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

that perplexed him. The judge nodded; as The Shadow's hand withdrew, Noy
pocketed the revolver.
There were footsteps from the stairs. The detectives were lugging Nobby's
body downward. Noy caught the flash of The Shadow's eyes. He pointed toward a
side door of the room.
"In there," said the judge in a low tone. "We can talk afterward."


THE SHADOW moved unsteadily toward the side room. Noy came over quickly,
to help him through the doorway. The Shadow sank into a chair. Judge Noy
stepped back into the sitting room, half closing the door behind him. He
arrived just as the detectives appeared. Chin in hand, Judge Noy surveyed the
bullet-riddled body of Nobby Kilgan.
"Take it to the morgue," he ordered, loud enough for the detective to
hear
him above the radio. "Then report the matter to headquarters."
The detectives hesitated. Their job was to protect Judge Noy. The jurist
settled the matter for them.
"You were sent here to follow my instructions," he reminded. "Those were
the specific orders that Mayor Wrightley gave you."
The detectives carried the body to the elevator. The judge waited until
the door had clanged, then went to the side room and motioned to The Shadow.
Rising more steadily than before, The Shadow came out into the sitting
room. Judge Noy glanced at the clock. It showed five minutes of nine. With a
grimace, he turned off the radio.
"I have heard enough from Bursard," he remarked. "His talk tonight is
froth." With that, the judge turned to The Shadow, and questioned: "Who are
you? What brought you here?"
"Matters important to you," returned The Shadow, "since they concern
Intimidation, Incorporated."
"I expected this," declared Judge Noy, with a meditative nod. "Although
my
life was threatened, I determined to defy the enemy who sought to intimidate
me.
I believed that such a policy would clear matters. When I heard, a short while
ago, that this dangerous fellow, Kilgan, had been slain on my very roof, I
realized that I had gained unknown protection. That was why I reasoned that it
was best to trust you."
"You have formed two wrong conclusions," stated The Shadow. "First, you
believe that Nobby Kilgan was the crook who called himself Intimidation,
Incorporated. He was not. Again, you suppose that I killed Kilgan and that it
is your duty to hear my statements because I preserved your life. You are
mistaken on that point also. I did not finish Kilgan."
"No?" Noy's query showed new surprise. "Then who did?"
"Kilgan was slain by the criminal who poses as Intimidation,
Incorporated." Judge Noy was totally perplexed. All that he could do was
revert
to his previous question:
"Who are you? How have you learned all this?"
In reply, The Shadow removed his hat and cloak. Judge Noy stared at the