There were shadows there — deep shadows yet no sign of a living being. Zull had his gun ready, but he was not anxious to use it until he found his man — and the man seemed absent. If there happened to be a human being lurking in that darkness, it was plain that Zull had trapped him.
Still, the inspector sensed danger. The man could fire at him from the gloom. Nevertheless, Zull felt that he had the advantage.
In the space of twenty seconds, Zull had eliminated all parts of the cul-de-sac, except two shadowy corners near the far wall. Zull now doubted that any one could be there. But it would be easy to find out.
He turned out the flashlight and crept into the darkness. He weaved his way inward, his automatic moving backward and forward in his hand.
If Zull’s adversary was invisible, so was Zull himself. At the first sound, he intended to fire, spraying that blank wall with quick shots from his automatic.
He stopped as he neared the wall. He listened. There was no sound other than his own breathing. Zull knew that it would be dangerous to approach more closely.
Now was his opportunity. Quick shots — well-spread bullets! That would do the trick! At this close distance, the flashlight would reveal whatever might be there, and there was no possibility of escape.
The inspector’s finger was on the trigger of the automatic. The thumb of his other hand pressed the button of the flashlight.
Instantly, the unexpected happened. There was a man in the darkness, and it seemed as though he had followed Zull’s actions and thoughts with uncanny perfection. For, just as the light came on, a long, black form shot forward from the darkness.
Two arms shot out. Gloved hands caught the inspector’s wrists. Before Zull could fire, his right arm was twisted in a viselike grip. He failed to press the trigger, for his fingers lost their hold upon the automatic.