"The Melrues went through with the house sale just to bluff us. Afterward, they had to take to cover. By that time George had become worried. Francine took charge of everything. It is now her turn to be troubled."
Strampf nodded; he added the harsh remark:
"Because they have not heard from The Shadow. They do not know that The Shadow is dead.
Tomorrow, we can waylay them when they come to see Reddingham."
With a smile, Bradthaw shook his head.
"Too crude, Strampf," objected the crooked executive. "They might call Reddingham before they approached the office. Learning that he never received the letter, Francine would foresee danger. There is a better way to handle this."
Leaning across the desk, Bradthaw brought his fist down with a triumphant thump, as he announced:
"We shall let the Melrues hear from The Shadow!"
STRAMPF'S tiny eyes blinked before he caught the idea. Bradthaw waited; he could almost picture the workings of Strampf's mechanical mind. At last, Strampf spoke.
"It can be arranged," he stated, crisply. "A false message from WNX. One that the Melrues will accept as authentic word from The Shadow. Just what do you wish to tell them?"
"We must bring them here," declared Bradthaw. "Safely, without the slightest semblance of danger. I shall be the man whom The Shadow has appointed as custodian of the three million dollars."
Bradthaw's plan was perfect. His own reputation was undisputed. The Melrues would recognize his name, his standing as a big man in the insurance world. They would not hesitate at placing the three million dollars in his care. So Bradthaw reasoned, and Strampf agreed.
"They will tell me everything," chuckled Bradthaw. "That will enable us to cover every detail. If we learn that the Melrues have spoken to no one other than The Shadow, we can eliminate them promptly. Their disappearance will be complete.
"If they have mentioned their secret to certain friends, we can act accordingly. In that case, we shall keep the Melrues under cover until we have dealt with those other parties. Merely a precaution, Strampf."
Strampf nodded.
"A wise precaution," he agreed, "and therefore necessary. Whatever happens to the Melrues afterward, will never be blamed upon you, Mr. Bradthaw. However, I anticipate no complications. It is probable that the Melrues have spoken to no one other than The Shadow."
"And The Shadow," added Bradthaw, "would have spoken only to his agents. The Shadow is dead. As soon as the Melrues are on their way here, we shall eliminate The Shadow's agents also."
"With the exception of Burbank?"
"Burbank excepted. Until he has put that black-ray machine in operation. Afterward, death for Burbank!"
BRADTHAW had settled the question of The Shadow's agents. The verdict pleased Strampf. He would not have to keep further tabs on the prisoners. Ace Gandley's outfit would no longer be required.
Strampf had already set nine o'clock as the dead line, in case The Shadow's agents were to be eliminated. Under present circumstances, the death hour might come sooner.
At eight o'clock, the message would go from WNX. If the Melrues responded promptly, they would automatically sign the death warrant for five of the six prisoners who had once served as The Shadow's agents.
Burbank's message to The Shadow had called for aid before nine o'clock tonight. Events had shaped to produce an earlier dead line, without Burbank knowing it.
By nine tonight, rescue might prove impossible. Death was scheduled to reach the prisoners before The Shadow's arrival.
CHAPTER XIX. MESSAGE OF DOOM
EARLY evening found The Shadow's agents tense, even though they did not show it. A clock in their living room marked the approach of eight. One hour more would mark the limit that Strampf had given them.
All of the prisoners knew of Burbank's message to The Shadow. Burbank had passed the word along, by a silent eye-code that all the agents understood. Glances, with simple shifts of gaze, enabled them to spell out secret messages.
Ace Gandley's thugs were keeping close watch tonight. Each bedroom held a brace of armed men; others were watching from the main door that led into the living room. In effect, the prisoners were surrounded by a ring of captors.
They knew, too, that Ace had henchmen upstairs, with lookouts posted outside the house. Nevertheless, the prisoners felt confidence in The Shadow's ability to enter anywhere. In their mind, the future was settled.
The Shadow knew that Strampf was due at nine o'clock. The agents could picture their chief awaiting the cadaverous man's arrival, as the right time for a thrust of rescue.
As minutes ticked toward eight o'clock, an unexpected change took place. Ace Gandley came into the room.
Ace was a burly ruffian whose grin added to the natural ugliness of his face. His eyes carried a mean glint as he squinted toward the prisoners. Ace picked out Burbank.
"Come along, you! I got something to talk about."
Burbank had to comply. He did not like it, for he preferred to be with the other prisoners when Strampf arrived. Ace's order predicted unforeseen complications, especially when the ugly-faced leader added a command to the guards.
"Drag out that machine," Ace told them. "Bring it along after you've locked up the little rooms."
Ace took Burbank through the main door. They followed a narrow passage to a room that served as Ace's headquarters. A tough-faced rowdy was seated at a radio.
Burbank noted a telephone in the corner; also a long, flat box with a padlock. He saw a large master-switch on the wall - one that apparently controlled all the lights in the building.
"Sit down," growled Ace. Then, to the man at the radio: "All right, Kelvey. Tune in on WNX."
ACE watched Burbank. The contact man remained impassive, but he sensed the ominous. Burbank could almost guess what was due next.
There was a crackle of static. WNX was on the air. Chimes registered eight o'clock. A purred voice followed, it was the tone of a new announcer. The speaker stressed certain words:
"It is unwise to leave important matters to the future. Act immediately. Insurance will meet your problems.
It is a friend at all times. Be square with yourself -"
The voice purred on, but it no longer emphasized words. The message was given, and Burbank had heard it. So had Ace. The ugly crook was grinning at the concern shown by The Shadow's agent.
Burbank could not take his eyes from the radio. His fixed gaze told that he understood.
"Leave immediately. Meet friend at Times Square."
Such was the message; and it could not be from The Shadow. Someone had placed a new announcer at WNX, to send a false message. Unquestionably, that message was for persons whom The Shadow intended to protect. Instead, it was designed to enmesh them.
Ace offered Burbank no further explanation regarding the message itself. As a matter of fact, Ace did not know the full details. Marvin Bradthaw had swung the deal. He had arranged with WNX to take over a sustaining program that usually went on at eight o'clock.
Bradthaw had managed it easily. He had previously used radio as a booster for insurance sales. WNX
had gladly accepted him as a commercial backer for a regular program. The introduction of a new announcer was an acceptable proviso.
ELSEWHERE, listeners had heard that message. In their hidden apartment, George and Francine made haste to answer the long-awaited call. They packed their three million dollars in a suitcase and hurriedly put on hats and coats.
Five minutes later they were in a taxi, riding to Times Square.