“Who was it?” demanded Savoli.
“Larrigan,” replied Borrango. “He reminded me about Monk Thurman. I told him to wait a while. I said that we had not yet located Monk; that after we find him — “
“Larrigan can wait, then!” exclaimed Savoli angrily. “We must find this man Monk. Through him we must find The Shadow. He is valuable to us. Larrigan can wait.”
“Monk will be back,” prophesied Borrango. “He does not know of your promise to Larrigan. He is still on our pay roll — “
He paused to lift the receiver of a telephone that connected with the anteroom. A light had flashed, signifying that a visitor was outside. Borrango uttered an exclamation of surprise when he heard the voice of the attendant.
“Send him in!” he said. Then he turned to Savoli. “It is Monk Thurman now!”
The big shot arose and led the way into the library. There was Monk Thurman, calmly seated in the big chair, quietly awaiting an interview.
His face was as masklike and as expressionless as before. He surveyed Savoli and Borrango without uttering a word. The big shot sat opposite Thurman; the enforcer took his customary place before the bookcase.
“You have done well, Monk,” commended Borrango, in opening the conversation. “We had not expected action so soon. We have been wondering where you have been.”
The gangster seemed indifferent to the words of approval. In fact, he seemed to ignore them entirely. He looked coldly toward Borrango; then turned his attention to Nick Savoli.