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

EYES looked toward Klondike Greems. It was plain that Klondike, as
candidate for the job of big-shot, had advised one-third payment to
Intimidation, Incorporated. Link Delvo, in ridiculing such tribute, had shown
himself bigger than Klondike. Link was the leader the lieutenants wanted.
Klondike was the first to acknowledge the new rule. He came to the table,
shoved his brawny hand across.
"It's yours, Link," he announced. "Take over."
Rising, The Shadow received Klondike's clasp; then the handshakes of the
others. He waved toward the door, as signal of dismissal.
"I've already piped the news," he told he lieutenants, "but you fellows
can push it farther and faster. Everybody in Dorchester is going to know that
Link Delvo is head of this outfit."
Klondike and the other lieutenants filed downstairs. Alone in the
sumptuous headquarters, The Shadow relaxed his fixed lips. He had completed
his
double task.
As Lamont Cranston, The Shadow had convinced four men that the new
big-shot would be the enemy whom they must seek. As Link Delvo, The Shadow had
become that big-shot.
The Shadow was ready to crack the game of Intimidation, Incorporated.
 CHAPTER XIV

TERMS UNACCEPTED

THE next morning, The Shadow awoke amid comfortable surroundings. He was
in a huge bedroom, which formed part of the apartment that he had inherited
from Sack Balban and Nobby Kilgan. Someone was rapping at the door.
The Shadow donned a flashy dressing gown that had once belonged to Sack.
He unlocked the door, to find a smiling Japanese bowing from the living room.
"Good morning, Mr. Delvo," announced the Jap, politely. "I am Kubi. I was
valet for Mr. Balban. Later for Mr. Kilgan."
"So the boys sent you back on the job, eh?" grunted The Shadow, in Link's
style. "That's where they're showing sense. They'd better do things right."
"Breakfast is ready, Mr. Delvo," declared Kubi, blandly. "I have brought
the morning newspapers, too."
The Shadow sat down to breakfast in the living room. He held his fixed
smile while he scanned the morning headlines. The grapevine had moved fast.
Everyone concerned with rackets in Dorchester had learned that Link Delvo was
the new head man.
Reporters had gobbled up the fact. Link Delvo, as latest successor to the
twice-vacated throne, was branded as a menace by the press. He was
Dorchester's
public enemy, according to hastily written editorials. It would be the duty of
every prominent citizen to make Link's path a thorny one.


HAVING read the newspapers thoroughly, The Shadow picked up the telephone
and put in a call to the Evening Clarion. In harsh tones, he asked for the
managing editor. The connection was made; The Shadow announced himself as Link
Delvo. He could hear the editor's startled gasp across the wire.