“Good.”
“Wants us to look out for the wife and kids—”
Low responses interrupted. They came from different members of the group, each interposing his own opinion.
“Softhearted, eh?”
“Yeah — we’ll do that—”
“He bungled. Let him think he’s still in the money—”
Half an hour later, Hooks Borglund left the Club Catalina. Shifter Reeves followed five minutes later. Some time afterward, Big Tom Bagshawe made his departure.
It was then that the waiting form of blackness reappeared. It glided through the dark and became a tall, sinister figure clad in black.
Tonight, Police Chief Yates believed that Seaview City had been cleared of crime. While he still entertained that thought, the crime kings — one member short — had met in evil conclave.
There had been five. Now there were four. Three kings, with an ace in the hole. One king was missing. Herbert Carpenter had learned the price of crime; he was to learn the bitterness of treachery.