"Shadow!" was uttered by a low voice, evidently disguised, and then a hand was extended—for the money, as I well knew.
"Who are you? What do you want?"
"Shadow!" was the single word of reply.
"What do you want?"
"You know perfectly well. If you are villainous enough to keep it all, why, do so!" and he would have glided away.
"Hold on! Here is your share. And now, who are you?" and I bent closer to the mysterious being, and then discovered that I did not see a real face, but a closely-fitting mask, which defied all but the closest scrutiny.
"I am Shadow."
"A detective?"
"Yes. Now go—leave me alone—cease your questioning. And, as you value my friendship (which may be worth much to you) never speak to me again, but act simply as I shall write. You have compelled me to break an oath—be satisfied and go; and never cause me to break a new oath, which I now again make, or I swear solemnly that you shall regret it."
Thus spoke Shadow, and then he went swiftly away, with the most noiseless steps of any human being I ever saw.