The quailing men expected doom. The menace of The Shadow’s automatic — the one element of material reality in all this uncanny setting — was something that they could not ignore. But The Shadow’s next words brought gasps to trembling lips. They were gasps of amazement mingled with sudden hope.
“Men have striven,” said The Shadow, “in a vain effort to possess the contents of that box. You three have caused the death of scores of human beings. You are calloused murderers, and you deserve to die.
“But my aim is not to kill” — these were the surprising words that brought flickers of hope to three terror-stricken faces — “no matter how greatly you deserve the death that I could now impose. My purpose has been to end the reign of slaughter, into which many of those who died deliberately thrust themselves.
“It was my task to prevent much that has happened. A bloody trail has followed those stolen trifles. But for my presence here, that trail would continue. I have come to end it forever. I have come to pronounce an amnesty.
“Despicable though you three may be, it is not The Shadow’s province to add more death to a chain that has already stretched too far.”
Wondering, the three men of crime stood gaping. Not one of them had expected mercy from this avenging figure. Yet The Shadow’s words were spoken with an impressiveness that only truth could have.
“You ask how I shall end this trail of blood.” The Shadow’s words were a statement, not a question. “I shall tell you. By removing the cause of bloodshed, I shall prevent future deaths.
“These baubles that you value shall be mine” — the black-gloved left hand indicated the box on the rolling table — “and I shall place them where they can never be reclaimed.”
THE sharp eyes flashed as they stared from man to man. Froman was aghast; Motkin betrayed only anxiety. The Shadow saw the differing expressions. His weird laugh echoed through the dungeon.
“I seek no gain” — there was a strange, knowing note in The Shadow’s whisper — “and even those who seek it cannot find it through those glittering trifles. You who brought them here were gloating” — he looked toward Froman and Noyes — “because you believed you had vast wealth. Your millions are imaginary!”