The odds had been four to one. Yet from the story, Cardona learned that the suspected killer had escaped without firing a single shot, although the minions of the law had blazed at him in vain.
That savored of The Shadow — the strange, mysterious man who had no quarrel with the police, but who battled crooks and defeated them on their own ground rather than operate by accepted police methods.
The Shadow! The very name was taboo, now, so far as Cardona was concerned. The report must label the escaping man as an unknown killer.
That would be the logical description, but if it had been The Shadow, why had he acted in such an amazing manner?
He had used a gun to kill an enemy. He had not resorted to the same device in order to escape. It did not seem consistent — unless one recognized The Shadow.
The sight of the dead man on the floor perplexed Cardona. He began to wonder. Perhaps, at last, the conditions had been reversed.
Given two men, one waiting in the room, the other entering by the window — which would be The Shadow? The man in the room, Cardona supposed.
This man on the floor had been facing the window. He could have been shot down by some one who had entered by the window.
Could this be The Shadow?
Mayhew entered. Cardona began to question the detective sergeant. Mayhew’s story was of little help.