headquarters.'
Professor Urlich shrugged his shoulders. The gesture annoyed Larry Ricordo.
'That's not all,' added Ricordo. 'I called Grewson — the guy we've got watching Jocelyn. He tells me the
old man is all upset.'
'Over what?'
'Over this stuff in the newspapers. I know why, too. Jocelyn heard me mention Slips Harbeck as my
chief gunner. The old gent had cold feet all along — now he's probably getting worse.'
PROFESSOR URLICH pondered. A cunning gleam showed in his wicked eyes.
'Just what did Grewson say?' he inquired.
'He said that Jocelyn has been ill,' responded Ricordo. 'Sick in bed— doctor coming in and giving him
prescriptions. Grewson is taking care of him. Grewson was glad I called. He don't know what it's all
about, but he's got a hunch that Jocelyn has something on his mind.'
'He has,' commented Urlich dryly.
'Sure he has!' blurted Ricordo. 'He's got us on his mind! Look here, professor. Jocelyn was in on our
first deal, and it flivved. Since then, he's been laying low. He's wise enough to know that we must be
mixed up in these new jobs.'
'Proceed, Ricordo,' mused Urlich, with a smile. 'You are becoming analytical. It is an excellent sign.'
'Well,' continued Ricordo, 'the way I figure it is that old Jocelyn may be thinking we've ditched him. That
sort of lets him out, doesn't it? With all this hokum in the papers, he's getting worried. He's liable to do
something about it, isn't he?'
'What, for instance?'
'He's liable to squeal.'
'Certainly. That is why we have placed Grewson with him. I am pleased to learn that you called
Grewson, Ricordo. It shows intelligence on your part.'
'Suppose Jocelyn does squeal?' insisted the gang leader. 'What good is Grewson then? I tell you,
professor, I'm worried.'
Professor Urlich closed his eyes. A meditative smile appeared upon his ugly lips.
'Ricordo,' he said thoughtfully, 'I do not suppose that you are familiar with the game of chess. The pieces
on the board are like tiny human beings. The object is to checkmate the opponent. In doing so, one
frequently finds it wise to sacrifice a major piece.
'So far, we have dealt chiefly with pawns. The opening game is ended. We have passed the period of
conventional tactics. My early attempts at a checkmate failed. The time has come for more startling
strategy.'
Larry Ricordo gaped. He wondered if the scientist had lost his mind. Then he saw the professor's eyes
open and the brilliance of their gleam reassured the gangster.
'Tell me' — Urlich's tone was firm—'what led the police to Slips Harbeck? How did they learn of the
trap I had you place in Joyce's office? The underworld is your ground, Ricordo. Slips Harbeck is your
man. Give me your theory.'
Ricordo's puffy lips spread in evil satisfaction. This was his turn to analyze. Professor Urlich was asking
his opinion. The gang leader was pleased, especially as he was sure he had the answer.
'There must have been two guys listening in at Red Mike's,' asserted Ricordo. 'One was Cliff Marsland,
The Shadow's stool. The other must have been Joe Cardona's stool. That's why Cardona grabbed Slips
and went to Joyce's office himself. I know the way those dicks work.'
'An agent of The Shadow,' laughed Urlich, 'and an agent of the police. What do you suppose those two
will do now, Ricordo?'
'They'll hang around Red Mike's,' returned the gang leader promptly. 'For a while, anyway. They'll be
looking for a new guy to watch — some one instead of Slips Harbeck.'
'Excellent,' remarked the fiendish scientist. 'We shall give them some one else.'
'You mean another guy like Slips?'
'One better than Slips.'
'Who?'
'Yourself!'
RICORDO leaped up from his chair. His eyes were wild. He began an incoherent protest. Professor
Urlich smiled and waved the gang leader back.
'Hear me out, Ricordo,' said Urlich. 'I am planning a perfect thrust. I must rely upon you.'
'But suppose that Cardona has made Slips squawk?' protested the gang lord. 'Maybe he hasn't done it
yet; maybe he will, though.'
'That does not matter,' declared the scientist. 'In fact, it is essential that you should make it apparent that
you are Slips Harbeck's successor. You must play the part that Slips has played. You are the one who
will lure The Shadow to certain doom.'
'Yeah? And suppose the police — '
'Let me question you once more, Ricordo. You speak of underlings whom you call stool pigeons: one
belonging to The Shadow; the other to the police. You know that one is named Cliff Marsland. Do you
think that you could recognize the other?'
'Sure. I could spot him if I was looking for him.'
'Since there is no evidence that Cardona has learned that you are Slips Harbeck's chief, do you suppose
that he would have detectives in the vicinity of the place called Red Mike's?'
'No. Cardona would keep them away. He'd be waiting for some guy that looked suspicious. He'd leave
that to the stool. If I showed up there, and the stool spotted me, Cardona would hear about it. My next
trip to Red Mike's would be just too bad for me.'
'Excellent,' expressed the professor. 'We can assume that The Shadow, too, will utilize the same
system.'
'Sure,' agreed Ricordo. 'He can't know that Slips Harbeck tipped us off about Cliff Marsland.'
'Very, very good,' smiled Urlich. 'My scheme will be to your liking, Ricordo. We are dealing with the
underworld. There, violence is useful. How quickly could you assemble a squad of gunmen, Ricordo?'
'A mob of gorillas?' Ricordo laughed coarsely. 'I can get them quick. No trouble in that, professor.'
'Excellent. Obtain such men. Take them with you to Red Mike's. Play the part of Slips Harbeck's
successor. Simply call a false phone number and repeat certain information.'
'And the mob?'
'Your men will serve two purposes. First, to eliminate the police spy, so that he cannot carry information
back to headquarters. Second — '
'To get Cliff Marsland!'
'To capture him; not to kill him. They must not touch him until after he has communicated with The
Shadow and informed his master of your plans.'
'But if The Shadow gets on my trail' — Ricordo's voice was doubtful — 'I'll be in a jam, professor!'
'The Shadow will not follow you,' announced Urlich. 'He will find much to occupy him at the destination
which you name. There will be work there for The Shadow. Work, with unexpected consequences. If
my new plan prevails, the career of The Shadow will be terminated.'
'What'll I do? Scram?'
'You will return here. If your men capture Cliff Marsland, they will carry him to a designated point. There
