The hammer clicked on an empty cartridge. A second man had staggered, but others were dashing forward. A bullet struck the door. Carpenter dropped back to cover. He must get into that inner room — find another revolver — fight to the death -
HE stumbled over the body of the fallen gangster, and plunged heavily to the floor. He could hear the shouts of the invaders, as they headed to the door. Then came a shot — a second — the roar of powerful automatics. Rising to his knees, Carpenter stared in wonder.
The Shadow had opened fire. Through the open door, Carpenter saw staggering gangsters. One man’s revolver was coming up, aiming toward an opponent whom Carpenter could not see. A roar from a hidden corner of the hall — the gangster tottered, shooting wildly as he fell.
Cries, oaths, heavily falling bodies — these were the sounds that Herbert Carpenter heard. Finding the revolver that lay by the dead gangster, he hurried to the hall to aid in the fray. He stopped, astounded.
The Shadow was master of the battle. Alone — a tall figure clad in black — he was standing guard above the bodies of those who flung themselves to this attack. Men were groaning, moving helplessly. Those who had fled were the only ones who escaped.
A sound of triumphant mirth broke the strange, new silence. The Shadow’s terrifying laugh rang out in victorious mockery. Two gleaming eyes shone as they spied Carpenter. The black cloak swished and showed its crimson lining as The Shadow turned toward the man he had saved.
“Go!” The fierce, whispered word was a command. “Go! You have other work to do!”
The sound of a police whistle came from downstairs. Carpenter nodded in understanding. Here, he would be trapped. Elsewhere, he would he safe. While The Shadow guarded here, it would be his task to thwart Wheels Bryant — the other man who was perpetrating crime tonight.
Carpenter headed down the corridor. He caught one last fleeting glimpse of The Shadow, as he turned to look back. The tall form was disappearing into the open door of Suite 690.
At a stairway, Carpenter ducked out of sight as two policemen dashed by. Then he hurried on, determined to reach his room and telephone to the home of Rufus Cruikshank.