Al Barruci was a diplomatic personage. As a result, he worked well with the former vassals of Gallanta. He, alone, knew their doings, and they followed his advice in all matters. When Barruci advised, he was actually giving orders. But he was crafty enough to make it appear otherwise.
To-night, Al Barruci was comfortably ensconced in his suite at the Napoli. The prestige that he had gained through Mike Gallanta was serving him well.
By being conservative, Barruci encountered very little trouble. But as the right bower of the absent big shot, Barruci was still a power to be feared.
It was a known fact that he seldom stirred from his comfortable abode. It was that very fact that made prospective enemies wary of him.
The telephone rang, and Barruci answered it. He listened in mild surprise as a name was announced from the desk downstairs.
"Tell him to come up," he ordered.
There was a rap at the door a few minutes later. Al Barruci opened the portal and a tall, hard-faced man entered. It was the visitor— Jake Quellan— a noted New York racketeer.
Barruci had met the man before, when Quellan had conducted secret negotiations with Gallanta. He was puzzled by this surprise visit.
"What brings you to Chicago?" he questioned affably, as they sat down in the living room. Quellan lighted a cigarette before he spoke. He looked firmly at Barruci, with cold, staring eyes.
"I'm after a guy that is here in Chicago," declared the New York gangster. "Maybe you've heard of him. They call him The Shadow."