“That’s all?”
“That’s all I heard!”
CLIFF was silent. He had expected this. He wondered how soon The Shadow’s return message would arrive. He was positive that it was now being relayed to the master mind. There could not be long to wait.
Cliff was oblivious of the girl’s presence until he felt her press his arm more closely, and heard the pleading tones of her whispered voice:
“Cliff!” she was saying. “Cliff! You know why I’ve told you this, don’t you? You know — I love you! Don’t you care for me, Cliff?”
“Yes,” replied Cliff. “I care for you, Madge.”
He spoke truthfully. The girl’s love for him was positive. Cliff knew that Madge would make any sacrifice for him.
It had been a long time since he had known a woman’s love. Her words struck a responsive chord. She was a woman of the underworld, young but worldly wise.
Past recollections swept through Cliff’s mind. Once he had known a wonderful girl — but that must be forgotten now. After all, he belonged to the underworld now. Madge was the type of girl that he must accept, unless he chose to ignore women entirely.
She was looking up at him now, and he could see her eyes in the dimness of the room eyes that sparkled with tears, he fancied. Cliff bowed his head to give her the kiss she desired. At that instant, the telephone rang.