TERROR ISLAND.............................................................................................................................................1

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

CHAPTER I. A CROOK IS TRAPPED ..................................................................................................1

CHAPTER II. A POSTPONED TRAIL ..................................................................................................4

CHAPTER III. OUTBOUND FROM HAVANA...................................................................................9

CHAPTER IV. THE STORM STRIKES..............................................................................................12

CHAPTER V. STRANGE WELCOMES.............................................................................................16

CHAPTER VI. THE UNSEEN GUEST ................................................................................................20

CHAPTER VII. CAVERNS OF WEALTH..........................................................................................24

CHAPTER VIII. THE SHADOW ACTS ..............................................................................................28

CHAPTER IX. THE NEXT NIGHT.....................................................................................................31

CHAPTER X. THE SHADOW'S MESSAGE......................................................................................35

CHAPTER XI. THE NEXT NIGHT.....................................................................................................40

CHAPTER XII. THE SHADOW'S CHALLENGE..............................................................................45

CHAPTER XIII. THE TRAP IS LAID.................................................................................................49

CHAPTER XIV. THE PRISONER TALKS.........................................................................................53

CHAPTER XV. THE NEW GAME ......................................................................................................57

CHAPTER XVI. THE SHADOW WAITS...........................................................................................60

CHAPTER XVII. ABOARD THE DALMATIA ..................................................................................63

CHAPTER XVIII. THE ATTACK ........................................................................................................67

CHAPTER XIX. STROKE AND COUNTERSTROKE....................................................................69

CHAPTER XX. MEN MARKED FOR DEATH ..................................................................................72

CHAPTER XXI. FIGHTERS OF THE NIGHT ....................................................................................75

CHAPTER XXII. THE LAST STROKE ...............................................................................................79

CHAPTER XXIII. NEW DAWN ..........................................................................................................81

AN elderly man was seated, stoopshouldered, at a massive desk. Behind him was a closed safe; to his left, a

pair of French windows, wide open, that led to a screened veranda. The room was lighted, for it was after

dusk; and there was a reason for the open windows, because the night was excessively warm. When

The light from the room repaid that service by casting its soft glow beyond the outside screen. The

illumination revealed the long, crinkly leafed branches of palm trees against the porch.

The man at the desk was James Tolwig, a New York millionaire. The room in which he sat was the study of

his spacious Florida bungalow. Though less than a dozen miles from Miami, James Tolwig enjoyed a most

secluded location; and that fact pleased him. It was one reason why he had chosen to stay in Florida during

James Tolwig's forehead was furrowed in a puzzled frown. The elderly man was studying a telegram; he

stroked his chin as he read the message. The wire was from Havana; its message simply read:

There were footsteps from the hallway. Tolwig pushed the telegram beneath a book; he looked up to see a

stolidfaced servant enter, bringing a tray with two tall glasses. Ice clinked as the servant approached the

"Place the tray here, Lovett," he ordered, in a testy tone, "then tell Mr. Bagland that I want to see him. Where

is Bagland, anyway? Bah! He claims to be an efficient secretary, but he is never about when I need him "

Tolwig cut his denunciation short as a tall, smilingfaced man stepped in from the veranda. The arrival was

the missing secretary; out for a stroll, Bagland had arrived just in time to hear his employer's words. Tolwig

Lovett stopped at the door; there, the servant turned about and adjusted his rumpled white jacket. He was

waiting for further orders. Tolwig dismissed him with a wave of his hand. As soon as the servant's footsteps

Without a word, Bagland arose and closed the door; the secretary came back to the desk and picked up one of

APPARENTLY, Tolwig and his secretary were on most friendly terms, despite the millionaire's harsh

statement a few minutes before. As further proof of their accord, Tolwig produced the telegram that he had

"This arrived while you were out," stated the millionaire quietly. "What do you make of it, Bagland?"

"You must have talked too much," decided Bagland, "when you made that short trip to Havana a few days

"I did mention my intended purchase," nodded Tolwig, "but I did not state from whom I intended to buy. I

"Neither does this telegram," observed Bagland. "Probably the man who sent it has never heard of Dalavan.

But he may know about the Lamballe tiara; if so, he knows that someone intends to swindle you."

"Unless the telegram is a hoax," rejoined Tolwig. "What should I do about it, Bagland?"

For reply, the secretary crumpled the telegram and threw it into the wastebasket.

"Forget it," he declared. "We already have the goods on Dalavan. We can handle him ourselves. It is after

half past eight; Dalavan is already overdue. If we happen to wait until nine o'clock, all right. If not "

Bagland paused. A bell was tingling; Lovett's footsteps answered, outside the door. The servant was on his

way to the front door to admit the visitor. Bagland's smile broadened; in low tones, the secretary whispered:

TWO minutes later, Lovett ushered the visitor into the study. George Dalavan was a man of heavy build,

brisk in manner and of military appearance. His hair was short clipped; so was the black mustache that he

wore. His whole face was ruddy; the color was natural and not the effect of sunburn. Most conspicuous,

They peered sharply from each side of a thinbridged nose, as Dalavan darted a look toward Bagland, who

was now seated at a table in the corner. Then Dalavan concentrated upon Tolwig; he gave a cheery smile as

"I've brought it," announced Dalavan, in a smooth tone. He lifted a squareshaped suitcase and placed it upon

the desk. "The tiara once owned by the Princess de Lamballe, favorite of Marie Antoinette."

Opening the case, Dalavan removed a glittering coronet. Diamonds gleamed brightly in the light. Tolwig

received the tiara with both hands; he nodded as he studied the magnificent crownlike object.

"I saw this tiara once before," remarked Tolwig, dryly. "That was in Paris, when the tiara was the property of

"You know those French nobility," returned Dalavan. "They hang on to their jewels, until they go broke.

Then they part with them for a song. Fifty thousand dollars is small money for a piece like this one, Mr.

"Quite true," agreed Tolwig. He opened a desk drawer and drew out a sheaf of bills. "Here is the exact

Dalavan counted the money, which was all in bills of high denomination. He threw a restless glance toward

Dalavan reached into his pocket and pulled out a sheet of paper. Hurriedly, he thrust it out of sight; found

another sheet and used it to write a receipt. Tolwig received the written paper and slowly shook his head.

"This is not sufficient," declared the millionaire. "The receipt merely states that you have received fifty

thousand dollars for a jeweled tiara. You should specify more than that, Dalavan. You should call it the

"Suppose," conjectured Tolwig, "that I should show the tiara to the Duke of Abragoyne? Suppose that he

"I admit nothing, Mr. Tolwig. I have sold numerous curios. People never question where and how I obtained

"Listen, Mr. Tolwig," he urged, "you're not the first big buyer that I've reasoned with. You want this tiara.

You'd never have had a dog's chance to get it, if someone hadn't lifted it from the French duke's strongbox.

"I've convinced others before you. You've heard, no doubt, of Cholmley Clayborne, the big steel man from

Chicago. He bought a swell tapestry that came straight from Buckingham Palace. He's keeping mum. Tyler

Loman, the movie magnate, bought a collection of rare gold coins from me. They came from the Munich

"I didn't steal this tiara. I saved it. The fellows who had it were going to smash it up and sell the chunks.

What you are actually doing, Mr. Tolwig, is to save this fine tiara from destruction. You should thank me for

Dalavan's smooth talk had no effect upon Tolwig. Hunched behind his desk, the millionaire clasped both

"Sure," returned Dalavan. "I admit it. I've told you what other collectors do. They keep what they know to

James Tolwig gestured an interruption. He swung about in his swivel chair, snapped quick words to the

corner where Bagland was seated. The secretary spun about; his face showed a wise smile.

Before Dalavan could guess what was due, Bagland pulled a revolver from his coat pocket and leveled it

"You have met Bagland before," chuckled Tolwig, to Dalavan. "You took him for what he pretended to be

an ordinary private secretary, and a rather dull one. Actually, he is a private investigator, who has been

"I'm not such a bad secretary, either," added Bagland, using his free hand to hold a sheaf of papers in front of

Dalavan's ugly eyes. "I've taken shorthand notes on all this conversation, Dalavan. All right, Mr. Tolwig"

Chuckling, glad that he had trapped a rogue, James Tolwig reached for the telephone on his desk. To gain the

telephone, his hand was forced to brush a small desk clock that showed the time as ten minutes before nine.

Tolwig scarcely noticed the clock. Hence he did not think of the telegram that had specified the hour of nine.

Even if he had recalled the telegram, it would scarcely have mattered at this moment. James Tolwig had

The time was past when proper recognition of that telegram could have proven of vital value to James

IF ever a man behaved as a cornered rat, George Dalavan displayed the part when James Tolwig placed a

hand upon the telephone receiver. All of Dalavan's smoothness wilted; the fellow cowered away from the

desk and raised trembling hands, as he looked toward the muzzle of Bagland's gun.

"You can't arrest me!" whined Dalavan. "I've done nothing. I sold you the tiara. That's all."

"That was enough!" announced Tolwig, sternly. "Your racket is finished Dalavan."

The narroweyed rogue turned his beady gaze toward Bagland; in despairing fashion, Dalavan pleaded with

"Don't turn me over!" he gasped. "Maybe maybe I can help you out with other facts! Give me a chance,

The investigator nodded. Tolwig let the telephone receiver drop back upon its hook. With a quick, wise look

toward Bagland, Tolwig returned the nod, then leaned forward to hear what Dalavan might have to say. The

"This racket is bigger than you think!" blurted Dalavan. "It goes into millions of dollars! I'm only a front for

it sort of a mouthpiece. I freeze the stuff that's hot. You've probably guessed that, Bagland."

"I have," returned Bagland, steadily. Then, to Tolwig, the investigator added: "We'll hear all that he has to

say. This stolen tiara represents but one item, Mr. Tolwig. The racket must involve huge robberies abroad;

some smuggling system in addition; a perfect hideout, where the stuff is stored."

"Behind it all," declared Bagland, "must be a master crook, far more dangerous than you, Dalavan. Wait a

Planting his notebook on the desk, Bagland stepped forward. Dalavan's arms went higher; Bagland shoved

the revolver's muzzle against the crook's ribs. Reaching into Dalavan's pocket, Bagland whisked out the piece

of paper that the crook had so hurriedly thrust from view, just before writing his receipt.

WHILE Bagland continued to cover Dalavan at close range, Tolwig studied the paper. It was a piece of

stationery; it bore no writing, but at the top was an embossed seal. The imprint represented a pair of

Bagland managed a side glance that enabled him to see the gryphon shield. Facing Dalavan, he snapped the

"The big shot," returned Dalavan. "He used it, as sort of a coat of arms. Perhaps you'd like to know his name,

"I would!" snapped out Bagland. "You're going to spill it, Dalavan, without getting any promises from us "

A sharp interruption came from Tolwig. Looking up from the sheet of paper with the gryphon shield, the

Tolwig's eyes caught a flash of white in the doorway; with it, the glitter of an aiming revolver. Tolwig's cry

A revolver barked. It was aimed straight at Bagland. The man who gripped the gun was Tolwig's own

servant, Lovett. The whitecoated arrival had taken accurate aim. He fired a second shot; a third. A fourth

The first bullet had dropped Bagland; the other shots were vicious additions that Lovett gave to insure

Bagland's prompt death. Staring across the desk, Tolwig saw the investigator twist in agony and lie still.

Madly, Tolwig bounded from behind the desk. In his left hand, he clutched the sheet of paper with the

gryphon shield. With his right, he made a wild grab for the revolver that had dropped from Bagland's hand.

Tolwig was a perfect target for Lovett; but the servant added no bullets. It was Dalavan who acted.

The mustached man whipped out a gun of his own. He let Tolwig get hold of Bagland's revolver; then with a

vicious snarl, Dalavan opened fire. At a fourfoot range, he delivered three bullets into Tolwig's body. The

effect of those shots were immediate. James Tolwig sprawled dead across Bagland's body.

George Dalavan's ruddy face showed demonish as the murderer leaned within the focused area of the desk

lamp. With eager hands, Dalavan snatched the Lamballe tiara and placed that treasure back into its case.

Bundling the fifty thousand dollars, Dalavan added it with the tiara. His hand slid against the desk clock; the

It was not that fact, however, that made Dalavan turn about. The murderer knew nothing of the telegram that

Tolwig had received from Havana. Dalavan's ears caught a faint sound. On that account, the murderer swung

"Did you hear that?" demanded Dalavan, in a tense tone. "It sounded like a motor, somewhere outside the

"Nobody would be going by here," remarked the accomplice. "What's more, the main road is too far for

"None that I know about. I kept close tabs on him, like you told me to. There was a telegram that came for

DALAVAN'S tenseness lessened. The murderer was confident that Lovett had kept good check on Tolwig.

Dalavan had used Lovett as the inside man before; it was a precaution that he always adopted. The fact that

Lovett had not learned that Bagland was an investigator did not detract from Dalavan's opinion. He guessed

"You'd better slide out and take a gander," decided Dalavan. "Peek from the front door; if anyone comes in

Lovett nodded. He walked from the study. Dalavan snatched up Bagland's notes, put them into the case that

held the tiara and the money. He found the receipt that he had given Tolwig; he put that with the other

Looking toward the bodies, Dalavan grinned. He stooped and carefully placed his fingers upon the sheet of

stationery that still rested in Tolwig's grasp. Dalavan was prepared to pluck away that bit of evidence.

Dalavan's right hand held its revolver; his left was on the paper that bore the imprint of the gryphon shield.

Suddenly, his motion ceased. Rigid in his stooped position, Dalavan listened. With a sudden snarl of alarm,

On the threshold stood a figure that froze the murderer. Dalavan's lips widened; his arms were chilled to

numbness. His right hand released its hold upon the revolver; the weapon clanked to the floor. Dalavan's left

hand opened also; but it dropped nothing, for the murderer had postponed his effort to pluck away the paper

The figure on the threshold was clad in black a cloaked arrival whose identity was unmistakable. To

Dalavan, a crook by trade, the presence of that weird intruder was more formidable than a squad of police.

Eyes burned from beneath the brim of a slouch hat. Below was a thingloved fist that held a leveled

automatic. Light showed the barrel of the .45, a looming tube that was ready to deliver withering blasts. The

Superfoe of crime, The Shadow had learned of Tolwig's intended purchase. The Shadow had sent the

telegram from Havana, confident that Tolwig would heed the warning and delay the purchase of the tiara

until his unknown advisor had arrived. Tolwig had not done so; The Shadow saw the result as he surveyed

SLOWLY, The Shadow stepped in from the threshold. Shivering; Dalavan backed away, almost stumbling

over the bodies. The Shadow saw the object that the murderer had tried to gain; that telltale paper in Tolwig's

grasp. He also spied the packed case on the desk. With a gliding sidestep, The Shadow edged between

Dalavan and the desk; his move forced the murderer toward the front door of the room.

Dalavan's lips moved helplessly. With Tolwig and Bagland, Dalavan had staged a bluff; but with The

Shadow, his fear was unfeigned. Dalavan knew why The Shadow had cornered him toward the door. The

Shadow suspected an accomplice, such as Lovett. He would be ready for the man when he returned. Dalavan

Then came the unexpected countermove, for which Dalavan had not dared to hope. There was a sudden

clatter from the veranda. An attacker hurtled into the room. It was Lovett; the servant had gone out by the

Gun in hand, Lovett had spotted The Shadow; but the accomplice had been too wise to take out time for aim.

Instead, he had launched into a driving attack, covering the dozen feet from the veranda to the desk.

The Shadow's move was proof that Lovett had played the best bet. Wheeling instantly, The Shadow whipped

forth his lefthand gun, pulling the trigger as he made the draw. The .45 boomed; its bullet would have

dropped Lovett, had the servant been the fraction of a second slower. As it was, Lovett was making a dive as

Lovett landed on The Shadow. Viciously, the servant swung his revolver. The Shadow parried it; drove a

blow toward Lovett's head. Only a lucky bob saved Lovett at that instant. Clutching The Shadow, the crook

Dalavan saw instantly what the result would be. Despite Lovett's fury, The Shadow had full control. He was

swinging the servant about, in order to take aim at Dalavan. A lucky twist of the servant gave Dalavan a

second's chance. The murderer took it. He leaped for the desk; grabbed up the suitcase that held the tiara,

A bullet chipped woodwork from the desk's edge. Dalavan dived for the French windows. Twice, a .45

responded, shattering glass from the open windows. Lovett, fighting like a fiend, had managed to offset The

Balked by Lovett's tenacity, The Shadow wrenched away from the servant, spilling the fellow to the floor.

Twisting, he made after Dalavan. His first step brought trouble. The Shadow's foot caught upon one of

Head foremost, The Shadow hit the floor. Lovett, coming to hands and knees, saw the disaster. Wildly, the

The Shadow rolled as Lovett struck. Face upward, he shifted his head to the right. Lovett's blow glanced from

the side of the slouch hat; simultaneously, The Shadow pulled a trigger. Lovett's lips coughed a gasp; the

GROGGILY, The Shadow came to his feet; swung toward the veranda, ready with a gun. Lovett's blow had

partly dazed the cloaked fighter. The Shadow was steadying himself, to take up the pursuit of Dalavan. As he

stood by the desk, The Shadow heard a motor's rising roar, some distance from the bungalow.

It was the sound of a departing plane. Dalavan had come here by air, taking advantage of a clearing that must

have given him an excellent landing field. The murderous crook was off to a speedy getaway, carrying his

Looking past Lovett's body, The Shadow saw the form of James Tolwig. Stooping, he plucked the paper that

Dalavan had wanted. The Shadow's lips phrased a whispered laugh as his eyes saw the gryphon shield. The

Though The Shadow did not know the name of the murderer who had escaped, he had seen George Dalavan

face to face; hence he would know the man when he met him again. Moreover, The Shadow knew Dalavan's

part; that the man was merely the representative of a hidden big shot. The paper with the gryphon shield must

have some bearing upon the mastermind who had given Dalavan orders for tonight's crime.

From this single shred of evidence, The Shadow could hunt down evil men. It was a quest that would

challenge his full ability; but The Shadow had met such tests before. For the present, however, he was forced

Striding from the room of death, The Shadow departed by the veranda. He found his parked car, boarded it,

then set out in the direction of Miami. Present plans called for The Shadow's return to Havana, where he had

The Shadow had postponed a trail. He intended to return to it as soon as a definite mission was accomplished.

That return would come sooner than The Shadow supposed. Oddly, his postponement was to prove the

shortest route by which The Shadow could reach George Dalavan and the supercrook who ruled that man of

IT was the next afternoon in Havana. A trim yacht was docked beside a harbor pier; on the deck stood a

firmfaced man whose shocky, black hair was streaked with gray. He was Kingdon Feldworth, owner of the

yacht; the vessel was the Maldah, from New York, as the name on the stern testified.

Trucks had pulled up at the pier. Darkfaced Cubans were unloading crates and boxes. As stevedores took

charge of these objects, Feldworth called an order in English. The stevedores were acquainted well enough

with the language to understand that they were to take the boxes to the main cabin.

While the boxes were being carried aboard, a man strolled up to the pier. He was an American, about forty

years of age, dressed in youthful style. His eyes were sharp and quick of glance; his lips wore a smile that

looked like a fixed expression. This arrival peered upward toward the deck, saw Feldworth go below.

Hands in his pockets, the man with the fixed smile waited until the boxes were all aboard; then he went up

the gangplank. He was a guest aboard the yacht one who had taken the cruise from New York.

His name was Bram Jalway; he was a business promoter who had traveled to many places in the world.

Because of that experience, he had easily formed an acquaintance with Kingdon Feldworth. The yacht owner

Not long after Jalway had gone aboard, the stevedores reappeared with empty boxes. These were loaded back

upon the trucks; as the vehicles pulled away, two other persons arrived at the pier. One was a quiet,

solemnfaced man who was puffing at a cigarette. The other was a girl, a striking brunette, whose eyes were

The man was Seth Hadlow, a sportsman who was reputed to be a millionaire. Like Bram Jalway, Seth

Hadlow was a guest aboard the yacht. The girl was Francine Feldworth, niece of Kingdon Feldworth. She

Hadlow and Francine stopped when they reached the deck. The sportsman lighted another cigarette; the girl

"We'll be leaving Cuba soon," declared Francine. "I wish we could stay longer here, Seth."

Sailors were coming to the deck. They began to prepare the yacht for departure. It was Francine who spoke

An elderly man was jogging toward the pier, panting as he ran. His chin was tilted against his chest; his white

hair was shaggy beneath the old felt hat he was wearing. In one hand he had a large carpetbag; in the other,

Professor Marcolm gained the top of the gangplank. The old man smiled as he nodded to Hadlow and

VARIOUS delays prevented the prompt departure of the yacht. The sun had set when the Maldah finally

started from its pier. Hadlow and Francine went below, for the girl said that she felt unhappy about leaving

Havana and did not care to be on deck when the yacht cleared port. They came to the door of the main cabin.

Entering, Francine and Hadlow found Kingdon Feldworth seated in a chair at the end of the elegant cabin.

His back was toward a wall that displayed a series of heavy oak panels. With the grizzled yacht owner was

Bram Jalway. The sharpeyed promoter was puffing at a briar pipe; his lips, as they held the pipe's stem, still

Feldworth seemed at loss for another statement. Bram Jalway supplied one. Removing his briar pipe from his

"Your uncle has reason to be worried, Francine. Storm warnings are being posted. The captain gave us the

"Yes," he agreed, "that is the trouble, Francine. We may run into a hurricane. I did not want to tell you, to

The statement satisfied Francine. Kingdon Feldworth looked relieved; to Bram Jalway, he nodded his head in

appreciation. The promoter smiled in response and went back to puffing his briar pipe.

IN proof of the weather prophecies, the Maldah encountered heavy swells just a little before dinner. When the

Kingdon Feldworth, however, remained in the main cabin. He stood there alone; his face showed signs of

nervous twitching. Finally satisfied that he was unwatched, the yacht owner went to the heavy oak panels at

A fabulous sight was revealed. Hanging within the compartment were jeweled tapestries shimmering

decorations done in cloths of gold. Feldworth opened a small chest; the raised lid revealed gold itself, in the

form of coins. Feldworth opened another box; jewels sparkled. Suddenly, the yacht owner turned about; he

Feldworth had fancied that he heard a noise at the door. Finally satisfied that it was his imagination, he closed

the boxes. Shutting the panel, Feldworth eyed it; then, reluctantly, he turned out the light. He opened the door

A few minutes after Feldworth was gone, a blackened shape materialized from a corner of the passage. A

cloaked figure came into view. There, in this portion of the heaving yacht, stood The Shadow.

With a gloved hand, The Shadow opened the door of the main cabin. He entered, closed the door behind him.

The woodwork clicked under the touch of a skilled hand. The panels came back; The Shadow's light revealed

the interior of the secret compartment. The Shadow eyed Feldworth's treasures; he studied the contents of the

boxes. A brief estimate told him that these belongings were worth in excess of a million dollars.

There was a small, flat box that Feldworth had not opened. In it, The Shadow found letters and other

documents that carried signatures. He studied these carefully; he was satisfied with his scrutiny. The papers

All these valuables had belonged to a Cuban who had fled Havana at the time of the revolution. The Cuban

had sold them to Feldworth for two hundred thousand dollars. With the sale, the Cuban had supplied

information, telling where the wealth was hidden in Havana. Feldworth had managed to obtain the valuables,

With the documents were customs blanks. It was plain that Feldworth intended to follow an honest course to

declare his wealth once the Maldah reached New York. He had bought the property in good faith; his reason

Feldworth trusted his guests. The Shadow knew that fact, for he was one of them. Evidently, Feldworth

feared followers from Cuba; or possible trouble from the crew, if it should be learned that a million dollars'

worth of valuables happened to be on board. Therefore, to The Shadow, Kingdon Feldworth was a man who

THE SHADOW had known this for a long while; from the time when he had come aboard the yacht in New

York, for a cruise to Havana and return. He had not, however, learned what Feldworth planned until tonight.

That was why The Shadow had decided to return to New York on the Maldah; why he had made a hurried

flight back to Havana from Miami, instead of taking up the trail of the murderer, George Dalavan.

The Shadow extinguished his flashlight. He moved in darkness from the main cabin. He followed the dim

passage, then merged with other blackness. Soon, a door closed behind him. The Shadow was in his own

The Maldah was ploughing northward through heavy seas, carrying its secret cargo of wealth. Where treasure

lay, intrigue could always follow. Perhaps there was someone on board who planned to capture Kingdon

Feldworth's newly acquired wealth. That could be a matter of speculation. One fact, however, was evident.

The Shadow was aboard the Maldah. Camouflaged as a guest, he had undertaken a campaign of vigilance.

Once he was sure the treasure was safe, he would be willing to leave and undertake other tasks. Should crime

Until that hour, he would remain in the disguise that he had chosen for this adventure. No one would suspect

his presence. To the world, The Shadow was a being cloaked in black. When he chose to appear in some

Should strife strike aboard the Maldah, The Shadow would be prepared for it. There was one peril, however,

against which The Shadow could not cope. That was the hazard of the hurricane that threatened the yacht's

SLEEK and speedy, the Maldah kept ahead of the rising hurricane for many hours. Kingdon Feldworth

congratulated himself as the next day passed. He was confident that the yacht would escape the worst

Sweeping up from the West Indies, the storm overtook the Maldah off the Florida coast. The blow increased;

from then on, it was a battle for existence. The crisis came when the Maldah was swept in toward the Georgia

coast. Surrounded by darkness, pounded by huge waves, the yacht was making a last struggle.

The fact that the Maldah had neared the shore was proven by a strange phenomenon. The captain believed

that his ship was near a desolate location. The wireless was out of commission; it seemed impossible that

anyone would sight the rising and falling line of the yacht's lights, as they glimmered pitifully above the

A sudden line of sparks flashed from a mile distant on the lee of the yacht. A sizzling rocket whizzed upward

from the shore, to burst into a myriad of colored sparks that were swept into instant oblivion. Word went to

the captain of the Maldah; he ordered an answering signal. Soon, a streaking rocket shot up from the yacht's

While this was happening above, the passengers were assembled in the main cabin. Kingdon Feldworth was

seated with his back to the oak panels that hid his treasure; but his thoughts were far from the Cuban wealth.

Feldworth had cause for greater concern tonight. He was deeply anxious about the safety of those aboard his

NONE of the passengers showed great worriment. Bram Jalway was seated near Feldworth; a traveler who

had been everywhere. Jalway was undisturbed by the storm. His lips had their usual smile; his eyes were

sharp as they roved about the cabin. Jalway seemed to consider the storm with a halfamused indulgence.

Professor Thaddeus Marcolm was half asleep. The whitehaired professor's head was drooped toward his

chest; it bobbed with the heaving motion of the yacht. Marcolm's fists were tight upon the arms of his chair;

Seth Hadlow was solemnly puffing a cigarette. His face looked anxious; but it usually had something of that

expression. Hadlow's manner was proof that he was untroubled by the elements. A sportsman always,

Francine Feldworth actually felt worried; but the composure of her companions quelled her alarm. Though

her face was troubled, Francine's lips were set; her dark eyes sparkled their trust in the men about her.

Kingdon Feldworth surveyed his guests with approval. The yacht owner was pleased with the stoutness that

three men had shown during the storm. Feldworth would hardly have been surprised had he learned that one

of the trio was The Shadow, who was used to dangerous adventures. But Feldworth would have had trouble

in picking out The Shadow, had he known of that master's presence. Since all had confidence and quiet

Kingdon Feldworth had come to a decision. Whatever might occur, he would stay aboard the yacht. As

owner, he felt that he had that privilege. Because of the Cuban wealth, he was determined upon his purpose.

Should occasion come to take for the shore, Feldworth intended to insist that the others go while he remain.

Meanwhile, The Shadow had come to an opposite decision. He had not been idle during the voyage north

from Havana. He had come to the conclusion that all of Feldworth's crew stood loyal to the master of the

Should persons seek the shore, however, they might encounter danger there. They would need The Shadow's

aid; hence he was prepared to go along with any party that might be ordered to the lifeboats.

Conversation had lulled when the door of the cabin swung open. The captain heaved through the doorway,

with rolling gait; he caught himself and thrust the door shut. He turned a rugged face toward Feldworth.

"What is it, captain?" questioned the yacht owner. "Is the hurricane increasing?"

"Yes," returned the captain. "We're in for it. I'm counting on the engines, though. Maybe we'll pull through."

A SIGH of relief came from Feldworth. The owner looked anxiously over his shoulder, toward the paneled

wall. Hadlow puffed his cigarette and watched Feldworth. Jalway also eyed the yacht owner, then turned to

"We're off the Georgia coast," informed the captain. "You know what that means, Mr. Feldworth. Islands.

Sand. If we beach the ship, she'll be pounded to pieces. But if we can limp to any kind of an inlet, I can beach

"Good!" exclaimed Feldworth. "We must save the yacht, captain! This ship means much to me "

"Not as much as human lives," put in the officer. "Remember this, Mr. Feldworth: the storm is increasing.

The longer we stand by the ship, the greater the danger. We can launch the small boats at present. But later on

"You mean we should abandon the yacht?" interrupted Feldworth. "I refuse to do so, captain. As for you, it is

"That is what I intend to do," retorted the captain. "Likewise the crew. I am speaking for the safety of the

passengers. This will be their last chance to get ashore. With the engines working" the speaker paused as

"But this coast is desolate!" exclaimed Feldworth. "If the small boat should survive the waves, where would

"Near human habitation," assured the captain. "We have seen lights on the shore. The yacht has been

"Yes. Rescuers are waiting. Our lifeboats are unsinkable. That is why I propose that you and your passengers

FELDWORTH arose. Swaying unsteadily with the motion of the yacht, he clapped his hand upon the

"Fine news," declared the owner. "You are right, captain. We shall launch the small boat for the passengers.

"Then I shall remain," decided the girl. "And I believe" she looked about the cabin "that the others will

"The lifeboat will be ready in ten minutes," asserted the officer, steadily. "All passengers will go ashore. That

"Mr. Feldworth is owner of the Maldah," returned the captain. "I cannot force him to leave the ship. But the

"Be calm, Francine," insisted Feldworth, swaying toward the girl's chair. "From the shore, you can inform the

coast guards. They may bring us aid. With our wireless out of commission, we shall need assistance of that

"Your uncle is right, Francine," stated Hadlow, quietly. "We shall take to the lifeboat. What about it,

"I should prefer to remain aboard," returned the promoter, still wearing his fixed smile. "But the captain has

ordered otherwise. He must be obeyed. Moreover, Francine" he turned to the girl "I cannot forget your

"Two crew members will go with you," declared the captain, deciding that the matter was settled. "You, Mr.

Hadlow, and you, Mr. Jalway, are as capable as any man aboard this yacht. Four ablebodied men are all that

"Bring most of your luggage to the deck. It will serve as ballast. The crew members I am sending Hoskins

With that, the officer swung about and went out through the door that he had entered. Hadlow arose; Jalway

did the same. Together they aided Francine from her chair. The trio headed toward an inner door at the right

FRANCINE looked hopelessly toward her uncle. He smiled encouragingly. The girl departed with her

companions. Professor Marcolm staggered to his feet. Gripping a corner of the inner doorway, he clung there

"A sorry ending to our cruise," observed the owner. "If we had left Havana a day sooner, professor, we might

"The captain is right," declared the professor, in a crackly tone. "We must obey his order. Your niece will be

"I am counting on all of you, professor," smiled Feldworth. "Cheer her up as much as possible. Keep assuring

The professor turned and went through the inner door. Feldworth swayed across the cabin and found a chair.

He was solemn as minutes passed. The outer door opened. Hoskins and Dashler entered. Both were

Before Feldworth could reply, Seth Hadlow appeared with two large suitcases. Then Francine arrived; behind

the girl came Bram Jalway, staggering with the burden of a small but heavy steamer trunk.

As the sailors relieved him, Jalway went back and returned with a small valise. A moment later, Professor

Donning slickers and overcoats, the passengers followed the sailors to the deck. Engines were pounding,

holding the yacht in position for the launching of the lifeboat. Lanterns, held by crew members, threw a

No words were spoken. The howling of the gale made voices hopeless. The two sailors were in the lifeboat;

others of the crew helped the four passengers aboard. Then came the creak of davits. The little boat lowered

The captain had gone to the bridge. Pounding engines were forcing the Maldah into the waves, bringing

temporary shelter to the side where the boat was being launched. From a larger vessel, the lowering of the

lifeboat might have been, disastrous. But the skipper had calculated upon the low build of the yacht.

NESTLED deep among bags and wraps, Francine Feldworth saw the white side of the yacht rise ghostlike in

the windswept darkness. For an instant, the girl shrank back, fearing that the lifeboat would crash against

that threatening wall of steel. Then the swell ended. The tiny boat twisted away.

The yacht dipped downward. The funnel loomed, distinguished by the wraithlike cloud of smoke that

eddied in the wind. A wave hoisted the lifeboat like a cockleshell, hurling it clear of the disabled Maldah.

The menace of the launching was ended. The lifeboat, clear away, was dipping deep into the valley of the

waves. It was heading toward the darkness of the shore, leaving the Maldah as a row of fading lights that

Yet the hazards which the voyagers faced amid the waves were small compared to the strange menace that

would lie beyond. Death was to strike amid the storm. It was fortunate that The Shadow had chosen to

BLACKNESS lay ahead as the lifeboat neared the shore. Four oarsmen were at work, timing their strokes as

Francine had been stationed near the bow. One of the sailors had given her a flashlight. The girl was blinking

the torch as signal to those on land. In response, she could see the wave of lanterns, moving toward the right

Hadlow and Jalway were plying oars, along with the sailors. Professor Marcolm was at the stern, handling the

helm. Francine could not see him through the darkness; nor could she turn the light in his direction, for its

The girl knew that the professor was observing the lanterns from the beach. Plainly, they were signaling that

safety lay to the right. The professor was handling the rudder to bear the lifeboat in that direction.

The roar of surf came from ahead. The climax of the danger would be found when the boat struck the

crashing breakers. As they veered farther to the right, Francine noticed that the roar was dulling. The lights,

They were swinging a new signal, calling for the boat to cut in to shore. White breakers foamed in the

darkness. All were to the left, the boat was escaping them. The professor was responding with the tiller. The

Sweeping strokes came from the oars as the craft entered the area of an even swell. Shining the light toward

the water, Francine suddenly realized that they had been guided to a haven. Those signaling lights had drawn

them past the end of a sandbar that must mark the entrance to a shallow inlet. They were safe from the surge

The boat was circling the moving lights. The arrivals from the yacht passed inside the line of the beach. Hails

came above the whistle of the wind. The men in the boat answered the calls from the shore.

Professor Marcolm swung the helm. The bow of the lifeboat was cutting toward the left. The boat scraped

suddenly upon the sand of the bar. A slow, heaving swell drove it almost to land.

Dropping their oars, the two sailors sprang overboard, leaving the control of the boat to Hadlow and Jalway.

Waist deep, they splashed past the bow, outlined by Francine's flashlight as they seized a rope to haul the

A few moments later, they were clear of the water. The bow of the boat jolted upward as Hadlow and Jalway

Lights were coming toward the boat. Dropping the oars, Hadlow and Jalway swung about, ready to aid in the

landing. An electric lantern gleamed from among the men ashore. It showed one of the sailors Hoskins

THEN came a crackly cry of warning from the stern of the lifeboat. Professor Marcolm issued it. The others

became rigid. From the group on shore, a man had sprung forward, leaping upon Hoskins. A knife blade

With that attack came spurts of flame from beside the electric lantern. Gunshots, puny in the whir of the

wind, accompanied those bursts. Francine dropped into the boat as a bullet struck the gunwale. The rescuers

Dashler, the second sailor, was leaping forward squarely into the lantern's glare. Maddened when he saw

Hoskins fall, Dashler was foolishly rushing to the side of his companion. He was heading into what would

have been his own doom, but for the prompt action of the three men in the lifeboat.

The captain had placed loaded rifles aboard. Three guns were in the center of the boat. Hadlow, seizing two

of the rifles, hurled one to the professor. Jalway, grabbing another, was the first man to open fire.

Hadlow's rifle spoke next; the professor, clutching the weapon thrown to him, also managed to join in the

As Dashler, unarmed, was suddenly pounced upon by the man who had murdered Hoskins, a quick shot from

The man with the knife went staggering, just as he tried to plunge the blade into Dashler's body. The sailor

tripped upon the beach as he sought to grab his crippled enemy. He formed an easy target for the fiends upon

the shore. Death would have been his lot but for another timely shot from the lifeboat.

A rifle bullet found a perfect target: the electric lantern. Out went the light. All that remained were the

bobbing glimmers that had been seen before. Hadlow, springing to the bow of the lifeboat, dashed the

flashlight from Francine's hand. Again his rifle barked, to mingle with Jalway's fire. A flash came from the

Bobbing lanterns now were targets. Shots from the men on shore were wide; but the marksmen in the lifeboat

were able to take aim. Lanterns went bounding to the sand as their holders threw away the telltale objects.

In the darkness, Hadlow and Jalway each found the same idea. The two sprang overboard and floundered to

the sand bar. When they reached there, they stared in vain for new flashes from the night. The enemy had

The two men gave the lifeboat another drag. Francine came over the bow; Jalway carried her to the sand bar.

The professor followed, gripping his rifle. He had fired only a few shots; he had ceased when the foe had

"Then there's no more," put in Hadlow. "What about ammunition? We've emptied our rifles."

"There's some here," crackled the professor, thrusting his rifle into Dashler's hands. "I only fired three shots."

DRIZZLY wind beat upon the castaways as they realized their plight. It was lucky for them that the

opposition had ended. The gun now held by Dashler was the only rifle that could be used. Huddled in a

group, they waited, almost ready to return to the lifeboat. The mercy of the storm seemed better than the

As minutes passed, eyes strained through the darkness. Discarded lanterns had been extinguished by the wind

and rain. There was no indication that the attackers intended to return. Staring seaward, the castaways saw no

A flashlight clicked. Jalway had produced it. The promoter glimmered the rays upon the lifeboat. Wading

into the water, he began to bring out luggage. Hadlow aided him, Professor Marcolm remained with Francine

Dragging and carrying their possessions, the little group advanced. Jalway, leading with the flashlight, came

upon the body of Hoskins. The sailor was dead. Blood from his knife wound stained the dark, watersoaked

The castaways moved forward. Jalway's light revealed no sign of any attackers. Evidently the fleeing men

had taken their wounded along with them. Slowly, the little group neared the wide stretch of the long beach.

They were on the edge of a thick Georgia woods, almost tropical in its density. Trees above were creaking as

the wind sighed through heavy branches. Below, where the people stood, the shelter produced a lull. Voices

Jalway threw his flashlight about the group. Francine had slumped upon the little steamer trunk; Hadlow had

dragged it along from the sand bar. The professor was beside her, his hand upon the girl's shoulder.

Hadlow was extracting a cigarette from beneath his slicker, while Dashler was standing amid a cluster of

luggage. The sailor had his rifle in readiness. He had brought along the two emptied weapons. They were

"These woods are our best refuge," informed Jalway, in a voice that was steady in the lull. "If we can find

some sort of opening among them, we can make camp for the night. You hold the flashlight, professor.

Professor Marcolm received the flashlight. He extinguished it as the other men moved off through the

darkness. Then he flashed it with intermittent blinks. Five minutes passed. Suddenly Hadlow returned.

"Wave the light, professor," he ordered. "Bring in the others. I've found something."

JALWAY and Dashler arrived while Hadlow was pointing out the direction in which he had investigated.

The professor's waving of the flashlight brought them in. The sailor offered an objection when he heard

"Maybe that's their hangout," he insisted. "They might get us like they got Hoskins. I'd like to get square

with the fellows that killed my matey; but it ain't policy to walk into their camp."

"The rogues fled along the beach," reminded Hadlow. "This house is in the direction of the inlet. In my

"The same as Hadlow's," crackled Marcolm. "Come, my friends. Let us fare toward this habitation."

Leaving the luggage, the group followed Hadlow's lead. Using the flashlight, the sportsman picked out a path

at the entrance to the woods. The glare showed a narrow but cleancut passage. Hadlow turned out the light

"There's the glimmer." His voice was solemn beneath the shelter of the swaying, creaking oaks.

"Unquestionably a house. Suppose that Jalway and I go in advance. You follow, professor, with Francine."

"Stay in the background," ordered Hadlow. "Cover with your rifle. If we run into trouble, you can open fire to

SHOULDER to shoulder, Hadlow and Jalway advanced. They came to a clearing where the white tabby

walls of an old building showed its spectral bulk among the trees. The lighted windows had been at the side.

Here, only the whiteness of the house was visible. Reaching a stout oak door, Hadlow knocked.

A long pause. The wind sighed heavily through the trees, then whistled eerily as its angry gusts rose violently

in the night. Hadlow rapped again. The drawing of bolts followed. The door opened.

Just within the threshold stood a huge, bigfisted man whose face was fierce and challenging. Light from the

hall showed the watersoaked visitors. The big man eyed them with a glare that was not pleasant.

Close by the trees, Marcolm and Francine could see the man's face plainly. So could Dashler. The sailor

shifted his rifle. The professor stretched out a hand to withhold him. Listening, they could hear the growled

The voice was thick and uncouth. Hadlow's reply was a quiet one that the listeners could not hear; but they

caught snatches of Jalway's steady tone. The castaways were explaining their plight. Their story brought

Jalway turned and signaled. Professor Marcolm led the others to the house. They followed Hadlow and

Jalway into a lighted hallway. The big guardian eyed Dashler's rifle in suspicious fashion, then closed the

door and bolted it. He departed through the hallway, leaving the little group talking in puzzled whispers.

A few minutes passed. Then the big man returned from the rear of the hallway. He opened a door on the

right, turned on a light and ushered the arrivals into a living room. Francine gasped in amazement. The others

They had expected to find small comfort in this island home. Instead, they discovered a living room that was

almost sumptuous. Comfortable chairs and lounges stood upon handsome Oriental rugs. Heavy oak

bookcases were filled with volumes; these stood upon either side of a fireplace.

EACH viewer studied a different portion of the room, admiring its contents. One pair of eyes, however, found

a focal spot that others scarcely noticed. Those eyes were The Shadow's. Still maintaining his guise of a

The Shadow was looking toward a mantelpiece above the fireplace; he was viewing an object that hung from

the wall over the mantel. To others, it was but an ornament tasteful and inconspicuous. To The Shadow, it

was a symbol that marked the end of an important quest which he had not yet undertaken.

The Shadow had left the Maldah knowing that all was safe on board. He had wanted to reach shore, that he

might fare forth in search of George Dalavan, the murderer whom he had encountered near Miami; through

finding Dalavan, The Shadow had hoped to uncover the supercrook whom the murderer served.

There had been murderers on this shore; but even to The Shadow, their presence had not signified a link to

the coming quest. Until he viewed this living room, The Shadow had gained no inkling of connected crime.

He had it here, the link he wanted. Above the mahogany plaque; upon its square surface was a design done in

The plaque represented a shield, supported on each side by a gryphon. The design was a perfect match for the

embossing imprinted upon the sheet of paper that The Shadow had found in the dead hand of James Tolwig.

This house on the Georgia coast was the headquarters of the supercrook who controlled dozens of rogues like

Dalavan; the man who managed a ring that dealt in international theft, wholesale smuggling, and open

A voice spoke from the doorway of the room. With the others, The Shadow turned about to meet the owner

of the house. Playing his role of a chance castaway, The Shadow was face to face with the master crook

THE man in the doorway did not look the part of a master criminal. His appearance was quite the opposite; it

ended any apprehensions held by The Shadow's companions. Pleasant of voice, friendly in attitude, the

master of the lonely house was one who knew how to make his guests feel at home.

He was portly and baldheaded; his face was wreathed in a smile. He was attired in a green silk dressing

gown; in his hand he held a meerschaum pipe that he had been smoking. There was nothing to connect him

with the fray on the beach; but The Shadow knew that this genial individual was certainly responsible for all

"Good evening." The portly man spoke in a halfchuckled tone. "My name is Purvis Elger. It is not often that

I am honored with unexpected guests. Allow me to welcome you to my humble abode."

Another servant stepped up behind Elger. He was tall and cadaverous a contrast to the huge, bigfisted

fellow who had been at the door. Elger ordered the pair to bring in the luggage that the castaways had carried

with them. Bowing, shaking hands, Elger himself ushered the guests to their individual rooms. He suggested

Soon afterward, the group assembled, wearing dry clothes. Puffing at his meerschaum, Elger listened to their

"The yacht should come safely to harbor," he declared. "There are many inlets along this coast. The Maldah

will find haven. As for the strange attack that took place upon the beach, it is something that can be definitely

PAUSING, Elger puffed his meerschaum. He studied Bram Jalway, who was languid and half smiling; ready,

apparently, to believe what his host might have to say. Elger noted Professor Marcolm; he saw an

absentminded look upon the savant's features. Eyeing Seth Hadlow, Elger observed a serious countenance.

"This isle," announced Elger, "is but one of many that line the Georgia coast. It is called Timour Isle; it once

formed a colonial plantation. The manor house was in the center of the isle. This building was a lookout

house, almost a fortress. The slave quarters were on the opposite side of the isle.

"All was ruin when I came here. Jungle had overgrown the remains of the other buildings. But the tabby

walls of this lookout house were partly standing. Though built of shell, sand and lime, they survived the

elements; and their proximity to the beach prevented overgrowth. I restored the building; I am still enlarging

"My den," he added, "is at the back of the house. I spend most of my time there. I have two servants. Golga,

the one who admitted you, stays on duty at night. Royne serves as cook and does day duty. The windows"

Elger gave a sweep of his hand "are barred. The reason for such protection is because outlaws sometimes

"I speak of them as outlaws," he declared. "Some are fugitives from justice. Others are merely treasure

seekers; but of a disreputable sort. The fugitives come here because the marsh land between the isles and the

mainland are an obstacle to searchers. As for the treasure hunters, they count on the fact that such pirates as

"Famous pirates, those," put in Jalway. "Do you think that Abraham and Blackbeard actually buried treasure

"Possibly," returned Elger. "There is also a chance that colonial inhabitants of these isles buried their own

valuables to keep pirates from finding them. Anyway, the treasure hunters come here; and they often fight

"Those murderers whom you encountered were either outlaws who decided that you might be bringing

valuables ashore; or they were members of a treasureseeking band who looked upon you as rivals. In either

"Isn't it dangerous, living here?" queried Francine. "Those outlaws might attack this house at any time!"

"No," stated Elger, "they are skulkers. Real criminals who hide out along this coast do not come in bands.

They would be too few to make an attack. The riffraff come in numbers, to dig about for buried wealth.

They would pillage an empty house, if they found one. But they are too fearful of the law to attempt an actual

"They saw a chance to prey upon persons whom they thought would be helpless. Probably they have fled to

the other end of the island, to take a boat that they have hidden in the marsh. But there is always the danger of

encountering individual prowlers hereabouts. While you are my guests, I must insist that you remain indoors

SOMETHING in Elger's final sentence made Francine look about in wonderment. Bram Jalway understood

"Mr. Elger has informed us," said Jalway, "that communication with the mainland is impossible and will be

for some days to come. The storm is rising to hurricane intensity. Even the back channels might prove

"And the roads on the mainland," added Elger, "will be impossible. It would be futile for any of you to leave

here. While you are my guests" his pleasant smile broadened "this house will be yours. We are well

stocked with provisions. There are plenty of books to read. Only one thing is lacking."

"You have guessed it," laughed Elger. "I ordered one; but its shipment was delayed. A little boat comes over

from the mainland, once or twice a week; but we cannot expect it to arrive until after the storm has subsided.

"I don't mind," declared the girl, with a smile. "To me, Mr. Elger, this is the most wonderful house that I have

ever seen. Fancy finding it in this lonely spot. I was merely worried about my uncle. That was all. I had

Golga and Royne appeared just as the girl finished speaking. The big servant spoke to Elger while the

"They have brought in the sailor's body," said Elger. "It is locked in the construction house, with the tools that

the workmen left here. I suggest that we leave the body there until we can inform the authorities. Is that

He was looking from one man to another, not knowing which one to accept as the leader of the group.

Catching nods from all concerned, Elger spoke to Golga. The servant handed his master a bunch of keys.

Royne had already left the living room. As conversation resumed, the cadaverous servant returned bringing a

large tray laden with coffee and sandwiches. Elger waved his hand toward the refreshments.

"Help yourselves," he said. "Make yourselves entirely at home. You have your rooms. Retire when you

please. In the meantime, I shall ask you to excuse me. I have been working tonight on problems in

THE castaways did justice to the coffee and sandwiches. The constant whistling of the increasing gale

seemed remote in this secluded spot. Refreshments ended, the group relaxed. Professor Marcolm arose and

"I have studies of my own," he remarked, "but I shall forego them tonight. I am going to bed. Good night."

"Not a bad idea," grunted Dashler as the professor departed. The sailor had been sitting silently in a corner.

The others chatted for a short while after Dashler had left. Then they, too, decided to retire. Hadlow and

Jalway had been given rooms on opposite sides of the hall, while Francine's room was across from the

Royne, the cadaverous servant, had disappeared. It was Golga who came into the living room after the guests

had all retired. The big servant began to gather up cups and plates. That task completed, he turned out the

light and carried the tray along the hall toward the kitchen, which was at the rear of the long, low building.

Only the rear hall was lighted. It formed a dim corridor past the doorways of rooms where the guests were

stationed. While creepy, whistling winds wailed unrelenting about the secluded house, a cloaked figure

emerged from the blackness of the front hall. It was The Shadow; ghostlike in his glide, he moved along the

A light glimmered beneath a door. With noiseless stride, The Shadow reached the doorway. His gloved hand

moved forward; it gripped the doorknob and moved the door inward, inch by inch. The Shadow peered into

To the others from the Maldah, that abode was merely the private quarters of a man who chose the life of a

recluse. To The Shadow, this den was the lair of a cunning supercrook, identified by the gryphon plaque upon

The den looked like a study. A desk was piled high with books. Other volumes lay upon a lounge. The walls

of the room were lined with bookcases, which held more volumes than the shelves that The Shadow had seen

The den was empty; but a light from a halfopened door indicated an inner bedroom. Elger had gone there.

Taking advantage of the supercrook's absence; The Shadow entered the den and closed the door from the hall.

A heavy bookcase ended near a corner. The space formed a niche against the wall. The Shadow glided in that

direction; he became a tall shape of motionless black, as he took to the improvised hiding place. From here,

The barrier opened as he watched. Elger came out and went to the desk. He began to consult an opened book

Elger spoke. The door opened. Golga entered. The servant's face wore a cunning gleam. Elger noted it and

Golga departed. As soon as the servant was gone, Elger arose and went to the door. He locked it, then

extinguished the light. He crossed the den and entered the bedroom, leaving the door partly opened.

THE SHADOW moved from his hiding place. Stealthy in the darkness, he followed Elger's course. He

peered into the bedroom. Elger had removed his dressing gown; he was donning coat and vest, all that he

Besides a bureau and a bed, this room boasted a bookcase in an obscure corner. These shelves appeared to be

stocked with the overflow of volumes from the den; but The Shadow noted that the books were lined in

perfect order. That indicated some other purpose; for Elger, if he used those books, would probably have

The real purpose of the bookcase became apparent as Elger approached that corner of the room. Removing

one volume, the portly man pressed a hidden spring. The bookcase swung outward, like a hinged door.

Elger entered. His bald head moved downward. The man was descending steep steps. Hardly had he

disappeared before the bookcase closed automatically. At the same instant, the light went out in the bedroom.

A soft laugh in the darkness. The Shadow's cloak swished slightly as his form moved forward. A tiny

flashlight glimmered. A gloved hand found the book that Elger had removed. The Shadow drew the volume

A click. The Shadow stepped back as the bookcase opened. Musty, dampened air issued forth from the

staircase in the wall. Moments passed; then that atmosphere ended. The bookcase had closed. The room was

The Shadow, alert upon the trail, was following the course that Purvis Elger had taken. He was on his way to

A TINY flashlight glimmered amid inky blackness. A soft laugh came from hidden lips. The light went out.

Stealthily, The Shadow swished forward through a passage that was low and long beneath the ground.

The Shadow had reached the bottom of the hidden stairway. Waiting there, he listened to the sound of fading

footfalls from ahead. Positive that Purvis Elger had left this dank corridor, the blackgarbed investigator was

At intervals the flashlight blinked, its small circle directed toward the rough stone floor of the passage.

Though hidden traps seemed unlikely, The Shadow was taking no chances in his pursuit.

As he proceeded, however, he became confident that the only secret of this corridor was its hidden entrance.

Oozing spaces between the stones showed that the moist ground offered no possibilities of a hidden pitfall.

The passage ended one hundred yards from the house. The Shadow encountered a stone wall in the darkness.

Instead of using his flashlight, The Shadow waited in the gloom; then he sensed a slight draught from the

A few rods brought him to another barrier. This was a door, sheathed with metal. Cautiously, The Shadow

opened it. Dim light greeted his keen eyes. The Shadow was in a squarewalled cavern, which was hazily

Dim shapes stood by the wall. Burnished surfaces reflected the dim glow. Eyeing these figures, The Shadow

discerned that they were suits of armor, standing like rigid sentinels. They were not the only objects in the

Large chests were stacked along the wall. Upon them rested several vases that gleamed dully in the light. In a

corner stood a group of metal cylinders. The Shadow could guess the nature of their contents: rolledup

Passing the metal sentinels, The Shadow reached the opening beyond. From darkness, he gazed into a second,

smaller cavern. This room contained a few odd chests; beyond it was the opening to a larger, darkened room.

MOST important, however, were the living occupants of the middle room. Two men were seated upon chests;

the glow of a lantern showed their faces. One was Purvis Elger; the other was a hardfaced, roughly clad

The Shadow had seen that countenance before. Elger's companion was a New York mobleader, known as

"Ruff" Turney. He had disappeared from Manhattan some months ago. Rumor had it that Ruff had been slain

Blended with the darkness of the room that he had crossed, The Shadow waited, listening. He had caught the

sound of voices during his advance; now he could distinguish the words that passed between the men whom

"You knew my orders, Ruff," announced the portly man. "There was no excuse for that attack on the lifeboat.

"That's what I did," growled Ruff. "But it was too late. We got fooled, chief. It wasn't until the sailor came

"You should not have been on the beach at all. I told you that the Dalmatia would anchor off the lower inlet."

"We saw the lights from there, chief. Then the ship anchored farther up. We figured the captain had missed

"I told you that the Dalmatia was a tramp steamer, like the others that have anchored off here."

"I know that. That's what we thought the ship was. We saw a line of lights, coming up and down with the

"Sure. Kind of low, but the way they went up and down, it was hard to figure them. Say what was the boat,

"A yacht. The Maldah, owned by a shoe manufacturer named Kingdon Feldworth. And you and your outfit

ELGER ended his utterance with a contemptuous snort. Ruff Turney's bristly face showed a sour expression.

"If you'd been out on the beach, chief," he said, "maybe you'd have been fooled, too. We couldn't figure how

far out the ship was. Just lights that's all. Looked like a hundredtoone shot on it being the Dalmatia."

"That part is excusable," decided Elger. "In fact, everything was all right up to the time of the attack. But that

"I didn't start it, chief. The outfit thought it was coast guards, when the sailor came running up. Nicky yanked

"The rest of the mob began to fire. At the boat. But those birds were sharpshooters. They dropped Nicky.

They plugged our searchlight. They clipped Hungry when we started to beat it. We brought Nicky and

"Dead," informed the mobleader. "Both of 'em. That cuts the crew down to four. I left 'em over in the cabin

"Sure. Back of the old ruins where the slave houses used to be. I came in alone through the big passage. Don't

"There is no occasion to worry," declared Elger. "The people from the lifeboat found my house; so I

welcomed them. Golga and Royne brought the sailor's body into the construction house."

"Want us to snatch it out of there?" inquired Ruff. "There won't be any evidence if we do."

"No evidence," snorted Elger, "except the testimony of five persons who saw the sailor die. We shall keep the

body where it is, Ruff; later, I shall inform the law of what occurred on the beach. My position is a perfect

"No one knows that my lookout house has a passage that leads to these caverns, under the ruins of the

leveled mansion. Nor do they know that these caverns are also connected with the ruins of the old slave

"It is. But its worth depends upon a complete separation between myself and your band. Should the law come

here, I can state that questionable characters have been about. In doing so, I can divert search from your

"As an emergency measure, you and your men could abandon the boat and hide out in these caverns. But it is

best to create the impression that nothing is wrong on Timour Isle. Unfortunately, your crew injured that

"We bumped off the sailor," he growled. "Why not rub out the crowd? Then there'd be nobody left to talk."

"That would be unwise," returned Elger, dryly. "At least, for the present. The yacht managed to steam out to

sea. If it comes to safety, those aboard will institute a search for those who came ashore. The captain will give

the exact location of this isle. If the castaways are found alive, my position will be strengthened.

"Should the Maldah flounder, as I hope it will, the news will reach us. We can then dispose of our

unwelcome guests. The world will believe that they went down with the yacht. In either event, we shall have

As Elger paused, a ticking sound came from a box at the rear of the cavern. It was a telegraph sounder. Elger

read the clicks, then turned to Ruff, whose blank look showed that he was unacquainted with telegraph codes.

"From the shack on the mainland," stated Elger. "Tully says he has picked up a wireless from the Dalmatia.

The ship is putting into Charleston. It will probably stay there until the hurricane is over."

Approaching the box, Elger busied himself with a telegraph key. He notified Tully that he had received the

"Tully will keep us posted," he stated. "Since the Dalmatia is bound for Tampico, Mexico, it will unload no

freight in Charleston. It will not come under inspection. The Dalmatia will bring us our last cargo. We shall

hold our trophies here, then ship them ashore after construction begins at my house. Loaded boxes will go to

"It may be tough, chief," interposed Ruff, "unloading all this swag. Dalavan got into trouble down in Miami."

"That was an exceptional case," retorted Elger. "Dalavan is safe in New York. Once he arrives here, he and I

can arrange to dispose of treasures wholesale. Dalavan can line up plenty of other men like himself."

"Since the Dalmatia is in Charleston," he remarked, "I shall have Dalavan board the tramp steamer there and

With that decision, Elger began to puff his meerschaum, eyeing Ruff Turney. A crafty look came into Elger's

gaze; The Shadow could see the glint of the supercrook's eyes. Elger had decided that he had talked enough.

He waved his hand as a dismissal to Ruff Turney. As Ruff arose to depart, Elger added final words:

"Lay low with the crew, Ruff. Report here as usual. I shall contact you personally, or through Golga or

Royne. I shall hold my guests until after the Dalmatia has unloaded. Meanwhile, Tully will learn the fate of

AS Ruff departed, Purvis Elger indulged in a smug smile. The master crook was pleased. In this cavern,

surrounded by millions of dollars' worth of stolen, imported wealth, Elger felt an absolute security. He was

unperturbed because his house had gained unwelcome guests. Elger was confident that he could handle any

During his conversation with Ruff, Elger had heard the hardened crew leader mention trouble that Dalavan

had encountered in Miami. Apparently that news had been flashed through from Tully some time ago; and

Elger considered it of little consequence, even though it had involved The Shadow. Evidently, Dalavan had

reported a perfect getaway, stating that his identity was unknown to The Shadow.

Yet The Shadow had learned the name of George Dalavan; he had gained it here, in the very headquarters of

the master crook whom Dalavan served. Purvis Elger, with all his confidence, would have been overwhelmed

with astoundment had he realized that he, himself, was under the keen observation of The Shadow.

It would be a while, however, before Elger would guess that The Shadow was present on Timour Isle. Elger

had decided to play a waiting game. Learning that fact, The Shadow had chosen to adopt a similar policy.

There was much to learn, here on Timour Isle. There would be loose threads to gather, before the final stroke.

NONE of Purvis Elger's detailed methods had escaped The Shadow. While he remained on vigil, the master

sleuth summarized new facts that he had learned; and added them to those that he had previously gained.

For some time, Europe had been stirred by robberies in England and the continent. Rare paintings had been

filched from museums, priceless treasures stolen from palaces. Relics such as archeological trophies and suits

Those items could not have been fenced in Europe but it was possible to dispose of them in America, to

private collectors who would say nothing. It was also a simple matter to ship them to South America and the

The real game had been to get the treasures to America. The Shadow had known that when he had heard of

the Lamballe tiara, mentioned by chance while he was in Havana. He had immediately surmised that James

Tolwig, the intended purchaser, would be approached by a member of the thieving, smuggling ring. George

The Shadow had suspected the answer; at last he had found it. Tramp steamers, putting out from European

ports, had carried the stolen goods in their cargoes. The European authorities had counted on all ships being

inspected at receiving ports; hence they had not supposed that the stolen treasures would be aboard such

Elger had managed the shipments by having the ships pass this isolated section of the Georgia coast. There,

they had unloaded the swag; Ruff Turney and his crew had received it and brought each shipment ashore in

their small boat. One more cargo would complete the job; it would come by the Dalmatia.

ANOTHER point impressed The Shadow. Long ago, Elger must have done some treasure hunting of his own.

On Timour Isle, he had uncovered the ruins of the old manor house; he had discovered the secret vaults and

passages. The caverns and their underground routes dated from colonial days, when they had been used in

Naturally, the manor house had been the focal point, with passages leading to the slave quarters and the

lookout house. Elger had simply changed the arrangement. He kept the lookout as his own abode; he had

Ruff and the receiving crew back in the swamp, near the site of the vanished slave quarters.

The caverns were doubly protected; either Elger or Ruff could come to them. Far apart, there seemed no

Elger had already fenced some swag through Dalavan, as a "feeler" for the future. That meant a contact; and

Elger had one. A telegraph cable led through the swamp to the mainland. Near some town was Tully, the

telegrapher, ready to relay messages anywhere. Tully also had a receiving station for wireless messages; thus

While The Shadow watched Elger, the portly crook finished his reverie. He carefully dumped the ashes from

his meerschaum and placed the pipe in his pocket. That done, Elger turned to the telegraph key and tapped a

message with his pudgy hand. The Shadow read the clicks, which were sent in Morse.

Elger gave the names of the persons who had arrived on Timour Isle. He stated that they would remain as his

guests for the present. He instructed Tully to gain information regarding the yacht Maldah. Elger added

The taps of the key told Tully to send a letter to New York by the night mail, instructing Dalavan to come to

Timour Isle. Elger forwarded the suggestion that Dalavan travel to Charleston and board the Dalmatia there.

He added, however, that such procedure would be optional. Should Dalavan prefer, he could come to the isle

Elger did not specify details regarding the "usual route." It probably meant that Dalavan had formerly come

to some town in Georgia, perhaps the one where Tully was located, and from there had reached Timour Isle

Through such expeditions, Dalavan had doubtlessly received the Lamballe tiara and other valuable items,

which he had taken along to peddle to closemouthed curio collectors. It was evident to The Shadow that

Dalavan had been confident that he had left no trail from Miami; otherwise, the murderer would have headed

for the safety of Timour Isle. Unquestionably, Dalavan had discounted the importance of the sheet of paper

In suggesting that Dalavan come by the Dalmatia, Elger was making allowance for the hurricane. There

would be a chance that the usual route would be closed for some days after the storm, as Georgia roads are

His orders completed, Elger arose and turned directly toward the cavern where The Shadow stood. As he

The Shadow faded away before Elger arrived. He chose a darkened spot behind the suits of armor; there, The

Shadow waited while Elger went through the cavern and chose the passage back to the lookout house.

DARKNESS followed Elger's departure, for the crook took the lantern with him. Soon, The Shadow's

flashlight carved the blackness. Entering the central cavern, The Shadow focused the gleam upon the

A low laugh whispered through the musty air. Gloved fingers pressed the telegraph key. It clicked; then came

a pause. Again, The Shadow tapped. There was a response from the other end. The Shadow began to send a

"Add in letter to Dalavan," ordered The Shadow. "Obtain information regarding preferred stock Argentum

"Also inquire about Eastern Zinc, Incorporated. Selling at twelve and one quarter. Make inquiries through

"Ask for information on Consolidated Securities; send immediate report on same. Tell Dalavan to approach

The Shadow waited while Tully's reply ticked back. The man on the mainland was repeating the message. He

The tiny flashlight cut a line of illumination across the central vault as The Shadow made his way toward the

exit that Ruff had taken. Passing into the next cavern, the investigator discovered another store of valuables.

Here were other chests. The Shadow lifted one and judged from its weight that it contained metal, probably

gold or silver plate. Upon a box in the corner of the room stood a cluster of bronze and silver statuettes.

Apparently, Purvis Elger had used many connections with continental thieves in order to acquire this hoard of

valuables. Recalling the rogue's conversation with Ruff, The Shadow estimated that at least a dozen

A DOOR led from this cavern. It was locked, to close the path that Ruff had taken. The flashlight's gleam

focused upon a keyhole. A gloved hand moved forward, carrying a blackened metal pick. The Shadow

The door yielded. The Shadow stepped through and locked it from the other side. His flashlight glimmered to

show a passage wider than the one that led to Elger's house. This had evidently been used years ago for

This passage was also longer than the other. When The Shadow reached the end of it, he found himself in a

low cellar. His light showed a flight of steps in the corner. Moving upward, The Shadow encountered a heavy

Winds whistled fiercely through the trees that sheltered this spot. Moist, matted underbrush settled soggily in

place as The Shadow lowered the trap. He had come from one of the cellars in the old slave quarters. The

A glimmer of the flashlight showed a tangle of cypress roots that formed a higher level. In darkness, The

Shadow stepped upward, then paused abruptly. From close by, he heard a squdgy sound; indication of a

footstep in swampy ground. The Shadow waited; the next token was a scrape against a cypress root. The

The move was timely. A bulky figure hurtled upon The Shadow. A snarl came from the attacker's lips as The

Shadow grappled. It was not Ruff Turney's tone. This fighter was an underling, like "Nicky" and "Hungry,"

the two who had been slain on the beach. The fellow had merely chanced upon The Shadow.

Luck served the attacker. Twisting away, The Shadow backed against a cypress; lost his footing and came to

one knee. Hamlike hands clutched for his throat; The Shadow gave a gasp that brought a pleased snarl from

his antagonist. The thug choked harder, ignoring the clutch of The Shadow's hands upon his arms.

That was all The Shadow needed. His grip tightened; he shot his body upward like a trip hammer. His

shoulders hoisted backward; the attacker was propelled headlong by the sudden jujitsu thrust.

It came so forcefully that the thug lost his finger grip upon The Shadow's throat. A surprised snarl sounded as

the crook took his sixfoot dive; there was a crackling of underbrush, followed by a dull crash some distance

Crawling down beside the cypress roots, The Shadow used his flashlight to discover an opening in the

junglelike growth; The gleam displayed a pit, eight feet deep; at the bottom lay a twisted figure, back

The thug had plunged through a third layer of overgrowth into a forgotten cellar. His head had struck the

stone floor; his neck had been broken in the crash. It was plain that his death had been instant.

THE SHADOW extinguished his light. He took to the marshy ground; changed course to seek a higher level.

Picking a direction through vines and brambles, he reached a spot where the howling winds increased; and

The Shadow had gained the beach, above the lower inlet. He took a course beneath the fringing trees.

Shrouded beneath the overhanging branches of oaks, the weird prowler moved toward the lookout house.

Reaching the building, The Shadow skirted the tabby walls to arrive at a side window of the living room.

There, he found outside bars, set in a frame held by heavy screws. The Shadow produced a small combination

The Shadow had anticipated this easy entry. He knew that Elger had no need for barred windows; these

frames were a mere pretense, to build up Elger's claim that he was a recluse who feared prowlers.

The Shadow opened the clamped window sash by means of a thin metal wedge. Entering the house, he

replaced the barred frame; then clamped the window. He blended with the blackness of the living room.

Soon, motion ceased within the silent house. Only the bansheelike wail of the hurricane remained. Howling

winds seemed angered as they twisted among mighty trees that thwarted their wrath. Those winds alone

Tomorrow, Ruff Turney would find his crew another man short. Discovery of the body would not indicate a

fray. It would look as though the dead thug had stumbled over the cypress roots in the darkness, to

One man more or less did not concern The Shadow. Though he was stranded on this lonely isle, like the other

castaways, he had accomplished much. He had listened in on Elger's schemes; he had seen the wealth that the

Most important, however, was the fact that The Shadow, like Purvis Elger, had gained contact with the

outside world. The supercrook could move distant men into action; and he had done so. The Shadow, by his

In New York, The Shadow had agents of his own. He had sent them information through Elger's own outlet.

A NEW evening had arrived on Timour Isle. The castaways were gathered in Elger's living room. Seth

Hadlow and Bram Jalway were chatting while they smoked. Francine Feldworth was curled up on a couch

reading a volume from a bookshelf. Professor Marcolm was at a desk in the corner, working problems on a

Ceaseless winds were wailing; tonight their intensity seemed greater than before. The captain of the Maldah

had spoken wisely when he had predicted that the storm would increase. Purvis Elger's statement that it

would be impossible to reach the mainland was borne out by the added fury of the tempest.

Elger had dined with his guests. After that, he had retired to his study. At intervals he dropped into the living

"I'm turning in early," remarked Jalway to Hadlow. "This storm is endless. The only way to forget it is to

"Unless you're in the middle of it," returned Hadlow. "I'll wager that it's doubly bad out on the beach tonight.

"One satisfaction," reminded Jalway. "It will be a tough night for those rogues who attacked us. I doubt that

"The trees are sheltering, though," said Hadlow. "It would be no trick at all to move about the island if one

A clatter came from the writing desk. Professor Marcolm was putting the chessmen away in their box. Rising,

the whitehaired castaway closed his board. He crossed the room, paused to mumble a good night, then

"The professor must have gained my copyright idea," remarked Jalway, with a slight smile. "I'm sure he

didn't hear me say that sleep was the best procedure on a night like this. Well, I'm copying his example. Good

Jalway arose and departed. Hadlow finished a cigarette, then arose, stretched his long arms and spoke to the

others. Francine looked up from her book; seeing that three of the castaways had decided to turn in, the girl

Dashler finished his game of solitaire. He looked about and shrugged his shoulders. The sailor felt the room

chilling and oppressive with his companions gone. Gathering up the playing cards, he went to his room.

A DOZEN minutes passed. Golga entered the lighted room and looked about. Finding that all had retired, the

big servant extinguished the light and went to the back hall. There he entered a room of his own and seated

Half an hour passed. It was Golga's job, apparently, to maintain this vigil, unless otherwise directed by Elger.

The servant did not seem to mind it. But when the clock on his table was pointing to the hour of eleven,

Golga arose as though by plan. He went back into the rear hall. There, he noted a light from beneath the door

There, the servant noted another light from beneath the door of Francine's room. He recalled that the girl had

been reading a book. Probably she had stayed up after the others had gone to bed. Golga kept on past silent

Golga entered the living room. He turned on the light. He heard the same noise again; from the rear corner.

Advancing there, the servant made a prompt discovery. The corner window was unlocked; more than that, it

Wind, whining about the tabby walls despite the shelter of the trees, had caused that whistling. Golga could

feel the puffs of outside air. As he reached the window, he noted also that the outer bars had been removed.

Golga paused abruptly. He turned, quickly went back across the living room and extinguished the light. He

crept along the front hall, stopping at every door. First, Seth Hadlow's. There, by chance, Golga heard a

motion from within, as of the occupant turning in his bed. He also caught a slight sound that sounded like a

Stopping outside of Bram Jalway's door. Golga heard no sound at all. He rested his hand upon the knob, and

then changed his mind. He moved farther along the hall and stopped at the professor's door.

No sound from within. Carefully, Golga turned the knob. He opened the door and entered. He could see the

professor's form in the bed; he also spied the whiteness of the man's hair upon the pillows. The professor

He looked toward Francine's door. The light still shone from beneath it. As Golga watched, the light clicked

The big servant paused only for a moment when he reached Dashler's door. The sound of the sailor's snores

were sufficient evidence that Dashler was there. Returning frontward, Golga listened, but heard no sound.

No one there. The room was empty. Golga extinguished his light, promptly closed the door and crept

creaking back toward Elger's study, anxious to report to his master. Reaching his objective, the servant

A SOUND from within. Elger was coming from the inner bedroom. He opened the door and admitted the

servant. Golga's face bore an expression that proved he had a message of importance. Elger closed the door

The rear hall remained gloomy and silent for a full minute. Then came a swish from the front. Blackness took

on a tall, living shape. The Shadow advanced toward the door of Elger's den. He paused to listen outside the

barrier. His gloved hand gripped the knob and opened the door a fraction of an inch. Voices came to The

"Within the last half an hour?" Elger was demanding. "You're sure of that, Golga?"

"You looked in Jalway's room," came Elger's next remark. "Well, that proves he was out. But are you sure

"The girl turned out her light," informed Golga, gruffly. "I could hear the sailor snoring; and I saw the

"I thought I heard him, at first. I can't be sure about it, like the others. But I would have looked in there if I

"Leave the windows as they are," decided Elger. "Keep watch in the living room and let me know when

Jalway returns. We can let him think that his trip has not been discovered. Maybe we can find out what he is

"Ruff lost another man last night. The fellow dropped through into one of those old cellars at the slave

quarters. It was an accident, though. I don't think that Jalway could have been at large last night."

The door closed imperceptibly. The Shadow faded into the darkness of the front hall. Half a minute later,

Golga appeared and went forward. When he reached the living room, the servant heard no whistling from the

Bringing out his flashlight, he found the window bars back in place; the window sash had also been closed.

The screws of the bar frame were loose, however. They had been hurriedly replaced.

Returning to the front hall, Golga paused between the first doors. He heard a distinct cough from Hadlow's

room. Stopping at Jalway's door, Golga listened intently. He heard someone moving about within the room.

Again, a blackened shape appeared as soon as the servant had entered the den. Once more The Shadow

approached and performed his motion at the door. Listening, he caught Golga's new report. He heard Elger

"Jalway, all right," came Elger's opinion. "Well, we'll keep a watch on him. So long as he snoops around

outside, there's no reason to worry. But it proves that we've got to look out for him.

"Smart, choosing a window in the living room. He figures that if we noticed it was open, we wouldn't know

"Turn in for the night. I'm not going below until tomorrow evening. I'll be up a while and I'll take a look in

that front hall myself before I go to bed. After this, we'll check on Jalway. But we'll make no move so long as

The Shadow faded from the door. His laugh came as a sibilant whisper as he reached the darkness of the front

door. No echo remained when Golga reappeared from the den. The servant went to his own room.

BACK in the den, Purvis Elger sat puffing at his meerschaum. His right hand steadied the pipe, while his left

drummed softly upon the desk. A slow, crafty smile wreathed itself upon the schemer's lips.

Purvis Elger had learned that one of his guests was a prowler. He had decided that the fellow was playing a

lone game. That, to Elger, was proof that there would be but one to watch: Bram Jalway.

Cunningly, Elger was planning a way to bring Jalway's prowls to an end, should occasion make that course

advisable. He was satisfied that the fellow could cause no damage to affairs here on Timour Isle.

There was reason for Elger's smile. The shrewd crook was basing his opinions on Golga's report. Golga was

vigilant. He had learned that one guest was missing. Elger was confident that the servant could keep tabs on

But Elger's smile would have faded had the crook realized how little Golga had actually discovered. Master,

like servant, held to the impression that these castaways Bram Jalway included were all ordinary persons.

Not for an instant had either suspected that among the group was one who moved with the stealth of night

itself. They did not know that this house of crime was harboring the secret presence of The Shadow!

THE next morning brought a letdown of the high winds that swept the Georgia coast. The center of the storm

The hurricane, reduced to a gale intensity, had gone northward, along the Atlantic seaboard. Ships had

scurried to the shelter of the Chesapeake capes. New Jersey beach resorts were suffering damage from heavy

In New York, strong winds were screaming fiercely among towering skyscrapers. A chilly drizzle was

driving down into the canyons formed by Manhattan streets. New Yorkers were gaining a taste of the tempest

High in one of those Manhattan towers sat a placid, roundfaced man who seemed oblivious to the sights

outside. He was busy at a desk in his private office, studying lists of stocks and bonds. He was Rutledge

A stenographer announced a visitor. Mann studied a card that bore the name of George Dalavan. The visitor

was unknown to Mann; nevertheless, the investment broker ordered the girl to show Mr. Dalavan into the

Dalavan entered. His lips held a slight smile beneath his clipped mustache. In every deal that he made,

Dalavan liked to meet men who looked easy to handle. Mann belonged in that category, according to

It was Dalavan's belief that Purvis Elger had gained information regarding certain securities through the

guests on Timour Isle, for they were people of wealth. Dalavan had wondered why Elger had sent word to

negotiate through one particular broker; and upon seeing Mann, Dalavan thought he had the answer.

The transactions probably required a broker who would not suspect that a big deal was under way. Mann

"I came to talk about investments," informed Dalavan. "I was told that you might know about them. What

A SLIGHT flicker of surprise appeared upon Mann's rounded features. It ended as the investment broker

smiled and leaned beck in his chair. Mann's answer was so complacent that it finished the slight suspicion

"Argentum Silver," announced Mann, "was a freak issue that has disappeared from sale. At what price were

"No wonder your friend recommended it. Argentum Silver was snapped up at twentyseven. It cannot be had

"I was also advised to purchase Eastern Zinc, Incorporated, at twelve and one quarter."

"That could have been done," returned Mann. "Eastern Zinc was a good buy at that figure. However, the

Mann nodded as he heard Dalavan's question. The investment broker seemed pleased by his customer's

"Consolidated Securities is as yet unlisted," stated Mann. "I understand that all has been subscribed; but there

are option holders who would sell small blocks at a reasonable profit. It is something of a speculative offer;

but I can advise you definitely when I have obtained a late report on the stock. Where could I reach you later

"You will hear from me by five o'clock," he told Dalavan. He glanced at his watch. "I shall go downstairs

with you, Mr. Dalavan, as it is my lunch hour. I expect to meet some brokers during lunch and will make

The two left the office and descended to the street. Dalavan headed toward Times Square; Mann took the

opposite direction. As soon as he was out of Dalavan's sight, Mann hailed a cab.

SHORTLY afterward, Mann reached a modest apartment house. He rang a bell that bore the name Slade

Farrow. He was admitted promptly to an apartment; there, he shook hands with a keenfaced, middleaged

man whose eyes showed a gleam of interest when they spied Mann. It was plain that Farrow saw something

"Mr. Farrow," stated Mann, in a careful tone, "I have come here on a matter which concerns The Shadow.

Both of us have served him. Posing as an investment broker, I work for The Shadow. Your part has been a

different one. As a criminologist, you have knowledge of the underworld. In times of emergency, you have

supplied able workers to The Shadow. Men who were once crooks, but who have gone straight."

Farrow's eyes gleamed with interest at Mann's statement. He waited while the investment broker paused, then

"A few weeks ago," declared Mann, in a confidential tone, "The Shadow left New York. You will be

surprised to learn that he had no motive in doing so other than to enjoy a needed rest. Crime seemed in

abeyance, here in New York. It was a logical time for The Shadow to take a vacation."

"The Shadow informed me," resumed Mann, "that he intended to cruise aboard the yacht Maldah, as a guest

"The Maldah!" exclaimed Farrow. "That yacht has been reported missing. You mean The Shadow is aboard?"

"The Shadow was aboard," replied Mann. "But it is apparent that he has come safely ashore from the yacht. I

SLADE FARROW was dumfounded by the investment broker's statement. Word received through an enemy.

It passed belief. Incredible though The Shadow's methods were, this startling revelation surpassed all that

"A short while ago," explained Mann, "a suave visitor named George Dalavan came into my office and

inquired regarding stock issued by the Argentum Silver Mines. No such stock exists. The mention of it means

"Perhaps," returned Mann. "Perhaps not. I merely know that Argentum Silver Mines is the key to check upon

the man who made the inquiry. But that was only part of the information that Dalavan unwittingly brought

"He also mentioned a stock called Eastern Zinc, Incorporated. He quoted two figures: nineteen and twelve

and one quarter. Those do not fit in with any prearranged code with the exception that Zinc signifies The

"It seems logical that under the circumstances, The Shadow is anxious to communicate his location.

Furthermore, Dalavan referred to an unknown stock called Consolidated Securities. The term Consolidated

refers to The Shadow's agents, with whom I have contact. Evidently he requires their aid."

Slade Farrow smiled in meditative fashion. Eyeing the criminologist, Mann caught what was in Farrow's

"The Shadow relies upon you in cases of emergency," asserted the investment broker. "I have previously

been instructed to call upon you in time of perplexity. Evidently, The Shadow resorted to some device to

Farrow arose and paced across the room. He was considering all that Mann had told him. At length the

"Mann," declared Farrow, "I am working on the assumption which you have gained: namely, that The

Shadow is subtly trying to tell us where he is. It is obvious that he has landed from the crippled yacht. He

"Assuming that he knows his own location, the first information that he would give might be the name of the

State where he has come ashore. As I recall it" Farrow paused as he plucked an almanac from the desk and

thumbed the pages "the nineteenth State in point of size is Georgia. Yes" again a pause "that is correct.

"Exactly." Farrow was bringing out an atlas. "His reference to Eastern Zinc is probably a reminder of that

fact. By use of the word Eastern, he emphasized that point. So from the number twelve and one quarter we

FARROW opened the atlas to a map of Georgia. He ran his finger along the coast line. Mann looked on, a

trifle glum, for he could not see how the criminologist could manage to locate the right spot. Farrow's

"Obviously," declared Farrow, "The Shadow has consulted a map of his own. Since there is no way that we

could guess the exact scale of that map, his only course would be to give us a percentage scale."

"Simply this." Farrow laid a ruler along the map. "Consider the north to south distance of Georgia in terms of

one hundred units or segments, reading upward, in the manner of latitude. That scale" Farrow was marking

"Here is twelve. One quarter more puts us on this spot. See that tiny island, Mann? The one that has no name?

Leaving the atlas, Farrow went to a filing cabinet and brought out some larger maps. He found one that

showed a portion of Georgia, on a large scale. He compared it with the map in the atlas.

"Here we are," declared Farrow. "This map names the island. It is called Timour Isle. Not much more than a

"Perhaps," put in Farrow, "it would be better to check on Dalavan first. I presume you arranged to meet him

The query brought a prompt nod from Mann. There was every reason why he should approve. "Hawkeye"

was a protege of Farrow's, who had enlisted in The Shadow's service. Hawkeye was a clever trail finder; at

Mann picked up Farrow's telephone. He dialed a number; a quiet voice responded. Mann held a short

conversation; he was talking to Burbank, The Shadow's hidden contact man. Not only did Mann request that

Burbank assign Hawkeye to the required task; he also urged that other agents active ones be ready to

A FEW hours later, George Dalavan strolled from his room in the Hotel Bonzell. As he passed the door of

Room 1212, Dalavan failed to notice that it was ajar. A small, wizenedfaced man was in that room; the man

was Hawkeye. Craftily, he had made an entry to the room that adjoined Dalavan's.

Noting that Dalavan was not wearing hat and coat, Hawkeye decided that he was merely going to the lobby.

Hurriedly, Hawkeye crossed the room and worked on a connecting door that led into Room 1214. There was

sufficient space for him to get at the bolt on the other side; and Hawkeye managed the task, although he was

Hawkeye had originally planned to crawl out the window and reach the sill of Dalavan's room; but this route,

Once in Dalavan's room, Hawkeye put in a prompt telephone call to Burbank. In a hotel the size of the

Bonzell, the operator naturally thought that the caller was either the occupant of 1214, or a friend.

A brief report given, Hawkeye started a search of Dalavan's suitcase. He came upon a letter that the man had

received that day. In it, Hawkeye read the details of what had occurred on Timour Isle, as transmitted from

The letter suggested that Dalavan go aboard the Dalmatia at Charleston, unless he should prefer to come by

the usual route. Included in the letter was the mention of the stocks that Dalavan had discussed with Mann.

Hardly had Hawkeye slipped the letter back into its envelope before there was a sound outside the door of

Room 1214. Quickly, Hawkeye scurried across the room and reached the connecting door. He slid beyond it;

but had no time to close the barrier. Dalavan stepped into 1214, strolled across the room and began to pack

He had not seen the opened door to 1212. Hawkeye wanted to shut it; but feared that the stir might catch

Dalavan's attention. Cautiously, the little spotter waited, staking everything on a break that he expected. The

break came. Dalavan's telephone rang. The mustached man turned about to answer it. Hawkeye closed the

connecting door. As he started to turn the knob, he heard Dalavan talking to Rutledge Mann.

"Hello, Mr. Mann..." greeted Dalavan. "Yes... Thirtysix shares of Consolidated Securities... Price quoted

HANGING UP, Dalavan turned suddenly. He thought that he had heard a sound from the connecting door.

He eyed it suspiciously; then, with a long stride, he walked across and tried the door. He found it unbolted.

Thrusting a hand into his pocket, Dalavan yanked the door open; looked into the next room. He saw no one.

Stepping back into his own room, Dalavan entered a closet; from a high shelf, in a spot hidden from view, he

brought out the squareshaped suitcase that he had brought from Florida. He opened it, viewed the Lamballe

tiara, the money, and other items. With a smile, Dalavan set the case upon the floor.

Relieved to find that the swag was untouched, he decided that any intruder could not have managed to search

Nevertheless, Dalavan's subsequent actions showed that he was worried because of the incident which had

occurred. The murderer brought out a carbon copy of a brief note that he had typed to Tully; he shook his

From his pocket, Dalavan produced a ticket and Pullman reservation, both to Charleston, South Carolina.

Again, he shook his head. It was plain that Dalavan intended to go to Timour Isle by the old route; not aboard

Packing up, Dalavan left the hotel room; he checked out of the Bonzell, carrying his case of swag with him.

He took a cab to the Grand Central Station; there, he switched to another taxi and rode to the Pennsylvania

Station. When he reached that destination, Dalavan indulged in a smile. He was confident that his trick with

DALAVAN was correct in his conjecture. Nevertheless, the reason why he had escaped pursuit was different

than he supposed. The answer came early that evening, when Rutledge Mann again called upon Slade

Farrow. Together, these men who served The Shadow went over a series of newspaper clippings that Mann

The newspaper accounts mentioned the Dalmatia. The tramp steamer was in Charleston; but it had reported

several crew members lost during the hurricane. It was on that fact that Mann and Farrow depended for

"If Hawkeye leaves on the 9:30 train," declared Farrow, "he will arrive in Charleston soon enough. Hawkeye

is crafty; he will be smart enough to arrange a berth for himself, aboard the Dalmatia. He can pass himself as

"Vincent and Marsland will leave later," announced Mann. "Their train will get to Charleston by tomorrow

afternoon. If Hawkeye does manage to place himself aboard the Dalmatia as a crew member, he should be

Farrow nodded. He knew Harry Vincent and Cliff Marsland, as competent aids of The Shadow. Teamed with

Hawkeye, they would make a useful trio. Dalavan had never seen any of them; if he should be aboard the

"If Hawkeye fails," added Mann, "he can wire Richmond. Vincent will pick up the telegram there. In that

Mann and Farrow parted. Their work was done. They had received The Shadow's message; they had put

active agents on the job. The Shadow had relied upon such cooperation and he had gained it. Affairs were

tightening on Timour Isle. Crooks were converging to that focal point. Soon, Purvis Elger would be prepared

Yet The Shadow had countered, despite his isolated situation. Through Elger's own ace, Dalavan, The

Shadow had arranged for aid of his own; The Shadow's men had chosen their route to Timour Isle. The

Shadow could depend upon his agents to offset the reserves whom Elger soon would gain.

LATE the next afternoon, sunshine came to Timour Isle. Scudding clouds had cleared. The fury of the storm

had ended. Purvis Elger, smiling when he entered the living room, had suggested that his guests might like to

All had accepted the suggestion with the exception of Professor Marcolm. The whitehaired savant had

brought several manuscripts from his bedroom. He was busily engaged in the translation of an Arabian epic.

He seemed pleased that the other guests were going out. It offered him a chance to work undisturbed.

Elger invited the old man into his study. Marcolm accepted. He found it a better place to work; and occupied

himself at a corner table while Elger, at the desk, delved into mathematical problems. It was nearly dinner

Entering the living room, they found Bram Jalway pacing about, puffing at an empty pipe. Elger was

smoking his meerschaum; he smilingly proffered his pouch. Jalway filled his briar and lighted up.

"Somewhere close by," replied Jalway, "walking about under the trees near the beach. Looking at the Spanish

moss, I guess. Funny how that stuff clings to the branches. Even the hurricane didn't seem to loosen it."

"About half an hour ago," responded Jalway, puffing at his pipe. "I couldn't see much use in strolling about a

The front door opened a moment later. Seth Hadlow and Francine Feldworth entered, followed by Dashler.

As the arrivals began to chat with Elger, Royne entered to announce that dinner was served.

The dining room was located in a rear extension of the house, near the kitchen. As usual, the guests enjoyed

their meal; for Royne had proven himself a capable cook. While they were finishing their dessert, Elger spoke

"I've sent Royne to look for some of my special tobacco," said Elger to Jalway. "A blend that I had put away

for unusual occasions. You seem to be enjoying your briar pipe. Keep it ready for this new smoke. In the

They moved to the front of the house. There, Royne reappeared, to state that he had not been able to find the

He returned with a tin of the missing blend. He offered it to Jalway who filled his briar. Elger followed by

THERE had been nothing suspicious about the procedure. Yet it fitted with something that The Shadow had

learned on a preceding night. Elger had said that he would send Royne to contact with Ruff Turney; to learn

Royne's futile hunt for the tobacco had been a cover for that contact. His claim that he could not find the

Whatever the crook's plans might have been, Elger kept them from his guests. In fact, he reversed his usual

procedure. Instead of retiring to the seclusion of his study, he remained in the living room and chatted

Conversation turned to the matter of the Maldah. Francine began to express anxiety concerning her uncle.

Her companions tried to reassure her. It was Elger who delivered the most comforting announcement.

"The storm has abated," he declared. "Within a day or two we should have contact with the mainland. I would

"We have the lifeboat," remarked Hadlow. "It is high on the beach, undamaged by the waves."

"It would not be suitable for the back passages," returned Elger. "A power boat is needed for those channels.

Moreover, most of them are blind entrances into the marshes. Only a pilot familiar with the channels can pick

"Positively," replied Elger. "A boat would have come yesterday but for the storm. Be patient, Miss

A slight pause while Elger puffed at his meerschaum. Then the master of Timour Isle turned to another

"There may still be danger on this isle," he remarked, in a cautious tone. "Those vandals who attacked you on

the beach may have found themselves stranded by the hurricane. There is a chance that they are still about.

"Therefore, I would suggest that all continue to remain indoors after dark. If those rogues were laying low

during the storm, they might approach this house now that the weather has abated. For that reason, I intend to

Troubled looks appeared upon the faces of the listeners. Elger dismissed them with a casual wave of his hand.

"No occasion for worry," he assured. "This house is a miniature fortress. But to be ready in case of trouble, I

shall have Golga stay on duty here in the living room. Royne will guard the back of the house."

That ended the subject. Elger had played his part well. He had made it appear that he was taking the

precaution purely to avoid an invasion; at the same time he had definitely made it plain that the living room

window would not be a possible exit for anyone who might wish to prowl from the house.

Puffing steadily at his briar pipe, Bram Jalway suggested a game of bridge. He, Hadlow, Francine and Elger

made up a table. Professor Marcolm took his manuscripts to his bedroom. Elger offered him the use of the

Dashler played solitaire on the window seat; finally the sailor decided to turn in; and a short while later, the

bridge game came to an end. The last three guests went to their rooms; Elger called Golga, then retired to his

IN the seclusion of his study, Elger indulged in a smile. He had subtly blocked the prowling game tonight.

His guests had retired; it was time to keep a rendezvous with Ruff Turney. For tonight, Elger knew, there

Pocketing his meerschaum, Elger extinguished the study light. He went into the bedroom, opened the big

bookcase and descended by the secret stairway. The bedroom light went out. Hardly had blackness come

before the outer door of the study opened. The Shadow glided into the empty room.

Elger's new plan of action had worked perfectly for The Shadow. Golga, stationed in the living room, would

have no need to search the rooms that the guests occupied, for he was blocking the outlet that had been used

before. Thus The Shadow had a perfect opportunity to spy upon Elger himself within the house.

Crossing the study, The shadow entered the bedroom, opened the bookcase and descended. He reached the

lower passage and kept on through until he arrived in the first cavern. The sound of voices from the central

"Tully's been trying to click something through to you," stated Ruff. "I've heard his taps while I've been

Elger moved over to the telegraph outfit and began to tap for Tully. A response came. The receiver clicked a

message. The code was plain to The Shadow, listening from the outer cavern. But it meant nothing to Ruff

"Dalavan started south last night," stated Elger. "He is going to board the Dalmatia at Charleston. He will

"The Dalmatia sails late tomorrow," replied Elger. "Tully picked up a radioed shipping report to that effect.

"Part of it. The rest will come in by one of the boats from the Dalmatia. Hexler and his outfit will handle it.

"None at all. The captain of the Dalmatia has been paid to keep mum. He doesn't know what he's unloading.

Thinks it's liquor on which the duty is too high for shipment through the customs."

"He probably is, or he would not be the skipper of a hopeless tub like the Dalmatia. Here's something else

important. The Maldah has been sighted, stranded in shoal water by Hamplin's Inlet."

"A coast guard cutter. It couldn't get through; and the Maldah has signaled that she needs no aid."

"None. The Maldah has apparently been unable to repair the wireless equipment. So nobody knows yet that

"He probably doesn't want to pay salvage on the yacht. I can't see why, though. He has plenty of money. It

works to our advantage, however. There won't be any search for these castaways until after we unload the

THE SHADOW listened. A new message was coming from Tully. Elger was back at the key, acknowledging.

Clicked words followed. An exclamation came from Elger's lips. The Shadow knew the reason. He had heard

"Tully just got a phone call from Dalavan," announced Elger, in a harsh tone. "Dalavan's in Georgia. Got off

"No," Elger spoke, grimly. "Somebody spotted him in New York at the Hotel Bonzell. It may have been The

"Yes. With the evidence that would have made trouble. That's all Tully knows. He's going to bring Dalavan

here. He's bringing Chunk along, too. They'll pull in by boat at the upper inlet and wait there while Dalavan

"Yes. He can pose as a chance visitor. I'll introduce him to the other guests in the morning. We'll say that he

sent the boat back, not knowing that I wanted to make contact with the mainland. But the boat will stay here."

Elger paused, then glanced at notations he had made while receiving Tully's message. A puzzled frown

"Here's something I can't figure out," he remarked. "Dalavan told Tully that he can purchase thirtysix shares

A MOTION beyond the door of the cavern; The Shadow was moving further back into the darkness. Since

Elger did not intend to question Tully regarding Dalavan's mention of securities, there was no reason for The

Elger believed that The Shadow was in New York; that it was he who had tried to spot Dalavan. This proved

conclusively that Elger did not have even the mildest suspicion that The Shadow was one of his guests on

More important, however, was the quotation of figures that Tully had given over the wire. Rutledge Mann

had purposely named thirtysix shares of Consolidated Securities as the number available; and there was a

Even without a map at hand, The Shadow knew that South Carolina was the thirtysixth State in size; and

that Charleston was located at point twentytwo and one half, according to The Shadow's system of

The Shadow knew that Mann had discovered the meaning of the message that had come through Dalavan.

Mann had sent an answer back through the same channel. Since The Shadow wanted agents here, Mann's

message naturally signified the route that they had chosen. They would board the Dalmatia at Charleston; The

Shadow was sure that they would find a way to come ashore with the swag, when the tramp steamer neared

Under the circumstances, the fact that Dalavan suspected he was followed and had chosen to come by the

usual route was all for the better. Edging away in darkness, The Shadow caught a last statement from Elger to

"I'm going to tell Golga to be ready for Dalavan," informed Elger. "I shall come back here, to arrange the

treasures for later shipment to the mainland. When Dalavan arrives, Golga can show him into the den.

Elger turned toward the outer cavern that led to the secret passage to his house. He encountered vacated

darkness. The Shadow had departed. Moving noiselessly through the gloom ahead, The Shadow was en route

MIDNIGHT had passed. All was quiet in the house on Timour Isle. Golga, seated in the darkness of the

Hours ago, his chief had stolen in here to announce that George Dalavan was due to arrive tonight. Then

Elger had departed. Golga had waited stolidly, until the time for Dalavan's arrival had neared. The big servant

Pacing to the door of the living room, Golga listened. All silent in the hall. The guests were asleep. Outside

winds were scarcely audible tonight. There were no disturbing sounds to cover noises that might occur within

A scratching tap from the front door. Golga moved cautiously in that direction. Slowly, he drew back the

bolts. He opened the door a few inches. Pallid moonlight showed a mustached countenance beyond. It was

Stepping back, Golga admitted the arrival. He closed the door and bolted it, drew Dalavan into the living

room, Cautiously, the servant whispered Elger's instructions. Dalavan nodded his understanding. He tiptoed

Golga listened from the door of the living room. The servant wanted to be sure that none of the guests had

heard Dalavan's entry. No sound disturbed the silence of the hallway. Golga moved back into the living room.

It was then that darkness stirred. From a doorway in the hall, blackness came to life. A shrouded form

blocked the slight light that came from the rear hall. That shape became the figure of The Shadow, moving

George Dalavan had entered, carrying his squareshaped suitcase. When he reached the den, he found the

room deserted. Placing the case upon the desk, he opened it and removed four objects. The first was the

Lamballe tiara; the second, the envelope containing Tolwig's fifty thousand dollars; the third was the sheaf of

shorthand notations compiled by the dead investigator Bagland; the fourth, the receipt that Dalavan had

With a suave grin, Dalavan spread these exhibits upon the desk. He looked toward the door of the bedroom,

expecting Elger to appear. Seeing no sign of his chief, Dalavan lighted a cigarette and strolled about the

The door from the hall was opening, inch by inch. Keen eyes were peering inward. The door moved more

swiftly. Blackness edged into the room. The Shadow, cloaked being of vengeance, closed the door behind

The murderer heard the slight click of the door. He turned about, expecting to see Golga. Dalavan's face

showed sudden horror; the cigarette dropped from his trembling fingers. Once again, Dalavan was staring

DALAVAN froze, exactly as he had done at Tolwig's bungalow near Miami. He had discounted The

Shadow's prowess; for his safe flight had given him confidence. Moreover, the New York episode had made

Dalavan believe that he could shake The Shadow from his trail. Thus The Shadow's unexpected appearance,

"I I killed Tolwig," gasped Dalavan. "But it it was in selfdefense. It was Lovett who who started it "

Dalavan paused, incoherent. He could see no mercy in the gleam of The Shadow's eyes. However, as he

stared helplessly, Dalavan saw something that The Shadow did not observe. The door from the hall was

With momentary rally, Dalavan steadied, hoping to hold The Shadow's attention. There was a further motion

at the door; Dalavan saw Golga, crouching forward. The servant had a longbladed knife. A few seconds

In those seconds, however, Dalavan overplayed. His lips compressed beneath his mustache. His eyes showed

The Shadow jabbed his .45 warningly toward Dalavan. As the crook quailed instinctively, The Shadow spun

Golga was already springing inward. The big menial's blade flashed from his driving hand. Despite Dalavan's

unconscious betrayal, Golga, through quick action had gained the edge on The Shadow. An instant's pause

The Shadow fired at the hand that held the knife. Hard upon the automatic's spurt came a cry from Golga as

the bullet clipped the servant's wrist. The downcoming hand seemed to jolt as its fingers opened. The long

knife skimmed past The Shadow's shoulder, and clattered against the wall beside Dalavan.

The timely shot would have eliminated an ordinary foeman. But Golga was a vicious, deadly fighter. The

man scarcely halted in his lunge. Shooting his free left hand forward, he hurled himself upon The Shadow

Flaying arms gripped The Shadow in a furious grapple. Twisting, the cloaked fighter tried to wrestle free. He

partially succeeded, then drove his left fist squarely to Golga's chin. The servant lost his hold. Clearing him,

The cowered crook had become a fiend. During the momentary struggle, Dalavan had yanked a revolver from

his pocket. Wielding the stubnosed .32, he was leaping forward to clip The Shadow at close range. That

DALAVAN had the bead on The Shadow. His aim would have served at a dozen feet as well as five. But

Dalavan, in his maddened effort, had chosen the closer range. He was still surging forward as he pressed the

The Shadow's left arm was swinging as his right hand aimed. His gloved fist struck Dalavan's wrist just as the

The crook's hand jolted up; the bullet whistled through the brim of The Shadow's slouch hat. Dalavan,

The Shadow's automatic roared. Dalavan's surging body bounded in the air. With a frantic cry, the crook

came jouncing upon his halfcrouched foe. It was a death plunge; for The Shadow's bullet had found the

The Shadow rolled sidewise beneath the writhing form that hit him. Dalavan's gun went clicking to the floor.

The Shadow, twisting, freed himself from the murderer's body. Then, of a sudden, he dived sidewise on the

Golga, seizing his knife with his left hand, had pounced back into the fray. His driving stroke was on its way

even as The Shadow made his voluntary sprawl. The blade went wide, plunging on The Shadow. Golga

The Shadow had delivered a backhand shot. Golga's body wavered; his left hand wobbled back and forth.

Balanced on one knee, Golga stared straight ahead, while a sickly expression dominated his evil face.

The Shadow, rolling clear, watched the strange result. Golga was like a rocking statue. The knife loosed from

his shaking hand. It dropped, blade foremost, into the floor. Then the servant's body crumpled. A fierce death

Lunges shots the knife strokes all had followed with quick succession. In less than two dozen seconds,

The Shadow had accounted for this pair of wouldbe slayers. Already the cloaked victor was at the desk.

Unscathed, The Shadow was sweeping tiara, cash and notes into the case that Dalavan had brought.

With a fierce, mirthless laugh, The Shadow sprang to the door of the den and gained the rear hall. Quickly he

A voice answered from the rear hall. Hearing footsteps, Dashler moved in that direction, to encounter Royne.

"Look!" cried Royne, pointing to the bodies on the floor. Then, seeing that Elger was not in the room: "Stay

As Dashler obeyed, Royne hurried into the bedroom. He saw that this apartment was empty; he knew that

Elger must be below. While Royne hesitated, the bookcase swung open. Elger himself appeared.

Royne pointed to the study. Elger quickly closed the bookcase. With the servant, he entered the study to look

at the bodies. He picked up Dalavan's gun and held it in readiness as footsteps came from the hall.

Dashler was back. Following him was Professor Marcolm, clad in a dressing gown, his white hair unkempt.

The two stopped on the threshold. As Dashler reported to Elger, Marcolm stared with wide eyes at the bodies.

"I knocked at the other doors," stated Dashler. "I told Miss Feldworth to stay where she was. I called to the

Seth Hadlow appeared as Dashler finished speaking. The sportsman's face was solemn. He eyed the bodies

half curiously; then, in mechanical fashion he reached in the pocket of the dressing gown that he was

wearing. Methodically, Hadlow produced a cigarette and placed it between his lips. But he did not light it.

The sailor turned. Before he had gone a dozen steps, he encountered Jalway coming from the front hall. The

promoter was fully dressed, except for his necktie. He spoke to Dashler as he advanced.

DASHLER motioned toward the den. Jalway stopped on the threshold. His eyes opened. The sight of the two

"What has happened here," declared Elger, solemnly, "is this. I expected a visitor. Mr. George Dalavan,

"Quite naturally not," interposed Hadlow, "since you had no communication with the mainland."

"Exactly," emphasized Elger. "But it appears that Mr. Dalavan arrived tonight. Golga must have admitted

him and sent him into the den. I was asleep in the adjoining bedroom" he pointed to the door that he had

"Yes," replied Elger, "but I had no idea they were so close at hand. I arose; I heard commotion here. I entered

to find Royne beside the bodies. Tell me: can anyone supply evidence regarding what occurred?"

"We must assume then," decided Elger, "that someone came in with Dalavan. He must have sought to kill

Dalavan, and Golga intervened. Both are dead. The killer has escaped. Let us examine the front door."

Elger led the way. The group followed. They found the front door bolted. Elger stepped into the living room

and turned on the light. He looked at the windows. One was closed but not locked.

Elger opened it. He noted that the barred frame had been removed. Flicking a flashlight to the ground outside,

Elger saw the frame there. A smile appeared upon his lips an expression which no one observed. Elger

"The assailant," stated Elger, "must have effected an entry by this route. He has escaped by the same outlet.

Royne" he turned to the servant "take Dashler and go to the upper inlet. See if, by any chance, there are

Royne and Dashler departed. At that moment, Francine appeared in the living room. The girl's face was pale

as she looked about inquiringly. Elger, as spokesman, told Francine what had occurred.

Royne and Dashler returned, bringing two roughly clad men who looked like natives from the mainland

marshes. This pair was Tully and "Chunk"; men known to Elger. But he gave no sign that he recognized

WHEN Elger returned alone, he made a brief announcement. He stated that he had hired the two men to

remain on guard for the night. The bodies had been removed by these new hirelings.

"The men tell me that the trip was difficult," stated Elger. "They do not want to attempt a return journey for

another day, at least. The regular channels of the marshes have been altered by the severe winds.

"These men are armed and have identified themselves as reliable parties. With Royne and Dashler, they can

guard the place tonight. There are no cartridges suitable for the rifles that you people brought; so I am giving

This frank arrangement pleased the guests. The inclusion of Dashler among the watchers gave an added

security. The castaways retired; so did Elger. The four pickets went on duty. It was taken for granted that

some outsider must have entered to battle with Dalavan and Golga; and that the intruder must have fled the

In his den, Elger indulged in a dry smile. With three of his own men on guard, he felt that the field was safe.

The Shadow had challenged Purvis Elger's henchmen. In that challenge, The Shadow had dealt death. He had

gained wealth and evidence that George Dalavan had brought to Timour Isle. Yet Elger, though he knew the

With guards on duty, with the majority of his guests lulled to a sense of false security, this crafty master of

ANOTHER day had passed at Timour Isle. Subsiding winds had left only a heavy, heaving swell with odd

chunks of wreckage along the beach. Purvis Elger's guests had gone out to view the flotsam and jetsam

strewn by the tide. They had found nothing that could have come from the yacht Maldah.

That fact was mentioned during the evening meal. It brought a reassuring comment from Elger, who was

"I believe the Maldah is safe," stated the portly host. "We shall know positively by tomorrow night. Thanks

"Tully and Chunk?" inquired Jalway, using the nicknames by which the men had introduced themselves.

"Yes," nodded Elger. "When morning comes, they are going to set out for the mainland. The channels should

certainly be clear by then. I shall have them notify the authorities regarding the deaths that have occurred

"They will bring back sheriff and coroner. When those officials arrive, I feel sure that we shall gain news

FRANCINE appeared relieved by Elger's statements. The portly man arose and made another announcement.

"I am going to my den," he said, "to make a full detailed report of all that has occurred since your arrival on

"This evening, I shall rely on your cooperation in guarding the house. I have instructed Royne to give

revolvers to the three who are unarmed. You, Mr. Jalway; you, Mr. Hadlow; and you, Professor Marcolm.

"If any of you care to fare forth, you are welcome to do so. I believe that the best way to deal with the

cowardly assassins who are near this isle is to let them know that we are prepared. But I advise any who

With this statement, Elger excused himself. He left the dining room and went into his den. He locked the door

behind him on this particular occasion. Immediately afterward, Tully, who was lounging in the hall, took up a

From the den, Elger entered the bedroom. He opened the bookcase and descended into the secret passage. He

moved along to the caverns. A light was burning when he arrived. Ruff Turney was waiting for his chief.

Tonight there were no spying eyes as the two conferred. The Shadow had found no opportunity to trail Elger

to his lair. But The Shadow, incidentally, had no reason to look in on tonight's conference. He already knew

AS conversation moved between Elger and Ruff, it became apparent that the two were plotting on a side

scheme that they had not as yet discussed. Elger was explaining how he had duped his guests; and with it, he

"I've bluffed them, Ruff," boasted Elger, as he faced his tough lieutenant. "I told them that I figured

"Absolutely," replied Elger. "And it was all for the benefit of one person present: Jalway."

"Golga was capable," mused Elger, reflectively. "He planted it cold upon Jalway. That one man is the

"Unquestionably he planned to go out last night. But he knew Golga was in the living room. When he heard

Dalavan come through the hall, he decided it might be Golga, going to the den. So he went there."

"Yes. Killed him in a fight. Golga pitched in and Jalway finished him, too. Then he ran for it. Got to the

"Hardly yellow, Ruff. He decided it would be better to stage a bluff. He came back. He looked as surprised as

the others. He tried a bluff of his own; so I countered with mine. I went to the living room and found the

window unbarred. I decided for Jalway's benefit that an outsider had done the dirty work."

Another pause. Then Elger chuckled. "Dalavan had a box with him," declared the master crook. "I can guess

what was in it. That Lamballe tiara and maybe Tolwig's dough. Dalavan talked a little to Tully and Chunk.

"Unfortunately, no. He assured them that all was well; and he mentioned that he had valuables with him."

"He may have chucked it somewhere outside the house, or he may have planted it inside, in some place that

would make it impossible to pin the goods on him. No, Ruff, I have a better way to deal with Mr. Bram

"I'm giving him rope" Elger paused for a few furious puffs of pipe smoke "and it will be enough to hang

him. I suggested that my guests look about tonight. Leave the house, if they wished to do so. But I added that

"No, no, Ruff." Elger was impatient in his interruption. "Those others are our alibi. Don't you get it? If they

looked upon Jalway as their protector, the game would be difficult. But Jalway, thinking himself a fox, is

"I've given guns to all of them. I have warned them to be careful. If anyone goes out, it will be his own

funeral if he gets hurt. And I believe" Elger's tone was crafty "that Mr. Jalway is going to walk into

"Exactly. You and the men that you still have. Cover the house, Ruff. Capture Jalway if he appears. Bring

"Don't kill him unless you have to do so. We'll make him talk. We're going to find out what he did with the

"Later we shall form a searching party. Tomorrow after the shipment has come ashore from the Dalmatia.

We shall look for Jalway's body. We shall find it. Riddled with bullets, somewhere in a swamp. You and your

"A few of you. Others, including those from the Dalmatia, may be in hiding in these caverns. I shall decide

"They will be reminded of my admonition that all should be careful. They will stand by me when I testify to

the law that Jalway disobeyed my orders. That sailor, Hoskins; Dalavan; Golga; and finally Jalway all will

RUFF TURNEY nodded. He could see the merits of this scheme. Purvis Elger had run into difficulties of

late; but the master schemer was figuring the best way out. The elimination of Bram Jalway was an absolute

"Personally, remarked Elger, in a cold tone, "I should like to eliminate all these castaways. But the fact that

"There is no telling how much Jalway may have learned. He is a menace. We must finish him and we must

regain the articles that he stole. That is the course we shall take; and through it I shall strengthen not

With an imperious gesture, Elger pointed to the opposite exit. Ruff nodded as he arose. It was time for him to

"I shall see you later, Ruff," reminded Elger, as he arose and stalked toward his own passage. "I feel positive

that Jalway will go out tonight. I shall allow half an hour for his capture. So I shall come here at the end of

The two crooks took their opposite courses. When Elger reached his study, he filled his meerschaum from a

tobacco jar and donned a smoking jacket. Puffing his pipe in leisurely fashion, he strolled out to the living

All of the guests were present. Francine Feldworth was curled in a large chair, reading a book. Seth Hadlow

was seated in a corner, quietly smoking a cigarette. Professor Marcolm was busy with his manuscripts; but

Bram Jalway was strolling about the room. He showed signs of curbed restlessness. Elger gave him a cheery

greeting, then sat down to talk to Hadlow. The conversation, though quietly conducted, became disturbing to

"We are bothering you, professor?" inquired Elger. "If you wish, you may use my den for your work. It is

"I shall go to my own room," returned the professor, politely. "A little more work, then to bed. I am quite

HE began to gather up the manuscript pages. Jalway stopped his pacing and turned to Elger.

"Yes," said Jalway. "I want to look about. To see what it is like at night. There is mystery on this isle."

"I should not advise you to go out alone," reminded Elger, concentrating on Jalway. "If you wish, I can send

"He may be needed here," returned Jalway. "I shall not go far from the house. I am armed" he produced the

Abruptly, Jalway turned on his heel and strolled to the front door. Chunk, on guard there, drew back the bolts

Professor Marcolm finished gathering his papers and left for his room. Fifteen minutes later, Francine

yawned and announced that she intended to retire. The girl departed. Another quarter of an hour elapsed.

"I must bid you good night," he said to Hadlow. "Since Professor Marcolm is not using my den, I can engage

"And I'll read a while and then turn in," stated Hadlow, with a quiet smile. "Good night, Elger."

Leaving the living room, Purvis Elger headed directly for the den. Arriving in that room, he locked the door

behind him. The fiendish leer that appeared upon his pudgy face was one of anticipation.

For Purvis Elger was confident that his plan had gained success. He was sure that on his coming visit to the

BRAM JALWAY, when he left the tabbywalled house, had acted in direct opposite to his announced plan.

He had said that he would keep close to the shelter of the house. Instead, he took a rapid and immediate

Keeping along the fringe of oak trees, Jalway formed an obscure figure. At times he was completely lost

beneath the thick streamers of Spanish moss that hung from long, low boughs. At other moments, the

At such intervals, Jalway quickened his pace and moved closer to the woods. At last his course cut through

the underbrush. Jalway wallowed kneedeep through gnarled roots, as he passed the ruins of the old mansion

Followers were on his trail. In this jungle it was difficult for one to note lurkers who were familiar with the

terrain. Moving away from the house, Jalway skirted a bit of marshy land and came out near the lower inlet.

Here were sand dunes, ghostlike in the filtered moonlight. Passing one, Jalway came to the edge of a swamp

that lay between parallel dunes. This was a typical Georgia slough; called a "hammock," in the Southern

It stretched into the end of the isle and as Jalway sought the higher ground, he came beneath the shelter of

Swamp lay beyond. That was where Jalway was heading. All the while, he was circling farther from the

house that he had left. He was cutting deeper into the terrain that harbored Ruff Turney's band.

Unwittingly, Jalway was making the trap easier. He had escaped attack, for he was going in the very direction

that his stalkers wanted. He paused on the verge of swampy land where trees formed a veritable jungle.

The course that he took was directly toward the ruins of the old slave buildings. Stumbling through mushy

soil, finding foothold upon spots of thicker ground, this investigator came almost to the spot where the hidden

Wrenching free from tangling brambles, Jalway seemed undecided concerning his next move. As he paused,

he heard movement close behind him. He turned in that direction, drew his gun and suddenly flicked a

flashlight from his left hand. The glare revealed a dodging figure. Jalway aimed.

At that instant, two men pounced upon him from in back. Struggling, Jalway sprawled in the thicket. His

arms were gripped. Ruff Turney's growl ordered him to make no trouble. For a moment, Jalway persisted in

the struggle. Then his gun was gone; two more men had fallen upon him. Thongs were wrapped about his

More growls. The captors hoisted their prisoner. Ruff's light blinked. A dozen paces brought the band to the

brushcovered trapdoor. Ruff raised the entrance. The others dragged Jalway down the steps. Ruff took the

PURVIS ELGER was awaiting their arrival. Puffing impatiently at his meerschaum, the portly crook

indulged in a venomous smile when the prisoner was lugged into view. He had the captors lay Jalway back

against the box that housed the telegraph outfit. Ruff dismissed his men. Elger and the lieutenant alone

Ruff complied. Jalway moved his jaws, then studied Elger with a look almost of contempt.

"Yes," admitted Jalway, hoarsely. "I was looking for a bunch of thugs. But I didn't expect to find you in with

"An excellent guess," chuckled Elger, puffing at his meerschaum. "Well, Jalway, your goose is cooked. You

"Why stall, Jalway? We know you killed Dalavan and Golga. We've been checking on you right along."

"You must be smoking opium in that big pipe of yours," he parried. "If you think I bumped those fellows,

you're all wrong. I never saw Dalavan in my life before I joined you in your study and saw him dead upon the

"Want me to make him talk, chief?" inquired Ruff, in a vicious tone. "I've got a few ways of doing it, you

"Not necessary, Ruff," replied Elger. "Jalway is too sensible to force us to resort to torture methods. Come,

"I can't admit what I don't know," challenged Jalway. "I figured you bumped that fellow Dalavan yourself,

Elger. I thought he must have killed Golga and you shot him to get even. I didn't blame you for covering up."

"Let us return to your own case," suggested Elger. He drew over a chest and sat upon it. "One night, Golga

reported that you had made an exit from the house by way of the living room. window. Do you admit that

"Sure," replied Jalway. "Why not? I wanted to look around, like I was doing tonight."

ELGER eyed Jalway coldly. Ruff showed impatience; the lieutenant wanted to give the prisoner the heat.

Elger, however, had smoother methods. He decided to talk further; to lull Jalway and thereby induce the

"Look about you," suggested Elger, suavely. "This is your opportunity, Jalway, to see the actual state of

affairs on Timour Isle. Here you see millions in treasures stolen from Europe. My business is the importation

"Tonight, a final shipment is coming from a tramp steamer called the Dalmatia. Ruff and his men mistook the

Maldah for that ship, the night you landed. This telegraph line makes contact with the mainland.

"Until tonight, Tully was in charge at the other end. He informed me, by the way, that the Maldah is twenty

A curious gleam came into Jalway's eyes. They showed eagerness, which Jalway quickly restrained. Elger

"Tonight," declared the master crook, "Dalavan brought me spoils from New York. He had a suitcase with

him. It contained a tiara and the sum of fifty thousand dollars. The case is gone. You, Jalway, are the man

Elger waited for the effect upon Jalway. He noted a return of the prisoner's eager expression a look that

gave Jalway the air of a schemer. Jalway spoke; but he did not refer to the main theme. Instead, he took up a

"Since the Maldah is safe," remarked Jalway, "a search will eventually begin for the passengers who came

Jalway grimaced. He knew that he would not be included among the rescued. It was obvious that Elger would

"Regarding Dalavan's suitcase," he said. "Suppose you learn that I did not take it? What will you do then?

"The less the number of survivors," reasoned Jalway, "the better your position, Elger, provided that you kept

just one, who would support any statements that you might make. Such a survivor could help you dispose of

the others. He could state later that all were lost in the overturn of the lifeboat. He would say nothing about

the deaths of Dalavan and Golga. In brief, Elger, you would be greatly helped by an ally as crooked as

"Not a bad idea, Jalway," approved Elger. "You would like to be that one survivor. I am willing to make the

"I can't do that." Jalway shook his head wearily. "I swear I'm not the man who took the stuff. All I can do is

help you regain it by aiding in the elimination of the others who came from the Maldah."

"I'm a crook," snarled Elger, "and I like to deal with crooks! If you could deliver the stuff, that would prove

"I can help you get it," interjected Jalway. His face was as fierce as Elger's. "As proof of my worth, I can

show you the way to a cleanup that is right along your alley. I can give you the lowdown on Kingdon

Feldworth. Why he's refusing offers of aid for the Maldah. Why he doesn't want the yacht salvaged "

"Hold it!" Elger spoke with a tone of conviction. He had caught the channel of Jalway's talk. "Cut him loose,

DUMFOUNDED, the lieutenant cut the thongs that held Jalway. Elger, meanwhile, produced a tobacco

pouch from his pocket. As Jalway struggled to his feet, Elger proffered the pouch.

"Fill it and smoke up," ordered Elger with a chuckle. "We'll talk as crook to crook. I've seen the light. You

"Sit back, Ruff, and listen." Elger shook his head as he observed the lieutenant drawing a revolver to cover

Jalway. "Put away that rod. You won't need it. This man has convinced me. Spill it, Jalway. I'm listening."

Jalway rubbed his chafed wrists. He produced his briar and filled it with Elger's tobacco. Elger extended a

lighted match. Jalway puffed away and seated himself on a chest opposite Elger's.

Aromas of briar and meerschaum mingled while Jalway began to talk. Elger, listening, inserted comments of

his own. Schemers both, the two were in accord, while Ruff Turney sat astounded as he heard the game that

"WHEN I went aboard the Maldah, in New York," stated Jalway in a candid tone. "I did so with the intention

of building up a reputation with Kingdon Feldworth. I figured that he was wealthy enough to be due for a

"It is," admitted Jalway. "But I've kept it nicely under cover. When I fleece saps like Feldworth, I do it

"Never heard of it," returned Jalway. "It sounds like a flimflam. Where did you hear about it?"

"Through a friend." Elger was eyeing Jalway carefully. "Forget it. Go on with your story."

"In Havana," resumed Jalway, "we all went ashore. Hadlow took Francine about the city; the old professor

went to a museum. Only the captain and Feldworth were aboard the yacht when I returned unexpectedly.

"A flock of Cuban stevedores were loading some boxes aboard the Maldah. They took them into the cabin,

then came out and went away. I saw the captain come from the cabin. Figuring that Feldworth was in, I

strolled up and rapped at the door. Feldworth admitted me. He thought I was the captain coming back. The

"I'm coming to that," explained Jalway. "I must have looked about in rather curious fashion, because

Feldworth guessed that I had seen the boxes. He shut the cabin door and took me into his confidence."

"Yes. It appears that Feldworth had met a wealthy Cuban in New York. One of those fellows who had to

scamper from Havana after the revolution. The Cuban had left a million dollars' worth of rare curios buried in

Havana. He was hard up; he sold the lot to Feldworth for two hundred grand. But Feldworth had to get the

"Yes. The Cuban had told him where the stuff was buried. He also gave Feldworth the names of certain

loyalists in Havana. Those chaps were the stevedores fake ones, of course and they delivered the goods

aboard the yacht. Went after the stuff pronto when Feldworth told them where it was stowed."

"In a secret compartment at the end of his cabin. He opened it and gave me a look into one of the boxes. I had

a flash of some rare stuff. Jeweled hangings cloth of gold enough to tell me that the milliondollar talk

"So that," mused Elger, "is why Kingdon Feldworth prefers not to abandon his stranded yacht."

"Absolutely," stated Jalway. "You know the laws of salvage. A claim on the cargo as well as the ship itself. It

isn't the Maldah that Feldworth cares about. He wants to get that stuff ashore. That's why he's sticking to the

ELGER nodded. Exhaling pipe smoke, he studied Jalway closely, expecting some suggestion. It came.

"Suppose," said Jalway. "that raiders went after that yacht? They could massacre the crew, get the stuff

ashore, and take for cover. This cavern would be as good a hideout for Feldworth's stuff as it is for the swag

"It would," agreed Elger, "and there would be no trouble in disposing of the goods."

"You're getting it," said Jalway. "The only fellow who might blab would be the Cuban. And he'd keep quiet.

Elger nodded. Ruff eyed his chief. The lieutenant, too, was seeing possibilities. He expressed them.

"With that mob from the Dalmatia," put in Ruff, "we'd have a cinch, chief! This looks like a pipe "

"Restrain your enthusiasm, Ruff," interposed Elger. Then, to Jalway: "Continue with your story. Tell me

"That's easy," stated Jalway. "Now that you know the inside of the game. When the lifeboat hit the beach, we

encountered opposition. Then we came to your house. You welcomed us and told us that there were desperate

"Certainly. Because I figured that the Maldah would get stranded somewhere. I was going to go out through

the window of my bedroom; then I figured that might be bad if found out. So I picked the living room

"You've guessed it. I figured if they were tough enough to bump Hoskins, they'd be good enough to form a

pirate party and go after the Maldah. I wanted to make contact with the outlaws. I felt sure they must be at the

Elger was almost convinced by Jalway's story. The portly supercrook held to one lone, lurking suspicion. He

"Where were you last night?" demanded Elger. "At the time when the shots were fired?"

"Outside again," returned Jalway promptly. "I still wanted to contact the outlaws. Golga was in the living

room, blocking me; but when I heard him go back to your den. I hurried to the living room. I loosened the

"I didn't hear any shots. I was starting to close the window when I heard Dashler rousing every one from the

front hall. I thought it best to come in; but I left the frame as it was. When you discovered it and sprang your

theory regarding an outsider. I thought you were trying to cover up the fact that you bumped Dalavan."

"Evidently," chuckled Elger, "we each gave the other undue credit. I suppose you thought that I was still

"I did," rejoined Jalway. "That's why I chanced a bold stroll on the beach. I still wanted to meet up with the

ELGER pulled a penciled sheet from his pocket. He studied the notations then spoke to Jalway.

"The night when Golga learned that you were out," declared Elger, "he saw a light beneath Francine

Feldworth's door and also heard the girl moving about. He entered the professor's room and saw the old man

asleep in his bed. He heard Dashler snoring, when he stopped outside the sailor's door. He thought that he

"What has that night to do with it?" queried Jalway. "I have already admitted that I was out of the house."

"One of those four people," declared Elger, "was responsible for the deaths of Dalavan and Golga. That is

"Last night is all that counts," persisted Jalway. "Just the same, I see your point. Golga wasn't sure about

"That's it," acknowledged Elger. "I have an idea that Hadlow was looking about from the start. If so, he is the

man who encountered Dalavan; and finished Golga as a sequel. Hadlow is the man that we must watch. He

"Ruff," said Elger, "when you go out to the Dalmatia, tell the captain to stand by. Tell him that you are

Ruff looked about in surprise. He nudged his thumb toward the treasure chests, then queried:

"None of it," chuckled Elger while Jalway smiled. "We are simply going to murder our unwelcome guests

"Why bump the girl?" queried Jalway. "If this is staged like a raid, she will think it's on the up and up. I've

"I understand," interrupted Elger. "If you managed to save her, she would be all for you. We can make a

bargain, Jalway. If Francine listens to reason, she can live. If not, she will die like the others "

THAT settled, Elger remembered another item. He spoke to Ruff, telling him to arrange for three extra boxes

to carry the bodies of Dalavan, Golga and Hoskins. That done, Elger gestured toward the farther cavern,

indicating that both Ruff and Jalway should use that exit, while he went back through the regular passage to

"Prepare to contact the Dalmatia, Ruff," ordered Elger. "I shall rely upon Tully and Chunk to work with

Jalway and myself. Your course, Jalway, is to complete your stroll and circle back to the house. I shall be

there, wondering about your safety. Remember: we must dupe Seth Hadlow. The old professor and the sailor

Pocketing his big meerschaum, the archcrook started for his own passage while Ruff and Jalway went in the

opposite direction. Ruff carried the lantern that had provided illumination for the conference. En route to the

The archcrook felt that he had bargained well with Bram Jalway. Fully convinced by the promoter's story,

keyed with hope of further swag through a piratical attack upon the crippled Maldah, Elger looked forward to

Since George Dalavan was dead. Elger would need a new man to organize a crew of smooth agents who

could unload the European spoils. Bram Jalway was just the sort to fill the bill. He would simply come in for

An excellent arrangement, since Jalway had revealed that there was a million dollars in additional booty

aboard the Maldah. In fact, Elger was glad that Dalavan had died to make the replacement possible. As for

the tiara and the money that Dalavan had brought, Elger felt confident that they would be regained.

Once the four victims were eliminated, the lost items could be found; for Elger felt sure that Hadlow must

have hidden them somewhere inside the house. The sooner the climax the better, in Elger's estimation; for

Hadlow would have no time to bury the tiara and the cash in some outside hiding spot.

With Bram Jalway as an ally, the game seemed ironclad to Purvis Elger. Though he counted Seth Hadlow as

a capable foeman, Elger had no inkling that the hand of The Shadow was involved. Therefore, the master

crook felt no insecurity regarding the grim game in which Bram Jalway had promised to cooperate.

WHEN Purvis Elger regained his study, he immediately went out into the hall and strolled in the direction of

the living room. A frown furrowed his wide forehead as he heard the sound of voices, Francine's among

Entering the living room, Elger found the girl and Dashler talking with Tully and Chunk. Royne was standing

in the background. The cadaverous servant's face was troubled; it cleared as the man saw Elger.

"What is the matter?" inquired Elger. He looked about in his usual friendly fashion. "Where are the others?

"Jalway is still out," responded Dashler. "Hadlow has gone out to look for him. Neither has returned. I have

"I said we should wait for you, sir," put in Royne. "That's why I rapped at your door, Mr. Elger."

"I thought I heard someone knocking," said Elger. "I was in the bedroom, dozing, with the door closed. So

"About fifteen minutes back," replied Dashler. "I was in my room, or I'd have gone out with him."

"I couldn't sleep," added Francine. "I came out to learn if anyone happened to be up; when I learned that Mr.

"Well, well," mused Elger. "I had no idea that this complication would occur the moment that I told my

guests they could fare forth. What were you two doing?" The question was to Tully and Chunk. "Why did

"Your orders, Mr. Elger," reminded Tully, in an uneasy tone. "You let Mr. Jalway go out. We didn't stop Mr.

"They will probably return shortly," decided Elger. "If they do not, we shall begin a search. By the way,

where is Professor Marcolm? I hope he managed to desist from a stroll along the beach."

"The professor is asleep," stated Francine. "I knocked at the door of his room and he answered. But he was so

"I warned Jalway," remarked Elger, filling his pipe from the everready pouch. "I told him and Hadlow

heard me that this milder weather might mean new danger on Timour Isle. But both these chaps are armed.

I believe that they can take care of themselves. Suppose" he glanced at his watch "that we allow them ten

The others nodded in agreement. They sat down about the room. Elger lighted his meerschaum and paced

back and forth. He was more troubled than he cared to reveal. Hadlow's trip outside was something that he

WHILE the little group remained in the living room, the island outside the house was gloomy beneath the

faint rays of a cloudenveloped moon. Giant oaks still swayed in response to fitful winds. The steady roar of

Far out to sea, a line of lights was moving to the south. Vanishing, then reappearing beyond the long swells,

From beneath the shelter of mossladen boughs, keen eyes were watching the lights at sea. The ship was

anchoring off Timour Isle. Those same eyes spied another light. From the south of the island, beyond the

Ruff Turney and his squad were on their way to contact with the Dalmatia. A soft laugh whispered from the

gloom. It was the strange mirth of The Shadow a tone of suppressed mockery that echoed weirdly in the

Then came silence. The author of the laugh had moved away. Silently, beneath the fringe of trees, The

Shadow was returning to the house. No sign marked his passage toward the clearing that surrounded the

Ever mysterious, even when uncloaked, The Shadow had become a part of the night itself. No human eye

FIVE minutes passed, while the vague lights from the living room windows shone unblinkingly along the

tabby walls. Then from the pathway to the house, a figure stepped suddenly into view. A strolling person

The arrival turned suddenly, as though hearing a sound close by. He spied another person coming from the

"Yes." Jalway laughed slightly. "Rather spooky, the way you stepped into sight."

"I was looking about for you," returned the sportsman. "I thought maybe you had circled the house. Where

"Down to the end of the island. Come. Let's enter. They may be worrying about us."

Jalway rapped on the door. It opened promptly. As the two men entered Francine Feldworth sprang from the

living room to greet them. Concern still showed on the girl's face. It was plain that she was glad that the men

Purvis Elger, stepping from the living room, gave a cheery welcome. At the same time, the portly man was

observant. He noted that Francine's greeting to Hadlow was more spontaneous than her welcome of Jalway.

This fitted with the rivalry that Jalway had mentioned during the conference in the cavern.

Professor Marcolm's door came open. The whitehaired guest had heard the commotion in the hall. Attired in

a dressing gown, he blinked sleepily as he crackled a question regarding the disturbance. Francine turned to

"I heard you knock some time ago," recalled Marcolm, in a wheezy tone. "I was on the point of rising then;

but I went back to sleep almost unconsciously. This new noise, however, completely awakened me."

"Stay up and have a cup of coffee," suggested Elger. "I'm sending Royne to get some refreshments."

"That would mean staying up all night," smiled the professor. "With me, a sound sleep is the only sleep, and

coffee disturbs it. I miss those lulling winds that marked our first nights here. But I believe" he paused to

scratch his tousled mop of hair "that I can sleep again if I remain undisturbed."

His tone almost reproachful, the professor returned to his room and closed the door behind him. The others

In casual manner, Elger questioned Jalway regarding his stroll on the beach. He asked him if he had seen any

sign of prowlers. Jalway shook his head to give a negative reply. Hadlow remarked that he had also found the

ROYNE appeared, pushing a tea wagon from the kitchen. The cadaverous servant had prepared sandwiches

as well as coffee. Host and guests welcomed the refreshments and began to devour them with gusto. All were

The girl had a sense of impending danger. She tried to attribute it to the worry that she had felt during Seth

Hadlow's absence. Nevertheless, the foreboding remained. Francine noted that Purvis Elger was more than

unusually jolly. She saw Bram Jalway smiling in his natural fashion. Seth Hadlow seemed less solemn than

Francine could not understand why she felt those qualms. Yet she had cause for foreboding, though she did

not know the reason. Doom was hovering over Timour Isle tonight. New schemes had been concocted by

Those lights at sea; the moving light beyond the sand dune both were proof that men of crime had gathered

to perform service for an evil chief. They were offset only by the fact that watching eyes had seen those

The Shadow's plans like Elger's were settled for this night. Before the crook's schemes reached their

culmination, The Shadow would enter into the game. For the present, however, he was playing a waiting part,

within the very building that sheltered an evil master and a group of intended victims.

When The Shadow's turn arrived, he would surely introduce an element of surprise that had not been

discussed by Purvis Elger and Bram Jalway during their conference within the caverns of stolen wealth.

THREE men were grouped in a grimy, bunklined compartment. The dingy glow of oil lanterns illuminated

their faces. One was a craftyeyed little fellow. The others were keenvisaged young men whose

The little man was Hawkeye. His companions were Harry Vincent and Cliff Marsland. Hawkeye, first in

Charleston, had gained his berth aboard the Dalmatia. More than that, he had found places for Harry and

Like Hawkeye, the other agents of The Shadow had shipped aboard as ablebodied seamen to replace

members of the crew swept overboard while the Dalmatia had been fleeing the hurricane.

The rest of the crew were up on deck. The ship was anchored off Timour Isle. One occupant alone remained

in the forecastle with The Shadow's agents. That was a snoring man who lay sprawled in a lower bunk,

"I've talked with Hexler," whispered Hawkeye, "and he's slated me to go ashore with the landing crew, to

take the place of this fellow, Lopey" he paused, indicated the dead head in the bunk "so that puts me in

"You bet it is," acknowledged Hawkeye. "But it's lucky that I'm in on the deal. I worked my head off getting

Lopey loaded up with that grog we found in the hold. Say it would be tough if Hexler found out I handed

"Lopey passed out before Hexler had a chance to question him," said Harry. "Cliff and I lugged Lopey down

here. He could hardly talk when Hexler found him up near the bow. What's he going to do with Lopey?"

"He's taking him ashore," replied Hawkeye. "Just to have him later on. But he's supposed to bring six men

"It's tough that those poor guys who went overboard weren't part of Hexler's outfit. Then there'd be jobs for

you two fellows, too. But as it is, you're slated to stick with the ship until she reaches Tampico."

"I'll tell you how." It was Cliff who spoke. "We'll lug Lopey up on the deck. If the captain wonders where we

"Then," stated Cliff, "the stuff will be on its way up from the hold. We'll start down to help. But instead, we'll

"Maybe. It would be easier on the starboard side, but the unloading will be done in the lee of the ship; so

we'll have to risk the outside. We'll clear the stern and head for the upper end of the island."

HARRY nodded his accord with Cliff's plan. Before further discussion could begin, footsteps clattered at the

"Ay, ay, sir!" responded Hawkeye. The little man scampered to the steps. "Coming right up."

"Who else is down there?" growled the man at the top, as Hawkeye reappeared. The Shadow's agent

With the mate following, Hawkeye headed toward the starboard side of the ship. Reaching the rail, he saw a

small cabin boat moored below. A man was coming up the rope ladder that the Dalmatia had lowered.

Hawkeye stared as he saw the hard face beneath the lantern light. He knew this fellow from days gone by.

Ruff Turney, missing mobleader from Manhattan. Hawkeye shrank back behind the rail, then shrugged his

He had been smallfry when Ruff was a swaggering mobleader. He realized that Ruff would not remember

Boldly, Hawkeye edged forward to join Hexler. This man leader of the minions on the Dalmatia was a

He turned away as Ruff joined Hexler. Hatches were off the hold; boxes were being raised by the crew. Other

men were lowering a boat on the lee side of the Dalmatia. Harry and Cliff, coming from the forecastle, were

They dropped the sodden mass of humanity upon the deck, then turned and moved away. The second mate,

Hawkeye noted Ruff observing Lopey's prostate form. The mobleader grunted, then turned angrily to

"Drunk," informed Hexler. "Got hold of some grog that was aboard. First thing I knew, he'd gone blotto."

"I've got this mug" Hexler turned to indicate Hawkeye "and he'll fill in for Lopey. Says he can handle a

"He shipped aboard at Charleston," explained Hexler. "He's not one of the regular bohunks in the crew. This

"Looks all right," admitted Ruff. "But that doesn't help. We're still shorthanded."

"The chief wants more. Two, anyway. But coming out here, I began to figure it would be tough to get them.

We can't yank off the regular members of the crew. The captain would put up a squawk "

"Say" Hexler had an idea "There were two other birds came on at Charleston. Buddies of this guy. What

"We was hiding out in Charleston," he confided to Ruff. "The three of us. We ain't seamen; we just bluffed it.

"Sure," acknowledged Hawkeye, with a nod. "We cut loose from Cozy after he pulled that job in

Wilmington, North Carolina. It was getting too hot. That's why we was laying low."

Hawkeye turned and hastened off, as though heading for the hold. But he changed direction as soon as he was

out of sight. Running to the stern, he came upon a boat that was hanging loose from the davits.

The two agents popped into view. They had ducked into a companionway at the sound of Hawkeye's

Returning, Hawkeye found Hexler impatiently awaiting him. Ruff had gone away to confer with the captain.

What he was doing was arranging for the Dalmatia to stand by until a cargo came from shore.

THE last of the boxes had come from the hold. Immediately following came Cliff and Harry, up through the

open hatchway. They slouched over as Hawkeye beckoned. Hexler studied the new recruits. He had not

noticed Harry and Cliff carefully before. Now he nodded, convinced that they would measure up to Ruff's

Boxes were being lowered into the boats; some into Ruff's cabin launch; others into the boat that the

Dalmatia had dropped. Ruff's crew was exchanging greetings with the men in the Dalmatia's boat. These

Ruff came back from his confab with the captain. He eyed Harry and Cliff, then nodded approvingly to

"We're coming out again," he told Hexler. "Bringing back the boat to the ship here and loading some stuff

Cargoes were loaded. Hexler motioned to the rope ladder. Harry and Cliff descended; then Hawkeye

"That bird's no seaman," chuckled the mobleader, speaking to Hexler. "You can tell it from the way he

tangled. You hit a ten strike, getting these three bimboes. They're just the ones we'll need."

Ruff leaned over and motioned Hawkeye into the Dalmatia's boat, separating him from Harry and Cliff.

Hexler descended, stepped aboard Ruff's boat and shifted over into the other boat as Hawkeye had done. Ruff

The two boats pushed off from the heaving side of the Dalmatia. Ruff's boat began to chug toward the island,

its motor throttled low. The Dalmatia's boat followed, propelled by the strokes of brawny oarsmen.

Combined crews of crime were on their way to accomplish evil. Timour Isle was threatened with armed

invasion as the first step toward a fiendish purpose. But with those invaders were coming men prepared to

Though outnumbered by their dangerous companions, The Shadow's agents were grimly prepared to play

THE power boat was the first to meet the lower inlet. Passing the sand dunes, the craft veered toward a

channel which Ruff, at the tiller, picked with accuracy. The boat came to a stop with its prow wedged in a

Ruff ordered all ashore. Harry and Cliff followed the other members of the crew. Ruff led the way through

Stacking the spoils, Ruff ordered his crew toward the beach. They skirted a sand dune, then waited on a little

point. Ruff swung a lantern; an answering glimmer came from the inlet. The boat from the Dalmatia was

Hexler and his henchmen landed. Ruff ordered his own men to take the boxes that had come from this second

boat. The shore crew lugged their burdens off through the darkness, toward the spot where they had left the

Cliff and Harry remained with Hexler's crew. Ruff held confab with Hexler. Nods of agreement were

exchanged beneath the dull moonlight. Ruff turned and took the path along which his burden carriers had

HAWKEYE sidled over beside Cliff and Harry. The Shadow's three agents were again united. Yet the

situation was not entirely to their liking. Though they exchanged no comments, all held the same idea.

They knew that danger was abroad. Two crews of thugs were ready to deliver an attack somewhere. If

Hexler's crew should strike, The Shadow's agents would be in the proper place. But if Ruff's outfit intended

One thought alone was saving. Ruff's outfit had a definite task; to store the boxes that had been brought from

the Dalmatia. That signified that the criminal work would probably be shifted to Hexler and his outfit. As

members of that band, The Shadow's agents might find opportunity to counteract trouble.

There were eight men besides Hexler. Lopey had been left in the boat, which was drawn high on the shore.

Thus The Shadow's agents were outnumbered two to one. But such odds did not trouble them. Like the rest of

the crew, they were armed. They felt capable of tendering a good account should the pinch arise.

"We're going up the island." Hexler growled this information as he joined his men. "Don't worry about those

Harry nudged Cliff. This was the kind of news they had been waiting for. It meant that Hexler, not Ruff, was

"The house is in a clearing," continued Hexler. "When we get there, plant yourselves on the edges. Ready for

Affirmative growls from the band. The Shadow's agents joined in the comment. Hexler was about to start the

march when a thick voice called from the shore. "Lopey," a trifle unsteady, was coming to rejoin the

"Get back in the boat!" ordered Hexler, in a rasping tone. "Stay there until we get back!"

"I'm all right," growled Lopey, rubbing his forehead. "The air's got me braced. Comin' in from the ship

"All right," agreed Lopey. "But listen, Hexler it wasn't my fault, gettin' plastered that way. There was a guy

"Lay off the chatter," broke in the leader, "or you'll go back in the boat with a cracked konk! Get me?"

Hexler handed the big fellow a jab in the ribs. Lopey doubled up, regained his footing and trailed in at the

"I'm not letting Lopey lamp me. If he wises that I'm with the outfit, he may spill something to Hexler. Lopey

"I get it," responded Cliff, in an undertone. "Keep ahead of us, Hawkeye. When we get to the house, pick a

OTHER members of the band were closing in. Trudging northward, the complete crew skirted the edges of

the forest strip. They straggled into little groups as they marched along. This gave The Shadow's agents a

"The job is ours," whispered Harry. "This shore outfit is busy storing those boxes. Maybe they'll join us

"We'll work quick when we get the chance," put in Cliff. "We don't know what we're going into; but if we

Others were overtaking the trio. They trudged along in silence, veering left as the coast line took a slight

curve. All was peaceful on this isle, where the steady roar of the surf was lulling in its monotony. Men of

They were coming close to the upper inlet. Hexler, apparently, had gained complete directions from Ruff; for

the leader moved forward to slow his band. He pointed out an opening between the trees. Leading, he took

Dull lights glimmered from white walls as the invaders reached the clearing. Here Hexler halted the crew and

"Spread out all around," he instructed. "I'm going up to the house. I'll rap; they'll let me in. There'll be talk at

"Then I'll come out again. Watch for a move of my left arm. Up and down; That'll mean to close in. Do it in a

hurry. But there's one point more. If I start things quick, I'll signal with a shot. That'll mean to rush the place."

A pause. The invaders were ready to spread. Hexler picked out two men from the crew. He called them by

"Sneak up there," he ordered, "you two. One on each side of the door. Well out of sight. Then when you get

Jake and Curry sneaked forward across the clearing. Hexler gave a final injunction to the remainder of the

"We've got friends inside there," he informed, "so keep your rods steady. Any guy that tries quick shooting

"But if there's trouble, use your noodles. Aim for the guys that aim for you. Leave the others alone. That's

He motioned with his right hand. The invaders spread along the edge of the clearing, Cliff and Harry moving

to the right. Hawkeye sneaked past his fellow agents and took a spot on the flank.

Hexler moved cautiously forward. He beckoned to Jake and Curry. They closed in from the wall and listened

while their leader whispered the same instructions that he had given to the balance of the mob.

WATCHING, the deployed invaders saw Jake and Curry resume their positions on the sides of the door.

Then they watched Hexler walk boldly up to the portal. The leader had his left hand in his pocket. It was

plain that he was lefthanded, that his hidden fist was gripping a ready revolver.

Harry, between Hawkeye and Cliff, was tense and alert. He knew that his fellow agents were the same. This

was the time for which they had been waiting long. They had reached Timour Isle, headquarters of The

Yet they had gained no contact with their hidden chief. They knew only that word had gone to him that they

were coming. Had The Shadow received that word? Was he ready, waiting, relying on his men? Or had The

Shadow encountered danger here alone had he met with some adversity that had already placed him in the

The next minutes would tell. To these aids of The Shadow, the immediate future hovered in the form of

Hexler's tight fist, raised to tap upon the door. For with Hexler's knock, the tide of invasion would be ready

INSIDE the house, Tully and Chunk were still keeping the semblance of weary guard duty. One man was

Purvis Elger was lounging in a chair, smoking his pipe. Jalway was across the room, leaning against the

bookcase, while Hadlow was standing at the entrance to the hall, his hands in his coat pockets.

Francine had gone to bed. The tenseness had wearied the girl. That same feeling of uneasiness had extended

to the others. Elger was affable; Jalway appeared matteroffact; and Hadlow looked calm and unperturbed.

Yet every one of the three possessed a peculiar alertness that had not previously been evident.

A knock from the door. Hadlow started, then smiled quietly. Jalway looked curiously toward Elger. The

"No, sir." The reply came from Royne himself as the servant appeared from the hall. "Did you want me, Mr.

"There was a knock at the door," Elger paused as the rap came again "yes, I was sure of it. Probably

As he spoke, Elger arose from his chair. He walked past Hadlow and joined Royne. Tully was standing with

These words came as a sudden order, from the lips of Seth Hadlow. The sailor, who had been at his solitaire

on the window ledge, came suddenly to his feet, swinging a revolver with which he covered Chunk, by the

At the same instant, Hadlow brought his hands from his pockets. In each was a revolver. Stepping to the

center of the living room, he held the guns so that they kept a sweeping level upon Elger, Royne and Tully.

TRAPPED men obeyed. They were all in the hall the three whom Hadlow covered and the sportsman

moved leisurely out in their direction. His new step cornered them between himself and the front door. Elger

Bram Jalway remained motionless, his briar pipe poised in his right hand. His position at the bookcase placed

him almost in line of Dashler's gun. The sailor was not covering Jalway; but Elger, looking past the corner of

Jalway's only part was to play innocent. It was apparent that Hadlow had not included him among the

Elger, master at bluff, began to sputter a protest. Facing Hadlow, he met the sportsman's determined gaze and

"What what is this?" questioned Elger. "Have you gone mad, Hadlow? Are you afraid of enemies outside

"I am concerned with those within," announced Hadlow, steadily. "You, Elger, and your associates, of whom

He motioned with one gun. The gesture was for Elger and Tully. The two men backed into the living room,

toward the corner where Chunk was standing. A louder rapping came from the front door. Hadlow ignored it.

"There has been murder on this isle," denounced Hadlow, in a steady voice. "I have seen evidence of it; and I

suspect those responsible. You, Elger, have deliberately attempted to forestall justice. I have suspected you of

"It puzzles me," declared Jalway, eyeing Hadlow, who was using one gun to cover the living room, while he

kept the other on Royne, at the front door. "Off hand, I would say that our friend Hadlow is deluded; and yet"

Pounding at the front door. Still Hadlow remained firm. He added one more statement to his accusation.

"You are a smug crook, Elger." Hadlow said it in a positive tone. Then, to Jalway: "I would have called upon

your aid had you not gone out tonight, Jalway. The only person to whom I could appeal was Professor

"He gave me his revolver. This second weapon which I hold. I managed to instruct Dashler to aid me. I was

afraid, Jalway, that you would not return. Danger lurks on Timour Isle. But you are here; and I am counting

JALWAY did so, an even smile upon his lips. He backed toward the front of the room and motioned Dashler

to stand beside him. The sailor obeyed. At that moment, Francine came into the hall. The girl gasped as she

"Step into the living room, Francine," ordered Hadlow, promptly. "Stand behind Jalway and Dashler. You

Mechanically the girl obeyed. She had caught only the last of Hadlow's accusations. As yet, she could not

grasp the understanding that Purvis Elger was a crook. Jalway motioned Francine to the safety of a corner.

A final, emphatic pounding came from the front door. Hadlow, seeing that Jalway and Dashler held the men

in the living room at bay, was ready to concentrate upon this new point. His smile tightened.

"You are the master of this isle, Elger," he commented. "Tully and Chunk are evidently members of your evil

band. But there are others. Those who now crave admittance. Let them come. I am ready."

Leveling both revolvers toward Royne at the front door, Hadlow issued a stern command:

Royne started to obey, half trembling as he reached for the upper bolt. The grating must have been heard

Framed in the door of the living room, Hadlow was concentrated on delivering a surprise to those outside the

A SWIFT figure came pounding from the hall. A pair of brawny hands caught Hadlow's wrists from behind

and tried to wrest the guns from the sportsman's hands. Before Hadlow could manage to twist a weapon free,

At the same instant, Jalway performed an unexpected move. Shooting out his left hand, the promoter caught

Dashler's wrist and snapped it upward; at the same instant, he jabbed his revolver into the sailor's ribs.

Seth Hadlow had been overpowered by Ruff Turney and his crew. The mobleader and the shore band had

pulled the unexpected. They had come through the passage from the caverns where they had left the swag.

Entering through Elger's study, they had been ready to cut off the retreat of any fugitives.

Creeping forward, Ruff had seen Hadlow in the front hall. He had passed the word to his underlings. Their

creeping attack had culminated in a perfect finish. Hadlow, disarmed, was in their power. Ruff, rising from

That was unnecessary. Elger, Tully and Chunk had given Jalway aid. Bounding across the room, they had

downed Dashler. Tully was rising with the sailor's gun; Chunk was seated on the fellow's chest.

Francine Feldworth had tried to aid Dashler. Seeing Jalway's treachery, she had grabbed at the promoter's

arms. But the girl had been too late. Jalway had wrested free from her grasp. His revolver was now pointed in

Triumphant, Purvis Elger was standing in the center of the room, his glaring eyes on Seth Hadlow, who sat,

dejected in the grip of Ruff Turney's men. Sarcastically, Purvis Elger leered at the helpless sportsman. Then

PURVIS ELGER was back in his living room. Ranged with their chief were Tully, Chunk and Royne. Ruff

and his henchmen were in the hall; with them a newcomer. Hexler had entered to take his stand beside the

Three prisoners were bunched in a corner of the living room. Seth Hadlow pale and dejected, was backed

against the wall. With him was Dashler, glum but stolid. The third in the group was Francine Feldworth.

The final occupant of the room was Bram Jalway. Calm and unruffled, the traitor seemed almost neutral in

his attitude. He appeared to be waiting for Purvis Elger to speak. Yet he seemed to lack animus toward the

"I have been branded as a crook," sneered Elger. "You, my friend" he was looking straight at Hadlow

"I have ruled this island unmolested until you and your companions appeared. Your presence is a menace to

"I intend to dispose of you," corrected Elger. "This man" he indicated Hexler "has come ashore from a

ship called the Dalmatia which is anchored off Timour Island. The captain of the Dalmatia is a useful man;

"He was kind enough to unload smuggled goods tonight; and he used one of his boats to aid in bringing boxes

ashore. We are sending the boat back to him. With it, a few heavy boxes that will be of no use to us. Those

"Precisely," nodded Elger. "And there will be caskets, too, for the corpses that now lie in the construction

"You are a fiend," said Hadlow, slowly. "A murderous fiend. There is no use to cry to you for pity. Dashler

"But you can have no purpose in slaying Francine Feldworth. Let the girl go free. She has not harmed you."

"I can provide for that, Hadlow," put in Jalway. "Tonight, I made a deal with Elger. Francine will be allowed

"At the request of a traitor?" demanded Francine. The girl's face was scornful. She turned to Hadlow. "Why

"That would be foolish, Francine," said Hadlow, placing his arm on the girl's shoulder. "I could stand death if

I knew that you were safe. I can't believe that Jalway is a traitor. I believe that he was forced into this."

A smile showed on Jalway's lips. Hadlow was aiding his cause. Smugly, Jalway took up the suggestion.

"I had no other alternative, Francine," he declared. "I can assure you of safety. Elger has promised me your

life. With one condition only; that you never tell of the events that have occurred here."

"What!" exclaimed Francine. "You expect me to live, carrying such a secret? Knowing that you were a party

Hadlow tried to soothe the girl. It was useless. Her denunciation begun, Francine persisted.

"I do not want the life you promise," she told Jalway. "As long as I live if I should live I shall seek

vengeance for the crimes in which you have had a part. If you let me live, I shall try to denounce you,

"It is useless, Jalway," remarked Elger, in a tone of feigned sorrow. "The girl will make trouble for us. She

Jalway looked perturbed. His keen eyes met Francine's in an almost hypnotic stare. But the girl remained

"Only if you save the others also," broke in the girl. "If Seth Hadlow dies, you will be his murderer."

Jalway remained staring for a moment. Then he turned away. He looked toward Elger and shook his head.

"You are right," he admitted coldly. "It is useless. The girl must die. Call on the executioner."

ELGER turned to Hexler. The brawny man from the boat was merciless in expression. He seemed to have no

"We will bind and gag them here," stated Elger; "then you and your crew can carry them to the lower inlet.

"Ruff and his men will go back by the route they used to come here. They will bring empty boxes, weighted.

"Load the new corpses with the old. Place two competent men aboard the Dalmatia, to see that the boxes are

dropped when the ship is well out to sea. We do not want anyone aboard the tramp steamer to learn what the

Elger turned, to deliver an order to Royne. The tall servant departed. His purpose: to get ropes and strips of

cloth. Elger had a reason for wanting the victims bound and gagged. He feared that pleas for mercy

The man from the Dalmatia grasped that thought. His lips formed an ugly leer. He nudged his thumb toward

"Don't worry about those huskies of mine," he growled. "They'd massacre a whole town if they were paid for

"I shall," Elger chuckled. He spoke clearly that Francine and the other prisoners might hear. "We have

"Kingdon Feldworth has hidden treasure aboard. New swag, as attractive as that which we have already

gained. We are turning pirates, Hexler. Long enough to sink the yacht, after we have gained new spoils."

A cry from Francine. The girl spoke pleading, incoherent words. She was thinking of her uncle's safety.

"I shall keep quiet," the girl promised, "even even if you do slay Seth! If only if only my uncle can be

"Our plans are made," declared Elger, coldly, speaking for Jalway. "Your uncle will die like the rest. No one

"Which reminds me of the professor," added Jalway, apparently deaf to Francine's pleas. "He is fond of sleep.

By foregoing his coffee, he has managed to slumber through this commotion. Perhaps, Elger, it would be best

to eliminate him while he is still in repose. Turn a short sleep into a long one "

As he spoke, Jalway stepped toward the door. He was almost to the hall when Elger stopped him. Royne had

"We'll save the shooting for outside," decided Elger. "Put away your revolver, Jalway" he motioned toward

"Ruff you and one of your men get the professor from his room. Drag him out, and tap that white head of

his if he starts to jabber. Make it quick. There is no more time for delay. We must capture the Maldah before

RUFF nodded. He stepped from the room, with a man behind him. Royne pointed out the professor's door.

"Come out a minute, professor," called Ruff, in a disguised tone. "Mr. Elger wants to speak to you."

Ruff stepped back with a grin, holding his revolver at his side. His companion made the same move. Elger,

puffing at his meerschaum, was standing in the doorway of the living room, smiling in anticipation of the

The door swung open. But the professor did not appear. Ruff motioned his companion back, so the old man

would not see them until he actually reached the hall. All were watching for the stoopshouldered,

Instead, a whirling form swept suddenly into view. A strange, amazing shape that twisted from the room with

a rapidity that was astounding. With that surprise arrival came a startling, eerie laugh a chilling tone that

A figure in black that swung to a sudden stop. Glaring eyes that burned from beneath the brim of a felt hat.

Gloved fists that projected from the folds of a black cloak, with looming automatics unlimbered for prompt

Professor Thaddeus Marcolm existed no longer. His guise had been discarded by the occupant of that

secluded room. In the professor's place was a master fighter bent on bringing an end to crime.

LONG had The Shadow delayed this revelation. Well had he timed his plans for battle. Tonight, he had gone

out by the window of his room; its bars were as easily removable as those in the living room.

He had seen the lights of the Dalmatia. He had watched the little boat going out to meet it. More than that, he

The Shadow had counted on the presence of his agents. Yet he was taking a chance that they were not there.

Listening from the door of his room, he had learned enough to know that victims were marked for deaths.

Now was the time to save them. He had waited, knowing that he would be summoned.

In his quick arrival, The Shadow gave his enemies no chance to recover from their surprise. Instant death was

all that these murderers deserved. The delivery of quick punishment, moreover, was The Shadow's one hope

Automatics roared through the darkened hall. Pointblank, The Shadow downed Ruff and his henchmen as

the two were raising their guns. As Purvis Elger dived for cover of the living room, The Shadow loosed

These slugs were meant for Ruff's other henchmen. They found their targets. The mobsters swayed, then

Royne was leaping for The Shadow. The advancing fighter wheeled. He stopped the servant's body as a quick

bulwark; he flung the fellow forward just as Hexler fired. The sea lieutenant's bullet clipped the staggering

Wounded by a quick shot, Hexler went diving through the doorway, out to the safety that his band would

bring. The Shadow, leaping over Royne's prostrate form, was in quick pursuit. But he stopped short at the

TULLY and Chunk were driving out to get him. Revolvers barked with hasty aim. Bullets zipped past The

Shadow. One shot skimmed the master fighter's shoulder. The automatic roared new fury to the echoes.

Tongues of flame were pointers to the hearts of Tully and Chunk. The villains sprawled simultaneously.

Swiftly, from close range, The Shadow had burrowed straight through the startled enemies who had sought to

block him. Each pair of foemen had been beaten in quick struggle. Ruff and his companion had gone first.

The second brace of mobsters had been clipped while aiming guns at their formidable antagonist.

The interlude with Royne and Hexler had given Tully and Chunk their chance to enter the fray. These men

from the mainland had fired. But The Shadow, more accurate than they, remained unscathed save for a

In this brief but terrific thrust, The Shadow reached a vital, strategic point; the door to the living room. He

had two alternatives: one, to deal with Purvis Elger and Bram Jalway; the other, to follow Hexler. Both were

In his wellcalculated drive, The Shadow had counted upon possible aid. Hadlow and Dashler had not yet

Outside, there was the chance that agents were along with Hexler's band. The Shadow had counted upon that

possibility. But it was plain that the source of greater danger might come from those outside raiders.

Nevertheless, The Shadow, here to save innocent lives, cast caution aside as he deliberately chose Elger and

Jalway as his first adversaries. Those two had been sheltered by the protecting cordon of lesser henchmen

Jalway was covering Hadlow, Dashler and Francine, holding his fire only because he thought the struggle in

the hall would be shortlived and in favor of the crooks. But Elger, who had seen The Shadow come from

As Tully and Chunk sprawled to the floor, Elger gave a maddened shout. Leaping toward the front end of the

room, he cried to Jalway for aid. The two were directly in front of the amazed prisoners. Should The Shadow

Jalway swung at Elger's cry. Together, they aimed for the elusive, blackened figure that came whirling from

the hall. A chilling, sardonic laugh resounded through the room as The Shadow swung the muzzles of his

That laugh was calculated. It made Elger and Jalway forget all but The Shadow. It inspired two other men to

prompt and efficient action. Hadlow and Dashler leaped from Francine's side. Hadlow took Elger; Dashler

Gripped by formidable antagonists, the two crooks writhed. The Shadow, seeing the instant success of his

OUTSIDE, waiting attackers had been startled by the suddenness of the conflict in the house. Hexler's

henchmen, lulled by the interval that had followed their leader's entrance, were totally bewildered by the

Shots were the emergency signal. Yet the mob had remained latent during the opening moments of the fray. It

was not until Hexler came staggering from the doorway that they decided upon action.

Roaring like a wounded bull, Hexler had swung about the moment that he was in the clearing. Free from The

As he blazed with his revolver, using his good left hand, the lieutenant shouted for the charge.

Jake and Curry sprang from their positions beside the door, ready to join with their leader when he drove to

the new attack. At the same instant, seven men from the edge of the clearing came leaping into view.

Shots burst from ready guns; Cliff, Harry and Hawkeye were firing toward the house. A bullet sizzed by

Hexler's ear. Wheeling, the lieutenant saw Hawkeye pausing to take aim. Hexler roared a command.

Curry, too, had barely escaped a longrange shot. He swung about, with a cry to Jake. The three men coming

from the other side of the clearing stopped short to aim at The Shadow's agents.

Cliff shouted to his companions. The three dropped flat upon the edge of the clearing. Cliff swung his gun

across to deal with the reserves. Harry and Hawkeye did likewise. It was a welltimed move.

For Cliff knew that The Shadow would be coming from the beleaguered house. With Hexler, Jake and Curry

turned about, the cloaked fighter would get the trio unaware. The danger lay from the four advancers across

the clearing. Those men, if unhindered, would come up to find The Shadow as a target, should the

It was a reverse of the expected. A clipping of the reserves. A dependence upon The Shadow, to which all his

agents were trained. But Hexler, having fled from the formidable foe, understood the move the moment that

He and the two beside him were at long range from The Shadow's agents. Counting upon that, Hexler

snapped a command to Jake and Curry. With his cry, Hexler went hurtling squarely into the open house door,

THE SHADOW'S agents came to their feet. They forgot the men across the clearing. Two of those reserves

had toppled to the ground. A third, wounded, was aiming unsteadily. The fourth, not yet clipped by The

Shadow's agents, opened a wild fire. A chance shot dropped Hawkeye. The little man fell wounded, a bullet

Shots from within the house, The Shadow had swung from the living room at the crucial moment. His

automatics loosed their thunder straight against the three men who were making a massed attack: Hexler,

Hexler uttered a hoarse cry as he sought to fire. Then the big rogue shot forward on the floor, striking

squarely on head and shoulders. His revolver went clattering to The Shadow's feet. Jake and Curry stopped

Hexler's plunge had cleared the way. Straight came The Shadow's shots. Tongues of flame, bursting from the

blackness of a shifty, wavering figure that bobbed elusively as puny revolver shots barked in return.

Jake tottered. Curry staggered back, wounded, then dived for the door, momentarily protected by Jake's

wavering body. The Shadow came sweeping forward. Jake, slumping, snarled and aimed pointblank for the

The Shadow's left arm swung. Automatic drove hard against revolver. Jake's weapon clattered from his

triggersqueezing grasp. It cracked against the wall before the man could fire. Weaponless, the dying thug

Curry was vicious as he hurtled from the house. In flight, he thought of other foes. Leaping from the door, he

aimed straight for two figures that he saw beneath the clearing moonlight those of Harry and Cliff.

Harry had swung to the left, because of Hawkeye's fall. But Cliff was aiming for the door. Shots roared

through the clearing. Quick, rapid fire, accompanied by sizzling slugs that whistled from flaming gun

Cliff and Harry were the focal point of a simultaneous attack that came from separate angles. Curry, like the

man across the clearing, was aiming to kill. But these rogues were dealing with capable marksmen.

Curry toppled with a groan, as Cliff clipped him with a timely shot. An instant later before Cliff could turn

The ruffian twisted about, went rolling crazily upon the sward. Echoes rattled back from the tabby walls of

the lookout house. Then came silence. The Shadow, his form grotesque in the moonlight by the front door,

Cliff and Harry turned to Hawkeye. They raised the wounded man; as they did, Hawkeye's gun came up in

his right hand. With a sharp cry, the little fighter aimed across the clearing; steadying himself against Cliff's

One crook had been wounded over there. He was the fellow who had faltered in his aim. But now he was

steady on one knee, pointing a gun straight for the door of the lookout house. He had seen The Shadow. He

SHOTS soared from three spots. From the crouching crook; from Hawkeye's spot; from the doorway where

The Shadow stood. Those bursts seemed simultaneous; yet fractions of seconds separated them.

The Shadow's shot was first, straight for the gun hand of the aiming crook. It clipped the fellow's knuckle just

as his finger pressed the trigger. Diverted, the crook's bullet plastered itself against the tabby wall beside The

The crook's altered shot was the second and Hawkeye's burst was almost with it. Seeking to save The

Shadow, the wounded agent had delivered quick but perfect aim. The crouching crook toppled forward, a

bullet through his heart, while his smoking gun dropped from his broken fingers.

An ominous lull came hard upon fleeting echoes. Then from within the house burst the sound of another gun.

Elger and Jalway, archcrooks of the lot, had found a chance to fight. That shot betokened trouble.

Whirling, The Shadow disappeared into the blackness of the hall. Victor against hordes of crime, the master

THE shot that The Shadow had heard had been a random one. It had come from the revolver gripped by

Bram Jalway as the crook still writhed in Dashler's grasp. Gun pointed upward, Jalway had found no other

Seth Hadlow had already subdued Purvis Elger and was holding the portly crook against the wall. But at the

sound of Jalway's shot, Hadlow turned instinctively. Elger wrestled free and dived to the floor.

His gun was lying there, where he had dropped it in the struggle. Regaining the weapon, Elger twisted away

from Hadlow and made an upward stroke. His gun muzzle delivered a glancing blow to Hadlow's chin. The

Dashler, seeing this, made a valiant effort to grab Jalway's gun. It was a mistaken attempt. Jalway, copying

Elger's motion in reverse, drove his weapon downward. Dashler's gripping arm partially absorbed the shock;

Hadlow and Dashler were prey for the crooks. But a spontaneous cry from Francine gave warning to both

Elger and Jalway. Staring hopelessly toward the door, the girl had seen a new figure arrive. The Shadow had

Entering, The Shadow had dropped his brace of automatics. He had emptied those weapons in his previous

fray. His gloved hands were whipping a new pair of weapons from beneath his cloak.

With Elger and Jalway taking time to fire at the senseless forms of Hadlow and Dashler, The Shadow would

have had perfect opportunity to clip the crooks. But Francine's cry had placed him at a disadvantage.

ELGER and Jalway wheeled toward the door as one. Separated by a dozen feet, they offered a dual problem

to The Shadow as he yanked his guns to view. Marvelous marksman though he was, the position placed him

Both men were desperate. Both were killers. It might have been an equal choice to an ordinary fighter. But

The Shadow, instantaneous in his decision, took immediate preference. His eyes swung to the left, where

Elger staggered. He tried to hold his gun; but he failed. The portly crook lost the weapon and went sagging to

The Shadow's quick gaze had shifted toward Jalway, who had stepped in front of Francine. It was Jalway's

position that had made The Shadow allow him the momentary chance to aim. For The Shadow had counted

Francine, by her cry of gladness, had brought grim menace to The Shadow. But it was that very reaction of

the girl that had caused The Shadow to fire first at Elger. He was relying upon Francine's spontaneous

As Jalway's finger pressed the trigger for a death shot, Francine was already leaping forward. The girl's frail

hands caught at the man's wrist. The effort was sufficient; it diverted Jalway's aim.

A bullet boomed from the crook's gun. The shot went wide by half a dozen inches. It missed the turning form

Twisting, he grabbed the girl's body with his left arm and swung Francine as a barrier against The Shadow's

shot. His revolver leveled, he tried to turn it toward the evasive foe at the doorway.

The Shadow swept into the room, ahead of Jalway's swing. Jalway fired one shot another but his turning

Then, suddenly, The Shadow stopped short. He fired one shot as Jalway, swinging his arm wide, gave him a

momentary target. The bullet burned Jalway's forearm. With a cry, the crook let Francine fall away. Still

The room roared with a mingled burst that sounded like an artillery barrage. Cliff and Harry had dashed into

the house. They fired simultaneously with The Shadow. Three bullets spun Jalway to the floor. The crook

Purvis Elger, crumpled by the bookcase, was staring with glassy eyes. The archcrook could not reach his

Half rising with a final effort, Elger buckled and sprawled dead. His hand clutched at the bookcase as he fell;

loosened volumes tumbled and thudded the floor beside the master crook's prone form.

COMPANIONS in crime had received just doom. Bram Jalway, whom The Shadow had suspected of

criminal intent aboard the Maldah; Purvis Elger, whom The Shadow had identified as an evil rogue, even

before he had met the master of Timour Isle. Above the mantel over the fireplace, burnished bronze reflected

the room's light. That gryphon shield would no longer be the symbol of a supercriminal.

From beneath his cloak, The Shadow brought forth a sheet of paper; he let it flutter to the floor, where it fell

beside Elger's body. The side that came upward showed the same symbol as the bronze above the fireplace.

The Shadow had returned the piece of evidence that he had acquired on the night when George Dalavan had

murdered James Tolwig. That scrap of paper had come from Purvis Elger; The Shadow had given it back to

Seth Hadlow was reviving, with Francine beside him. Dashler, after a momentary sway, was regaining his

senses. The Shadow turned to his agents. He gave a hissed order. Cliff and Harry turned about and headed for

The Shadow glided toward the hallway. For a moment he stood there, barely discernible, blackness against a

gloomy background. Then he whirled. The crimson lining of his sable cloak swished momentarily in the glow

Then The Shadow, too, was gone, the only token of his parting a hissed, sardonic laugh that left strange,

THE pink light of a new day was breaking along the Georgia coast. The stretched expanse of rosetinted

ocean was heaving with long, restless swells. The power of the waves had ended. These heavy rises and falls

The glow from the horizon revealed a small power boat chugging northward, past islands where stretches of

sand ended in strips of towering, blackened trees. This was the little cabin boat that Ruff Turney had kept

Dashler was at the tiller; as the sailor nonchalantly guided the boat, two others talked of events that were past.

Seth Hadlow was seated beside Francine Feldworth, while they discussed the episode on Timour Isle.

"The professor gets the credit," acknowledged Hadlow, in a solemn tone. "If it hadn't been for him, we'd be

"The captain of that tramp steamer was a dupe," said Francine. "He thought that Purvis Elger intended to get

"But he didn't stay around to wait," added Hadlow. "He must have hauled up anchor and sailed hours ago.

A PAUSE followed. Francine, nestling close to Hadlow, sighed pleasantly as she looked toward the

"The professor didn't miss a trick," commented Hadlow. "That case in his room with the tiara, the fifty

thousand dollars and the stenographic evidence. It showed that fellow Dalavan for a crook as bad as the

"And the note we found," said Francine. "The one that told us to follow the passage to the caverns; then on to

the old slave quarters and the spot where this boat was run ashore. It gave us all we needed."

"It will enable us to inform the law. Those treasures will be reclaimed intact."

"In New York," replied Francine. "The professor had heard that uncle was going on a cruise. He wanted to

"Those were the things he brought ashore? His maps? I wondered what he had with him?"

"He took his belongings after he saved us from death. He must have had his black attire with them, also those

Hadlow recalled another matter after Francine had spoken. He expressed his recollection.

"The night we landed on Timour Isle," he said, slowly, "I fired blindly with my rifle; and I am sure that

Jalway did the same. We were confused; yet we seemed to get results. The reason was that the professor fired

also. I remember that his three shots punched in between ours with peculiar precision."

"Do you mean," questioned Francine, "that the professor or whoever he was saved us that night?"

"I do," affirmed Hadlow, soberly. "His shots were timed to perfection. He dropped the thug who attacked

Dashler. He smashed the bull'seye lantern. He clipped another enemy, by the fellow's gunfire, which served

as a target. In addition, he saved some cartridges while we wasted all of ours."

The power boat was turning. Looking from the side, Hadlow and Francine saw that Dashler was guiding the

"There's the Maldah," informed Dashler. "Dead ahead. It looks like they're maneuvering her off the bar. We'll

Coming to their feet, Hadlow and Francine looked over the little cabin. They saw the yacht, white smoke

"He looks happy," laughed Francine. "And he'll be happier when he learns how fortunate we have been."

"And finds out what he was saved from," added Hadlow. "Those villains on Timour Isle would have made

The cabin boat pulled up beside the yacht. Soon the castaways were pouring out their story to Kingdon

"Just repaired," informed the captain. "And we'll be off this bar in half an hour."

"Send word to the coast guards," ordered Feldworth. "When we're clear, head for Timour Isle. We'll meet the

WHILE the reunion and its aftermath were taking place aboard the Maldah, another group of voyagers was

faring north from Timour Isle. Their vessel was the small motor boat in which Tully and Chunk had come

from the mainland. But their course was not outside the string of islands that fringed the Georgia coast.

The little boat was chugging through an inner channel. Clear of the marshes, it was traveling beneath the

shelter of an inner shore. The tiny craft was almost shrouded in a setting that dawn had not yet reached.

Gliding beneath huge overhanging boughs that streamed with beards of Spanish moss, the voyagers were

nearing the end of their trip to the mainland. In the center of the boat were Harry Vincent and Cliff Marsland;

Shrouded at the rear of the boat sat a blackcloaked figure, a silent pilot who guided the craft with unerring

skill. Picking channels that he did not know, The Shadow had weaved a remarkable course in from Timour

Far from that isolated spot where he had waged war against crime, The Shadow was bringing his agents to

security. From the mainland they could transfer Hawkeye and take him north by train.

The boat had entered the channel of a sluggish creek. Moss hung almost to the surface of the water as The

Shadow swung the tiller. The prow dug deep into thick soil. The shrouded pilot had found a landing place.

The motor ceased its throbs. Solemn silence hovered as strange aftermath to the events that had gone before.

The howl of the hurricane; the thunder of avenging guns those sounds seemed part of a far, distant past.

Yet as the boat lingered, with its occupants motionless, there came a manifestation that woke echoes of the

past. It was the first utterance from that weird pilot at the stern; the first sound that The Shadow had given

A laugh that quivered from hidden lips. A burst of mockery that rose through the thick air of the sylvan glade.

A haunting cry that rose to a fierce crescendo, then broke into a shuddering tone that faded with uncanny

Chilling echoes answered The Shadow's triumphant laugh. Phantom tongues gave weird but mirthless reply;

Silence, strange and unfathomable, again clung to this lonely landing place upon the Georgia shore. Crime

had been conquered by The Shadow and his aids. New day had led them forth on further quests.