The Shadow’s left hand, with its fire opal gleaming, spread a sheet of typewritten memoranda — the report which Claude Fellows had supplied that morning.
The pencil crossed out the statement: “Conclusion. There is no possible connection between the two murders.” Then Fellows’s carefully prepared report was crumpled, and the hand thrust it beneath the cloak.
The right hand was at work, writing words that seemed to form from clear, active thoughts; words which covered some of the lost clues gathered by the late Detective Griffith; words that added new information, including items from Fellows’s condensation of the newspaper accounts.
Jarnow came to Philadelphia from Springfield. Probably from Blair Windsor’s summer home. He called Henry Windsor by telephone from New York. Urgent appointment. Jarnow feared pursuit. Jarnow was restless while waiting. Tore up Pullman check. Locked door, and probably window. Admitted Henry Windsor. While they were talking, the pursuer entered the room — with skeleton key. Slid his body around side of doorway. Closed door. Fired fatal shots. Turned out light. Murderer acted quickly. Wiped light switch with handkerchief — mark of cloth in dust on shade. Wiped revolver. Wiped lock of window — mark in dust on top of window. Did not lift shade; pushed it back with arm. Tiny cloth mark on edge of shade. Used handkerchief on sill when hands were left there. Murderer feared all clues were not destroyed. Returned to vicinity. Observed Detective Griffith. Followed him to morgue. Stabbed him. Took articles that had belonged to Jarnow.
The hand stopped its writing. Then came these words:
The murderer is five feet nine inches tall. Weighs approximately one hundred and sixty pounds. Wore black shoes, and a blue suit of rough cloth. Is right-handed. A crook of experience who can use a gun or a knife with equal facility.
Then these notations were added:
In appearance, the man is striking. Jarnow must have recognized him immediately. Yet he does not appear to be a crook; he is smooth, and convincing. Griffith did not suspect him.
Sounds came down the stairs. The outside door of the morgue clanged shut. Yet the figure at the desk still wrote.
Immediate danger threatened Henry Windsor. Something transpired in Massachusetts. Vincent to visit Blair Windsor. Radio communication must be established. Identity of murderer may be learned in New York.