“Your fault, Cardona, is lack of analysis, so far as this one point is concerned. You have permitted yourself to fall into an error that could cause you disaster.
“Suppose that criminals at large should learn of this absurd notion? Suppose, also, that your mistaken judgment should be supported by our other detectives?
“Surely you can see the logical result,” continued the commissioner. “Any malefactor who chose to hide himself within the folds of a black cloak would enjoy virtual immunity.” The commissioner smiled.
“He could come and go at will — while in their reports, detectives would mention The Shadow — and that would be the end of it!”
“That’s a bit exaggerated, sir,” objected Cardona. “You’ve got to see my viewpoint. The Shadow doesn’t appear every day in the week — not by a long shot! But whenever he has shown up, it’s always helped.
“I didn’t have to mention him in my reports. None of that stuff went to the newspapers. At the same time, I’m positive that The Shadow was in the picture — and it was my job to say so!”
“Cardona,” said Weston seriously, “I gave you an exaggerated impression merely to enable you to appreciate your own mistakes.
“No thinking man could share your views on this matter of The Shadow. Let us agree that some unknown person, or persons, can be connected with certain crimes that have occurred.
“To give that person, or those persons, an identity that is vague and uncertain is an unwarranted procedure.
“As your superior, I am instructing you at this time to make no such references in the future. Should you discover any one who has cloaked himself in black and has adopted the name of The Shadow, you may make a report to that effect.