Wherever he might be, these men were out to get him by force of numbers. A widespread, grimly snarling tribe, they were wedging in like the spokes of a fan.
Then came the report of The Shadow's right-hand gun. The same deadly aim that had shattered Biff Towley's spotlight proved its merit again; but this time its target was a human body. A dashing gangster screamed and leaped upward, hands clawing in air. His body flattened and sprawled upon the dock sliding into a huddled shape. His revolver, skimming onward, slipped from the side of the wharf and splashed into the water.
No one heard that splash. The Shadow's gun was delivering its second bark. Another man fell. He sprawled like a starfish, his revolver still in his grasp.
The others were dropping to the wharf, lying low and spread, their revolvers returning the attack. Biff Towley, alert in the sedan, spotted the exact place from which the shots had come.
He saw the dim top of a black hat above the rear of the coupe.
His yell gave the signal as he fired. The men in the touring car blazed away. Had The Shadow remained to risk another press of the trigger, Biff's bullet would have clipped him. But the hat was dropping to safety as the gang leader fired. The leaden missile skimmed the crown of the disappearing headpiece.
The men on the dock were crawling forward. Biff and the others who covered were alert.
They saw The Shadow's chosen spot. Another move on his part, and death would be his lot. But The Shadow had made a sudden change. Crouching, he flung himself flat upon the outer running board. With incredible swiftness, he wriggled his tall form between the front fender and the hood. His left arm paused by the edge of the radiator. His sharp eyes peered forth unseen. Two men were crawling forward from that direction. One was Jake Bosch. With low, perfect aim, The Shadow fired. Jake dropped without a sound.
Before the other startled gunman could turn his revolver, a second shot occurred. Jake's companion fell, writhing.
Now guns blazed in fury. Hard bullets crashed through the side of the hood. They never found their mark. Between The Shadow and his enemies lay the protecting motor. It was a solid barrier that bullets could not penetrate.