The Mexican grinned.
"That's better," said the old man. "You are becoming interested. A few nights ago, Pedro, you made a great mistake. You left a window loose in the cellar. I do not like you to make mistakes. You have suffered for it. That is why you are wearing the bandage on your head. I am going to give you a chance to make amends for your mistake."
The grin on the Mexican's face broadened until it became an ugly leer.
"This house has been watched," resumed Isaac Coffran. "When young Duncan came in he was seen. He was rescued. He was the only man who has ever escaped me. He will be caught later. But it is more important that we capture the man who caused the trouble. Do you agree with me, Pedro?"
The big Mexican nodded.
"The man we want is called The Shadow," said Isaac Coffran. "He is clever. Like all clever men, he is not always wise. By watching this house he has learned nothing of my plans. For he is still watching."
The old man went to the window and raised a tiny section of the iron shutter. Through it he peered into the street below.
"I cannot see him, Pedro," he said, "yet I know that he is watching. There are shadows in the street, and among them is The Shadow. Let him watch. He will not enter again. We have gone over every place carefully. While he is here watching, he cannot be elsewhere. That is to my advantage. He will learn nothing here. I am content while he stays.
"But he may go away. Perhaps he will not come here to-morrow night. That would be unfortunate, Pedro. For while he is outside, across the street, we can control him. We can trap him. You would like that, wouldn't you, Pedro?"
"I would like it," said the Mexican. "I would like it — very much."