The Chinese Tapestry

CHAPTER XIX. THE SHADOW’S RETURN

AT the exact time when The Shadow had entered the Chinese Room of the Oriental Museum, two men were engaged in stealthy action elsewhere. Dave Kelroy and Colin Eldreth had no roof to scale; their task had been to drop from one, after sliding from the window of their hotel room.

Unheard by The Shadow’s agents, Dave and Colin had made their getaway. Sneaking along a cement passage beside the Thurbley Hotel, they gained the street and entered Colin’s coupe. A chuckle came from Colin as he started the car and piloted it slowly through the fog.

“Just midnight,” commented Colin, glancing at the clock on the dashboard. “Well, this has been an eventful evening. It was about eight o’clock when I arrived at the Club Monterey. It was around ten when I landed back at the apartment. I couldn’t have stayed there more than half an hour, because I reached your hotel before eleven.”

“You came in there at quarter of eleven,” recalled Dave. “We stalled for more than an hour, bluffing those fellows in the next room.”

Colin’s time estimate had been approximately correct. His evening, however, had not been surprisingly eventful, when compared with The Shadow’s. That strange master of the darkness had accomplished many results in the same time period.

The Shadow had visited the Coronado Apartments at dusk. Following Colin to the Club Monterey, he had picked up Hype Mellick’s trail shortly after eight. The trip to the Latin Quarter had been a rapid one; for The Shadow’s fight with the two Mexicans had begun at approximately eight forty-five.

Then had come his search through the hidden lairs of Chinatown, a quest that had not ended until a quarter past eleven. In forty-five minutes since his interview with Tsing Chan, The Shadow had gone to Colin Eldreth’s; then on to the Oriental Museum. Even the heavy fog had failed to halt The Shadow’s speed.

Of these facts, Dave and Colin knew nothing. As they rode along, their talk concerned the spies who had been in Room 306. Dave was wondering who they could have been.

Colin’s opinion, as expressed by him to Dave, was that the spies must represent the same crime faction that had caused the previous trouble.

“I’m not sure of that, Colin,” objected Dave. “Remember, there were fellows who tried to help me out. I can’t forget my mysterious rescuer, that night at Ku Luan’s; nor that fight at the Chinese bazaar.”

“I don’t know much about Ku Luan’s,” returned Colin, “but the fracas at the bazaar was a general mix-up. You can’t count too much on more aid from fellows who simply pitched in to help you during a brawl.”

“But the being in black was like a ghost, Colin. I saw him at Ku Luan’s. He could have been the same person who appeared at the bazaar. The man who bid one hundred thousand dollars for the teakwood box—”

Colin broke in with an interruption. He was pointing from the window of the coupe, as they swung along a steep street. He was indicating the lighted windows of a fog-wreathed house.

“We’re passing Mark’s place,” remarked Colin. “He’s getting to be a regular night owl. Fancy it! Entertaining until after midnight!”

The high notes of a soprano voice came from the windows. Dave and Colin heard a flurry of applause from clapping hands. As the coupe rolled along, Dave made comment.

“IT’S a late recital,” he stated. “It wasn’t scheduled until after eleven o’clock. The singer is a concert artist, who had an earlier engagement. Mark told me about it while we were driving in from the museum.”

“He did, eh?” queried Colin, sourly. “Well, why wasn’t he decent enough to invite you?”

“He did invite me,” returned Dave, “but he mentioned that it was to be a dress affair. I don’t have any evening clothes. That’s why I declined.”

“Too bad you didn’t show up at the apartment,” jeered Colin. “I’d have loaned you my tuxedo, or a full-dress suit if you preferred. You’d have been in time for that eleven-o’clock concert. Humph! Maybe I’m wrong; but I can’t see why I shouldn’t gamble my dough if Mark wants to spend his entertaining a bunch of stuffed shirts.”

“It may be good business on his part, Colin. He may make social contacts which count.”

“He does. You can trust Mark for that. He always kowtows to people who have wealth. Mark wouldn’t spend a nickel if he didn’t think it might lead to some business deal later. Grabbing money, stowing it away — those are his only aims in life.”

Dave was silent. He felt that Colin’s criticism of Mark was too caustic. Colin darted a sidelong glance at his companion; then decided that it would be best to temper the remarks that he had just made.

“Maybe it’s just sour grapes on my part,” said Colin, casually. “Mark has been successful. I haven’t. That is probably why I like to crab about it. Mark is all right; he and I just have different ideas, that’s all.”

The note in Colin’s voice was convincing. For a brief interval, his renewed friendship with Dave had been tending toward another break. Colin had smoothed matters neatly. He was smiling to himself as he pulled up in front of the Coronado Apartments.

WHEN they reached the second floor of the apartment house, Dave was surprised to see Colin turn the doorknob of his apartment without first employing a key.

“You left the door unlatched?” he inquired. “What was the idea, Colin? Anyone could have walked into the place.”

“I left it unlatched for you,” returned Colin, pressing the light switch. “I told you I’d keep it unlocked so you could come in without a key.”

“But that was before you started down to the hotel. You knew you were going to see me, the last time you came out. It was foolish to leave the door unlocked.”

“I forgot all about it. Don’t worry. Nobody has been in here. If—”

Colin broke off. Dave was staring at the table. Colin saw him advance in slow, mechanical steps; then he, too, spied the object that had caught Dave’s eye. It was the teakwood box, with its silver dragon top!

“Look!” Dave was gasping. “How did this come here? Who brought it, Colin?”

Eagerly, Dave yanked open the lid. He saw the folded silk. He pulled out the tapestry and spread it, his eyes lighting as he observed the squares and their curious, embroidered symbols.

Dave caught a glimpse of Colin’s face. Hand to chin, Colin was staring, his expression almost one of anger. Before Dave could speak, Colin wheeled away and headed for a bedroom.

A sudden suspicion gripped Dave. Colin had left the apartment door unlocked, excusing it only on the ground of forgetfulness. Someone could have come in here; someone whom Colin had expected.

Such a person could have left the teakwood box. There was good reason to believe that the visitor was a pal of crooks. A pal, perhaps, of Colin, also.

Colin was coming from the little room. He was carrying his tuxedo coat. His hand was fumbling in a pocket. Dave made a forward bound and grabbed Colin’s arm. He shoved Colin backward and wrenched away the tuxedo coat.

“Getting your revolver?” demanded Dave. “No wonder. One of your cronies made a slip, didn’t he? He should have put the box where I couldn’t see it.”

Momentary rage had dominated Colin’s countenance. Dave scowled. He was ready for a fistfight, confident that he could settle scores with one lone antagonist.

“You gave it away, Colin,” he accused. “I saw your face before you made that dive into the other room. Well, before we settle things, we’ll eliminate the gun that you were going after.”

DAVE shot his hand into one pocket of the coat. It was empty. He reached into the other. Instead of metal, he found crinkly paper. Puzzled, he pulled out a sheaf of square sheets.

“The prayer papers!” he exclaimed. “The ones that you found here, Colin! With a list—”

“Never mind an apology, Dave,” interposed Colin, in a smooth tone. He was smiling as he calmly began to light a cigarette. “You were excited and so was I. That was why you misunderstood my actions.

“I suppose I looked rather sore for a minute, didn’t I? Well, no wonder. I was mad because I had been dumb enough to leave the door unlocked. I was afraid that the fellow who left the teakwood box had found the prayer papers.”

Pausing, Colin eyed the unfolded tapestry. He shook his head; then spoke in a persuasive, purring tone.

“I can’t guess who brought the box here,” was his comment. “It is a mystery to me, Dave, and a deep one. But if that is the right tapestry, we are in luck. Suppose we look over the prayer papers and try to match them with it.”

Dave nodded in agreement. He began to sort the prayer papers. He noted that the wad was not unusually thick.

“Are these all of the prayer papers?” queried Dave. “I saw some up at the museum today. It seemed to me that the curator had a larger variety.”

“These are the most important ones,” returned Colin. “I was sorting them out this afternoon; and I picked the ones that I thought might apply to the treasure. The rest are in the Mah Jong cabinet in the corner.”

Dave was laying out the first row, from the papers in his hand. He completed it and began the second.

Hurrying through, he finished the third and fourth rows. Colin approached to join him in an eager stare. In choppy sentence, Dave read the rows aloud:

“‘Key small find. Unlocks gold treasure. Large statue beneath. Casket one single.’”

Colin grinned, half laughing.

“Pidgin English, all right,” he remarked. “What do you make of it, Dave?”

“It’s plain enough,” returned Dave. “Find the small key and unlock the gold treasure that lies beneath the large statue. The gold will be in a single casket. Colin, it’s obvious that this refers to the Chinese Room at the museum.”

“Where are those keys that Ku Luan gave you?”

“Here.” Dave produced the long keys from his pocket; then shook his head. “None of them are small ones, though. There must be another key — a little one.”

“Which you don’t have. That is an obstacle at the very start.”

“I don’t see why.” Dave glared, almost angrily. “The first job, Colin, is to find the casket that holds the gold treasure. So we’ll start at the museum.”

“It is closed tonight.”

“But I’m not going to wait until morning. I’m going to call Dryer. He is the one person who can help us.”

“He is over in Berkeley, Dave”

“That’s where I’m going to call. Then I’ll get in touch with that police inspector, Romson. It is time we brought in the law, Colin.”

DAVE was determined in his statement. His eyes showed new suspicion. Colin noted it; then shook his head.

“Still doubtful, aren’t you?” he inquired, in an injured tone. “Just because I want to study matters before we make too rapid a move. Be sensible, Dave. I’m ready to agree with you on certain points.”

“Which ones?”

“About going to the museum tonight. You are set on the idea. I begin to think that you are right.”

“But what about calling Dryer?”

Colin shook his head.

“Calling the police inspector, then?”

Another headshake.

“The right man to call,” stated Colin, slowly, “is Doctor Barnett Lestman, the curator. He has full charge of the Oriental Museum. It would not be wise to question his authority. Furthermore, we should begin with a quiet investigation.

“If you call Dryer, you will have to make long explanations. You will have to do the same if you call Romson. This is no time for useless discussions. Call Lestman; tell him that you would like to meet him at the museum.”

Dave nodded. Then his face became doubtful.

“I met Doctor Lestman for the first time this afternoon,” he declared. “He was cordial; nevertheless, he might be mistrustful.”

“Tell him,” suggested Colin, “that you are coming to the museum with Mr. Eldreth.”

“You want me to call Mark afterward? To ask him to go with me?”

“Not at all. I shall go with you. My name is Eldreth.”

“But Lestman will think that I mean Mark.”

“Let him. We can explain matters when we meet him at the museum. I know Doctor Lestman. I can handle it after we see him.”

Colin strolled over and picked up a telephone book. He found Lestman’s home number, and dialed it. A sleepy voice answered. Colin handed the instrument to Dave. Doctor Lestman was on the wire.

Dave spoke to the curator. He gave his own name; and Lestman seemed to recognize his voice. Dave stated merely that he had found the teakwood box; that it contained a message that referred to the museum. Lestman did not balk until Dave suggested that he open the museum.

“Really,” came Lestman’s objection. “It would be quite unusual. I have only your assurance that this is important—”

“Mr. Eldreth considers it important,” put in Dave, promptly. “I have just talked with him. He will come to the museum with me.”

A pause; then came Lestman’s decision.

“Very well,” said the curator. “I shall meet you there in half an hour. The watchmen are on duty; but do not ring the night bell until I arrive.”

“Good!” returned Dave. “In half an hour.”

COLIN heard the statement. He folded the silken tapestry and placed it in the teakwood box. He put the prayer papers in also. He picked up his hat and coat and motioned for Dave to do the same. Leaving the apartment, the two men entered the coupe and drove away.

Slow minutes passed. A light coupe appeared amid the fog in front of the Coronado Apartments. Keen eyes looked upward. They saw a light glowing in Colin Eldreth’s living room. Colin had neglected to turn off the lights, although he had remembered, this time, to lock the apartment door. The Shadow, returning from the Oriental Museum, had spied the light.

Soon afterward, a shrouded figure entered through the window of one bedroom. A slight scraping marked The Shadow’s arrival; but the sound was too muffled to reach the lighted living room. A short interval; then the figure of The Shadow appeared.

The Shadow saw the bare table, with the discarded tuxedo coat beside it. The teakwood box was gone; the pockets of the tuxedo were turned inside out, a proof that the prayer papers had been taken also.

The Shadow glided across the living room. He called the Thurbley Hotel and asked for Room 306. His voice was a quiet tone; it became a whisper when Harry Vincent answered.

The Shadow ordered an investigation of the adjoining room. He waited. Two minutes later, Harry’s voice again came over the wire. The agent was reporting that Room 308 was empty. The news did not surprise The Shadow.

Calmly, he gave brief instructions. Hanging up, he waited a few moments, then put in a call to Doctor Roy Tam. He held a brief conversation with the Chinese physician. His call completed, The Shadow departed by the door of his apartment. He tried the lock, to learn that the latch was set.

Shortly afterward, a weirdly whispered laugh was uttered within the confines of a small coupe. The Shadow, driving down a slippery slope, had found good reason for sinister mirth. His tone carried a prophetic note.

As yet, The Shadow had planned only to balk men of crime in their foray for hidden treasure. He had found a way to blunt their evil hopes; but he had not dealt with them in person. He still had work to do; to pin the blame for crime where it belonged.

A sudden change of situation had arisen; but through it, The Shadow could see a coming break. Once again, Dave Kelroy needed rescue. This time, in such accomplishment, there would be a chance for final clues.

Treasure was the goal of crime. Upon that fact, The Shadow based his belief that he might clear the whole mystery before this night was ended.