The Black Falcon

CHAPTER XIV THE SHADOW’S AGENT

ON the following afternoon, a complacent chubby-faced man was staring from the window of an office high in the Badger Building. This gentleman was an investment broker, Rutledge Mann by name, and he spent much of his leisure time in gazing at the pinnacled sky line of Manhattan.

A knock at the door. Mann swerved in his swivel chair and called for the visitor to enter. The door opened and an alert young man stepped in from the outer office. He closed the door behind him. Rutledge Mann smiled as the visitor took a chair beside the desk.

This arrival was Harry Vincent, a friend who called occasionally for business conferences with Mann. To all appearances, Rutledge Mann was an investment broker who made a comfortable living, while Harry Vincent, a man of considerable leisure, constituted one of Mann’s clients.

This surface indication was entirely incorrect. Actually, Rutledge Mann was a contact agent of The Shadow and Harry Vincent was one of the active operatives who served the invisible master. When Harry Vincent called to see Rutledge Mann, it meant that The Shadow’s orders were to be discussed.

“Vincent,” remarked Mann, in a complacent tone, “there is work ahead for you. The duties will be specific ones and they will require vigilance.”

Harry nodded. He knew that Rutledge Mann was speaking for The Shadow. The investment broker had evidently received a communication from the mysterious chief.

“Three nights ago,” Mann went on, “an attempt was made to abduct Rowland Ransdale, a wealthy Western mine owner, from his uptown apartment. This attempt was made by the notorious kidnaper known as The Black Falcon.”

“I have read the details,” Harry stated.

“Ransdale,” asserted Mann, “is leaving New York. He wants more security, because he apparently feels that The Black Falcon may make another attempt to abduct him. He is going to a house in the Catskills — a place which he has long owned.

“Naturally, Ransdale has said very little about this prospective trip and he believes he will be safe where he is going. Nevertheless, it is quite possible that The Black Falcon may have agents on hand at Ransdale’s mountain residence.

“I have investigated through real-estate agents and I have learned the location of Ransdale’s place. It is fifteen miles from the town of Cuthbury and it is located in a region which is almost entirely forest. Ransdale has certainly chosen a safe spot — if seclusion can be called safety.

“You are to go to the town of Cuthbury. Take your coupe with its complete wireless sending equipment and make a complete investigation of the entire terrain. Learn all that you can concerning the protective measures which Rowland Ransdale has instituted.

“Make your reports to me, by mail, so far as ordinary data is concerned. In case that you encounter unusual circumstances, communicate with Burbank by wireless. Remember: your task is to learn all that you can regarding Rowland Ransdale’s location and the trustworthiness of the men who live with him. At the same time, however, do not give any inkling that you are watching Ransdale himself.”

“I understand,” said Harry, with a nod. “Ransdale might think that I was there for The Black Falcon.”

“Exactly,” affirmed Mann. “Your duty requires the utmost discretion. Your reports must be exact in every detail. Be particularly observant whenever Ransdale leaves his place. Those are the times when danger from The Black Falcon may be threatening.”

“How soon do I leave?” questioned Harry, rising.

“At once,” stated Mann. “You can reach Cuthbury this evening. There is a small hotel in the town; you can stay there. Take along the real-estate credentials which you have used on other occasions. They will serve you in this case as the town of Cuthbury is on the border of a vacation district and interest in land development is budding.”

HARRY VINCENT left the investment broker’s office. He rode down in an elevator, strolled to Broadway and hailed a cab. Harry rode to the Metrolite Hotel, his New York residence, and packed a large bag, in which he placed the credentials which Rutledge Mann had mentioned.

Calling a garage, Harry ordered his car to the hotel. Half an hour later, he was crossing the huge George Washington Bridge, in order to reach the west bank of the Hudson River.

Harry Vincent scented adventure. He had found it often in The Shadow’s service. Time and again, Harry had been dispatched upon special duties for The Shadow. As a tried investigator who could play the part of working on his own, Harry had proven his worth.

Yet in his remarkable career as an agent of The Shadow, Harry had never gained facts concerning the identity of his mysterious chief. That was the intriguing feature. Instructions came through Rutledge Mann; Harry sent reports to the investment broker. Burbank, a second contact man, could always be reached by telephone or by special wireless communication.

The Shadow’s mysterious ability to keep his astounding personality shrouded in complete darkness was one that made Harry constantly aware of the power of his chief. There had been other manifestations of The Shadow’s might, however; these had imbued Harry with even greater confidence.

Often, Harry had encountered hopeless situations. He had fallen into the hands of superfiends. Certain death had threatened him and others who sought to obey The Shadow’s bidding. On every occasion, The Shadow had brought aid, even though the attendant difficulties had demanded superhuman prowess.

Thus Harry Vincent had no fear. He was ready to embark on any enterprise which The Shadow commanded. His belief in his own ability was limited; but Harry knew that The Shadow possessed incredible strength and he relied fully upon his master’s strength.

The Black Falcon!

Harry had been sure that The Shadow was on the trail of the supercrook who had stirred Manhattan. Until now, however, no duty in this case had fallen upon Harry. The expected time had arrived. Harry’s part seemed small; yet Harry had played other roles which at the outset had promised little action. This trip to the Catskills, to gain data regarding Rowland Ransdale, was one which might prove of tremendous consequence.

The Shadow, Harry knew, seldom sent his agents on idle quests. Rowland Ransdale, Harry felt sure, must be an important factor in The Black Falcon’s schemes. Harry, as he rode along, was filled with determination to learn every available detail regarding Ransdale’s position.

Then, should The Black Falcon choose to strike, The Shadow, through Harry, would he able to counteract the supercrook. This was Harry’s positive opinion.

The Shadow’s agent held a high sense of the responsibility which involved upon him in assuring the protection of Rowland Ransdale. The Black Falcon was a menace who must be offset at any cost.

Had Harry Vincent known the true situation that lay ahead, his determination would have been tempered with amazement. As yet, however, Harry had gained no inkling of the truth. The instructions from The Shadow, though they had mentioned the threat of The Black Falcon, had shown no knowledge of the insidious facts that lay beneath the unruffled surface of Rowland Ransdale’s affairs.

Harry Vincent was completely ignorant of the fact that Rowland Ransdale was The Black Falcon himself!