To Harry Vincent, bound and helpless, the arrival of The Shadow was another of those marvelous episodes that he had experienced before.
“The home of Kali,” came The Shadow’s low, ominous voice. “A home prepared for death. I have made it a home of retribution. Your fate has arrived, Henri Zayata — you who call yourself Charn. This spells the end of your crime cult — and your sordid worshipers of Kali.
“Do you think that I have been idle while you planned?” The Shadow’s tones were mocking. “No! I have penetrated to the secrets of your inner shrine. I came here once — and finding the way, I came again.
“I have read your Book of Death. I have delved into your hidden tomes. You lived in India — years ago. There you learned the creed of the Thugs, from one of the few survivors of that notorious caste.
“You brought your learnings here to America. You found converts — they are with you now.
“You love murder — but only murder by the noose. Women are immune from that strangling thread. So you arranged the home of Kali for the girl who would not be your wife!
“You, Henri Zayata, a pretended invalid. A strange man, indeed — with crippled legs, but powerful arms — you, who have killed — and killed!
“You slew Robert Buchanan. Not alone because you loved to kill, but because you wished no rival with the woman you sought. You killed Don Hasbrouck — to silence him and to place the crime upon a harmless old man, Clinton Glendenning.
“There are other murders at your door — and all who have died were betrayed to you by those who pretended to be their friends.
“Larkin is one. He is not here tonight. He betrayed Buchanan. He called you so you could await Hasbrouck and strangle him.