A clipping lay upon the insurance broker's desk. He had clipped it from a paper that morning. It stated that Harrison Glover, a real-estate man of Scranton, Pennsylvania, had mysteriously disappeared.
The missing man had left home Monday afternoon, stating that he would be home Wednesday night. He had not come back. There were important reasons why he should have been back in Scranton at the time he had stated. His case had been reported to the police, but they had no clue regarding him.
"The fourth man," murmured Fellows. "Missing. Vincent was mistaken when he reported he had discovered the meeting place. The Shadow has failed to appear."
It was the first time in Fellows's experience that such well-laid plans had gone wrong. Where was The Shadow? In New York? On another enterprise, relying solely upon Vincent?
Fellows shook his head. It seemed more likely that The Shadow had met with foul play, The chubby man mopped his forehead with his handkerchief.
The telephone bell rang. Fellows lifted the receiver of the instrument.
"Mr. Fellows?" came a voice.
"This is Mr. Fellows."
"I am Doctor Wells, of Merwyn, New Jersey. Are you a friend of Lamont Cranston, who lives near here?"
"I am."