the abbreviated line of cages Stuggert stopped to

introduce a Borneo ape, which bore the name of Oswald. He didn't specify that this particular ape was an

"You've heard of the Borneo wild men?" gruffed Stuggert. "There's one of them. They sit up in trees and

He grimaced at Oswald, who grimaced back. Through the bars of the cage, Stuggert jostled the ape's arm, and

received a jounce in return. Walking his hands along from bar to bar, Stuggert had Oswald doing the same.

Stuggert lowered his head and butted, goatstyle, against the last bar, and Oswald copied the action from his

It happened to be one stunt too many. The orangutan leaped back with a sudden snarl and displayed unusual

ferocity, flinging its great arms forward as though to clutch through the bars and grab Stuggert's throat. This

Leaping back, Stuggert flung his arms high, just escaping Oswald's grab. Then, safely distant, the keeper

There was a sponge lying on a bench; Stuggert snatched it up and tossed it through the bars to Oswald, who

grabbed it and began to worry it. While the ape's ferocity dwindled, Stuggert remarked:

"That's the way they snatch coconuts. They get angry with them, throw them down, and smash them. They

like the milk. Funny thing, the way people are scared of these Borneo apes that don't hurt anything outside of

Considering Stuggert's slangy style of speech, the term "coconut" was significant, since it could apply to

Oswald's own head. It happened, however, that Stuggert hadn't been on hand to see the orangutan take the

If he'd known that Oswald's head was slightly tender, Stuggert would have omitted the barbutting stunt that

tossed the ape into a real rage. However, the keeper had managed to quiet the orangutan and preserve the

Looking about the group, Stuggert scarcely noticed the observant Mr. Cranston, whose expression remained

impassive. Stuggert was afraid that Cardona knew something about the owlandape combination, but the

inspector showed no suspicion. The group turned to leave, and Cranston, the last to go, tried a simple

Just away from Oswald's cage, The Shadow voiced a low, repressed hoot, an excellent imitation of an owl's.

Departing men turned. Stuggert hadn't heard the false hoot, because he was busy talking; but Cardona fancied

BRUSHING right past Cranston, Cardona reached the dead end of the passage and stopped at a narrow,

boarded space just beyond the ape's cage. Cardona noticed that the boards had a little door in them. He

Obligingly, Stuggert used a flashlight within the boxlike space, and Cardona, peering through saw only

"There are only mammals in the collection," assured Truban seriously. "I assure you, inspector, that I have

checked on every specimen brought here. If you wish, I can show you the dally reports. Mr. Stuggert has

Cardona gave a satisfied grumble that Stuggert could take for an apology, if he chose. When they came

outside the Annex the inspector looked around, but saw nothing except some empty boxes, with

He had satisfied himself that Oswald was the antagonist of Bendleton's cellar, and that Stuggert had trained

the nowise gentle ape to answer an owl's call, whether real or imitation. The owl that Cardona bagged didn't

have to belong in the Loftus Annex, at all. Stuggert could have captured plenty of them in the Catskills and

A real owl in Bendleton's apple tree had been an excellent way to bluff the police, and aid the escape of

Oswald, the orangutan. The question was: why had Stuggert, keeper of the Loftus animals, involved himself

That question had an answer; one that was indicated by the inhabitants of the Annex. A puma, a few dingoes,

an armadillo, a sloth, and a Borneo ape, weren't much to show for the private menagerie that had once

Someone had certainly taken the late Mr. Loftus for a firstclass sucker. Any such gyp game would

Someone, intent upon covering up murder at Bendleton's, had drawn Stuggert in on the deal. Therefore, that

someone knew that Stuggert was crooked, too, and thereby had forced him to play along.

The Shadow was quite ready to furnish Weston with the evidence, in the shape of a weather doll, that proved

murder at Bendleton's. It would keep the case wide open, while The Shadow conducted further investigations

It would be easy enough, checking on the affairs of the late Engledon Loftus; something that the police would

completely fail to consider, in the meantime. The Shadow would have an open track, and Stuggert would be

just a way station on the trip that would produce a hidden murderer at the final destination.

SUCH were the thoughts behind the immobile features of Lamont Cranston while he and the police

commissioner journeyed from the zoo to their club, along the avenues of Manhattan where brilliant lights

The limousine reached the Cobalt Club and Weston was leading the way indoors, when Cranston

Returning to the car, Cranston dipped his hand into the cushions of the rear seat and brought out a package

that was addressed and stamped. He handed it to Stanley, who couldn't read the address in the dusk.

It was a package that Cranston could easily have delivered in person, for it was addressed to Police

"Put the car in a garage, Stanley, while you dine," ordered Cranston. "We don't want its new fenders to be

dented. You can then go out to dinner, and mail this package on the way. Bring the car back here after you

A soft laugh whispered from Cranston's lips, as he turned away. It was the mirth of The Shadow, carrying the

confidence he always gave it when sure that he was whittling deep to the core of some notorious crime.

Had The Shadow foreseen the new trend that crime was to take, he would have reserved his mirth.

DURING dinner at the club, Commissioner Weston harped on the subject of Kirby Eldwald, repeating all that

he, Weston, had said during the ride from Malbray's to the zoo. Cranston tried to divert him with comments

"I know what that meeting is tonight," insisted Weston. "Eldwald is bringing in big investors from out of

town. He's going to sell them on the Malbray proposition. They'll clean up millions, Eldwald and his compact

"Quite in keeping with Eldwald's methods," agreed Cranston, seeing that he couldn't pull Weston from the

"What other choice has Malbray?" Weston demanded. "The professor has gone overboard on the subject of

plants and flowers. He can't run all those greenhouses without cash. I'll wager they cost more to heat than

"Malbray hoped for another investor, like Bendleton. He might find one, commissioner."

With the question, Weston stared directly at Cranston, and met the response of steady eyes. It suddenly struck

"You, of course!" exclaimed Weston. "That's it! Malbray wanted you to make bid. Why don't you,

From then, Weston was intrigued with a new plan. He wanted to move in on Eldwald's conference, at the

Hotel Clairwood, and find out what happened there. But he couldn't find a goodenough pretext. Not having

He suggested that Cranston go, instead only to strike another snag. Like Weston, Cranston would have to

state that he'd been at Malbray's when Eldwald's message came there. That, in turn, would make it look as

though Cranston had begun secret bids to cut out Eldwald; an erroneous impression which Cranston had no

While Weston chafed and fumed, with eight o'clock almost at hand, the break came in the form of a

telephone call for Cranston. Answering it, The Shadow rejoined the commissioner, purposely wearing a

"It was Eldwald on the wire," he informed. "He wants me to drop over to the Clairwood. He thought I might

"What nerve!" exclaimed Weston. "Eldwald must doubt your integrity, Cranston. He thinks that you're a man

"I believe it goes deeper than that," returned Cranston dryly. "Eldwald wouldn't be bighearted enough to let

"Yes. I think I know how he will try it, too. That is where you come in, commissioner."

"Certainly! I'll say that I left word for you here. I'd suggest that you leave in about fifteen minutes. You'll

IN Suite 1105 at the Hotel Clairwood, Kirby Eldwald was hatching out the very scheme that The Shadow

There were three attentive listeners, shrewd investors who had entered into many schemes with Eldwald,

chiefly as straw men, who had gained the jackal's share of spoils while he was carrying off the lion's profits.

"I tell you," declared Eldwald, raising a clenched fist, "I've got the proposition just as tight as that! The only

danger" he surveyed his tight hand ruefully "is that it may trickle out. Bendleton's death" he shook his

The straw men exchanged glances, which Eldwald did not fail to notice. Eldwald became emphatic.

"I had nothing to do with Bendleton's death!" His eyes were quick, shrewd in their darts. "Malbray hadn't

closed the deal with Bendleton. We both had a chance, Bendleton and I. If anything, I might have won out,

"Malbray needs money to cover his heavy expenses. If he didn't, he'd be just silly enough to give his

"When a man needs money, he'll always listen to a higher bid. I've worked on Malbray along that line. Then

Bendleton had to go and die by accident. Only a fool would claim that I'd played a hand in it; but Malbray

"What's more, Bendleton's daughter is a factor. She knows I was her father's business rival. She'd be quite put

The listeners began to understand their parts quite well. Convinced that Eldwald couldn't have had a hand in

"You fellows are to stage the greatheart stuff," Eldwald told them. "You all feel sorry about Bendleton,

understand?" He waited until nods came; then he continued. "When Cranston arrives, talk along that line. I'll

"I'll resign in your favor. For the good of humanity and all that rot. We'll get Cranston to swing the deal for

us. Afterward, you can turn over your stock to me, and I'll hold majority control. You'll all get your cut "

A knock at the door gave interruption. Eldwald stepped to answer it, stating in an undertone:

"It may be Cranston, so get ready. If it's Malbray, so much the better. We can do the act for him, too. But

there's hardly a chance that Malbray will get here. He never keeps appointments."

It was neither Cranston nor Malbray. When Eldwald opened the door, he was confronted by a solidfaced

"From your office, Mr. Eldwald," the messenger said. "They sent me up with it. They said you'd be here at

"It was when I stopped there," replied the messenger. "They thought maybe the package was important."

Eldwald tipped the messenger and stepped back into the room. He closed the door behind him, but it didn't

Eldwald was too intrigued with the package to notice the door. In fact, he was frozen in the center of the

"From Bendleton," he said, showing the package around. "His name is on it, and I know his handwriting.

The others didn't regard it as funny. They shifted, very uneasily. With his usual bravado, Eldwald laid the

"We were goodenough friends, Bendleton and I," he bragged. "This proves it! He'd gone rather foolish on

the humanity stuff, but I don't think he'd turned fanatic. I know what's in this package: some of those fancy

"We'll smoke some in his honor. Good old Bendleton." Eldwald was pleased with the package, for it helped

him warm up to the phony part he was to play for Cranston's benefit. "Yes, this shows that Bendleton held no

grievances. He must have mailed this package yesterday, not long before he died."

THOSE final words, delivered in a rising tone, carried out through the hallway, where an elevator had just

The arrival was Lamont Cranston. He saw Eldwald's door ajar, and obtained a view of the long corridor

Clear at the other end of the corridor a door was closing, and Cranston caught a last glimpse of a short, stocky

man in a messenger's uniform. The closing door bore the words: FIRE EXIT. It represented an unusual route

Connecting the messenger with the package that Eldwald's voice was mentioning, Cranston suddenly became

He sped across the space to Eldwald's suite and slashed the door open with his shoulder, not pausing for an

instant. Driving his hands ahead of him, he spread them with a wide sweep that cleared away two startled

They were Eldwald's friends, drawn closer to watch their ringleader undo Bendleton's package.

There was a third man, even closer to Eldwald. Cranston's swiftshoving hand bowled him to the corner.

Thrusting his other hand toward the package that was in Eldwald's grasp, The Shadow voiced a warning in a

Eldwald didn't hold it. His was a nature that couldn't understand a friendly act. He didn't realize that Cranston

had no choice but to spring it upon him. His thoughts, governed only by suspicion and mistrust, made him

want to keep the package, for Eldwald, planning a crooked game, suddenly believed that Cranston's surprise

Hooking the package under one arm, Eldwald flung the table with the other and dived for the next room. He

heard the clatter as Cranston tripped across the table while making a dive to overtake him.

Half through the doorway, Eldwald grabbed the last wrapping of the package and ripped at it as if his life

The package came apart under that final tug. It came apart all at once, in a most voluminous style. It blasted

with a gorge of flame that fairly swallowed Eldwald. The package was gone to atoms and Eldwald a flying,

Shattered by the blast, chunks of the doorway showered The Shadow as he lost the footing that he had just

regained. Others in the room sprawled, too, as the floor rocked beneath them. A terrific shatter announced the

departure of the windows, which were smashed to bits by the volcanic outrush of the air.

Volcanic, too, was the thick, whitish fumes that filled the doorway from which Eldwald had disappeared.

That cloud didn't represent cigar smoke. It was a vapor of death, the remnants of a bomb explosion that drove

They could only think of Kirby Eldwald as the murderer of Richard Bendleton. Through their numbed brains

drummed the maddening impression that Bendleton, though dead, had returned the favor of murder to

WITH or without his garb of black, The Shadow had ways of making rapid disappearances.

On this occasion, he vanished so thoroughly and suddenly, that Eldwald's staring friends thought he had gone

with the blast. Blinking at the clearing smoke, they couldn't understand why they saw Eldwald's shattered

The answer was that Cranston had again displayed The Shadow's speed. He was out of the hotel suite while

An elevator was stopping at the eleventh floor; entering it, Cranston told the operator to hurry him to the

When they reached the lobby, Cranston sped from the car before the operator could stop him. There were

shouts from persons who had heard the explosion and supposed that Cranston's dash marked him as the man

responsible. But when pursuers reached the street door, Cranston was gone from sight.

He'd entered one side of his parked limousine and come out the other, no longer Cranston, but The Shadow.

As the avenger in black, it was now his purpose to head off the messenger who had been party to Eldwald's

Finding the exit from the fire tower, The Shadow entered, expecting to meet the man from above.

Eleven stories was a long trip down, and the fugitive couldn't have reached the bottom. The trouble was that

He saw the fugitive clambering across a low roof that jutted from the fire tower. Following, The Shadow

Not only did the fugitive get clear; luck served him in the moments to come. Hurrying to the roof edge, The

Shadow was aiming pointblank at the fleeing man, when bullets began to drum the roof.

Rolling to cover, The Shadow saw the marksmen; they were police, firing at the gun stabs that came from the

roof. Inciting the officers to such measures was none other than The Shadow's good friend, Commissioner

Instead of waiting at the club, Weston had come to the hotel, intending to stay around the lobby during the

By so doing, Weston had managed to get in on something that The Shadow hadn't anticipated: the pursuit of a

man who had participated in fresh and unexpected murder. Instead of aiding the pursuit, Weston was

Up the street, the fugitive messenger was entering a waiting car, which drove off beyond the range of The

Shadow's guns. Thanks to Weston's interference, The Shadow hadn't gotten even a good look at his quarry.

There was nothing to do except resume the role of Cranston. That, at least, was easy.

Rolling across the roof at another angle, The Shadow remained unseen and below the level of the shots that

the police were sizzling up over the roof edge. Reaching the farthest corner, The Shadow rolled right off it

He'd remembered just where Stanley had parked the big car, and the lower top had simplified the rest.

Crouched low, The Shadow stowed away his cloak and hat, slid from the car and found a way into the lobby,

SEVERAL hotel employees grabbed Cranston, recognizing him as the man who had dashed out awhile

before. Finding that he knew the commissioner, they released him. In Cranston's style, The Shadow explained

"You're imagining things, Cranston," he said, "like my men are. They were outside and they saw no fugitive.

They thought they heard some shots, though, and they wasted a lot of bullets firing at a roof, where they

In Eldwald's suite, they heard the testimony of the drug magnate's friends. They considered the messenger to

be quite bona fide. They hadn't seen the fellow, but Eldwald had taken the package from him without

All three were very shaky. They regarded themselves as witnesses to a retribution that Eldwald had deserved.

They credited Cranston with a valiant effort at saving Eldwald's life; the fact that it had failed made it seem

Inspector Cardona arrived, and Weston turned the case over to him. Then, drawing Cranston aside, the

"Eldwald was right: Bendleton did turn fanatic. I wish, though, that we had more than Eldwald's statements to

"Why not drop uptown and see Malbray again?" suggested The Shadow. "He won't have heard of this

tragedy, the way he is cut off from the world. We might get a better opinion, under the circumstances."

WITHIN half an hour, Cranston's limousine stopped again in front of Malbray's isolated mansion. It was

Verber admitted the arrivals, and was quite surprised to see them back. However, he was prompt in

Professor Malbray was in the conservatory. He opened the door from his side and spoke through the crack.

"If it's Mr. Eldwald, Verber, have him wait a few minutes. Miss Bendleton is still in the garden; I wouldn't

Pushing Verber aside, Weston drew the door open and entered the conservatory with Cranston. Malbray

greeted them with such surprise that he finally concluded by digging his fingers through his white hair.

"Why... why, I can't understand!" he exclaimed. "I thought that you had left long ago, commissioner. I was

expecting Eldwald, but now I find you haven't left. I certainly have no sense of time whatever. This seems

He glanced out toward the garden, which was aglow with soft light; then, noting the thick darkness beyond

"You must have left!" he ejaculated. "It was daylight when you were here. I remember that much! Yes, now I

"Quite right, professor," spoke Weston in a humoring tone. "We've come back to see your lovely garden. It's

even more beautiful at night, with those indirect lights. I really must look at the flowers."

The garden was beautiful indeed. Along with the soft, varicolored lights, Malbray had turned on a fountain,

which gushed from the edge of the lily pond, catching the glow and changing it to rainbow hues that rivaled

Some of the water plants had closed their blossoms, but others had opened; the same was true of flowers in

the beds. Fay was in the garden, admiring the hursinghar, which was really the center of the scene, for its

The girl was surprised, however, to see the visitors. Weston gave a quick look at Cranston, hoping he would

"Sorry to trouble you, Fay," he said quietly, "but the commissioner had some questions he wanted to ask you

earlier. Merely a few routine queries, to help straighten some of your father's business affairs."

"About Kirby Eldwald, for example," continued Cranston casually. "He and your father differed on most

matters, but I understand that Eldwald's chain stores occasionally retailed some of the Alliance products

"Dad was very fair about that," she declared. "He saw no reason why Eldwald's associates should be

penalized just because Eldwald was dishonest. But dad would never have dealt with Eldwald as an

"I don't believe that Eldwald would have dared. Dad said often that if Eldwald made a single move to injure

him, in business, or otherwise, he would retaliate. He insisted, though, that he would first make sure of

Cranston's eyes held Fay's, so that the girl would not notice the change of expression that Weston must

certainly have given. Fay was becoming quite intense, and Malbray promptly noticed it.

"You mustn't excite yourself, Fay," said the professor. "I must remind you, too, that you need rest. It may be

Gently, he conducted Fay in from the garden, through the conservatory and into the house, while the others

followed. Fay stopped in an alcoved library just beyond the conservatory door. She picked up a book from

"It must be late," insisted Malbray. "You began reading soon after we looked at the Catchflies, while I

"That's so," she admitted. "Dunwood finished trimming the bamboo. I saw the Catchflies" she was counting

the incidents on her fingers "and then I read half through this book, until finally you interrupted me,

professor, so that I could look at the hursinghar. It really must be late. I think I shall say good night."

CARRYING the book, Fay went up a broad stairway and turned to the right at a landing near the top. After

"I never heard Bendleton speak that way regarding Eldwald," he said. "All my impressions were the other

"Very much so," assured Malbray. "Of course, Eldwald wanted me to deal with him, instead of Bendleton, so

"I recall one that was quite ridiculous," returned Malbray. "Of course, Eldwald was in a heated mood at the

time, but he seemed to mean it. He said that Bendleton's talk of aiding humanity was rot; that if Bendleton did

"I really feel" Malbray's tone was very solemn "that such a statement was a slur against Bendleton's

"Indeed it was, professor," agreed Weston. "Well, we must be going again. Some day soon, I shall stop back

They were hardly in the limousine before Weston was expressing his full opinions to Cranston.

"Two people totally away from the world," said Weston, referring to Malbray and Fay. "Yet they provided

the very facts I required. Behind the remarks they quoted lay a seething animosity between Bendleton and

"If I can only find proof that Bendleton was murdered, I'd know that Eldwald was the culprit, making good

his boast that Bendleton would never market Malbray's drug. Such proof, in turn, would fit with Bendleton's

"Fearing murder, Bendleton would have felt justified in sending a bomb to Eldwald. But I still need proof,

Cranston. Proof of the thing that's hankered me all along. I still must have evidence that Bendleton's death

The Shadow made no response. It wasn't necessary to inform Weston that such evidence existed. It was

already in the mail, and would reach the commissioner in the morning. Furthermore, The Shadow wasn't

Gazing back through the trees, the complacent Mr. Cranston was taking a long, steady look at the home of

ON reaching his office the next morning, Commissioner Weston pushed aside a small package that was lying

on his desk. He was more interested in looking at the morning newspapers and admiring Cranston's

photograph, which appeared on every front page. Quite a hero, Cranston, because of his earnest effort to save

Eldwald's former associates had given honest testimony on that point, and their word stood, regarding the

address that they saw on the death package, with Bendleton's name in the return corner.

Noting his own package again, Weston started to open it. He removed the paper and was lifting the lid of a

cardboard box, when he suddenly remembered what could happen to people who opened packages unwarily.

Flinging the package one way, Weston hurled himself the other, actually climbing over his desk to get away.

When nothing happened, the commissioner poked his head in sight across the desk top. He stared at the

figure lying on the floor, as though it were full sized and human, instead of imitation.

The object from the package was a little weathertelling doll, like the one that Weston had seen at

There was an envelope lying with the doll, and the commissioner opened it. When he finished reading the

Weston had seen such messages go blank before. This was from The Shadow, and the commissioner had time

Just the evidence that the police needed to prove the murder of Richard Bendleton was as big a bang as the

Seizing the telephone, Weston started things moving. He put Cardona on the go, and others besides. Within

an hour, the commissioner had all the data needed, and was phoning the newspapers to give them a new

By noon, New Yorkers were buying extra editions that exposed the BendletonEldwald case in all its

Give and take, with death as the trophy such was the law's opinion, backed by proof. Richard Bendleton

and his two unfortunate servants were victims of murder, which, from the facts at hand, could only have been

The man who could profit by Bendleton's death, Eldwald also could summon the services of various

Eldwald was marked as the man responsible for placing a deadly container of poison gas on Bendleton's

Perhaps the law of selfpreservation influenced Eldwald's scheme, for at the very time he managed the

planting of the death device, Bendleton's package was on its way to serve Eldwald in like turn.

Or, that same law, selfpreservation, could have ruled Bendleton's actions, on the logical assumption that

BUSY in his office until after one o'clock, Weston did not lunch with the morning's hero, Cranston, until two,

By then, Cranston's photographs were in the discard. Eldwald's tragic finish was old stuff, interesting only in

connection with Bendleton's death. If anyone could be called a hero, Commissioner Weston had usurped the

When an attendant approached the table, bringing a telephone, Weston reached for it. He was a bit annoyed to

find that the call was for Cranston, because Weston had been expecting another newspaper interview.

The attendant plugged the telephone into a wall socket, and when Cranston spoke, Weston turned away,

The call, however, was highly interesting to Cranston. The voice across the wire was quick, very eager. A

"I want to talk to you, Mr. Cranston," said the voice. "Personally; in private. When your friend, the police

"I can't make it until after four o'clock," the voice continued. "That's when I'll be free. How would close to

"I'd like you to meet me out front, Mr. Cranston. I'll come in a cab, along about quarter of five. Just to show

Cranston's repetition of the name brought a slight uneasiness from the other end of the wire.

"Don't mention my name to anyone," Felkin insisted. "I'll explain why when I see you. I'm depending on you,

The call ended abruptly. Hanging up, The Shadow found himself in a new conversation, this one with

"Did I hear right, Cranston?" quizzed Weston. "Were you talking to a man named Howard Felkin?"

"Watch out for him," warned Weston. "He's listed as a dangerous swindler. Suspected in connection with

It was The Shadow's turn to be irked, though he did not reveal the fact. His own crime files, though compact,

were frequently more extensive than those kept by the police. The Shadow's rogues' gallery, as an example,

showed thousands of faces, all on microscopic prints that could be enlarged when required.

Frequently, however, the police gained inklings regarding persons who hadn't reached The Shadow's lists.

Howard Felkin happened to be one. Often The Shadow, as Cranston, tapped Commissioner Weston for facts

"If Felkin tries to sell you stock," persisted Weston, "let me know about it. I'd like to get something on him

"Of course not," asserted Weston. "He won't, until he meets you, Cranston. I'll tell you how those fellows

operate. They look up people who are in the public eye. Felkin probably saw your picture in the newspapers,

"Felkin is practically hiding out, at present, but he probably can't resist the chance to flatter a stranger and sell

him something. If he should show up here, hang on to him. I'll be back by five o'clock."

DURING the few hours that followed, the impassive Mr. Cranston made some calls to Burbank, using the

voice of The Shadow. Reports were coming in regarding the Loftus Annex at the Central Park Zoo, but that

matter could wait. The Shadow's main interest concerned the coming visit of Howard Felkin.

It was a rule that often worked; one that definitely applied to the combined deaths of Bendleton and Eldwald.

The Shadow had assisted the law in satisfying itself on the exchange of murder, but The Shadow wasn't at all

There were loose ends in many cases, and this double tragedy promised them. The Shadow hadn't been

disappointed. He was convinced that Felkin's information would apply to Bendleton or Eldwald, perhaps

both. For The Shadow was working on a theory so far below the surface, that the law hadn't even scratched

Potential swindlers like Felkin might pick victims from persons heralded in the newspapers, but they didn't

At half past four, Lamont Cranston was strolling outside the Cobalt Club. He was watching for a taxicab, and

at the same time keeping a lookout for Weston's official car, which might arrive before five.

Minutes passed, and it was nearly quarter of five when a cab swung around the corner. As chance had it,

It would have been easy for The Shadow to whip open the cab door and whisk Felkin into the confines of the

club ahead of the arriving commissioner. But when he took one glance at the cab, The Shadow preferred to

Deliberately, he turned and waved to Weston as the commissioner approached. They met, while the doorman

"You wanted to meet Felkin," remarked The Shadow in Cranston's most casual tone, "so I asked him to come

It wasn't empty. The Shadow had spied a telltale hat poked just above the window edge. Through his mind

The adage was to have dramatic proof. The doorman was at the cab; both The Shadow and commissioner

Out from the cab plunged a figure that struck the sidewalk, floundered on its shoulders and landed face

upward, to show peaked features that had once been sallow, but were now as white as chalk.

Until the cab had actually arrived, The Shadow did not expect this dramatic result. He'd assumed that Felkin

had arranged his plans to escape disaster. Apparently, Felkin had been lax on that essential point.

Howard Felkin was just another man who knew too much. An additional pawn in the game that had taken the

THE dignified members of the Cobalt Club had lost all patience with Commissioner Weston. They had

usually tolerated his practice of holding police investigations on the premises. But when he insisted on

dragging in a corpse from the sidewalk and planting it in the middle of the foyer, things had gone too far.

The body, of course, was Felkin's, and Weston was so anxious to identify it that he waived the club rules as

though they didn't exist. He made it worse by summoning other people Inspector Cardona, for example,

who didn't belong in the club, at all. He prolonged the matter, too, by sending for data that would fully

Then came the parley of the police surgeons, which added to the confusion. If the Cobalt Club hadn't

included some noted physicians among its members, the governing board would probably have taken matters

But Felkin's death was so unusual, that the doctor's couldn't help but show an interest.

The victim's death was due to strangulation, but no rope could have caused the marks on Felkin's neck. As

Felkin's pallor was another case in point. During the process of strangulation, the blood supply had been cut

There was a curious twist to the dead man's neck, indicating that vertebrae were badly dislodged because of

the continued pressure. Forming themselves into a jury, the physicians conferred, and delivered a unanimous

Felkin's death could only have been produced by a powerful snake of the constrictor type, very possibly a

At least, the verdict cleared the foyer of the Cobalt Club, though it didn't clear the mystery. Weston ordered

Retiring to a remote nook, Weston took three persons along: Cranston, Cardona, and the cab driver who had

He was a "coolie," who hung around the ferry slips on a twentyhour shift. He'd gone to sleep with a

pinochle deck in his hands, to be aroused by someone telling him to hurry to the Cobalt Club. He hadn't even

The cabby's story indicated that men responsible for Felkin's death had placed the body in the cab and given

the order themselves. So Felkin was dead before he began his last ride, and the present problem was to find

Weston dismissed the cab driver, after taking his name and address. Then the commissioner asked for

"That guy is a cluck," said the inspector, referring to the cab driver. "You could get more out of a monkey

"A monkey!" exclaimed Cardona. "That's an idea! There was a gorilla, or something like one, in that Annex

Cardona was referring to the orangutan that Weston still classed as a Borneo ape.

"We are looking for a python," informed the commissioner testily. "Apes can strangle, but not in constrictor

"I don't mean the monkey did it," argued Cardona. "My idea is, we ought to go to the zoo again and find out

THEY went to the zoo in Central Park. There, Truban, the patient and reliable assistant director, assured them

that all reptiles in his custody were still where they belonged. Cardona insisted on another trip to the annex,

Stuggert was on hand. He'd been busy teaching tricks to Oswald, all afternoon, with a small crowd watching.

Stuggert had no snakes, and wanted none. He didn't like them. Truban reiterated that the Loftus Annex

Since Cardona was still stubborn, both Truban and Stuggert insisted that he look around the place. Cardona

did, poking into the same box beyond the monkey cage where he had looked for owls the day before. There

wasn't any snake in the boxed space. Everything was quite black when Cardona used his flashlight.

Stuggert didn't take the search very gracefully. All the way back he pointed to the cages, asking if the

occupants, sloths or armadillos, looked like snakes. He stopped at the puma's cage and gestured toward the

tawny cat, saying that it needed exercise, which Cardona could give it if he'd like to enter the cage. Cardona

Contrasted to Stuggert, Truban was more than pleasant. When they were leaving the assistant director's

"If there's anything I can ever do for you, Mr. Truban," declared Cardona, "let me know. I appreciate the way

Dropping Cardona off, Weston returned to the club, with Cranston. When the commissioner suggested that

"The other evening, commissioner," stated Cranston, "you took me out to Bendleton's to see some rather

unpleasant sights. This afternoon, we spent some time viewing Felkin's body. Did it ever occur to you that

"And we've spent that hour at the zoo," Cranston rejoined. "I still don't feel like eating dinner."

There wasn't any trouble getting away from Weston after that. Leaving by limousine, Cranston transferred to

Once in the blackwalled room, he studied report sheets received from agents. They concerned the Loftus

Years ago, Loftus had financed expeditions into jungle territory, to study and bring back rare flora and fauna.

As a finish to such a career, Loftus had gone on an expedition himself; one from which he had never

Such facts helped, because they formed a background to the present situation, involving the murder for

murder game between Bendleton and Eldwald, The law had closed that twofold case, and was now concerned

But The Shadow did not regard Felkin's death as another beginning. Rather, he classed it as a carryover

from something that should have been finished. He connected it definitely with Bendleton and Eldwald.

BENEATH the bluish light that flooded a corner of the sanctum, a living hand The Shadow's began

The words formed a column, like a sum in addition, a curious list of key thoughts for The Shadow's future

Very interesting, the way The Shadow placed actual figures at the bottom of the column, in the form of a

monetary tabulation that stood repeated. He drew a line under the list and poised his pen, as though intending

Then, laying the pen aside, The Shadow folded the paper in an odd fashion. He turned the top edge down a

half inch; then folded it over again, and still again, continuing the pleating system, until the paper became a

long thin strip, which he folded crosswise and tucked into a pocket beneath his cloak.

Reaching the earphones on the wall, The Shadow put in a call to Burbank, gave the contact man instructions

to pass along to the other agents. That done, The Shadow took a small pad, wrote something on its top sheet,

and put the paper in an envelope. He repeated the action with another slip of paper and a second envelope.

A strange laugh throbbed through the blackwalled sanctum. The sibilant tone denoted that the words which

The Shadow had twice written, to inclose in separate envelopes, were the answer to his verbal sum.

Pocketing the envelopes, the master of the sanctum turned off the blue light. A swish from his cloak

There had been enough of mystery. The police could continue to bolster their finding of mutual murder in the

cases of Richard Bendleton and Kirby Eldwald. The Shadow would take another course, to develop a theory

Not only did The Shadow hold the secret to past crimes; he was determined to balk the menace of murder yet

PERHAPS his brief interlude as The Shadow restored Cranston's appetite. At any rate, he dined that evening,

though not with Commissioner Weston. Instead, he had dinner in an isolated corner of a small and quiet

Long in The Shadow's service Harry Vincent was a cleancut chap who knew his way around. He'd served

Honest, trustworthy, reliable, Harry was all for The Shadow at all times, basing his loyalty on the proposition

As for Margo Lane, her sphere was also important. She knew Manhattan inside out, particularly in the realm

of cafe society, which dug its roots into the underworld and spread its branches through the upper crust.

An intelligent, attractive brunette, Margo knew just how and when to supplant wisdom with glamour, and

Both Harry and Margo knew why Cranston had summoned them. Other persons might have considered The

Shadow as Cranston in disguise, but Harry and Margo took the opposite view. They were agents of The

Thus, when Cranston spoke in his quiet, even tone, they listened eagerly, for they were hearing the words of

Neither listener was surprised when The Shadow came directly to the BendletonEldwald feud.

"Singular that each should have murdered the other," declared The Shadow. "I think we should look into this

business of important men eliminating each other like Kilkenny cats. Let us consider Eldwald first.

"We know that he was a grasper; the sort who would deal in murder if he chose. He could have acquired the

necessary poison gas. But we must admit that the evidence against Eldwald is purely circumstantial."

"Bendleton was just the opposite," continued The Shadow. "It would be impossible to conceive of him as a

murderer, except for the package which Eldwald received. Suppose we eliminate Bendleton's connection with

the package and merely consider it as a device that ended Eldwald's life. What then?"

"It would point to a hidden murderer," declared Harry promptly. "Someone who pinned the crime on

"Of course," added Margo, "and the same hidden hand could have killed Bendleton, too."

"A perfect coverup," said Harry. "With both men dead, neither could help clear the mystery. But who would

"And even granting that someone had the motive," put in Margo, "where is the evidence against him?"

Cranston produced two envelopes handing one to Harry, the other to Margo. He also showed them a folded

sheet of paper, remarking that it contained a list of added facts. He suggested that they open their envelopes

Each read a name on a slip of paper; a name that faded, being written in The Shadow's vanishing ink. But

when Harry and Margo faced each other, both were gripped by the same startling revelation. Simultaneously,

IT couldn't be! Malbray, of all people, murdering the two men who were bidding for the muchprized drug

It was possible that Malbray could have sided openly with Bendleton, and secretly with Eldwald, wavering

the balance from one to the other. But to have equalized the scale by delivering double death, looked like a

"Malbray still has his precious drug," he reminded them, "and can sell it to a new bidder. If he had strong

reason to murder either Bendleton or Eldwald, his disposal of the other was necessary to remove his own

name from the suspect list. I am sure, however, that Malbray had a double motive.

"First, however, I shall itemize the points against him. Some that seem inconsequential in themselves, link

with later points. Known facts build to conclusions which dovetail into one another. So I shall detail them."

The Shadow opened the top fold of his own paper. He read the word "Electrician," which faded while he

spoke. He dealt quite briefly with that subject, stating that the phony electric man had probably planted the

He reminded his listeners, however, that two persons had seen the gadget planter. One, Harvey the butler,

"The man who set the gas device," declared The Shadow, "could also have removed the geraniums to the

porch when he left Bendleton's house. Plants, of course, subsist on carbon dioxide; therefore, had Bendleton

and his servants died of ordinary suffocation, the geraniums would not have suffered.

"Actually, a deadly gas was used; one good enough to pass detection in the case of human beings. But the

man who devised it must have known that it would leave traces on certain plants, specifically flowers. Many

a murderer would have overlooked the point, but this one did not. No man knows flowers better than

The evidence was beginning to point itself. Reaching the third fold of his paper, The Shadow discussed

packages. He gave a brief description of his own activities at Bendleton's when he first arrived there.

The fact that Harvey hadn't mailed Fay's package was important. It indicated that the butler couldn't have

mailed the other package which Bendleton presumably sent to Eldwald. From that, The Shadow drew direct

"Malbray thought that Harvey had taken out the mail," he declared, "because Fay mentioned that the package

to her aunt was gone. So Malbray sent the bomb to Eldwald, faking a wrapper with canceled stamps and

imitating Bendleton's handwriting. The package was delivered by a messenger, who simply said he had been

"We can assume, of course, that the messenger was the same man who planted the death device at

Bendleton's. But let us consider another point: Malbray's forgery of Bendleton's handwriting. It shows us the

"He knew that the forgery would pass muster when viewed by Eldwald and his friends, but that it would be

detected if studied by experts. Hence, Malbray used an explosive, instead of a poison gas not just to give

variety to his murders, but to destroy the telltale wrapping of the package. When the bomb blasted, it

ANOTHER fold of The Shadow's list produced the words: "Weather doll." This was more than evidence of

Oddly, however, The Shadow was more concerned with the ordinary weather doll that he had planted on

He explained that Malbray couldn't have known about the weather doll, Fay's gift to her father, on the very

day of murder. Arriving at Bendleton's later, Malbray had seen an unimpaired doll on the victim's desk.

"Malbray knew that, because of the gas action, someone had substituted one doll for another. He heard talk of

a prowler who had entered the house at dusk. He recognized that such a person was on the right track, and

"So he saw to it that a formidable opponent was waiting in the cellar: Oswald, the trained orangutan from

Not only had The Shadow eliminated Eldwald as a murderer, since Eldwald, not having come to Bendleton's

house, could not have known about the weather doll or the prowler, but The Shadow had also formed a link

between Professor Malbray and Stuggert, the keeper of the Loftus Annex at the zoo. But he regarded Stuggert

The next of The Shadow's items covered that point. He read the word "Servants" before it faded.

"Professor Malbray may have several servants," declared The Shadow, "but I know of two, specifically. One

"Now, here is the odd point. Verber keeps constantly from sight whenever Fay Bendleton appears; whereas

The Shadow looked at the two ardent listeners, as though inviting comment. They gave it.

"Verber must have been the phony electrician," declared Harry. "Malbray is afraid Fay will recognize him."

"He could have been the messenger, too," added Margo. "The only man who really saw his face was Eldwald,

Nodding, The Shadow passed over the next item on the list, the word "Messenger," because it was covered.

Neither Harry nor Margo could figure Dunwood's case, so The Shadow postponed it. He dealt on the words:

Malbray, who disclaimed all interest in time, had certainly used it in disposing of Eldwald. Therefore, the

professor's pose was his weak point. To build a case against Malbray, which was now The Shadow's cause,

would require study of the time factor. In a recollective tone, The Shadow remarked:

"Today, a man named Felkin called me, saying he would see me after four o'clock. He arrived in a taxicab,

dead. I believe that Felkin was an informant" The Shadow turned to the next word on the list "who had

"I might add" The Shadow gazed from Harry to Margo "that Felkin had been keeping out of sight, to

"Then Felkin is Dunwood!" Harry jumped to the point at once. "That's why Malbray wouldn't let strangers

"And if Felkin could tell when it was four o'clock," exclaimed Margo, "so could Professor Malbray. That

Both agents were simply voicing The Shadow's own conclusions. He dealt on Felkin's death, explaining that

the system of strangulation, attributable to a python, led the trail away from Stuggert, who had no snakes in

"Malbray knew that the police had been to the zoo," declared The Shadow, "so he decided to have them go

again, on a quest that would be to Stuggert's advantage. We have added our facts; now we shall deal in

HE spread the paper flat. Both Harry and Margo saw the figures before they faded and observed that they

"Bendleton and Eldwald each offered Malbray one hundred thousand dollars," announced The Shadow.

"Both were very wealthy. Bendleton admired Malbray, while Eldwald regarded the professor with contempt.

"Extreme opinions, but both could have produced the same result. I feel positive that Bendleton and Eldwald

had each paid the professor the full sum he wanted, in order to clinch the deal."

"One against the other, all along!" Harry ejaculated. "After Malbray had the money in the bag, he murdered

"But surely," questioned Margo, "Bendleton and Eldwald must have insisted upon some proof that they

"I believed that both relied on witnesses," declared The Shadow. "In Bendleton's case, the witness was his

secretary, Jennings, who died with him. Eldwald, a shrewder bargainer, planted an inside man at Malbray's. I

refer to Felkin, alias Dunwood. Malbray must have learned that Felkin was checking on the Eldwald deal."

It fitted tightly. Malbray, man of murder, with two hundred thousand dollars in his craw, still owning full

Tracing back to the past, The Shadow could picture how Malbray got his start through swindling Engledon

Loftus, with Stuggert as an accomplice. Probably Malbray had begun by interesting Loftus in expeditions to

gather tropical plants. When Loftus had shown a preference toward collecting wild animals, Malbray had

The problem, of course, was to uncover Malbray's crimes in full, and call him to account for them. That, and

"Don't forget Fay Bendleton," reminded The Shadow. "Her testimony, pieced with facts, could convict

Malbray. He has therefore coaxed her out of circulation. How long she will remain safe, is another question.

The Shadow was speaking definitely as Cranston "that I would make an excellent one. But, while I play the

dupe, I can hardly check on inside facts at Malbray's, too. There is also Fay's safety to consider."

"You know Fay Bendleton," he said. "Why not drop up to see her? She would appreciate company, and I

"In your case," spoke The Shadow to Harry, "you can prove one thing while you are accomplishing another.

If Felkin and Dunwood were the same man, Malbray will need a new gardener. You are sufficiently qualified

The Shadow settled on the next day as the time for the separate ventures. That done, he discussed other

phases, such as methods of communication, should his agents place themselves, as he felt confident they

would. When The Shadow and his agents parted, Harry and Margo felt imbued with the same confidence.

Their chief, The Shadow, had marked Professor Malbray as a master of hidden murder. Theirs would be the

MATTERS were working as The Shadow hoped. Margo was a guest at Malbray's, and Harry held the

gardener's job. They'd both been on the premises a few days, and were waiting for The Shadow to visit

But matters were working in reverse, for Margo wanted to talk to Fay, but couldn't because Malbray was

always in his conservatory, close by, when the girls met in the garden. Margo had to agree with the nice

things Fay said about the professor, knowing, all the while, that it would be more difficult, later, to convince

Every evening, Fay went to bed soon after dark, because physicians had advised that she get all the rest she

could. Margo stayed up until after midnight, reading books in the library, from which she could watch the

door of the conservatory, where the professor was usually busy grafting plants or working out new

Thus, Margo was really looking out for Fay, instead of acquiring information; whereas Harry, who had taken

over the missing Dunwood's job, was looking for facts, instead of handling secret guard duty.

Harry hoped to talk to Fay, but had found her rather taciturn whenever they met. Meanwhile, thanks to his

rating as gardener, he was learning much about the premises. Professor Malbray personally conducted the

new gardener through the tropical greeneries, and Harry learned one thing definitely: namely, that the place

The banyan trees were interesting, particularly one curious variety which occupied its own glasswalled

compartment because it required very special temperatures. It was squattier than the banyans, and its limbs

were unusually thin and long, some spreading close to the ground. Malbray pointed it out to Harry through

Professor Malbray pronounced the tree a hybrid, a cross between the Ficus Bengalensis, or banyan, and the

Ficus pumila, or creeping fig. Odd, the banyan and the fig belonging to the same family, but they did.

Malbray proudly claimed credit for the hybrid, and told Harry that he intended to name it Ficus Theophilus,

Like the banyans, the Ficus Theophilus had aerial roots that grew down to the ground, so straight that they

appeared to be tree trunks, making the plant a miniature forest in itself. Harry could look right between them

Unlike the banyans, the pet plant had no major trunk, because it was partly fig vine. Some of the propping

roots actually entered the ground, thus supporting the shrublike tree, but the rest simply dangled. The Ficus

Theophilus had a little fence around it, but Malbray was afraid he would have to enlarge the barrier, because

On this particular afternoon, Harry had studied the odd tree and then gone to the garden. Margo was there,

chatting with Fay, but their conversation was restricted because of Malbray's presence in the conservatory.

Harry gave a slight nod to Margo, who decided to get a book; but when she reached the library, she couldn't

find the one she wanted, so called to Malbray and he left the conservatory to help her.

The professor found the book without trouble, but Margo held him in conversation. She told him that she

really thought that Fay should stay up later than she had been. Malbray agreed that Fay was probably finding

life monotonous, rising and retiring with the birds. He promised to talk it over with Dr. Williams the next

Malbray was in a chatty mood, so he stayed in the library. He told Margo that a guest was coming in the

evening, a friend of his named Cranston. Smartly, Margo nodded, and said that she knew Cranston rather

If Malbray thought he could catch Margo off guard, he was wrong. Not only was she ahead of him, through

ALWAYS, when in the garden, Fay took on a conversational mood, particularly over flowers. Harry was near

a bed of funnelshaped blooms that disported shades of red, white, and yellow, some with stripes of

"Lovely, aren't they? I believe those flowers were Dunwood's favorites. He looked at them every day."

"Very pretty," agreed Harry. Then, deciding it best to emphasize whatever he knew about flowers, he added:

"They are a rather common species, though. Many people have Four O'Clocks in their gardens."

"Four O'Clocks?" The term puzzled Fay. "Why, Dunwood termed them Peruvian Marvels."

"Another name for them," said Harry. "Botanically, the flower is called Mirabilis Jalapa. The name Four

Harry cut himself off before adding the word "because." It was better to let Fay think of the flowers as

Peruvian Marvels. The term "Four O'Clock" had a most significant meaning. It came from the hour at which

It was the hour Felkin had mentioned in his call to Cranston; the time at which he would be able to "get

away." In this house where he lived at Dunwood, Felkin hadn't needed a clock to recognize that hour. He'd

"He did," assured Fay. "He went out one day without asking Professor Malbray's permission. He was only

gone a short while, and the professor said nothing about it. But he discharged him, that very same day."

Without realizing it, Fay was accounting for Felkin's phone call, which must have been made outside the

mansion. Malbray had been watching the Four O'Clocks, too, and had been ready to handle Felkin when the

right hour came. Very probably, Verber had trailed "Dunwood" and overheard his phone call.

It was after four o'clock at present, for the Marvels were wide open. Harry began to walk around the garden

as though looking for his own favorite flower, and Fay followed. Harry came upon a bed of yellow flowers,

The flowers were popping open almost like silent firecrackers. They were Evening Primroses, otherwise

known as Oenothera. They were telling an hour, too, which Harry estimated as five o'clock, because the sun

When Fay pointed to another bed of Evening Primroses, containing white flowers that hadn't opened, Harry

By Harry's forming calculations, "next" signified six o'clock. A new thought struck him. He turned to Fay.

"You seem to know most of the flowers," he said. "Which variety is your favorite?"

"I like them all," replied Fay. "That is, all except the Catchflies." She stooped by a border of pink flowers,

which were still closed. "See how sticky the stems are? That's why I don't like them. I haven't noticed them

SINCE Harry knew that Fay retired soon after dusk, he set the time of the Catchflies at seven o'clock. Hoping

"Of course you haven't," Fay recalled. "Dunwood was still here, then. I watched the Catchflies open after Mr.

Cranston had gone. Then I went to the library, to read a book. Finally, Professor Malbray called to me from

"They're much prettier when they've opened," said Fay. "So are the Tropical Water Lilies, the blue ones"

the girl was pointing to the pool "and they were open, too, that evening. But I didn't see them spread their

From Fay's statements, Harry, still figuring on an hourly basis, set the Tropical Water Lily at eight o'clock,

and the Nyctanthes at nine. Fay had seen the opening of the Catchfly and the Nyctanthes, but had missed the

Fay had seen Professor Malbray at seven o'clock, and later at nine, but not between. He'd been in the

conservatory, she thought, but Harry doubted it. On that evening, Kirby Eldwald had met death at eight

Assuming that Verber had been the messenger with the murder package, someone must have driven the car

Those missing two hours were quite sufficient, and Harry, tracing back, decided that Malbray could also have

taken Verber over to Long Island the day the fellow planted the death device in Bendleton's cellar.

It had been done quite early, before Fay, herself, had driven over here to Malbray's. Thus, the professor could

Easy enough for Malbray, whose flowers talked to him in terms of time. They were speaking to Harry, too, as

he looked around, telling their entire story. Flowers by the hundreds, all shapes, all sizes, all colors, but

among them if Harry's theory proved right there would be exactly twentyfour, each signifying a

Professor Malbray's private garden was his clock. The problem of the time factor, most important in building

One thing, alone, puzzled Harry Vincent. He wondered how Malbray could have left the conservatory, while

Fay was in the library, that evening when Eldwald had been blasted out of existence.

He couldn't have come out through the garden, because the lily pond was too deep and wide to wade across.

Harry had tested it, with a pole, and found it eight feet deep. Malbray certainly couldn't have taken time to

Maybe he'd slipped past Fay while she was engrossed with her book. Such speculation, however, was

scarcely worth while. Harry had found out the real secret of the garden: that it served as a flower clock.

LAMONT CRANSTON arrived for dinner, and Fay Bendleton stayed up for the special occasion. From the

moment that Cranston entered the house, facts evidenced themselves in accepted style.

It was Verber who admitted Cranston, and the shortbuilt servant turned away through the library as

Cranston entered the conservatory. As usual, Verber didn't want to be seen by Fay Bendleton. She was the

Fay had described Verber as rather thickset, which he wasn't. However, The Shadow understood Fay's

mistake on that point. She'd also mentioned that the "electric man" had worn a heavy sweater under his coat;

rather odd, because the afternoon had been fairly warm. But The Shadow didn't regard it as odd. He knew

The "messenger" at the Clairwood Hotel had been a trifle toward the stocky side, too, and had managed to get

away without showing his face. So Professor Malbray was keeping Verber on display, as usual, except when

There was another matter of interest. Malbray wasn't keeping his new gardener, Vincent, out of sight, as he

had done with Dunswood. Fay, of course, had seen Dunwood, but neither Cranston nor Weston had. Tonight,

The Shadow had a photograph of Felkin with him, intending to give it to Margo. It would come in useful,

During dinner, Margo chatted rather brightly, and managed, very casually, to inform Cranston on certain

matters in Malbray's household. Even though Malbray heard everything that Margo said, he couldn't have

The Shadow learned that Malbray had three other servants in the house, beside Verber. A chef, a

housekeeper, and a serving man made up the trio, and the lastnamed was on display, because he was serving

the dinner, Verber being busy at something else. The serving man looked quite dull, and Margo gave The

All loyal to Malbray, and therefore to be watched; but none were of Verber's caliber. From the way Margo

mentioned the servants, The Shadow took it that they played no active part in any of Malbray's crimes.

It was Fay who helped by talking about the gardeners, who lived outside the mansion. Malbray kept only one

man, Vincent, on the premises; the rest came to work from their homes, wherever those happened to be.

Some had only parttime jobs, but preferred the arrangement. Of course, Vincent was around all the time,

From this, The Shadow gained the impression that the garden help, like the servants, knew nothing of

Malbray's murder game. He also decided that they constituted a reserve group that might prove exceedingly

dangerous. It all depended upon what they did when not working on their parttime jobs.

It would be clever of Malbray, to have thugs available if needed, at the same time pretending that he knew

nothing of their real caliber. He could draw them in, or cut them adrift, as he preferred, and it might be that he

An interesting tieup: Malbray and Stuggert. One that fitted more and more with the data that The Shadow

It could even be that Professor Malbray was responsible for the sudden death of Engledon Loftus during the

gamehunting expedition in Africa. It would certainly account for the funds that had started Malbray in his

largescale horticulture ventures. A murderer of past experience, Malbray was wellfitted to perpetrate

BY the time dinner was over, Fay was very tired. She said good night and went upstairs to bed, turning to the

right when she reached the landing. Professor Malbray gave a worried headshake as he turned to The

"Fay's condition is more serious than she realizes," said Malbray. "She hasn't recovered from the shock of her

"So Fay has that side of the house all to herself," put in Margo, in a tone of approval. "I sleep in the other

Again, Margo was putting special significance in her statement. Her words didn't carry the approval she

expressed by tone. Margo was telling The Shadow that she'd been placed distant from Fay, and wouldn't be

"Even the slightest shock might be fatal to Fay," she said. "All the physicians agree that her heart couldn't

stand a sudden strain. So we're taking good care of her" Margo turned from Cranston to Malbray "aren't

Malbray acknowledged that they were; then remarked that he had matters to discuss with Cranston, which

was a hint for Margo to go into the library and burrow herself in a book. She complied, and Malbray

Matters were very delicately balanced with Malbray, though he didn't suppose that Cranston knew it. The

Cleverly, Malbray was using Fay's welfare as a pretext to keep her at his house, where she couldn't learn that

her father's death was murder; or, even worse, that Bendleton had also been branded as Eldwald's killer in the

Naturally, Malbray wasn't telling Fay, because such facts might give her the shock that the physicians feared.

Should Fay find out about matters, she wouldn't necessarily lose her confidence in Malbray; but the way

She might want to talk to the police, hoping to exonerate her father. If she learned that her own statements,

made to Weston, had been taken to mean that Bendleton sought Eldwald's life, Fay's indignation would know

Murder might out, with another murderer as the culprit at the throttle. So Malbray was seeing to it that

murder didn't "out." Which meant, to The Shadow, that Fay's position was quite precarious. If Malbray found

it necessary to forestall Fay's testimony, he'd provide some "shock" that would dispose of her before she

As usual, Malbray was covering one game with another. As soon as he and Cranston were seated in the

conservatory, the professor assumed his most benign expression and began to talk in terms of humanity.

"I AM back where I started," declared Malbray. "No one could have suffered more from the deaths of

Bendleton and Eldwald than did I. But my suffering will be small compared to that of human beings who

The Shadow nodded. There was no question that the deaths of two rival bidders prevented Somnotone from

reaching the public. Regretfully, Malbray cupped his hand in his chin and eyed his visitor intently.

"If I had the funds, I could develop it myself, Cranston," declared Malbray. "Not for my own profit, though I

"No," returned Malbray. "He wanted nothing, whereas Eldwald wanted everything. That is why I no longer

care to treat with men of extreme ideas. I believe you are more practical, Cranston."

"I understand," interrupted Malbray. "Being practical, you recognize that if you associate your name with

Somnotone, it might lead to rumors. It would be bad business, considering that two men destroyed each other

"But you are a humanitarian, too," insisted Malbray. "Therefore, you would like to furnish financial support.

Ah, well" he shrugged "my name is already identified with Somnotone. I must go ahead with it, on my

The pause brought the result Malbray wanted. Cranston became interested. Soon, the professor was tabulating

figures, calculating that one hundred thousand dollars would be needed to market the drug on a nationwide

All the while, he emphasized that Cranston's connection with it would not be mentioned, and he calculated

The Shadow was being treated to the same sort of buildup that Bendleton and Eldwald had received, though

In their cases, Malbray had gained funds sub rosa by playing one against the other; with Cranston, he was

"Suppose you bring the funds tomorrow," suggested Malbray, when Cranston had approved the figures on

Somnotone. "In cash, of course, so there will be no canceled check as evidence of a transaction on which you

On which Malbray preferred silence, though he neatly dodged that point. Shrewd was the professor's gaze as

"Tomorrow," was Cranston's reply. "I shall draw them from different banks. You may expect me some time

Malbray spread his hands apologetically, reminding his visitor that this house was on a timeless basis. As he

spoke, Malbray gave a wary glance toward the garden, which Cranston happened to be facing. Malbray spied

"I thought Vincent had left," remarked Malbray, "but he is still in the garden. I hope he didn't overhear us."

MALBRAY beckoned, and The Shadow followed. Fortunately, Harry was in a far corner of the garden and

couldn't have overheard. He explained that he was checking over the flowerbeds to learn how many needed

It contained purplish flowers that looked much like Morningglories, and the wide, silken funnels were

opening to the full. Turning, Malbray observed Cranston's interest in the flowers. In his turn, The Shadow

"You have produced a remarkable species, professor. I never saw a Morningglory open at night, before."

"The Morningglory belongs to the family Convolvulacea," stated Malbray. "There are some yonder, reds

and blues, which you will notice are closed. This flower is the Eveningglory, belonging to the family

Cranston gave a casual nod, but in that moment, Harry was sure that The Shadow had also gotten an inkling

to Malbray's flower clock, even though the Eveningglory was a much less obvious clue than the Four

On Malbray's floral time table, the Eveningglory stood for ten o'clock at night. Harry had already made a

Following the others to the conservatory, Harry gave the professor a sheet of penciled notes relative to weeds,

Harry had some blank sheets, too; he was folding one, when it slipped from his fingers and fell beyond the

Malbray noticed Harry unfold the sheet and glance at it. Sudden suspicion crossed Malbray's mind. Cranston

could have switched the blank sheet for another. It was policy for Malbray to concentrate on Harry, so he did,

"Only a blank paper," replied Harry. He crumpled the sheet and tossed it into a wastebasket. "Good evening,

His eyes following the tossed wad, Malbray didn't see the other folded sheet that went into Cranston's pocket.

After Harry had left, The Shadow chatted with Malbray a while; then decided to go. Malbray started to show

Rapidly, the wrinklefaced botanist dug the crumpled paper from the wastebasket and opened it, only to find

that it was actually blank. Malbray relaxed into a pleased smile, deciding that Cranston and Vincent weren't

Malbray didn't guess that Harry had actually read instructions from that sheet writing inscribed in The

Nor could the professor realize that by returning to the conservatory, he had given Cranston a chance to stop

at the library and deliver instructions to Margo, too, along with a very important photograph.

Verber had arrived at the front door and was unbolting it when Malbray overtook Cranston. The professor

Riding away, The Shadow brought Harry's sheet from his pocket and applied the flame of a cigarette lighter

to its under surface. Writing appeared, and The Shadow read Harry's secret report, detailing what he had

It fitted with The Shadow's own inkling, but that wasn't why a soft laugh came from Cranston's lips. The

He'd used his vanishing ink, while Harry had employed an appearing variety. Malbray had twice seen what

Game for game, The Shadow was working to a showdown with Professor Malbray, a climax to crime that

THOUGH Professor Malbray didn't know it, his new gardener, Harry Vincent, spent the rest of the night in

the patio garden, dozing only at fitful intervals. Harry was out to complete his time chart as far as possible,

The opening of the Moonflower, a species of wild anemone, marked eleven in the evening. Midnight was told

by a cactus plant, which Harry identified as the Nightblooming Cereus, distinguishable by its large pink

Harry almost missed the Snow Thistle, that spread at one in the morning, and he had trouble classifying the

The rest were easy. The picris, a kind of chicory, opened its large yellow rays at three, while the fouro'clock

flower proved to be a form of Camomile, quite similar to a daisy. The Poppy popped at five, one whole bed

At six, when the true Morning glory took over, it was time for Harry to leave and get some steady sleep.

Soon afterward, Margo took over. Fay always arose early, and this morning, Margo did the same. Of course,

Professor Malbray, who never seemed to sleep, saw fit to arrive in the conservatory just after the girls met in

the garden. But that didn't prevent Margo from noticing some aquatic plants that were opening in the little

Just before lunch, Fay went indoors. Harry reappeared, and had a chance to speak to Margo in a corner of the

garden, unnoticed by Malbray, who was thinking in terms of people talking to Fay.

Margo gave Harry the rest of the flower list: the Scarlet Pimpernel for eight o'clock; the Venus Mirror at

nine; the Purslane for ten o'clock; and the star of Bethlehem, denoting the hour of eleven.

Harry had to identify the Venus Mirror, which Margo had mistaken for an ordinary violet, and he decided,

after some debate, that the Purslane could better be termed the "Red Maid." A showy pink flower was

opening as Professor Malbray called that lunch was ready. Margo paused to point it out to Harry,

"The Fig Marigold," defined Harry. "I hadn't noticed it before. It's also called the Moon Flower, as much a

During lunch, Malbray glanced at Fay and said that she looked overtired, attributing it to the fact that she

Admitting she was tired, Fay decided to take a nap after lunch. She went upstairs, while Malbray entered the

Shortly, Harry appeared, coming from the conservatory. Making sure that Verber wasn't around, he confided

"I just spotted Malbray looking at the carnations," said Harry. "They're opening, at one o'clock. I've doped out

the flowers for two and three: the Blue Cornflower and the Autumn Dandelion. I guess Malbray was afraid

Margo told Harry about Fay's nap. She was sure that Malbray was making extra effort to keep her from

talking to Fay; or, equally likely, he might be trying to trap Margo, if she went up to see the other girl. Margo

was sure that the housekeeper was somewhere about, probably acting as Malbray's spy.

"I'd hoped for just a word or two with Fay," expressed Margo, "so I could tell her to speak with you, Harry.

Fay would trust you on my sayso. You could show her that picture of Felkin. I'd have to talk to her, first "

HARRY was taking a cautious look at Malbray's door. There were no sounds from beyond it. Beckoning

Margo from the library, Harry led her toward the tropical greenery that housed the Ficus Theophilus; then

They were under the wing where Fay's room was located, and Harry showed Margo a hotwater pipe.

"If we tapped this," he began, "Fay would hear us. I don't suppose, though, that she understands code "

He paused, hearing sounds from the pipe itself; Margo heard them, too, the rhythmic gurgles of running

"Fay must be taking a shower," exclaimed Margo. "I don't think she would hear the taps."

He returned with a wrench, and a hose with a spray funnel on the end of it. Removing the nozzle of the

funnel, Harry transformed it into a megaphone. He used the wrench to loosen a joint in the hotwater pipe;

Working rapidly, Harry finished separating the pipe; he plugged in the rubber hose and handed the

Upstairs, Fay was wondering what had cut off the shower. When she heard a muffled contralto voice coming

through the shower spray itself, Fay nearly jumped out of the shower stall. She never would have recognized

Fay tapped the pipe with the heel of a slipper. Briefly, Margo told her to trust anything that Harry told her on

their next meeting in the garden. Margo would see to it that Professor Malbray wasn't around at the time.

Margo didn't give any details; she merely asked for three more taps, if Fay understood and would agree.

Nothing of this reached Professor Malbray. Using the hotwater pipe for a speaking tube was a very cute

system, particularly with the funnel attachment, as Margo had keen able to muffle her speech so that only Fay

Even Harry, standing close by, couldn't catch Margo's tone, so Malbray certainly could not have heard

However, Malbray wasn't in the conservatory waiting to see the Blue Cornflower open at two o'clock. He was

How he had gotten there was something of a mystery, since neither Harry nor Margo had seen him come

They'd have been surprised had they known that Malbray was gone from the house; even more amazed at his

destination. Professor Malbray was calling on Commissioner Weston, in the latter's office.

THERE were others in the office: Inspector Cardona and an owlish man, who proved to be Assistant Director

Weston introduced Truban to Malbray, and each merely nodded. Truban was interested in animals, Malbray

Truban was explaining about some ocelots, which had arrived at the zoo. He'd understood that four were

coming, but the cage contained only three, and was in battered condition when taken from the truck. Truban

was afraid that the fourth ocelot had escaped, and the appeal he therewith made was addressed chiefly to

"You told me you'd give me help if I needed it," insisted Truban. "I do need your help. If the ocelot is at large

"I'll send some men out," promised Cardona. "Only, you'll have to tell me what an ocelot looks like."

Truban described the ocelot as a large American spotted cat, ranging from Texas to Patagonia, which didn't

include Central Park. This specimen of the Felis pardalis, as Truban termed the ocelot, was yellow, with

"Why don't you go along with Mr. Truban?" queried Weston, turning to Cardona. "He'll show you three

ocelots, so you can identify the fourth. He'll tell you all about its habits, so you'll know where to look for it."

"Like the owl," put in Weston, addressing Cardona sarcastically. "You bagged an owl once, inspector. This is

Cardona grumbled that tonight was his evening off. Weston countered by suggesting that he spend it strolling

The commissioner was recalling how Cardona had dragged him to the zoo on two fruitless excursions. He felt

that the ocelot hunt would be a good lesson. It might break Cardona of his worst habit, that of having too

many hunches. The owl episode had about ended Weston's patience on the hunch question.

After Cardona left with Truban, Malbray chatted with Weston. His weather eye on the clock, Malbray

Three o'clock passed; with it, the opening of the Autumn Dandelions. But Malbray wasn't thinking in terms

Professor Malbray wanted to make sure that Lamont Cranston did not drop into see Commissioner Weston,

or even call him by telephone, regarding a matter of one hundred thousand dollars.

Cannily, Malbray calculated that if Cranston happened to be working with the law, he'd surely tell the

As four o'clock approached, there still was no word from the commissioner's friend.

By then, Weston was getting restless. For the tenth time, he agreed that Fay Bendleton shouldn't know about

her father's crimes until her health was better. The commissioner was wishing that Malbray would leave.

Weston said he was going out of town, which was true, and that he had a lot of matters to finish first, which

To back the latter claim, the commissioner picked up the telephone and began sending out some unnecessary

orders. Among them, he ordered a radio broadcast to the effect that a dangerous ocelot was at large in Central

Park. Remembering Malbray's aversion to telephones, Weston hoped that the professor would become

With a rather forced smile, Malbray made the most of an interval which Weston purposely allowed, and

Commissioner Weston treated himself to a chuckle as soon as the unwanted visitor had left. He didn't know

Half past four and all was well with Professor Malbray. By the time his flower clock had completed its

twentyfourhour round, he hoped to be one hundred thousand dollars richer. Malbray's gain would be

If all continued to go as well as Malbray planned it, Weston would be lacking a very good friend, in the

IT was nine o'clock and Fay Bendleton was still in the garden. She had slept all afternoon, she said, and was

He was in the conservatory, talking with Lamont Cranston, but Fay couldn't overhear them because the

Strange thoughts were gripping Fay. She had been swayed by a conflict of emotions for hours; since five

o'clock, to be exact, when she had come downstairs, to see Professor Malbray coming from the conservatory.

Fortunately, she hadn't learned of his treachery at that time; hence, she had greeted him as pleasantly as usual.

Going into the garden, Fay had been watching the sun cups of the yellow Evening Primroses as they opened,

when Harry had joined her. Tersely, he had told her of the accusation against her dead father, backing his

story with newspaper clippings. In almost the same breath, Harry had relieved Fay's tension by placing the

Felkin's picture was a help. Fay recognized the man as Dunwood. Later, Harry maneuvered her into the

conservatory and let her get a glimpse of Verber when he was answering the front door, to admit Cranston.

Keyed to the situation, Fay in a glance, had recognized the servant as the selfstyled "electric man" who had

Cranston's presence at the dinner table had been fortunate. His eyes always ready when Fay looked for them,

imbued the girl with strength; they flashed silently, and without Malbray's knowledge. Even now, Fay could

feel their power, and felt confident for any ordeal as long as Cranston was around. Yet her own thoughts

She was strolling near the hursinghar and sight of the tree's spreading yellow blossoms, symbols of nine

o'clock, made her remember the depth of Malbray's craft. Shuddering slightly, the girl turned away and

They were pink things, like Camellias, clusters with exquisite waxy petals. As Fay's fingers neared them, the

flowers snapped away angrily. Their pods flipped open, scattering seeds like miniature shrapnel. They were

Like the Catchflies, they were a serious omen. Though the showering seeds were harmless, Fay wondered

what Touchmenots would be like on a larger scale. Her thoughts ran to the huge plants in Malbray's

tropical greeneries. She pictured weird creatures of the plant world on parade, seeking prey.

In a way, the thought was laughable; still, plants and herbs could produce drugs and poisons. Unquestionably,

the poison gas that killed Fay's father, as well as the explosives that did away with Eldwald, were made from

Harry had spoken of noxious garden sprays, employed quite legitimately, however, only on his own premises,

There was Dunwood's death, for instance, as yet unexplained. What was more, Malbray might, at any time,

invoke some drug that would produce quite the opposite effect of his wonderful and beneficial Somnotone.

Recalling Malbray's prized invention, Fay looked toward the conservatory, wondering how Cranston was

making out with the professor. There was nothing to do but wait; so wait, Fay did, hoping that Cranston

Most persons wouldn't have felt pleased in handing over one hundred thousand dollars, in cash, but Cranston

did. He was counting the money so readily, that Professor Malbray showed a certain uneasiness. Leaning

"This transaction should be witnessed, Cranston," insisted Malbray. "For your protection, you know."

"In this secluded house? Never, professor! You are cut off from the world; even time does not exist here."

"I have forgotten time," he declared, "but I doubt that time has forgotten me. We must have a witness. I shall

He stepped to the garden and called Fay. When she arrived, Malbray began to explain matters that she

already understood, though he interpreted them quite differently than Harry had. Malbray's tone was

unusually benign, which only made Fay recognize the tremendous depths of his hypocrisy.

Malbray spoke tenderly of Fay's father. Bendleton's last wish, so Malbray claimed, was to have Somnotone

sponsored for the benefit of all humanity. Like Malbray, Cranston understood. Generously, Cranston was

It was appropriate that Fay should witness the transaction. Malbray skipped the point that it was for

Cranston's protection. It was a tribute to Bendleton, Malbray told Fay, and his tone should have thrilled her to

Indeed, Fay's eyes did moisten when she thought of her father's betrayal by Malbray, the man he had so

Meanwhile, The Shadow was getting a firsthand glimpse of Malbray's method. Probably the professor had

given Bendleton the same sort of talk, which resulted in the secretary, Jennings, becoming a witness.

Very likely, Malbray had called in Dunwood to witness the Eldwald deal, a thing satisfying enough to

Those thoughts, however, emphasized the gravity of the present situation. When Bendleton died, so had

Jennings. After Eldwald's death, Felkin's had followed. If anything was to happen to Cranston, Malbray was

certainly scheduling a similar fate for Fay. Fortunately, The Shadow had foreseen that prospect.

"We might call in another witness," suggested Malbray. "I leave it to you, Mr. Cranston."

Fay noticed that Malbray lost something of his poise at mention of Verber. He couldn't call in the servant, of

Still believing that Fay had not glimpsed Verber during her stay at this house of flowers, Malbray resolved to

take no chances. He decided what The Shadow wanted: namely, that no other witnesses would be needed.

Thus Harry and Margo, the persons that Malbray might call upon, were freed from impending death warrants,

which was highly important, for The Shadow was depending heavily upon their coming services and did not

Solemnly, Malbray put the money in a desk drawer, locked it, and gave the key to Fay as a token of his trust.

The girl trembled slightly, but not enough to rouse Malbray's suspicions. Cranston's eyes were the steadying

Then they were leaving the conservatory, going out through the hallway. There, as Cranston said good night

"It must be very late," said the professor. "I haven't an idea how long it has been since dark came, but you

At that moment, Margo arrived from the library in response to a cue that Cranston flashed her.

"I'm turning in, too," said Margo, with a yawn. "I was up with the birds this morning, along with Fay."

TOGETHER, the girls started upstairs. Malbray saw Cranston turning toward the door and remembered

"You're going to the club, of course?" queried Malbray. "To see your friend, the commissioner?"

"No, no," rejoined Malbray. "I saw him this afternoon. He said he would be back; that he hoped he would see

"I might go to the club." Cranston's tone was very leisurely. "Yes, I suppose I should see Weston. I shall go to

He held Malbray just long enough. When the professor turned, to look up at the landing, Margo and Fay had

By hurrying their steps, they were almost out of sight, far enough so Malbray could merely glimpse their

backs. Thanks to their cooperation, The Shadow had played a human shell game on that master of flimflam,

Not for an instant did Malbray guess that Fay was the girl going to the left, and Margo the one who had

turned to the right. Margo was bound for Fay's room, to occupy the post of danger. In her turn, Fay was to

Malbray missed it, and so did Verber, who arrived just as the girls went out of sight. The Shadow had

calculated that Verber would be tardy on account of Fay, and it worked exactly in accordance.

As on the previous night, Verber unbolted the front door, and Malbray bowed Cranston out to the

Not far from Malbray's, Cranston spoke to Stanley, suggesting that they stop for gasoline. Stanley couldn't

understand it, because he always gassed up in the morning at Cranston's private tank. However, he stopped at

While Stanley was doing it, he heard Cranston's voice beside him. The chauffeur was even more puzzled

The service man was puzzled, too, when he found that the limousine's tank would only take a few gallons.

However, when the chauffeur appeared and handed him a tip, along with payment for the gas, the fellow

Then, the big car was rolling away toward Central Park, the short route to the Cobalt Club. The radio was

tuned low and a figure in the rear seat was leaning forward, as though to hear it clearly. No longer, however,

was the passenger guised as Cranston. That figure in the rear seat wore the cloak and hat of The Shadow.

Not once did The Shadow look back; not even when other cars moved past and cut ahead of the limousine.

He didn't seem to notice them, even when they were in advance. Cars that seemed to be speeding toward

Nor was it surprising that the limousine's chauffeur did not report to the rear seat. Stanley was trained so well

Yet, from the limousine, as it rolled steadily along, came the whispered laugh of The Shadow.

HUNTING the elusive ocelot was a new experience for Inspector Joe Cardona. It had reached the point

where Joe had turned himself into quite as stealthy a slinker as the notorious spotted cat. Joe had to slink, or

he might have been bagged, himself. Those broadcasts that Weston ordered were the reason.

Everybody and his brother was out to find the missing ocelot. Some were armed with canes, hoping to round

up the creature, while others carried potato sacks in which to bag it. The amateur hunters were creating more

than a traffic problem as they crossed the park drives. A little encouragement and they'd be battling one

So Cardona had to put most of his detail on the job of chasing the general public out of range, which left him

free to move around with a few picked men. However, they were keeping to the bushes, not only to uncover

the ocelot, but to avoid any chance sluggers who might not have heeded the police warning.

Every now and then, Joe saw a flash bulb flare up, and knew that cameramen had taken a shot. The

newspapers would be full of pictures, tomorrow, all relating to Cardona's stalking of jungle prey in the wilds

It all summed up to something that the inspector didn't like: namely, that he'd have to find the ocelot. He'd

He figured, on the theory of like seeking like, that the roaming ocelot would be in the neighborhood of the

zoo. So Joe kept working in circles, with the zoo as the center, and he found the going better.

The amateurs were roaming far, getting out of Cardona's way. Which made it easy for Joe to move along the

fringes of the driveways, then cut off through the trees, turning his circle into something of a zigzag.

Cardona wasn't far from the Loftus Annex when he witnessed an occurrence that made him temporarily

Nearing an intersection of two drives, Cardona saw two cars coming side by side, one about to pass the other.

Something was wrong with their lights, for they were blinking as they went beneath the extended branches of

a thick, overhanging tree. Then came the screech of brakes, and Cardona saw the cars again, both jerking to a

Another machine had cut in from the other drive. For a moment, it looked like a threeway smashup; but

the drivers were alert. Cardona heard the clash of locking bumpers, the sound of outraged shouts. He decided

to hurry over and settle the traffic question as a mild relief from the monotonous ocelot hunt.

Still a few dozen yards from the intersection, Cardona hard another car arrive. He turned to warn it, but its

brakes operated smoothly under the control of a competent chauffeur. The car was a large one, a limousine,

By the headlights of a car that came the other way and stopped because of the blockade, Cardona gained a

He recognized it as Cranston's new car. Not only because of its make, which was uncommon, but by the

lowered top, Cardona saw the chauffeur in front, but couldn't quite make out Stanley's face; so he looked

At least, he was sure he saw The Shadow. Most certainly, that cloaked shape was human, particularly in the

Intrigued by the idea of The Shadow riding in Cranston's car, Cardona stated intently. Then, wildly, Joe was

A spotted thing, of yellow and black, shoving from the branches. A beast that had the crouch of a killer,

Before Cardona was able to draw his gun, the creature was springing. It was the missing ocelot, and it was

Instead, the cloaked occupant of the limousine was utterly unable to swing about. The best that could be done

was a drop, flat to the floor of the limousine. That drop was weighted by the ocelot's arrival. Claws stretched,

How Cardona covered the yardage so quickly, he didn't know. He was halfway to the car when the ocelot

landed. His gun was out as he reached the step. Not bothering with the door, Joe hurled himself for the

spotted beast, which gave a bound in his direction, claws coming up to meet him.

It was a sequel more astounding than the thing that had occurred before. For, amid that splash of spots that

came clawing at him, Cardona saw nothing but flatness on the floor of the car. He'd seen the ocelot reach The

Cardona couldn't vanish. He wasn't even able to dive away, before the killer cat was at him. In his attempt to

dodge, Cardona tripped; he was going backward, to the ground, his gun hand wide, and the ocelot, clearing

the side of the car, seemed sure of a kill to replace the one that it had so mysteriously missed.

Even more mysterious, in that moment of his backward sprawl, Cardona heard the laugh of The Shadow!

It might have come from nowhere, but the gunshot that emphasized it blasted through from the front seat. It

The beast seemed to jar in midair, and its snarl became a screech. It was half spinning as it reached the

Under the second impact of the .45, the ocelot took another midair twist, and missed Cardona completely as

he squirmed closer to the car. Claws actually ripped Cardona's coat; he felt the brush of fur against his face.

Instead of turning to pounce upon Cardona, the wounded cat sprang away with howls that seemed an appeal

for shelter. Cardona heard new gun bursts, but they weren't in the direction of the fleeing animal. They were

jabbing at the cars that made the blockade, and they were being answered in kind.

Yet the lone marksman was getting results, while his foemen weren't. Abandoning one car, they hopped into

the other two and tore away along the curving driveways, the rocky contours of the park helping their escape.

Most amazing to Cardona was the man who did the shooting. Joe didn't see The Shadow; he didn't even see

Then the mystery cleared in part as Cardona came to his feet, intending to yell for police to pursue the

fugitive cars. The chauffeur turned around, taking off his cap. He was no longer Stanley; he was Cranston.

"Hello, inspector," he said. "Surprised to see me? You shouldn't be. You know I like biggame hunting. My

chauffeur didn't, so I dropped him off. Had to wear his uniform, of course, to drive a limousine."

Cardona was mistaken, but Cranston didn't specify the details. Cardona had seen the figure of The Shadow in

the rear of the big car, but it was merely the cloak and hat, surmounted on cushions. Bait for murder, arranged

"But who were those fellows in the other cars?" queried Cardona. "They began shooting at you, after you

"So I fired at them," rejoined Cranston. "I'd say they were crooks in disguise."

"And you were in disguise," grunted Cardona. "Maybe I ought to have worn false whiskers, to make it

There was no jest in the tone, as Cardona suddenly realized. Then, still in Cranston's style, The Shadow said:

"I heard the broadcasts. I was looking for an ocelot, but I am still not sure I saw one, though I know such

game well. Whatever the creature was, I wounded it mortally. Ocelot or no ocelot, we shall find it very near

Still dumfounded, Cardona followed The Shadow off into the trees, never realizing that this trail was to carry

THEY found the spotted cat, quite dead, a little way beyond the tree where it had been lurking for its prey.

Cardona's flashlight showed plenty of black spots on the creature's yellow fur. Having seen other ocelots

earlier, Cardona would have wagered that this was their twin, if Cranston hadn't probed the matter further.

Stooping in the light, Cranston rubbed the spots. They dwindled, then vanished, under the sweep of his hand.

Yellowness faded somewhat, as Cranston continued the action. Gradually, the ocelot's hide was reduced to a

duller tawny color. Only a sizable patch was needed to reveal what the animal really was.

"At the Loftus Annex!" recalled Cardona. "That fellow Stuggert had a puma. Say" Joe pointed his flashlight

in the direction that the dead cat faced "I'll bet this cat was heading that way!"

As if in answer to Cardona came a low, thin whistle, repeated twice in the night, the sort of signal to which a

trained beast would respond. There was a pause; then a repetition of the call, given cautiously.

"Stuggert!" exclaimed Cardona. "He's trying to bring in the puma. I've got it! He painted up the puma to look

like an ocelot, so it wouldn't be traced back to him. He wanted this critter to be mistaken for the missing

"Truban said there was one, and Truban is all right. Wait, though! Truban didn't see the ocelot before it

"Perhaps there were only three ocelots in the shipment. You can look into that matter later, inspector, after

Cardona turned in the direction of the Annex. The Shadow was about to call him back, when Joe returned of

"The owl business," Cardona reminded. "I've got an idea that Stuggert used an owl out at Bendleton's, to call

off the puma. Only" Joe shook his head "the thing that went for the apple tree looked a lot like a man."

"So does Stuggert's orangutan," reminded Cranston. "Remember Oswald, inspector? Test him with a hoot

"A good idea," decided Cardona. "One other thing, Mr. Cranston. You say you were hunting the phony

ocelot. But it looks like the thing was after you, too. That's what the traffic mess was for: to stop your car

"I really wouldn't know," said The Shadow. "You see, I've been rather out of matters, this evening. I was at a

"Certainly," nodded The Shadow. "He insisted that I drive down to the club. He said that the commissioner

The Shadow was letting Cardona spring to his own conclusions, which was easy enough, since Joe knew that

Weston had gone out of town and wouldn't be back. It was like pointing a finger straight at Malbray, and

He remembered that Malbray had been at Bendleton's only a few hours before the episode of the owl and the

"Yes," The Shadow replied. "He sold me the rights to Somnotone for one hundred thousand dollars, cash."

THE whole story of murder was cracking apart and dropping right into Cardona's lap. Correctly, Joe saw

Malbray as the heinous master of hidden death. Bendleton first, then Eldwald; now, an attempt on Cranston's

"We've got to get to Malbray's," asserted Cardona grimly. "That girl is in danger! We can use your car, Mr.

"And forget Stuggert?" queried The Shadow. "I wouldn't, if I were you, inspector. Let me go up to Malbray's.

"But he can't learn for a while. He has no telephone. You can arrest Stuggert and bring him up to Malbray's.

Be careful, though, inspector. Take some men with you. Stuggert may prove wily."

With Cardona nodding his agreement, Cranston strolled away. Nearing the limousine, he took off the

chauffeur's jacket and carried it with the cap. At the limousine, he found Stanley, who had arrived by cab.

A group of curious onlookers saw chauffeur and master exchange coat and jacket. None, however, saw the

other garments, cloak and hat of black, that were flattened in the bottom of the limousine.

Stanley took the wheel and Cranston became the passenger. The big car turned and swung the bend; it was

The fake ocelot hadn't clawed the black attire too badly. The garb obliterated The Shadow from sight as he

settled deep in the seat. In fact, the limousine looked quite empty when it paused at the stop sign marking a

His keen eyes were noting a glimmer from below a cluster of trees. The light represented the Loftus Annex,

where Inspector Cardona would soon be settling certain matters with Karl Stuggert.

More than eager to settle those matters, Cardona was almost at the Annex when The Shadow spied the lights.

Figuring that he had wasted precious minutes, Cardona postponed the business of forming a squad. Not that

he intended to ignore Cranston's admonition. It just struck Cardona that he could do a bit of preliminary

Off from the darkness came the low whistle that Joe had heard before. If Stuggert happened to be the

whistler, he wouldn't be in the Annex. So Cardona approached the building and finding the door unlocked, he

entered. The place was dimly lighted, and Cardona took a prompt look into the puma's cage.

One point for Cardona. He decided to score another. Moving along the passage, he reached the last cage and

took a look at Oswald, the Borneo ape. An orangutan, Cranston had termed the beast, and Cranston was right.

Springing to the bars of the cage, the ape banged at them and snarled, proving that he wasn't inclined to be

pleasant, except when his keeper, Stuggert, was on hand. But Oswald's ugly manner ended when Cardona

Stiffening, Oswald ceased to grimace, and waited to hear the sound again. Cardona gave another hoot, a trifle

The second hoot brought new results: a clatter from the door of the Annex. Cardona swung, drawing a

revolver as he came about, in time to surprise Stuggert, flatfooted on the threshold.

THE keeper was back from his puma quest, armed with a stick in one hand, a lighted kerosene lantern in the

Cardona beckoned with his gun, and Stuggert approached slowly. Cardona told him to drop the club, and

Stuggert let it clatter. He was only about ten feet away, and Cardona let him come a little closer, since the

fellow no longer had his weapon. At least, Cardona thought that Stuggert had no weapon, but Joe was wrong.

With a spring that he must have learned from the animals he tamed, Stuggert was suddenly away from

Cardona's gun muzzle. In the same move, the fellow gave a cross lash with his lantern that almost hooked

Joe wheeled away, but before he could take new aim, Stuggert pressed the light switch on the passing wall,

It was flying Cardona's way again, that lantern, and Joe was shooting on the wrong side of it. Immediately,

Cardona found himself grappling with Stuggert, who was after the gun, while the lantern bounced around

Cardona lost the gun as they shouldered against the cage. It didn't strike the floor; instead, it went through the

bars. Oswald, fascinated by the lantern, didn't see the gun land near him, or he might have picked it up and

Gunless, Cardona fought to get the lantern, and succeeded. Needing another weapon, Stuggert chose the

The barred door yanked open and the orangutan gave a huge roar, flinging itself toward Cardona. Sweeping

Then, before Stuggert could come in and thwack the lantern with his regained club, Cardona sprang into

Oswald's cage and pulled the door shut. Sweeping the lantern toward the floor, Joe saw his gun and scooped

Cardona had turned the tables neatly. In the cage or out, it didn't matter, so far, as Oswald was on the other

side of the bars. As for Stuggert, he'd be easy to handle, for Cardona had regained his gun by the little trick of

Stuggert was shooing the orangutan along the passage, toward the outer door, probably to get his ally out of

"No monkey business, Stuggert!" Cardona didn't recognize the pun he made. "Stand right where you are!

Sullenly, Stuggert complied. He shifted deeper into the passage; past the cage, to the boarded partition where

Cardona had looked for owls through a little wicket. Holding the lantern so he could watch Stuggert's face,

They came from outside the Annex. Sliding the lantern handle over his arm, Cardona reached through the

"You're going ahead of me," Joe told Stuggert. "So you can make the ape behave when we catch up with him.

Stuggert began a helpless shrug that became a sudden move. His hand grabbed the partition at his shoulder;

he swung the whole thing open, wicket and all, like the top half of a door. The flipping barricade swept

straight toward Cardona's face, but Joe made a quick halfdrop, so that it only grazed his head.

Up from beneath the barrier, Cardona turned to fire after Stuggert, who was speeding out along the passage.

Before Joe could pull his gun trigger, a whirring stir came from the compartment that Stuggert had opened

Thinking of pythons, Cardona dropped away again, swinging the lantern to startle the new menace.

BLACKNESS zoomed a huge, spreading shape, like arms in cloak sleeves. It swept the lantern from

The light extinguished with a crash, and in the absolute gloom, Cardona heard winged blackness whiz along

How The Shadow had come into the Annex, Cardona could not guess. He heard the roar of a motor, which

meant that Stuggert was escaping with the orangutan and hoped that The Shadow would overtake them.

Whether The Shadow did or not, Cardona could guess where the trail would lead: to Malbray's.

Still clutching his gun, Cardona stumbled along the passage and reached the clear night air. Stuggert's car was

gone, and so was the winged blackness that the animal trainer had released. It was odd, Cardona thought, that

Considering that he had recently mistaken Cranston for a chauffeur, and a painted puma for an ocelot,

Cardona should have realized that living blackness, moving with the speed of wings, might represent a

IT was very quiet in Fay's room, so quiet that it worried Margo. In Margo's own room, which faced the

Hudson, occasional sounds of river traffic could be heard at night. This room however, was so secluded that it

Its windows were toward the flower patio, something that Margo hadn't known before, for her own room, in

Lights were off in the patio, and the fountain was no longer running. From the window, however, Margo

could see a dim glow in the conservatory, indicating that Professor Malbray was still busy there.

At times, Margo had noted stealthy footfalls outside her door, which might have been Malbray's, rather than

the housekeeper's. Apparently, someone was very anxious to see that Fay wasn't disturbed.

Naturally Margo subbing for Fay, didn't want to be disturbed, either, so she had locked the door. She wasn't

at all sure, however, that the door couldn't be opened by Malbray, if he so wanted.

Rather than risk discovery of her ruse, Margo had gone to bed as soon as she reached Fay's room. At present,

she was wearing slippers and kimono, but she was ready to slip them off and slide quickly into bed, should

Margo preferred the kimono because its pocket contained a small automatic, which might prove very useful.

For there wasn't a doubt that danger threatened Fay Bendleton; hence Margo Lane, as Fay's substitute, was

Down below, the garden looked very peaceful, but Margo could see dim banks of flowers, particularly

nightblooming white ones. They worried her, for they spoke of Professor Malbray. His flower clock was

Nor did Malbray seem to sleep. His benign mask hid an everpresent menace, as did the beauty of

timetelling flowers that kept Malbray so well posted at any hour of the day or night.

Harry Vincent wasn't in the garden. He was somewhere in the house, probably in the servants' quarters,

though Margo was sure that he would move about at any opportunity. All along, she was hoping for a tap at

the door, a signal telling that Harry had managed to get to this part of the house and was standing by.

At least, this room seemed free of menace within. Looking about through the dimness, Margo saw two pots

of flowers, but they were merely the geraniums that Fay had brought from her home. The macaw wasn't

On a table just within the window stood a vase that contained a small tree branch, with oblong leaves, and

oval fruit the size of a hen's egg. Red in color, the fruit was a species of guava.

Margo remembered Malbray plucking it from a tree in a tropical greenery and giving it to Fay, to keep in her

As she did, the lights went off, deepening the darkness in the garden. Margo could see only the lily pool,

which caught the starlight and reflected it; yet, even the star twinkles were spotty, because the pool was

More ominous than before, the atmosphere was heavyladen with the scent of flowers; increased, it seemed,

now that the light was gone. Sounds were noticeable, too, and Margo thought she heard a rustle of the

She shrank back from the window; as she did, she saw that the room's darkness had also increased. Only the

red ovals of the guavas were visible in the gloom, for they were close enough to the window to catch the

The aroma and the darkness gave Margo a sleepy feeling. She reached the bed and sat there, trying to keep

awake. Only the gun seemed real when she clutched it; otherwise, she could have believed that she had really

She waited, tense. It should be Harry, hoping for a chance to speak with her; but it could be Malbray, who

had left the conservatory. Margo felt balanced on the edge of a precipice, as she waited for the taps which

The rustle of the ivy forced its sound upon Margo's ears, its increase too great to be caused by a mere breeze.

Margo gave a quick glance toward the window, and managed to stifle the glad cry which started to her lips.

HE had arrived in an amazing manner, for he must have come through the patio, which had no normal way of

entrance except through the conservatory. Malbray hadn't been gone long enough from the conservatory for

But The Shadow always did amazing things, so his appearance in accustomed style was all the more

Persons who hadn't met The Shadow in his guise of black Fay, for instance might have been frightened

by the figure at the window, with its stooped head and blackshrouded shoulders. Apparently, The Shadow

Margo decided to let him know that she had seen him. Undertoning a greeting, she was stepping toward the

window, when a strange thing happened. So strange, that it changed Margo's awakened thoughts into a

Of a sudden, The Shadow dwindled, shrinking to a pygmy form, though he was actually entering the window.

Instead of answering Margo's greeting, the shrunken shape, now only half its size, was turning toward the

Stopping short, Margo blinked, for the shape was enlarging again. She couldn't hold back her startled cry, and

it produced a baleful result. The creature turned and flipping its spreading shoulders, revealing them as wings,

instead of arms. Wings centered by a grayish face; small, but terribly vicious, like the visage of a gargoyle.

In one instant, the nocturnal visitant was altered from a friend into a living horror.

The creature was a gigantic bat, with a wingspread of fully thirty inches. A bat that could only be of the

vampire species, for its ugly teeth were long and sharp, its claws veritable talons.

Petrified, Margo couldn't shrink away from the ghoulish terror. She could hardly collect the disjointed

She'd heard of such bats; how they possessed the instinct of finding food, though miles away. They fed on

tropical fruits like the guava. On the table by the window rested the only available guava that this hungry,

longwinged monster could have found anywhere in Manhattan. The bat had come here like a thing attracted

No longer did the nightthing want the pitiful supply of red guava. Its glittering eyes, wicked like a snake's,

were on a choicer morsel. It saw Margo's whitened throat, and with a great heft of its wings, the bat swooped

The noise of the monster's flip stirred Margo into frantic action. She shrieked as she dived away, stumbling

across a chair that spilled her toward the door. Her gun came from her kimono pocket, and she was firing

stabbing tongues of flame that couldn't seem to touch the enveloping darkness which closed down upon her.

How many shots she fired, Margo couldn't tell, but they seemed to combine into one vast echo at the finish

at the very moment, in fact, when long claws reached her breast and the greatwinged bat drove its terrible

Some one was hammering at the door as Margo beat frantically at the fearful thing which clutched her. How

she managed to ward off the teeth and shake free from the claws, was something unexplainable. At the very

peak of its attack, the bat had suddenly become vulnerable, for Margo found herself on her feet, stumbling in

She wanted to reach the door; instead, she neared the window, and there she saw the bat again, swooping in

to new attack. Desperately, Margo tried to draw away and fire; this time, neither teeth nor claw thwarted her.

Instead, a gloved hand came swooping from the mass of living blackness and gripped her gun before she

could use it. The voice that whispered close to Margo's ears belonged to The Shadow!

Then the door came flinging open, bringing light from the hall. Shaking, wavering, Margo felt herself

steadied by The Shadow, who was really at her side. In one hand he held a smoking automatic, and the

There lay the great vampire bat, dead, blasted by the mighty burst of The Shadow's .45 which Margo had

The Shadow had overtaken the winged menace that Cardona had seen Stuggert release. The bat had reached

Again, the professor and his accomplice, Stuggert, had worked in team, loosing a killing creature upon an

As he had dealt with the false puma in the park, so had The Shadow treated the murderous vampire bat, and

EVEN as his hidden lips phrased a laugh of triumph, The Shadow changed his tone to one of challenge.

Turning toward the door, he saw the man who had opened it: Professor Theophilus Malbray. A key in one

hand, a gun in the other, the master of murder had arrived at a wellcalculated moment.

Malbray had planned to appear just too late to save the life of Fay Bendleton. Instead, he missed the rescue of

Margo Lane. That was bad enough, from Malbray's viewpoint; but there were other things that he regarded

He had hoped that the vampire bat would fly away, leaving only its victim; but it didn't. The bat's flying days,

As for the fighter who had nullified the bat's endeavor, he was still present, and quite as ready to deal with

Malbray as he had with the bloodminded creature on the floor. The Shadow's challenge was accompanied

Spryly, the professor sprang for the hall, and The Shadow wheeled in the opposite direction, carrying Margo

with him. Malbray was shooting wildly as he went; while The Shadow, pivoting around his gun point, was

holding his fire until the proper moment, which would be when he had flung Margo safely to one side.

Another fighter was in the fray, flinging himself upon Malbray. The arrival was Harry Vincent, and he

spoiled The Shadow's aim. It wouldn't have mattered, had Harry come alone, for he bowled Malbray to the

However, Harry, in his turn, was seized by Malbray's servants, arriving right behind his back. Verber was the

man who led two others the chef and the serving man. Verber, of course, knew what lay at stake; the others

Before The Shadow could spring into the fray, they were clutching Harry and drawing him away from

Malbray. Using the flinging forms as cover, the professor ducked off toward the stairs.

Lunging in, The Shadow slashed a hard stroke to Verber's head, and the fellow didn't take it like Oswald, the

orangutan. Verber flattened, giving Harry all the chance he needed to slug at the two halfhearted foemen who

The doorway was clear and Margo was through it, dashing after Malbray. She knew that the professor must

have headed to the other wing of the house. Seeing Margo alive, Malbray knew that Fay must be in the

distant room. Fay's death was imperative to Malbray's plans. He hoped to kill her, and meet The Shadow

It was a long way around by the hallways with the connecting stairs. Margo's slippers tripped her, and she

hoped, at every other pace, that The Shadow would loom up and overtake her; but he didn't.

Something must have delayed The Shadow. It was up to Margo to put the quietus on Malbray. If she could

only overtake him, she would try; but those tripping slippers were a troublesome handicap.

Spying Malbray at Fay's door, Margo aimed too late. He went through before she could pull her trigger.

Valiantly, Margo covered the last stretch and flung herself through the doorway.

She saw Fay sitting up in bed, staring almost calmly at Malbray and his gun. Wildly, Margo made a grab for

Inside the window stood The Shadow, his automatic aimed for Malbray. Too late, Margo understood why the

professor had halted, frozen. He had reason to be amazed, to meet The Shadow in the other wing of the

house. It didn't occur to him that the blackcloaked fighter had chosen a shorter path than the skirting

Down by one trellis, across the garden, and up by the other vines, The Shadow, as agile as he was swift, was

on hand to head off Malbray's new attempt at murder well before the professor had completed his roundabout

Like Harry's mistake, Margo's blunder aided Malbray. Grabbing the girl, he used her as a shield against The

Shadow. Margo's gun merely clicked when she tried to use it; she'd wasted the entire load upon the vampire

She slashed at Malbray as he darted for the hall, but he broke free, and Margo, stumbling, fell across The

So Malbray was gone again, and Margo, once more in the chase, thought The Shadow would be close behind

her. At the stairway she met Harry, coming from the other direction. He stared blankly at Margo, surprised

that The Shadow wasn't with her. From below, they heard the slam of a door, deep in the house.

"The conservatory!" exclaimed Harry. "Malbray has gone there to grab the money! Come on! We can block

THEY reached the conservatory and Harry slapped its door wide open, pushing his gun in ahead. Malbray

Seeing Harry, he stopped yanking at the locked drawer and dived for the garden. On the steps, Malbray

faltered; overtaking him, Harry and Margo gripped him. They thought, for the moment, that Malbray had

Straight ahead, they saw The Shadow, waiting with a leveled automatic, but the cloaked fighter wasn't near a

flowerbed. He was standing upon the surface of the lily pond, barring the glass wall beyond it!

The Shadow was weaving back and forth, lifting each foot before the water could immerse it. At that, the

They saw, then, that The Shadow was stepping from one broad lily pad to another, depending upon their

temporary support to keep him on the water's surface. The oversized pads, of the tropical variety, were large

Not only did this explain that The Shadow had originally reached the garden by coming through the rear

door, and then across the pool; it told how Professor Malbray had managed to roam at large while persons

The Shadow had wondered about that trick of Malbray's, until he noticed the broadness of the lily pads. They

were the logical answer, and The Shadow had proven it by depending upon their broad support when he

Under the aim of The Shadow's gun, Malbray shrank back into the conservatory, where Harry and Margo

grabbed him. They saw The Shadow coming toward them, striding along the surface of the pond by deft steps

He was on the solid ground of the garden, when he hissed a sudden warning that made his agents turn about.

They, the trappers, had become the trapped, and only The Shadow's prompt signal could have saved them.

Into the conservatory, from the outer door, had stepped two new challengers of The Shadow's might: Karl

The Shadow had left their settlement to Joe Cardona. The arrival of the great ape and his keeper was

therefore something that The Shadow had not foreseen. He was springing forward, at the same time ordering

Quickly, Harry thrust Margo down the steps, at an angle away from The Shadow's rapid drive. But Harry was

Stuggert intervened with a gun, but before he could use it, The Shadow clubbed him with an automatic, and

The orangutan was pouncing, too, in The Shadow's direction, but matters were quite different than at

Brendleton's. The Shadow dodged the ape; went neatly and swiftly around Malbray's desk, past workbenches

On his own, The Shadow could have battered the ape with bullets, but he knew that such beasts, when

Flinging his automatic at Oswald, The Shadow sent the ape bounding after it. Instead of the weapon, The

Shadow seized a spray gun from one of Malbray's shelves. As the orangutan swung up to throw the automatic

Tiny flowers could stomach that spray, but Oswald was no shrinking violet. As The Shadow suspected,

Malbray's spray was noxious to all animal life. The snarling ape wilted under the white cloud from the spray

Leaving both to Harry, The Shadow drew a fresh automatic and went after Malbray, who was darting into the

SOUNDS of combat greeted both the professor and his pursuer. Malbray's socalled gardeners were coming

in from the rear of the house to report that their blockade of Cranston's car had failed.

At the same time, Joe Cardona was arriving at the front door; this time, with a squad at his heels. The two

Spurting a few shots at the wheeling crooks, The Shadow drove them back. His diverting tactics also gave

Cardona's men the advantage that they needed. They were shooting, too, as they poured across the hall to

Leaving the moppingup to Cardona, The Shadow followed Malbray. He cornered the murderous professor

Malbray looked ridiculous as he cowered in a corner near the banyan fig, clutching a large flowerpot that he

had picked up somewhere along the way. Nevertheless, Malbray, when trapped, could be more shrewd than

"You are a friend!" exclaimed Malbray to The Shadow. "Like myself, you were trying to protect Fay from

harm. I was so excited, that I mistook your purpose. But if we are friends" the professor's stare narrowed

Obligingly, The Shadow placed the automatic beneath his cloak. He wanted to see the effect that the action

had on Malbray, and he observed it very soon. With all the frenzy that characterized Stuggert's pets ape,

puma, and bat Malbray hurled himself upon The Shadow, flinging the weight of the flowerpot ahead of

Instead of stepping backward into the foliage of the Ficus Theophilus, The Shadow twisted sideward. The

effort of Malbray's lunge carried the professor across the low fence and into the branches of the low tree.

Malbray gave a howl as he went, for he knew what his fate would be. He'd planned that fate for The Shadow,

It wasn't a mere creeping fig that Malbray had crossed with a banyan. He had used a different variety the

strangling fig, a common plant of the subtropics. The Ficus Theophilus promptly proved its prowess. Its

Shrieking shrilly, Malbray writhed in the clutches of what was veritably a python plant. It was too late for

The Shadow to save him from his own misstep. The limb that coiled about Malbray's neck could not be

Malbray was personally reenacting Dunwood's death, so far unexplained. As the limbs of the python plant

Joe Cardona witnessed it, along with Harry Vincent, who arrived with him. When Cardona turned to

congratulate The Shadow, the blackcloaked fighter was gone. Harry suggested a trip to the conservatory; on

Cardona realized that bats were mammals, not birds; hence Turban hadn't intended to mislead him by not

mentioning the winged monstrosity that Stuggert kept with the other creatures in the Annex.

In the conservatory they found Margo Lane and Fay Bendleton. In her hand, Fay held the key to the desk

drawer, ready to unlock it and disclose the cash that Cranston had mentioned to Cardona.

The hundred thousand dollars would be returned to its rightful owner, and therewith stand as evidence that

Malbray had collected similar sums from Bendleton and Eldwald before murdering them.

From beyond the garden came the trailing tone of a departing laugh. Gazing, the listeners saw a path of broad

lily pads drifting on the pool. Again, The Shadow had glided into night's own darkness, using floating