had unearthed the coffer, while Drew Westling had lain asleep from complete exhaustion.
They had taken Drew to the cabin first; then they had returned to the shaft of death to bring the box of millions. Both Harry and Carter had been pleased because Drew was groggy when they took him from the mine. The scenes where the secret entrance joined the shaft were not pleasant to remember.
The metal box had proven, indeed, to be a treasure chest. There was no clew to its placement in the mine. Whether Houston Boswick had taken it there himself—old though he was—or had relied upon trusted helpers, was a matter of speculation.
It was also impossible to determine how long the wealth had been hidden. Two years seemed the limit, judging by some of the documents. Long-term bonds had view with government certificates of high denomination.
Among the mass of wealth, Harry and Carter had discovered a few stocks that were apparently worthless. In their thorough inspection at the cabin, they had found stock certificates showing complete ownership of the Golden Glow Mine—and this had proven to be the mine in which the treasure had been hidden.
AS they rode along toward the Wisconsin border, Drew Westling explained his dealings with Hub Rowley. Harry and Carter laughed when Drew spoke of the I O Us which the dead big shot had held.
“Let some one try to collect now,” declared Carter grimly. “Those are out now, Drew.”
“But if some one does—”
“I’ll take care of them,” laughed Carter. “Don’t worry, Drew. You can put that income of yours away in the bank. You’re due to your share of this harvest.”
A moment of silence; then Carter spoke to Harry.
“And for you, old fellow—”
Harry stopped him with a gesture.
“Forget it, Carter,” he said. “I was working under orders. I’m out of the division.”
“But the—the person who sent you to help me. Perhaps you can arrange with him.”
“Whatever he wishes, he can call for. But you may not hear from him. He does not expect return for what he gives.”
There was a cryptic meaning in Harry’s statement. Carter Boswick smiled seriously as he recalled last night’s events. Then, The Shadow had given— but had avoided all return. He had delivered messengers of lead, and had loosed a thunderbolt of steel. The results had been dire to fiends of crime.
What had become of The Shadow?
Carter Boswick did not know, and be realized that Harry Vincent shared his ignorance. They had both heard the final cry of triumph. But after its sinister echoes, no further sound had come.
Carter had expressed a fear for their mysterious protector. Harry had answered it with a knowing smile. The Shadow triumphant was a living Shadow!
The old mine was again forgotten. Within its sordid corridors, deep silence lay. The bodies of dead men, if ever found, would be taken as the reason for the closing of the mine—years before last night’s event. The shattered wreckage of the death train would appear as evidence of an accident that had been buried to avoid an inquest.
As they reached the Michigan border, Carter Boswick reached into his pocket and drew forth the only documents that he had removed from the chest of wealth. These were the stock certificates of the Golden Glow Mine.
Methodically, Carter tore the papers into tiny fragments. He let them trickle in batches from the window, where a rising breeze swirled and scattered them far apart.
Harry Vincent, smiling, approved the action. Let the forgotten mine remain forgotten. The only records of its existence would appear in those secret books which none would ever find—the hidden archives of The Shadow.
For to The Shadow belonged the triumph. His hidden presence, haunting the innermost recesses of the discovered shaft, had distributed rescue and destruction simultaneously—each apportioned to the ones who rightfully deserved it.
The menace that had threatened Carter Boswick’s heritage was gone forever. Vile schemes had ended—and the schemers had gone with them.
The Shadow had prevailed, and justice ruled!
THE END
