"Matter! Don't you see what it does? The Shadow is bottled while Cardona is hot after him. With Cardona out, The Shadow is loose again.
"You don't know The Shadow, Barruci. He spots mobs like a hawk spots a flock of pigeons. He'll be loose, I tell you — loose, here in Chicago!
"Well" — Quellan settled back with a deprecating gesture. "I should worry about it. The Shadow will have enough to keep him busy here. We'll have things easy, back East."
It was the final statement that brought a worried frown to Al Barruci's forehead. He saw the logic in the New York gangster's argument. He stroked his chin reflectively, then said:
"We've gone pretty far with it now. Cardona's got to take the bump. That's all."
"Let him take it," declared Quellan. "He's no friend of mine. But I want to hear him talk before he goes out — and it's more to your advantage than to mine."
Al Barruci was a man who made quick decisions when the occasion called for it. Moreover, he was naturally conservative. Also, he had been somewhat apprehensive about Snooks Milligan's quick action with Joe Cardona.
He realized now that they had worked too hastily. Without more ado, he arose and faced the New York gangster.
"Come along," he said. "Maybe we'll be in time!"
Jake Quellan followed him downstairs. Two men in the lobby arose the moment that Barruci appeared. The four left by a side entrance. Barruci and Quellan climbed into the rear seat of a sedan; the others took the front.