“Remember this.” Harry Vincent’s words were emphatic. “Gunner Macklin and his gangsters cannot defeat The Shadow. As The Shadow’s agents, we will offset their attacks.
“Palermo may be safe in his Gibraltar, but while he remains there, his schemes will be thwarted, due to the helplessness of his underlings. This means —”
“That Palermo will be forced to come into the open!” exclaimed Clyde.
“Exactly,” agreed Harry, with a smile. “The Shadow has uncovered Palermo’s channels of activity. He is prepared to stop them at every point. We are to aid in that work.”
Clyde Burke arose.
“I’m going back to my office,” he declared. “Don’t be worried”—he noted Harry’s glance of apprehension—”I’ll be careful. I’m going to pick up some of those clippings. I’ll return in a few minutes.”
Going down the corridor, Clyde pondered on the revelations made by Harry Vincent. The newspaperman had been alarmed by the first disclosures. Now he felt confident and mentally at ease.
He opened the door of his office, entered the room, and closed the door behind him. A form precipitated itself from the corner. Clyde saw the foe just in time. He grappled with his adversary, a strong, powerful individual.
Small, but wiry, the ex-reporter fought grimly. Then an arm tightened about his neck. Clyde found himself staring goggle-eyed into the brutal face of his opponent. The man’s lips wore an evil sneer.
The pressure relaxed. Clyde slumped to the floor, half-unconscious. He could barely see the man bending over him, holding the upraised butt of an automatic.