Again, Carpenter studied the newspaper. He saw an account of veiled remarks that were attributed to Police Chief Yates. The official had inferred that certain members of the Public Safety Committee were responsible for the restriction of the police.
Reporters had interviewed committeemen. Their statements also appeared. Louis Helwig and Raymond Coates had expressed indignation. So had Graham Hurley. Promoter — real-estate operator — hotel proprietor — all these had declared that the interests of Seaview City were their interests; that they were opposed to crime, but that now it had been eliminated, they felt the popular resort should not be subjected to petty restrictions.
A show-down was coming to-morrow night. Until now, the Gazette said, Mayor Rufus Cruikshank had let himself be guided by the sentiment of the committee. But if it came to an issue between the committee members and Police Chief Yates, Cruikshank would unquestionably side with the official in whom he had so much confidence. Mayor and police chief had been in private conference this very night.
A sudden understanding came to Herbert Carpenter. The crooks were meeting tonight to forestall the committee meeting. Carpenter laid the Gazette aside and thought deeply as he watched the foot of the stairway.
Tomorrow, in the evening, Chief Yates would not resign. He would turn in his resignation, but Mayor Cruikshank would not accept it. Instead, the reform mayor would overrule the vacillating Public Safety Committee. Yates would be given full authority to close all gambling houses.
Big Tom’s place would close down before that committee meeting ended! He had seen the handwriting on the wall. Hence the crime kings were now in conclave. Their easy graft was through. Tonight in Bagshawe’s office, they were plotting some great crime to wind up their syndicate activities.
Blackmail was out. Dope was out. It was Hooks Borglund’s turn now. Hooks Borglund — and perhaps Wheels Bryant, too! The ace in the hole! Carpenter knew the lay. Tomorrow night, hard on the heels of the Public Safety Meeting, unprecedented crime would burst!
THINKING deeply, Carpenter knew that Wheels Bryant must have had some close contact with the Public Safety Committee of Seaview City. One of the recalcitrant committeemen — Helwig, Coates, or Hurley — might be his agent. Perhaps all three!
All these thoughts formulated themselves in Carpenter’s mind, and then were crowded by perplexity. Did The Shadow know or suspect these matters? Perhaps yes — perhaps no. Where was The Shadow? Carpenter felt a sudden desire to meet the weird avenger; to tell him what he suspected; yet that was impossible.
The Shadow had vanished. Phineas Twambley was gone from the Hotel Pavilion. The departure had been a mystery. Carpenter realized that he was — to all appearances — playing a lone hand, without the aid of The Shadow. He must rely upon his own initiative.