The tall, extended figure seemed unusually thin. Motkin realized that the prisoner must have lost weight during his recuperation, yet he could scarcely believe that this was the demon fighter who had battled with a hundred soldiers and eluded them.
The prisoner’s eyes were closed. Motkin approached and stood above him. The eyelids flickered, and suddenly Ivan Motkin found himself staring into two steely eyes that met his gaze with a firm, bold challenge.
Motkin stepped back, in spite of himself. He had dealt with hard, unyielding men, and was used to facing eyes that did not flinch; yet never before had he seen eyes like those.
The eyes of The Shadow!
Those blazing orbs made Ivan Motkin tremble. Though he held this man in his power, the Russian felt ill at ease in the presence of those dynamic eyes.
CHAPTER XII. MOTKIN MAKES A PROMISE
IT was several minutes before either spoke. The first words that Motkin uttered were in Russian. He watched those steely eyes, and saw no change in them. The pale face was impassive, also. It was apparent to Motkin that the prisoner did not understand this language.
After a short pause, Motkin spoke in English. His first words were a question, by which he sought to make the other deliver a definite statement.
“Who are you?” asked Motkin.
The thin lips moved in response. Their words were given in a quiet tone, impressive because of its calmness.