A moment later, Flash Donegan was with the two men. Dip Riker responded to his chief’s low greeting. Cliff was tense now. He sensed that an explanation was forthcoming in regard to tonight’s strange operations. It was his duty to pretend to work with this gang up to a crucial point; and he felt that the climax was approaching.
“We’re all set,” declared Flash Donegan. “Things are going to happen soon, and we’ve all got jobs ahead of us. Listen, while I spring the dope:
“Lance is at one end of the alley. Gringo Butz is at the other. Tony Caprona is in the middle. They’ve let all the guys through — the ones that gave the signal. Now there’s trouble coming, and we’re going to fight it out.
“A few night ago, Lance and his gorillas knocked off a bird called Crazy Louie. Last night they bumped a guy named Snooper Perry. I’ll tell you what those bimbos were. Stools, that’s what — stools that Joe Cardona sent out to trail Gringo Butz and Tony Caprona.”
A surprised ejaculation came from Dip Riker.
“Last night,” went on Flash, speaking hastily, “you and I had an important job, Marsland. I called the big shot — the fellow that’s behind all this — and tipped him off. He told me to meet him.
“He and I did the job. He bumped off one guy, and I nabbed another. Listen, Dip: The guy I nailed was that same one you let get away from you.”
“Vincent?” questioned Dip, amazed. “The Shadow’s stool?”
“Yeah. I turned him over to the big shot. Maybe he’s gotten the works by now. That’s why I called you, Dip, and had you meet Marsland, at the Club Yama. I couldn’t get there.”
MATTERS were clearing up in Cliff’s mind. He had been wondering why Flash Donegan had not shown up — why Dip Riker had come in his place. The mention of Harry Vincent chilled him.