Strike out all unnecessary data. Booklet must be greatly condensed to meet specifications." After giving his name and telephone number, Delmuth returned to the filing cabinet and deposited the folder pertaining to the Benefacto account. He went into the private office and obtained his hat.
He strode briskly from the place, locking the outer door behind him.
Going down in the elevator, Delmuth was congratulating himself. He had handled the situation cleverly. He had not only received important messages without the possibility of anyone having learned them, but he had also made it appear that he had an important scheme brewing for that evening — a scheme important enough to attract The Shadow.
Most of all, Delmuth was pleased at the telegram he had dispatched. Apparently a mere detail of the advertising business, it was actually a message to Jeremiah Benson!
The Benefacto Co. was the place where messages were received by Benson. This telegram would be received by a man who would not understand its full import.
Later, that man would receive a call — presumably from Delmuth's office — stating that the telegram should have gone to another account. The message would be read to him. That caller would be Benson!
There were just three words in the message that had significance. Those were the middle words of the telegram.
"Twelve tonight. Strike."
Midnight was the time set for Benson and Grady to do their work. Shamlin and Harmon were to join them near Greenhurst.
Delmuth's destination was the Cobalt Club. He was going there because he was sure that it was one spot where he had been watched by The Shadow.