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

revolver, he slashed a hard blow for The Shadow's head.
A free hand shot upward, stopped Nobby's stroke with the action of a trip
hammer. Each fighter had an even grip but The Shadow had lost ground. He was
reeling backward, off balance. Fighting to regain his footing, he was driven
through the archway straight for the rear of the penthouse roof.


THEY were past the pillars when The Shadow rallied. Clutching Nobby in a
fighting grip, he twisted the crook about, until Nobby's back was toward the
rear of the roof. The move was quick strategy on The Shadow's part. Across
Nobby's shoulder he could see the other roof, where a crouching figure had
paused at the first sounds of the fray.
It was plain that the master crook - he who called himself Intimidation,
Incorporated - had recognized both fighters.
The intimidator knew that The Shadow had been lying in wait for him. He
must have pictured how Nobby had luckily managed to learn that The Shadow had
come to the neighborhood of Judge Noy's penthouse; how Nobby had come up
through the office building, leaped the gap, and kept his own watch for The
Shadow.
His ladder withdrawn, the supercrook produced a revolver and held it
leveled as he crouched. However The Shadow fared with Nobby Kilgan, the man on
the far roof was ready to become master of the fray. He was waiting until one
fighter downed the other; then he could promptly dispose of the victor.
The Shadow saw the set-up. He knew his own dilemma. To dispose of Nobby
would be a simple task; for The Shadow had gained the upper hand. It would
require a strong effort, however, and when the finish came, The Shadow would
be
in no position to deal with the waiting intimidator. He could see the master
crook's gun following every move of the struggle.
Only while he held Nobby helpless, between himself and the supercrook,
could The Shadow count on safety. He knew that the man on the other roof
wanted
to avoid too much gunfire. It would attract attention down on the street
below.
The master crook was willing to use a single shot to finish The Shadow; but he
did not care to waste bullets riddling Nobby, in order to clear the way.
The intimidator had a mission. He intended to murder judge Hancock Noy.
If
he managed one well-placed shot, he could continue down to the penthouse. If a
barrage was necessary, he would have to give up his attempt.


NOBBY KILGAN had sensed that The Shadow had some reason in keeping him
toward the rear roof. Struggling viciously, Nobby tried to twist aside. To
turn
him about, The Shadow was forced to make a side shift.
It brought them toward the side roof of the penthouse. Nobby struggled
again; once more, The Shadow managed to keep him in position by shoving to the
side.
As they tightened, almost by the fringing hedge, a new thought flashed to