'Of course not,' said Carleton.
'That is to our advantage,' said Zubian, with his sordid smile. 'You—I— Devaux—Milbrook—we are the only ones who will know. Therefore one other— The Shadow—will suppose, like Gats and his gang, that the diamonds are still in the safe!'
'I begin to see it now!' cried Carleton. 'You mean that while the diamonds are at Devaux's -'
'Exactly,' interrupted Zubian. 'At the very time of the syndicate office attack—half past nine—masked men will enter and take the diamonds from Devaux's home.'
'And The Shadow -'
'Will be at the syndicate office, battling with Gats. Another point to our advantage. Perhaps, this time, he will fail at last!'
Douglas Carleton could not restrain his enthusiasm. His worry and his nervousness ended, he leaped up and seized Felix Zubian's hand. With glowing terms, he congratulated his shrewd companion.
'Give me credit after to-morrow night,' said Zubian, still smiling. 'In the meantime, instruct Gats and Squint to make their attack. We have long had plans for it, but have kept them in abeyance. Incidentally, I shall need two or three men to help me. Let Squint pick them and arrange a meeting place.'
The two men walked to the door. Zubian watched Carleton leave the room on his new mission.
Returning to his chair, Felix Zubian lighted a cigarette and smiled as he stared through the window to the twinkling lights that sparkled amid the glow of Manhattan.
Somewhere out there was The Shadow—a formidable foe, that spectral shape in black. But Felix Zubian was not worried. His plans were made.
To-morrow night, The Shadow would be outwitted by the strategy of the man who called himself The Shadow's shadow.
To-morrow night would tell!
CHAPTER XXII. CARLETON GIVES ORDERS
AT four o'clock the next afternoon, Shelton Milbrook called at the home of Stanford Devaux. He frowned when he stood in the hall, for he could see the form of Douglas Carleton at the other side of the living room.
A servant approached and ushered Milbrook upstairs to Devaux's study. Passing the living-room door, Milbrook caught a glimpse of Virginia Devaux, seated at the piano. The girl's bright eyes sparkled as she saw Milbrook glance in her direction.
Shelton Milbrook was a man who did not hold mistrusts. Nevertheless, he did not like Douglas Carleton.
It was not because he loved Virginia Devaux that made Milbrook feel this prejudice toward the girl's fiance. Milbrook was too fair-minded to feel antagonism on that account. He merely had the intuition that enabled him to detect Carleton's real character. He seemed to know that the man was crooked.
Virginia Devaux was constantly in Shelton Milbrook's mind. He knew that the girl was unhappy. He had learned that she admired him. The thought that she would be forced to marry such a craven as Carleton was indeed disturbing.
Milbrook had managed to talk to the girl during his recent visits to the Devaux mansion. She had given intimations that proved how greatly she detested the man to whom she was engaged. This had only served to increase Shelton Milbrook's dislike for Carleton.
Stanford Devaux greeted the representative of the United Diamond Syndicate when he entered the study.
The door closed behind them, and the two men engaged in serious conversation.
'Regarding to-night,' said Milbrook, 'I must make sure that everything is properly arranged. You have told no one that you called me regarding the diamonds?'
'No,' responded Devaux. 'I have spoken to no one since last night.'
'Then,' said Milbrook, 'it will be safe for me to bring the entire collection as you requested. You understand, of course, that uncut diamonds valued at two million dollars cannot be handled carelessly.
Therefore, I shall be armed; and I intend to bring another man with me.'
'Certainly,' agreed Devaux. 'I expect you to use every precaution against possible trouble, although I am sure that none will occur.'
'Your purchase, Mr. Devaux,' began Milbrook, 'will certainly be large enough to justify the risk that I am taking!'
'I expect to buy a half million dollars' worth,' said the multimillionaire. 'But I must see the entire collection in order to make my choice.'
'That is agreed,' declared Milbrook. 'I have one question more, however. Who will be here beside yourself?'
'My daughter,' responded Devaux, 'and possibly her fiance, Mr. Carleton.'
Milbrook puckered his lips, and a frown appeared upon his high forehead. Devaux saw his expression and questioned it.
'Do you object?' he asked.
'No,' said Milbrook thoughtfully. 'In fact, I would prefer to have Carleton here—rather than somewhere else.'
There was a significance in the reply. Devaux frowned; then broke into a long chuckle. He arose from his chair and stepped forward to clap Milbrook on the shoulder.
'So you mistrust Carleton!' he exclaimed. 'That is laughable, Milbrook. Carleton is a man of high social standing. Worth a million in his own right!'
'Have you ever seen the million?' questioned Milbrook pointedly.
'What a preposterous idea,' laughed Devaux. 'Carleton is engaged to my daughter. I have approved their marriage. That is sufficient, Milbrook. I unquestionably know more about Carleton than you do.'
'All right,' returned Milbrook reluctantly, 'I shall make no objection to him being here. But if you happen to notice me watching him, don't raise a protest. I dislike the man.'
With that, Milbrook departed, after stating that he would visit the syndicate office some time later, to appear with the diamonds before nine o'clock.
From the tone of his voice, it seemed possible that the diamonds had already been removed from the syndicate's safe in the Archive Building. Stanford Devaux did not appear to be at all interested in the matter. He was looking forward to the display of the diamonds in this room.
PASSING the living room on the way through the hall, Milbrook caught another glimpse of Virginia. He knew that the girl had been watching for his return. A deep blush spread over her face when her eyes met Milbrook's.
'I suppose you love that fellow,' growled Carleton, a few minutes after Milbrook had gone. 'That would be just like you, Virginia, to pick out a rowdy-faced brute like Milbrook.'
The girl stared defiantly toward her fiance. She arose and walked to the door of the living room. There she paused to fling a parting challenge.
'You forget,' she said, 'that you are in my father's home, and that Mr. Milbrook is my father's friend. If you are attempting to draw a contrast between yourself and Shelton Milbrook, I should advise you to study his courtesy and his deportment. You might learn much to your advantage. Shelton Milbrook is a gentleman—not in appearance only.'
The girl swept from the room. Carleton followed her with scowling eyes. Then he laughed, arose leisurely from his chair, and went up the stairs to Stanford Devaux's study. He sat down opposite the millionaire.
'Ah, Carleton,' remarked Devaux, in an easy tone, 'a gentleman was just speaking to me about you.'
'Who?' demanded Carleton. 'Milbrook?'
'Yes.'
'What did he have to say?'
'He doubted the advisability of your being here to-night. He says that he is not convinced of your honesty.'
'Yes? What did you say?'
'I allayed his fears. It will be quite all right for you to be here - under his close observation.'
