“Stay away from here when I don’t want you around — and come here when I want you” — he rose and stood in front of his visitor, a threatening look upon his face — “here, and remember this: lay off my moll! I saw you looking at her tonight. That’s all right. She’s good to look at. But no more! Get me? If any guy gets funny with that moll of mine, it’s curtains for that guy! Understand?”
Ernie Shires nodded knowingly. He knew the ways of the underworld. Still, Durgan’s warning did not worry him. With a thousand dollars a week, he could find plenty of women without concerning himself over Killer Durgan’s blonde. Durgan would find that out in due time. Shires kept his thoughts to himself.
“That’s all,” concluded Durgan. “Get going!”
Ernie Shires left the apartment. After he had gone, Killer Durgan stood in the center of his luxurious abode, thinking.
At length he laughed, and his face appeared monstrous in the soft light of the beautiful room which harbored its bestial master.
“The Shadow!” muttered Killer Durgan. “The Shadow! After the rackets, eh? Let him come! He’ll find out why they call me Killer Durgan!”
CHAPTER V
MARSLAND MAKES AN ACQUAINTANCE
CLIFF MARSLAND sat in the lobby of Larchmont Court, watching the people who entered and left. His vantage point was a comfortable chair in a corner of the lobby.
Although he was not far from the clerk’s desk, his place was well chosen. He was inconspicuous; yet he could observe every one who went by.