In that brief moment, Nick Savoli and the other gangsters wondered at the calmness of the pretended Monk Thurman.
A cry of triumph came from Steve Cronin’s lips as he swung the automatic upward. But his shout died as a revolver shot echoed from the side of the room, and a spurt of flame came from the bookcase.
Steve Cronin fell dead, his outstretched arms extended futilely toward The Shadow.
The bookcase swung open, and six men poured into the room. They were just in time; for at the sound of the shot, other gangsters had recklessly swung into action.
There was a quick, short struggle. Texas Carey fell, the victim of a shot fired by Barney Higgins, the detective commissioner. The others were overpowered.
With Higgins were three detectives; the other two men were Morris Clarendon and Harry Vincent. They quickly captured the gangsters.
Nick Savoli, the big shot, offered no resistance. He did not even get up.
When the struggle was over, Barney Higgins turned to the spot where The Shadow had been standing. A cry of amazement came from his lips.
Silently, swiftly, the man disguised as Monk Thurman had disappeared. His work had been accomplished. He had left the gangsters in the hands of the police.
The confession of Machine-gun McGinnis, actual slayer of Claude Fellows, had been recorded by those who stood behind the bookcase. Now the murderer had been captured.