The Shadow dropped flat upon the top of the car, and his automatics slipped away. They were empty. From his cloak, he plucked the revolver that he had taken from the dying gunman. The reserves of the gangster horde were pounding across the dock, yelling wildly. They did not know the power of their foe. They fired at the top of the car as they ran.
The Shadow ignored their fire. Coolly, calmly, he aimed with perfect marksmanship. He was a difficult target for the approaching men. They were in front of the sedan's lights, which Biff had left burning. The Shadow found them easy prey.
His final shots were timed to good advantage. Men sprawled as they came on. Two, seeing their companions fall, leaped back and dived behind the sedan. The Shadow pressed the trigger as he aimed toward one of the escaping gangsters. The hammer fell upon an empty chamber. Biff Towley had not been idle. Crafty as well as bold, he had seen too much of The Shadow's marksmanship to risk exposing himself. Instead of springing into view, the gang leader crawled to the side of the coupe, and glided along the nearer running board.
He knew that The Shadow would be watching for someone on the outer side. Sneaking cautiously, Biff raised himself beside the car, ready for his surprise thrust.
His head and hand came up together, over the top of the coupe. Biff had intended to be close to his foe, but he had not expected the proximity which he attained. As his face came above the top of the car, Biff found himself staring into two burning eyes, not a foot from his own!
Biff's hand shot forward. His finger tugged the trigger of his revolver. Once again, The Shadow was too quick. As he saw the gang leader's face appear, he flung his revolver squarely into that leering visage. The metal missive flattened the gang leader's face. Biff Towley toppled backward as he fired. His bullet whistled past The Shadow's hat. The gang leader landed flat on his back, beside the coupe, and his revolver clinked as it struck the light of the touring car. The Shadow had risen with his effort. Weaponless, now, his wavering form became a target for the men by the sedan. Under cover, they opened fire
At the sound of the first shot, The Shadow flung his arms wide. A loud cry came from his hidden lips. It dwindled as his form lurched backward. A dull splash followed as the falling man in black plunged into the water beyond the pier.
"I got him!" growled the man who had fired the shot.
"Good work!" exclaimed his companion. "You got The Shadow!" The two men hurried forward. One saw Biff Towley, groaning on the dock and stopped to aid his chief, the other continued to the end of the dock and peered out over the Sound. He was still staring when the other gangster joined him. The watcher raised his gun and fired a skimming shot across the water.
"What's the idea?" growled the other man.