“Who are you to give it?” snarled Corey.
“My name is Vincent,” stated Harry. “I’m working with Marquette of the secret service; also with Sheriff Brock. You saw all of us up in the office today.”
“There was another wise guy there, too.”
“Lieth. He’s a detective. We managed to get him into Mountview Lodge. He’s putting up a bluff there.”
“Yeah? Well, he won’t fool the chief—”
“He is fooling him already, Corey. But we’ve had to change our plans. We’ve got to get word to Lieth. You’re the man to help us.”
Corey’s defiance changed to an expression of shrewd interest. Harry noted an evil, scheming glint in the man’s ratlike eyes. Corey nodded; he wanted Harry to continue.
“Your coupe is out back,” explained Harry. “The key is in it. I’m going up toward the lodge in a touring car; you follow and keep going right past me.
“The gate is unlocked. Barge right through it and don’t stop until you reach the lodge. After they let you in, tell them you escaped from here. Don’t let your chief know that you were set loose. Do you understand?”
Corey nodded wisely.
“When you get a chance” — Harry drew The Shadow’s envelope from his pocket — “sneak this to Lieth. Remember: it’s important; and nobody else is to see it. After this business is all over, we’ll see that you’re let off light. That’ll be your reward for working with us. Do you get me?”
Corey nodded as he took the envelope. Harry produced the cell key and unlocked the door. He led the chauffeur out into the hall. The Shadow had already gone.
“Remember,” said Harry, as they reached the outside air, “follow my touring car. I’ll swing past here after I leave the hotel. Keep right through when I stop.
“Some of the deputies may fire wild shots; but you just keep going through the gate. That will be to make it look like you were really running for it. There’s your coupe” — they were at the corner of the jail — “so hop aboard. Lay, low until I’ve passed.”
The rumble seat of the coupe was lowering as Harry spoke; neither Corey nor The Shadow’s agent spied its motion. Again, Corey was scheduled to carry The Shadow as a hidden passenger.
HARRY strolled on to the hotel. In the lobby he found four men awaiting him. They were the huskies whom the burgess had called. Harry took them to the touring car. Starting out, he rolled along the street past the jail, then swung about to cut over to the open road.
They had passed the fork when one of the new squad delivered a remark. The man was looking out the rear window. He had spotted trailing lights.
“Looks like somebody’s coming along with us,” said the townsman. “Guess maybe the burgess called up a couple more fellers.”
Harry grinned to himself. He was driving at an easy rate. He wanted to get back before Hank and the new posse from Southbridge, but not too long before they arrived. There was still a little more time to kill.
Harry skirted the hill and neared the Mountview road. The coupe was keeping close behind; Harry could spy its headlights in his mirror. Reaching the private road, he stepped on the gas, sped up a bit and reached the spot where the cars were parked.
Harry pulled over and leaped to the ground. He spied Brock and Marquette; they recognized him as he stepped in front of his own headlights.
“Hello, Vincent,” greeted the sheriff. “Back already, eh? Say — whose car is that coming up here?”
Corey’s lights had appeared. Harry made casual comment.
“Somebody else from town,” he stated. “The burgess probably sent some more men along.”
Brock stepped aside as the coupe approached. The car gave a sudden forward lurch; it shot by at increasing speed. Brock stared; then barked an excited exclamation:
“That’s Corey’s coupe! Stop him! He’s running for the lodge!”
The order was too late. As Harry joined Brock in a dash to the turn in the road, they saw the speeding coupe crash the huge gate. The unlocked barrier clattered inward. The coupe roared ahead.
Two deputies fired from the fence. Their shots were far too late. Fuming, Brock dashed up to the gate, then shouted for the firing to cease. The coupe’s tail-light had arrived near the side of the lodge. Harry saw the lights blink off.
“So he slipped us, eh?” growled Brock to Harry. “Well, I reckon it won’t do him much good, if we ever manage to get in there. Listen — I hear cars down below. Hank and his new men are here. Come on, while I post them.”
Harry followed the sheriff down the road. The Shadow’s agent felt a keen sense of coming triumph.
Corey’s run had succeeded. Brock might think it a lucky jail-break; Harry knew differently.
For the release of Corey had been a master stroke of strategy; one that The Shadow had devised to nullify the schemes of crooks. Already, unrealized by Sheriff Brock, potential victory was in the making.
Such was the depth of The Shadow’s strategy.
CHAPTER XXII. THE CONDOR DECIDES
“So Corey is here!” Griscom Treft chuckled. “Excellent, Delland, excellent! Show him in at once.”
The Condor was seated behind his study desk. Opposite him was Carl Lieth; the traitor’s face displayed a pleased grin. Upon the table lay a mass of chunky crystals. Uncut diamonds, the latest of The Condor’s spoils.
One stone twinkled as Treft removed it from a tiny weighing machine. Lieth had brought this diamond separately. It had been his token; its exact weight the factor that had made Treft recognize Lieth as another of the brood.
The door opened; Corey entered with Delland. Treft chuckled as he indicated Lieth.
“You two have met before,” stated The Condor. “Lieth is our latest member, Corey. Until recently, he was a private detective, tracing a thief who had stolen uncut diamonds.”
“And when I found Burton Covell,” laughed Lieth, “I offered to make a deal with him. Told him I’d let him go if he’d slip me a split on those rocks. Say, chief, you should have seen Covell’s face when he found out I was as big a crook as he was.”
Corey stood listening. He wanted to hear more. Treft laughed as he watched the chauffeur.
“Covell was the man that I expected, Corey,” explained The Condor. “His position being precarious, he left the country and Lieth came in his stead. Tonight, Lieth performed a signal service for us. You tell Corey about it, Lieth.”
“When I came into town,” explained the traitor, facing Corey, “some mugs stopped me at the station. It looked bad — these diamonds were on me, you know — but I had credentials with me. That fixed everything with Sheriff Brock. Soon as he knew I was a dick, he wanted me to help him, especially when I put up a yarn about Covell.
“The bunch came in here for a surprise attack. I gave the gag away. We beat them back and I came inside. Sorry I couldn’t help you out, Corey, when they dragged you into that office. This was the only way I could work it.
“You know, chief” — Lieth’s face furrowed as he turned to The Condor and spoke in serious tone — “I’m afraid we’re in for it. I told you there were thirty men outside. Like as not, they’re bringing more in by this time.
“Maybe they can’t tear down this place, but we’ll have to surrender sooner or later. They’ve got us surrounded; there’s not a chance for us to make a break for it. Once they get in here, they’ll find the swag.
“I’d like to see where you’re keeping all the stuff. I’d like to know, too, if there’s any way for me to do a slideout. After all, you may be able to put up a bluff. They were invading your property. But they’ve labeled me as a crook, since I pulled that fast one on them.”
THE CONDOR waved for silence. He scooped up the uncut diamonds, placed them in a wooden box and arose from his chair. He motioned toward the side door.