The setting of this strange scene was the squalid room of an old hotel. An open bag upon the floor showed that the gangster had been about to leave. A doorlike window, with the dim rail of a small balcony beyond, showed the path by which The Shadow had entered to surprise the fleeing man.
"You fear death." The Shadow's voice was ironic. "You killed two men in cold blood, but you fear death, yourself. So I shall let you live" — the sudden hope that came in Forster's eyes ended with the next words — "for a little while!"
The crook chewed his puffy lips. His face had turned white. His eyes were pleading. The Shadow laughed again — the same sardonic laugh that had announced his presence here.
"Murderer though you are," he declared, "you have a coward's heart. Three nights ago you killed two men and fled. You were recognized. The police have been searching for you. They could not find you."
"But I, The Shadow, learned where you were hiding. Now, the police have learned of this place. They are on their way here. Soon, they will arrive."
Hawk threw a frightened glance toward the heavy door. It was his only way of escape.
Yet he dared not move.
The Shadow laughed. The plight of this trapped killer pleased him.
"But unfortunately," resumed The Shadow, "the police do not move as swiftly as The Shadow. Knowing that you might be planning an escape, I came here to hold you for them. Cowards such as you do not belong to The Shadow. So you may live — with one goal: the electric chair at Sing Sing."
"No! No!" gasped Hawk. "No! Let me go! I'll—"