Near the top of the stairs The Shadow stopped, and again Betty heard his warning whisper.
They were in the midst of solemn, black silence. The door was but a few feet ahead. Betty could hear nothing, but The Shadow’s keen ears had detected a trifling sound.
There was a shelflike beam at the right of the stairs. Betty felt herself placed gently upon it.
“Stay here,” came the sibilant whisper. “Do not move!”
Betty waited alone. Several seconds went by. The door opened at the head of the stairs.
At first, Betty thought that The Shadow had opened it. Then she saw a face in the dim light above. She bit her lips to repress a cry of horror as she recognized the hideous countenance of Clink.
Betty shuddered and drew the folds of the cloak about her.
Where was The Shadow? Had he left her to her doom?
There was no sound nor sign of him. He had disappeared!
Betty waited breathlessly. She knew that Clink must have suspected something. It was improbable that he had heard the noise from below. Probably he had found the cellar door unlocked.