"I thought so," said Isaac Coffran with a cunning smile. "So I am going to trap him, Pedro, and you are to help me."
* * *
The Mexican's smile disappeared. His face became malicious. He drew the large machete from his belt.
The fingers of his other hand twitched as though eager for vengeance.
"Not that way, Pedro," said the old man. "I said that you do not think, and I speak the truth. The Shadow is too wise to enter here without a reason. You would have me leave the front door open, I suppose, thinking that he would enter. That action, Pedro, would make him stay away.
"Why is he waiting and watching? Not because he expects some one to arrive, but because he hopes some one will leave. He knows who is in the house. He knows that I am here. He knows that you are here. If we leave, we will be followed. So you will leave Pedro. You will go out hurriedly, but you will make no sign to indicate that you know some one is there — across the street. Do you understand?"
"Si, senor," replied the Mexican. "I understand. What do you wish that I should do?"
"Three years ago, Pedro," said Isaac Coffran reflectively, "we disposed of a troublesome person. He was annoying — like this Shadow. He had cause to follow you. So I let him follow you. You went to a little store a few streets away. You remember the place. From there you went to a place called the Black Ship — downstairs — underground — where men drink."
"I remember," replied the Mexican. His evil grin reappeared. "I remember what happened there. I went through the big room—"
"That is enough," interrupted Isaac Coffran. "Pedro, you know well that I have many ways and many plans which I use to remove those persons who are troublesome. I seldom use the same method often.