“As long as you require.”
A laugh came from the other end of the wire. It was not the usual laugh of The Shadow. It carried no triumph; it bore no mockery. It was a dull laugh that seemed to indicate disappointment. Harry was perplexed.
“Hurry back to the little room and order Palermo to come back with you while you resume conversation with me. Hurry, or you may be too late!”
Harry rushed upstairs wondering. He had been watching the top of the stairs all during his conversation with The Shadow. What had The Shadow meant by the words “too late”?
Harry reached the top of the stairs. He had his automatic in readiness; already his command to Palermo was on his lips. Then he stopped short in astonishment.
The little room was empty! Silently, mysteriously, Doctor Palermo had completely vanished from the room with its single door and its boarded window!
Somehow, he had escaped from the trap — more than that, Clyde Burke had vanished with him!
CHAPTER XVII. THELDA TELLS
“BURBANK reporting.”
The voice came through the receiver of a telephone.