"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 101 - The Gray Ghost" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

The Shadow made no comment. Silence was the best encouragement for the commissioner. Weston was
in no mood to answer questions; but he was willing to talk uninterrupted.

“Regarding Culden,” stated Weston, wisely. “He may not be the man we seek. We made inquiries at his
boarding house. We learned that he arrived there, two nights ago, at quarter of nine. I remember your
statements, Cranston, regarding the time element. If Culden reached the city at quarter of nine, he could
not have been at Debrossler's at half past eight.

“Of course, he could have murdered Windler. But so could the raider who entered Debrossler's.
Therefore, we have come to the conclusion that the capture of Culden may not mark the end of our
quest. We feel quite sure that the man knows something; his disappearance indicates it. Nevertheless, he
may simply be a tool; not the Gray Ghost himself.”

The Shadow preserved silence. Weston wagged a finger.

“I know your thoughts,” declared the commissioner. “You are wondering about last night's events on
Long Island, where a closed house was entered. You are thinking that Culden might have been
responsible for that entry. Perhaps he was; but not in the capacity of the Gray Ghost.

“Inspector Cardona has brought in a complete report. Apparently, several burglars were in the game last
night. Moreover, it seems that they drew a blank. Simply a stab in the dark; a band of criminals trying to
emulate the Gray Ghost's tactics.

“We have a clue.” Weston leaned across the table. “It is a good one. A man was seen on Long Island
yesterday afternoon; from the description given of him, he was ugly faced and could have been a certain
thug known as Shanty Uhving.

“Working on this clue, Cardona was prepared. He found finger prints on a window pane at the Long
Island house. Those prints have been identified; they belong to Shanty Uhving. Our theory, therefore, is
that a criminal band has moved into the Gray Ghost's preserves. Culden may be the head of that crew.

“All this is confidential, Cranston. I merely thought that it would interest you; and enable you to realize
how well our investigations are progressing.”

THE SHADOW had finished his meal. He left the commissioner and strolled from the grillroom. Passing
through the lobby, he considered the statements that Weston had made.

The Shadow knew that Culden could not be the leader of any criminal band. The man had been forced
to leave his boarding house under threat. Culden was simply a tool who had served the Gray Ghost.
Some criminal, muscling in on the Gray Ghost's game, had snatched Culden and was holding him a
prisoner, hoping to gain information that would help in future jobs.

Last night, the Gray Ghost had been idle. Weston was correct on that point. To-day, The Shadow had
received a report from Harry Vincent. The agent had been with Renright at Narrowneck, all during the
preceding evening. Assuming that Renright was the Gray Ghost, this proved that the elusive lone wolf
could not have been at large.

The Shadow wanted to find Culden. Unquestionably, Windler's secretary could tell facts. Thanks to one
point that Weston had divulged, The Shadow had a lead through which Culden could be found. The lead
was “Shanty” Uhving. Through that underling, The Shadow could uncover the new crook who had begun