mg.dictatorofcrime-第15章

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　　One　showed　Castenago　taking　the　oath　of　office；　another　depicted　him　delivering　his　inaugural　address。　The　third　was　Castenago　casting　the　single　ballot　that　made　him　president　of　Centralba　for　life。
　　No　other　faces　appeared　in　the　panels。　Hence；　there　were　four　Castenagos　in　the　room…the　one　at　the　table　and　three　portrayed　upon　the　wall。
　　The　living　Castenago　was　as　motionless　as　the　painted　ones；　but　there　was　no　question　as　to　his　reality。　He　must　have　known　the　exact　time　that　it　took　the　silent　elevator　to　go　down　and　up；　for　he　spoke；　without　glancing　from　his　papers；　the　moment　that　The　Shadow　approached　the　table。
　　〃Good　afternoon；　Mr。　Allard；〃　he　said　politely。　〃We　have　an　apology　to　offer　you。　It　concerns　the　search　that　was　made　in　your　room　while　you　were　absent　last　night。〃
　　Castenago's　own　eyes　were　searching　as　they　finally　looked　up。　They　met　a　gaze　equal　to　their　own；　the　steady　one　that　The　Shadow　provided　as　Kent　Allard。　After　a　prolonged　stare；　Castenago　turned　away　and　sorted　the　papers；　picking　the　ones　he　wanted。
　　〃You　knew　that　your　room　was　searched？〃
　　〃I　had　no　reason　to　suppose　so；〃　returned　The　Shadow　coolly。　〃Everything　was　exactly　as　I　left　it。〃
　　〃Two　of　my　best　men　did　the　work；〃　acknowledged　Castenago　in　a　pleased　purr。　〃One　moment；　please；　senor；　while　I　mark　remendations　on　their　reports。　I　shall　tell　them　that　they　owe　thanks　to　you。　You　are　sure　that　you　noticed　nothing？〃
　　〃Nothing　except　that　the　room　smelled　bad。　But　that　didn't　surprise　me。
　　The　windows　were　open　and　the　wind　was　blowing　from　the　general　direction　of　the　palace。〃
　　The　cold　glint　that　flashed　in　Castenago's　eyes　turned　to　a　reflective　stare。　He　happened　to　remember　that　the　palace　lay　in　a　direct　line　between　Mount　Lotomoro　and　the　Imperial　Hotel。
　　The　volcano　had　been　very　smoky　shortly　after　sunset；　sending　a　drift　of　sulphur　fumes　toward　Libertad。　Maybe　Allard　was　allergic　toward　sulphur；　but；　from　the　look　that　Castenago　finally　gave　him；　he　might　learn　to　like　it；　along　with　brimstone；　if　he　wasn't　careful。
　　〃I　haven't　told　you　the　reason　for　the　search；〃　continued　Castenago。　〃It　happened　that　you　left　for　the　casino　earlier　than　the　other　members　of　your　party。〃
　　〃Quite　so；〃　resumed　The　Shadow。　〃I　understood　there　was　a　fiesta；　so　I　took　a　stroll　around　town。　I　met　a　pair　of　your　gatomontes；　by　the　way。〃
　　〃There　is　no　report　to　that　effect。〃
　　〃They　didn't　see　me。　They　were　chasing　fireflies　at　the　time。　I　suppose　they　caught　the　fiesta　fever。〃
　　
　　
　　ALLARD'S　statement　was　so　direct；　that　Castenago　made　a　note　of　it。　His　gatomontes　had　one　weakness；　as　a　rule。　They　tried　to　impress　the　senoritas；　even　when　on　duty。　Since　the　belles　of　Libertad　liked　fireflies　for　their　bs；　Castenago　didn't　doubt　Allard's　statement。
　　It　happened　that　the　dictator　lacked　a　report　from　the　gatomontes　who　had　mistaken　The　Shadow's　flashlight　for　a　firefly。　The　bomb　that　blasted　Peridor's　balcony　had　blotted　them　off　Castenago's　pay　roll。
　　〃My　followers　sometimes　mistake　my　suggestions　for　mands；〃　proceeded　Castenago；　narrowing　his　smudgy　eyebrows。　〃After　the　banquet；　I　suggested　that　you　take　your　friends　to　the　casino。　When　you　left；　it　was　presumed　that　you　had　violated　a　mand。
　　〃A　search　was　therefore　in　order；　according　to　a　recent　regulation。　Had　I　been　notified；　I　would　have　countermanded　it；　but　I　was　busy　with　a　council　meeting。〃
　　The　Shadow　knew　that　Castenago　was　covering　the　facts　of　the　search。　It　had　actually　begun　while　he　was　at　the　casino；　for　it　was　over　when　he　reached　the　hotel；　to　observe　the　car　that　had　followed　the　cab。
　　Evidently　Castenago　was　trying　to　learn　if　Allard　had　returned　to　the　hotel　at　that　time；　so　The　Shadow　didn't　oblige　him　with　any　indication　of　the　fact。
　　Adroitly；　Castenago　shifted　the　subject。　He　dropped　the　matter　of　the　preceding　night　and　referred　to　plans　for　the　ing　evening；　at　the　same　time　introducing　subtle　reminders　of　the　things　he　had　already　said。
　　〃I　understand　that　your　friends　enjoyed　the　casino；〃　declared　Castenago。
　　〃You　will　be　there　again　this　evening　all　the　evening。〃
　　〃At　your　suggestion？〃　queried　The　Shadow。　〃Or　by　your　mand？〃
　　〃Neither；　Senor　Allard。　Let　us　say；　at　my　request。　It　is　sometimes　dangerous　to　move　about　in　Libertad　after　dark。　Last　night；　something　serious　occurred…an　explosion　at　the　home　of　Professor　Peridor。　Now；　in　your　case；　senor…〃
　　As　Castenago　paused；　The　Shadow　inserted　a　statement　in　Allard's　clipped　tone：
　　〃You　told　me　that　you　would　arrange　for　me　to　see　Professor　Peridor。　I　am　still　waiting；　your　excellency。　In　fact；　I　supposed　that　you　called　me　here　to　arrange　that　particular　matter。〃
　　〃I　did；　senor！〃　The　eyebrows　were　moving　in　acpaniment　to　Castenago's　triumphant　tone。　〃I　want　you　at　the　casino；　so　that　I　can　reach　you　promptly　as　soon　as　I　arrange　the　Peridor　meeting。　The　bomb　incident　makes　it　imperative　to　use　caution　in　such　a　meeting。　Not　only　for　your　safety；　senor；　but　for　mine；　and；　particularly〃…his　stress　was　heavy…〃for　the　safety　of　our　good　friend　Peridor。〃
　　Very　cute　of　Castenago；　sugar…coating　everything　in　such　smooth　style。
　　Noting　Allard's　nod　of　acknowledgment；　the　dictator's　thick　lips　stretched　a　smile　above　his　undershot　jaw。　His　eyes　held　their　fixed　glitter；　as　he　added：
　　〃I　am　holding　a　council　meeting　this　evening。　A　usual　session；　but　there　is　no　way　of　knowing　how　long　is　will　last。　One　hour…two…perhaps　more。
　　Which　is　why　I　wish　to　have　you　available；　senor。　I　shall　call　the　casino　immediately　after　the　council　meeting。〃
　　Castenago　arose。　He　stiffened　into　a　Napoleonic　pose。　When　standing；　he　matched　to　an　absolute　degree　the　life…sized　portraits　in　their　gilded　frames。
　　Perhaps　he　was　practicing　for　another　picture；　which　would　portray　him　issuing　a　decree。　The　Shadow　had　risen；　also。　He；　too；　was　standing　stiffly；　until　Castenago　said：
　　〃The　audience　is　over。　My　secretary；　Estaban；　will　escort　you　to　your　car；　Senor　Allard。〃
　　
　　
　　ESTABAN；　small　and　sallow；　stepped　right　up　to　the　desk　and　bowed。
　　Castenago　was　watching　Allard's　face　intently；　to　see　if　it　showed　surprise　at　the　secretary's　sudden　appearance。
　　Not　a　flicker　came。　The　Shadow　had　already　observed　the　silence　of　Castenago's　private　elevator；　and　had　known　that　at　any　time　someone　might　step　surreptitiously　into　the　room。
　　It　was　typical　of　Castenago；　to　have　things　fixed　that　way。　In　an　emergency；　he　could　have　an　assassin　dispose　of　an　unwanted　visitor　by　ing　from　the　noiseless　elevator；　cross　the　heavily　tufted　floor；　and　deliver　a　knife　thrust　in　the　back。
　　Probably　Castenago　had　secret　push　buttons　beneath　the　desk；　where　he　could　press　them　with　his　knee　to　summon　such　creatures　as　Estaban；　or　others　more　formidable。
　　Since　Castenago's　own　chair　faced　the　elevator；　he　alone　could　see　the　solid　door　slide　open。　His　plans；　The　Shadow　took　it；　would　be　so　well　arranged　that　Castenago　wouldn't　even　have　to　signal。　The　mere　pressure　of　the　correct　knee　button　would　bring　the　proper　person　for　whatever　he　wanted。　In　this　instance；　Castenago　had　merely　required　his　secretary；　Estaban。
　　Despite　his　crude　exterior；　Castenago　used　subtlety　in　everything　he　did。
　　The　Shadow　considered　that　point　while　Estaban　was　conducting　him　downstairs。
　　Castenago　hadn't　needed　to　bring　the　secretary；　for　he　had　let　Allard　e　upstairs　alone。
　　Unquestionably；　the　dictator　was　trying　to　impress　the　point　that　a　slinky　assassin；　or　a　pair　of　hefty　gatomontes；　could　have　entered　in　place　of　the　frail　secretary。　In　brief；　Castenago　could　have　done　with　Allard　as　he　chose。
　　Murder；　arrest；　or　safe…conduct　from　the　palace…all　were　the　same　to　Luis　Castenago；　dependent　purely　upon　his　policy；　or　even　his　whim。
　　Unquestionably；　the　demonstration　hid　a　deeper　purpose。　Analyzing　the　case；　The　Shadow　saw　what　it　could　be。　Castenago　was　assuming；　of　course；　that　Allard　might　be　The　Shadow。　He　wanted　Allard　to　be　at　the　casino　this　evening。
　　Therefore；　it　was　logical　that　Murk　Wessel　and　his　fellow　crooks　would　be　absent　from　their　luxurious　hide…out。
　　That　prospect　fitted　perfectly　with　what　The　Shadow　had　told　Peridor：
　　namely；　that　Castenago　and　Wessel　would　have　to　hold　a　get…together。　It　also　jibed　with　Castenago's　mention　of　a　council　meeting；　a　perfect　cover…up　for　a　parley　between　the　dictator　and　Murk's　outfit。　Foreseeing　such　arrangements；　The　Shadow　intended　to　act　accordingly。
　　The　driver　of　Allard's　car　gave　a　sudden　start。　Though　it　was　broad　daylight；　he　fancied　that　he　had　heard　a　faint　echo　from　the　distance。　A　strange　sound；　no　louder　than　a　whisper；　but　it　was　grimly　mirthful；　matching　the　mysterious　laugh　attributed　to　La　Sombra！
　　Anxiously；　the　driver　peered　toward　the　smoking　cone　of　Lotomoro　and　hoped　that　the　reviving　demons　of　Indian　lore　would　be　content　within　their　sulphurous　abode！
　　
　　
　　　CHAPTER　XV　
　　　GAME　WITHIN　GAME　
　　IT　was　still　daylight　when　Kent　Allard　arrived　at　the　Casino　Internacional。　A　mild　play　had　started　at　the　roulette　tables；　and　Pierre　Treban；　the　dapper　manager　of　the　casino；　was　on　hand。　He　gestured　Allard　to　a　place；　only　to　receive　a　negative　headshake。
　　〃I　came　to　find　out　if　the　casino　had　opened；〃　said　Allard。　〃Also　to　learn　if　my　friends　could　dine　here。〃
　　〃As　you　see；　senor；　it　is　open；　and　we　serve　dinner　on　the　terrace。〃
　　〃Good！　May　I　telephone　the　hotel？〃
　　Treban　bowed　toward　a　far　door；　saying　that　it　was　his　office　and　that　a　telephone　was　available　there。　So　The　Shadow　went　there；　called　the　hotel；　and　spoke　to　Margo　Lane。
　　Using　Allard's　tone；　he　asked　her　to　tell　the　others　that　the　casino　was　open。　Then；　formally；　he　added：
　　〃I　should　like　to　have　you　dine　with　me；　Miss　Lane；　here　at　the　casino。　If　you　wish；　I　can　e　back　to　the　hotel　to　meet　you。〃
　　〃That　won't　be　necessary；〃　assured　Margo。　〃I'll　e　to　the　casino。　Where　will　you　be？　At　the　roulette　table？〃
　　〃Not　this　early。　Suppose　we　meet　in　the　gardens。〃
　　The　call　was　finished　and　The　Shadow　was　opening　the　office　door；　when　Treban　appeared。　What　the　dapper　man　said　convinced　The　Shadow　of　what　he　had　already　guessed：　that　the　office　telephone　was　tapped。
　　〃Ah；　Senor　Allard；〃　spoke　Treban。　〃So　you　have　called　your　friends。
　　Perhaps；　while　you　await　them；　you　would　like　to　see　our　gardens。〃
　　Escorted　by　Treban；　The　Shadow　started　his　tour　of　the　extensive　gardens。
　　It　was　only　too　plain　that　Treban　was　conducting　him　through　the　finished　sections　keeping　strictly　away　from　places　where　workmen　were　planting　new　shrubs。　Amidst　his　polite　gesticulations；　Treban　kept　glancing　at　the　sun。
　　He　was　trying　to　stall　until　sunset；　when　the　workers　quit；　but　his　scheme　failed。　As　Treban　pointed　to　a　gorgeous　bed　of　poppies；　Allard　looked　the　other　way；　through　a　miniature　forest　of　thin　bamboo　that　screened　the　rest　of　the　garden。
　　〃Look；　senor。　So　beautiful…〃
　　〃Very　beautiful。　Too　beautiful　to　be　kept　waiting。〃
　　With　that；　Allard　started　by　path　around　the　bamboo　thicket。　Treban　shouted　after　him；　causing　a　group　of　workmen　to　look　up。
　　The　Shadow　saw　their　faces；　those　of　Murk　Wessel　and