"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 065 - The Chinese Disks" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

mentioned the paper that he had seen on Cardona's desk. He expressed the emphatic opinion that there
must be a connection between Duff's visit and the penciled impression of what appeared to be a coin.

Report given, Clyde Burke strolled forth and headed in the direction of the Classic office. His mission,
brief though it was, had been accomplished. For Clyde Burke was a secret agent of The Shadow.
Through Burbank, contact man who reached The Shadow, Clyde had reported his chance discovery.

Coming events were in the making. The future smacked of crime. Mysterious doings in the underworld
included Duff Corley among those concerned. The Shadow, mysterious battler of crime, had been
furnished with a clue. Coming events would concern The Shadow also!

CHAPTER II. GREEN LIGHTS
THRONGED mobsters crowded Red Mike's. This dive was one of the most popular in the underworld.
It had changed location on various occasions, chiefly after police raids. But the name had traveled with it.
This was in deference to the brawny, red-haired proprietor who managed the improvised bar in the
corner of the main room. Red Mike was a fixture in the Tenderloin.

One characteristic seemed to be the sole qualification that gained admission to Red Mike's. That was
toughness. Sluggers, dock wallopers, gorillas - these were the types that formed the habitues of the joint.
Red Mike's was a meeting place for the hardest characters in slumland.

The aristocrats of the underworld avoided this dive. So did the weaklings. Petty thieves, hop-heads and
other small fry were not wanted. Stool pigeons stayed away from Red Mike's. That was a source of
comfort to Duff Corley when he slouched into the underground den.

For although Duff was playing the part of a stoolie, he had no fear. Among the mobsmen assembled were
a dozen whom he knew well. He grinned in twisted fashion as he pictured what would happen if any one
challenged him as a stool. Pals would rally to his side. The accuser would be mobbed.

Duff knew that Cardona had evidence that he and "Spider" Mertz had met at Red Mike's. That was
proof that one of the detective's stoolies must have been around. But as Duff recalled it, he and Spider
had met outside the joint. That was where the stoolie must have spotted them.

It was inside that they had transacted their business. Over in the far corner, by the door that formed an
emergency exit from the dive. Duff chuckled as he took a seat at the very table where Spider had given
him the Chinese disk. It was far from the outer door. No wonder no stoolie had viewed the conference
of the other night.

This table was Duff's accustomed spot when he visited Red Mike's. It was the logical place where the
emissary would look for him. As he slouched at the table, Duff thrust a hand into his pocket. His
clenched fist gripped the Chinese disk.

THOUGH as tough in appearance as any gorilla in the place, Duff was yellow at heart. The viciousness
of his evil features offset the flimsiness of his frame; that was why he passed as a hard customer. But Duff
knew his own limitations. He was a greenhorn with a gat. His punch lacked wallop.

So Duff relied on his face to get him into places like Red Mike's. He used his cunning to gain an equal
rating with his associates. When he worked with crooks, Duff supplied ideas; and usually managed to get
himself appointed to some duty that would allow a quick getaway when the cops showed up.