Klein was slightly impressed by Cardona’s statements. He became thoughtful.
“We’ve heard about The Shadow before,” he said. “That guy may be all right — he may be crooked. I don’t know. But one thing is sure— he don’t work with the police.”
“Listen, chief,” insisted Cardona. “The Shadow has handled some pretty bad boys in his time. They say that when he tells a crook something is going to happen to him, it happens.”
“I’ve heard that.”
“All right. Argue it the other way, then. He told me he’d put me wise when he got the dope on who killed Lukens. They say The Shadow means what he says. That’s why I’m counting on him.”
“You’re counting wrong, then,” grunted Klein.
A phone rang beside him. He answered it and handed the instrument to Cardona. “For you, Joe,” he added.
“Hello,” said Cardona wearily.
THEN his eyes began to stare. They were looking directly at Inspector Klein, but Cardona was unseeing. His companion looked at him in alarm. The detective seemed gripped by some overpowering astonishment.
“Yes! Yes!” exclaimed Cardona.