Another reply came over the wire. Bodine dropped the receiver on the hook. His expression changed.
Cliff detected it. Bodine observed his quizzing look. He hastened to explain.
“It wasn’t Gus,” he said. “It was Joe Cardona, from headquarters!”
This was unexpected news to Cliff Marsland. He was on the point of commanding Clipper to flee. Now his idea changed. Clipper, in the hands of the police, would be no menace! Should he leave him here for Cardona?
Then came another thought: Bodine’s surprise seemed genuine enough, but it might be feigned. Perhaps he was thinking the same as Cliff. Maybe he wanted Clipper to be left, to learn the merciless methods of Arnold Bodine’s mob.
Cliff’s hesitation came to a sudden end. As Cliff stood with his back in the hallway, something struck him from behind. A man had entered silently from the corridor.
The tap of a revolver butt had settled the question. Cliff Marsland collapsed in a helpless heap.
Some one had struck from behind. In his moment of certain victory, with the killing of Arnold Bodine thwarted, Cliff Marsland was stunned and at the mercy of his unexpected foeman!
CHAPTER XIII. THE SHADOW’S FIGHT
“GET him, Clipper! Get Bodine!”