"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 116 - Intimidation,Inc" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

was The Shadow positive on that point, he was ready to pick the right man, the
master criminal who controlled Intimidation, Incorporated. As yet, however, it
would be a mistake to denounce the murderer.
The Shadow knew that the supercrook was confident, and would therefore
plan another swindle, bolder than any threat that he had made before. The
Shadow foresaw the opportunity that the hidden crook would choose.
When the next move came, The Shadow would be ready with a counterthrust -
a daring challenge to the evil schemes of Intimidation, Incorporated.


CHAPTER VII

THE SHADOW'S THREAT

IT was the next afternoon. The city of Dorchester was unruffled. The fact
that there had been gunplay the night before was not enough to disturb the
calm. Police, after thorough investigation, had classed the shooting as a mere
outburst that had harmed no one.
There were people in Dorchester who knew of the evil menace that loomed
over the city: the threat of Intimidation, Incorporated. Those persons,
however, were keeping a discreet silence. The deaths of Ludwig Meldon and Sack
Balban were sufficient.
Those deaths, though, meant nothing to the vast majority of the
Dorchester
population. The law had emphatically proven that both Meldon and Sack were
merely suicides.
The one news feature on this particular day was the final hearing in the
case of Kroot versus Radbourne. The obscure inventor and the important
financier were to appear in court before Judge Hancock Noy, the elderly jurist
before whom the case had been argued. Chances seemed about even that Kroot
would collect his two hundred thousand dollars from the Interstate Textile Co.
At noon, The Shadow attended a civic club luncheon in the guise of Lamont
Cranston. He was there at the request of Mayor Wrightley, and he made a brief
speech telling of the proposed Oriental exhibit at the State exposition. When
the luncheon was over, The Shadow was about to say good-bye to the mayor when
Hugh Bursard approached and motioned for both to remain.
"I'd like your advice, Mayor Wrightley," confided Bursard, "and perhaps
Mr. Cranston's suggestions would be helpful. Unfortunately, I cannot talk to
either Clewiss or Radbourne -"
"One moment, Bursard," interrupted Wrightley, nervously. "I do not care
to
discuss our last conference. The matter of the stadium contract is closed."
"This is another matter, your honor," insisted Bursard. "Please bear with
me, while I state the case. If I mention the stadium contract, it will be only
for our mutual benefit."
Bursard's modulated tone impressed the mayor. Nodding, Wrightley
indicated
his willingness to listen.
"In my nightly broadcasts," explained Bursard, "I usually mention current
topics. For the last two nights, I have completely ignored the subject of the