In that moment of hesitation, Garry realized that he was making a mistake. He had been placed here to trap The Shadow — not to capture and dispose of a prying Chinaman.
Suppose he should overpower or kill the man. What would Wing Toy say? Garry had no desire to incur the disfavor of the Tong leader.
But there was another thought — more restraining than the first one. That was the thought of Moose Shargin. A mental picture formed in Garry’s mind — Moose, indignant at his stupidity for wasting the trap that had been laid for The Shadow!
Garry was worrying as he let go the cord and pushed open the door of the closet.
Suppose The Shadow should arrive now!
The gangster realized that there was only one course: to release the Chinaman and send him away before The Shadow came.
Garry strode across the room and listened by the steel curtain. He heard a methodical tapping. Had it been hurried or violent, Garry would have been tempted to ignore it. But there was no sign of terror or excitement on the part of the man within. The tapping convinced Garry that he was in error.
Perhaps the Mongolian had misunderstood Wing Toy’s orders — delivered in Chinese. At any rate, the slow, methodical raps indicated that the prisoner was simply signaling for his release, and appeared to be in no great haste.
Cautiously retreating, Garry pulled the switch. The steel curtain rose.
Covering the tunnel with his automatic, Garry approached. The Chinaman came blandly forth, his shoulders stooped, his hands crossed upon his breast. He grinned at Garry.