Circle of Death

CHAPTER XXIV THE FINAL ORDER

FELIX TRESSLER was in a rage. Stamping across the map room in his penthouse, the fiend was voicing his fury in vile epithets while Perry Harton and Logan Mungren stood in glum silence.

Staring from his corner, Joe Cardona had recognized the reason for Tressler’s fury. Joe knew that the circle of death was failing. Some amazing stranger had put it to the test which it could not stand.

Single lights had blinked; with them had come extensions of the neon line that marked The Shadow’s progress through the zone of doom. Then had come double blinks; these had brought triumphant cries from Tressler’s lips. Yet the neon line had kept moving onward. Lights that had blinked twice were followed by single blinks, as reversals of their previous claims.

Every signal that said death was delivered had changed to indicate only that the victim had passed unscathed. Meanwhile, the neon light had turned corner after corner. Not content with passing safely through the circle, the elusive quarry had picked new spots to conquer!

The neon tubes formed a blazing grille. The Shadow had played hob with Felix Tressler’s circle of death. To add to the raging fiend’s confusion, new tokens of dismay were coming.

Beneath the big map, red lights glimmered. These were evidently signs of emergency. They meant that trouble had come to minions of the circle. For a moment, Tressler stood with clenching fists while his big brows furrowed. Then, with fierce determination, he spat an order to his lieutenants.

“You, Mungren!” Tressler’s command came with a further scowl. “Out to the service elevator. Be ready. Men will be coming up! You, Harton! Get out on the roof. Look over the edge. Watch for any signs from below. Listen for sounds from the street!”

Fuming, Tressler watched the map. Lights were blinking that had shone before. They were coming with many flashes while red bulbs glimmered beneath. The telephone bell was ringing in Tressler’s office. The bulky fiend gave it no attention.

Turning in rage, he happened to spy Joe Cardona. Digging his hand into his pocket, the millionaire yanked out a big revolver.

“You will die, you fool!” stormed Tressler. “You, at least are helpless, even though the circle of death has failed!”

He gestured threateningly with the gun. Then his own words stopped him. Felix Tressler had voiced the truth. The circle of death had failed!

FIERCELY grim, Tressler thrust the revolver back into his pocket. He faced the map. The neon line was creeping toward the rim of the red circle. A single light blinked. It was the one controlled by the doorman at the Hotel Zenith.

“The last spot,” growled Tressler, letting Joe Cardona hear his words. “One man — free from the traps that lie behind him. He is the last I need. He shall be the last that I take!”

Red bulbs were burning. The neon light was creeping closer to its goal. The telephone was persistent in its ring. Wild bulbs were flashing white, upon the map.

“He can be stopped.” Tressler’s voice was determined. “No one can escape the circle of death!”

Striding to the huge map, the bulky man seized a switch which he had not yet touched. This switch was painted red. Cardona could understand its use. It was the control for an emergency signal.

“When this is swung,” Tressler turned to Cardona as he spoke, “the victim will die. A score of men are there to stop him at all odds. Battle will break loose, with many against one.

“After that, your turn will come. Harton will report what he has seen and heard from below. Mungren will admit my men. You will die, because you were a fool.

“There is a fool greater than you. He is the one below there.” With his free hand, Tressler pointed to the map. “He has succeeded because he has dodged traps one by one. Let him fight against odds that will bring sure defeat. The circle of death has worked from cover. It will show its power in the open!”

Another glance at the luminous map. The neon line, gauged to indicate the victim’s speed, was almost at the final light that showed the Hotel Zenith. That was the barrier upon which Felix Tressler counted. That was the spot where the loosing of death would start with certainty!

The bulky man pulled his revolver from his pocket. The weapon seemed to give him zest for his next deed. He was the leader of his warriors. Even though he was high above the street, out of the zone where danger reigned, Felix Tressler was ready for murder.

Joe Cardona watched. The hand moved upon the switch. With a powerful gesture, Felix Tressler yanked the control. Every light went out upon the map. Only the red circle remained. Even the crimson bulbs below were banished.

“Death is sure!” Tressler’s voice was a snarl. “Death to the last of the victims that I need. Death to Channing Rightwood. The signal has been given. One minute longer; then I shall give the word that will bring my victorious fighters to headquarters.

“The circle of death cannot fail. Its work will end with triumph. You, fool!” — he spat the words at Joe Cardona — “You will live long enough to know my joy of victory. After that, you will join the others who knew too much!”

Felix Tressler’s snarl became a fiendish, gleeful chuckle as the ruler of the death circle rested his free hand upon a second switch. Joe Cardona remained silent.

The detective had realized the power of the death circle. Like Felix Tressler, he believed that no living being could escape from that zone of doom, once its hidden forces were launched into final action!