“‘John Doe, alias The Shadow,’ would be an actuality. The Shadow — as a personality — is nonexistent. Is that clear?”
Cardona nodded. He saw perfectly the commissioner’s point. Weston was right. Nevertheless, Cardona could not fully reject his own impressions.
“Have you talked with Inspector Klein?” Cardona asked. “He knows something about this—”
“I have held a discussion with Inspector Klein,” interrupted Weston, “and his views are in accord with mine. He has never accepted your view that The Shadow was an actual person.
“Nevertheless, Klein recognized your capability, and accepted your reports in a negative way. When I made it a definite issue with him, he admitted that the only logical viewpoint was the one which I hold.
“On that account, I decided to discuss the matter with you personally.”
“Suppose,” said Cardona, “that I run into another case in which The Shadow figures; that is” — he made a hasty correction — “a case in which I think The Shadow figures. What am I to do about it?”
“THAT is easily answered,” smiled the commissioner. “You will merely be dealing with a person unknown.
“If that person could be apprehended, you should make it your duty to capture him. If there should be no reason to make an arrest of the anonymous person, then take no action.
“Forget your preconceived notion that you are dealing with a mysterious individual who possesses a fantastic identity. However, I do not think that you will encounter the difficulty in the future.”