Cliff was rooted to the spot. He saw The Shadow turn and move along the corridor with rapid, amazing strides. The man in black seemed to melt into the curtains that hung from the entry to the main room of the Club Drury.
Ernie Shires dashed into the corridor, followed by two henchmen. Instantly, Cliff sprang through the panel, pushing Nipper ahead of him.
He had been spotted by Shires, but he had escaped in time. Shots came from the corridor. Nipper leaped back and flung the panel shut, bolting it.
“Scram!” he said. “Quick! Along with me!”
They turned a corner of the pitch-black passage, while shots and pounding came from the panel behind them. Ernie Shires and his gang had been thwarted of their prey!
Nipper opened a door and pushed Cliff out into the drizzling night.
“Beat it, Cliff!” he said. “I’ll take care of this. They’ll find me loafin’ downstairs. Listenin’ to the orchestra. Don’t worry about me. An’ when you want me, Cliff, call me here.”
Cliff thumped his companion on the back. He stepped to the sidewalk of the alley and walked briskly until he came to the avenue. There he walked another block, and hailed a passing cab. He rode to Larchmont Court.
BACK in the darkness of his room, Cliff sat beside the window. The lighted clock showed half past eleven. The advertising sign flashed intermittently, its border following its usual regularity.
“The Shadow!” murmured Cliff. “It was The Shadow! He saved us! He must be able to see in the dark — to know without seeing! He knew that I had made my get-away. Then he made his; and drew that gang after him, to make sure that I had all the chance I needed!