“O.K.”

“I was worried about you. I just came down to the lobby — your key was out — I knew you were upstairs.”

“Worried about me?”

“Yes — because I was afraid you might get into trouble — on account of Ernie!”

“Don’t worry. I’m all right!”

“Gee, that’s great, Cliff. I can’t talk any longer. I’m in the drug store down the street. I’ve got to get back. But gee, Cliff, if anything ever happened to you — I don’t know what I’d do. Remember that, won’t you, sweetie?”

“I’ll remember!” said Cliff softly.

He hung up the receiver after Madge had said good-by. He waited for a minute; then called the operator and gave the number that he had called when he had made his first report to The Shadow.

CHAPTER X

ERNIE COMPLETES PLANS