“You accuse me of those crimes,” said Doctor Palermo hoarsely. “Suppose your charges are true. Are they all?”
“They are all.”
A gleam of triumph spread over Palermo’s features. The man in black had arrived too late to hear the first of Palermo’s conversation with Thelda Blanchet. He did not know of the doom now hovering over their next victim, Roger Crowthers!
“I shall consider your terms,” said the physician quietly. “Perhaps I may agree—”
He did not complete the sentence. Instead, he pressed his hands against the arms of the Oriental chair.
The Shadow saw the action, but was too late to respond. There was a sudden puff of smoke from the chair, and with it, the lights of the room were extinguished. The den was plunged into total darkness.
The automatics were in The Shadow’s hands; but as he pressed the triggers, a bulky form plunged upon him. Shots rang out, but the marksman’s aim was deflected.
Hassan had leaped upon The Shadow, and the man in the cloak went down beneath the Arab’s attack.
Hassan was powerful; but he had not reckoned the skill of his antagonist. As the pistols fell from The Shadow’s hands, he struck out with his clenched fist.
His aim was as straight as if the room had been fully lighted. The blow landed squarely on the Arab’s jaw.