“You think I am a fool?” sneered Zelva. “I should never see one cent of that money. Listen to this
plan”—his voice was sarcastic— “I take the money on my ship, in return for the crew. I shall bring the
money to Legira—to divide with him—”
“No!” interposed Legira. “That would be—”
The Shadow interrupted, with a sweep of one hand. Legira became silent.
“Your terms are accepted, Zelva,” declared The Shadow. “We rely upon you to abide by your promise.
Where is the ten million dollars?”
“In the strong room,” declared Zelva. “There, in a locked box. I have the only key.”
“Order the crew of the Cordova to be placed in small boats,” said The Shadow. “When that is done, you
may take the box from the strong room. You must bring it to Santander—unopened—there to deliver it
to Legira. The division may then be made. Do you agree?”
Legira was about to protest; but stopped as he saw The Shadow's eyes. Zelva, with a smile, bowed in
acceptance of the terms.
“I agree,” he said. “I shall bring the box to Santander; there, we shall divide the money. I shall not open
the box until I meet with Legira.”
“Come to the door.”
THE SHADOW motioned Zelva to the entrance. With his automatic between the man's shoulders, The
Shadow stood behind him. Prompted by The Shadow, Zelva called. A man appeared in the corridor.
“Tell them on the other ship,” said Zelva, “tell them to put the prisoners in little boats. Immediately, you
understand?”
The man went on his errand. Slow minutes passed. The Shadow motioned Zelva through the corridor
and up a flight of steps. They stood in the darkness of the deck. The moonlight showed small boats
beside the rumrunner, awaiting further orders.
“Call two men,” said The Shadow, in a whisper. “Take them to the strong room.”
Zelva obeyed. He did not see The Shadow as he descended the steps, but he knew well that the
menacing man was somewhere present.
Using the key, Zelva boldly unlocked the door of the strong room. At his command, the men lifted the
treasure box and carried it toward the deck.
The Shadow appeared beside Zelva, emerging mysteriously from a darkened corner. They reached the
deck and again the man in black stood behind Zelva, giving his low, whispered orders to the group.
“You and all your men take to the boats,” he said. “You go last, with the box. Send one boat ahead to
order the Cordova's crew to start unmolested when your boats start. You understand?”
“Yes,” returned Zelva.
He called the order. The men on the yacht busied themselves with the boats. Zelva was plotting no
longer. He had the money. He would not fear the Cordova after reaching his own ship.
Zelva was the last to descend the ladder. He heard the voice of The Shadow as he was moving toward
the rail.
“I am watching,” came the quiet words. “Be careful. Remember your promise. Bring the box to Legira in
Santander—unopened.—”
A single boat went ahead to give orders. Beneath the moonlight, wondering men were watching from
both sides. Zelva gave an order. His boats moved slowly forward. A motion was visible from beside the
rumrunner. The released crew was starting on its way.
A strange transfer, yet one that worked perfectly. The crew of the Cordova was within gunshot of the
