"By mistake, Grady murdered an innocent victim. There was another man, who escaped your weakened bridge. You left him in a burning house. He was rescued. That is news to you!
"Grant Chadwick knew facts concerning Mayo. He also possessed interests which Mayo coveted. Grant Chadwick's death was cleverly contrived by Delmuth. The old man's nephew was the killer. Like Delmuth, Denby Chadwick has paid the penalty.
"One more remained. Paul Hawthorne. He knew less than the others regarding Mayo's ways. But he knew too much. So a killing was arranged here tonight.
"The cleverest part of all the scheming was the arrangement between Mayo and Delmuth.
I discovered that one night when Delmuth went to Mayo's home. He took an envelope with him.
"After leaving Mayo's home, he removed a paper from the envelope and destroyed it.
There was just one inference; Delmuth took a message to Mayo and brought away another; Mayo removed the first and put the second in its place. I saw through that scheme."
Benson was still glaring, but the amazed look in the old man's eyes showed that The Shadow's statements were correct.
"Delmuth and Mayo!" said The Shadow. "Pretended enemies! Actually, the brains of a blackmail ring, beginning operations on a tremendous scale. Eliminating those who might interfere.
"You, Benson" — the voice was ironical — "were but a tool in their hands. A tool, for them; just as Grady was a tool for you."