The Cobra

CHAPTER XVIII THE DECISION

“LAST night, Myland” — Commissioner Ralph Weston was speaking — “I received another call from The Cobra. It was as before — the hiss — the statement that a stroke was to be delivered.”

Myland nodded from behind his big table. “Here, then,” he said, tapping a newspaper that lay beside him, “is the result.”

“Exactly,” declared the commissioner. “To The Cobra we owe our thanks for the elimination of King Zobell, the biggest of all Manhattan racketeers.”

Caleb Myland pondered.

“One might call it crime,” he stated, “when three men are slain — even though one is a racketeer and the others are his henchmen.”

“They were armed,” returned Weston. “That makes a difference, Myland.”

“Yes,” agreed the criminologist. Then, with a slight tinge of doubt: “But they were not engaged in crime, Weston.”

“You mean—”

“That they could have been armed for self defense.”

“That’s right, Myland,” observed Weston. “Your opinions are important in this case. Personally, I have favored The Cobra’s work. But if—”

“There is no cause to change your idea,” interposed Myland. “Consider this point, Weston. The Cobra, obviously, was there alone. Zobell — his henchmen Corbin and Rigler — were three against one.”

“You can safely give The Cobra the benefit of the doubt. He can be said to have fought in self defense. That, Weston, would be my decision.”

“And it is mine!” exclaimed the police commissioner, emphatically.

Caleb Myland smiled wanly. The criminologist seemed pleased. He tapped the table methodically; then propounded this question:

“What of The Shadow?”

“He was there again!” declared Weston. “The newspapers do not know it — but police reports show it. He was seen outside of the apartment house. Apparently, he was there to interfere with The Cobra.”

Babson entered. The servant announced that two visitors had arrived. His manner indicated that they were Joe Cardona and Crawler Gorgan. This proved to be correct.

CRAWLER GORGAN appeared eager when he entered. He wanted to talk. Weston gave him an immediate opportunity.

“It was The Cobra, commissioner!” asserted Crawler. “You can bet it was The Cobra that put King Zobell on the spot. He was the only guy that could have done it!”

“So I have decided,” commented Weston, dryly. “I am glad to learn that the underworld shares my opinions. What else, Gorgan?”

“The Shadow was there, too,” added the undercover man. “Everybody knows it. He had to duck the cops. Say — The Cobra has them worried in the Tenderloin. But The Shadow — well he—”

“Well, what?”

“Well, he’s getting the razz. It don’t look so good for him. I ain’t convinced that he’s gone crooked, commissioner, like Mr. Myland here says; but if he hasn’t, he’s gone looney, for fair.”

“What makes you believe that?”

“Listening around the joints. Here’s the way they all figure it — and those birds are wise. The Cobra’s knocking off the big shots, ain’t he? Well what does The Shadow want to butt in for?”

“Professional jealousy, perhaps,” suggested Weston, with a smile.

“Listen, commissioner,” protested Crawler. “You don’t know The Shadow. He didn’t used to waste his time. Why should he be fooling around where guys are going to get plugged anyway?

“He ain’t helping The Cobra — that’s a cinch. So it looks like he’s trying to hinder him, don’t it? That’s why the smart guys figure the way they do.”

“Mr. Myland and myself,” declared Weston, “have come to a definite opinion. We feel that The Cobra’s actions are justified. He is worthy of support. We can base all of our findings on the affair at Old Growdy’s. There, The Cobra acted to save lives — including those of Cardona and myself.

“We find therefore, that he acted in self defense in the other cases, including this one of King Zobell. The Cobra is deserving of police protection. He shall receive it. Do you understand that, Cardona?”

The detective nodded.

“As for The Shadow,” resumed Weston, “we can only presume that he, by obstructing The Cobra, is trying to confuse the law. The Shadow, Cardona, is wanted.”

“For what?” questioned the detective. “There’s nothing on The Shadow. He made a couple of getaways — but we don’t know that he was doing anything crooked.”

“Cardona is right,” observed Myland, wisely. “You must use discretion, commissioner.”

“Why do you say that?” demanded Weston. “I thought your opinion, Myland, was that The Shadow had turned crook.”

“Indications,” returned Myland, “show The Cobra to be working in behalf of justice. They also show The Shadow in a very unpleasant light. We can say that we have established The Cobra’s status, through your own experience at Old Growdy’s. Conversely, you must establish The Shadow’s status by a definite observation.”

“I understand,” nodded Weston. “Cardona, I am ordering a strict watch for The Shadow. Should he be traced in criminal activity — or anything that resembles it — we will not stop until we have captured The Shadow, dead or alive.

“At the same time, The Cobra is immune. He is doing splendid work. Perhaps, through his efforts, we may be able to disclose facts concerning The Shadow.”

“You hit it, commissioner!” The eager statement came from Crawler Gorgan. “You’ve said just what’s going to happen.”

“How is that, Gorgan?”

“HERE’S the lay, commissioner. Understand — this ain’t all my own idea. It’s what I’ve been hearing — specially since last night. Do you know what King Zobell was?”

“A big shot racketeer.”

“More than that, commissioner.” Crawler was nodding wisely. “He was the only real big shot left. The Cobra got some of them — the rest have taken it on the lam.”

“Is that right, Cardona?” questioned Weston, in a surprised tone.

“It looks that way,” agreed the detective. “All the other big shots have beat it. Some of the fellows who were running Zobell’s rackets are sliding out, now that King has taken the bump.”

“Revolution in the underworld!” exclaimed Weston.

“Say chaos, rather,” interposed Myland, sagely. “Mobsters galore — but no leader.”

“And none of the little guys want to be big,” declared Crawler. “That’s something, commissioner.”

“On account of The Cobra?”

Crawler Gorgan nodded.

“Good logic,” decided Myland. “The Cobra has lopped off the heads. As new leaders rise, he will cut them down. But apparently, there will be no new leaders. There is opportunity, though.” Myland shook his head in worried fashion. “If anyone should dare to organize those bands, in opposition to The Cobra—”

“There’s only one guy big enough to do it!” blurted Crawler Gorgan.

“The Shadow!” exclaimed Weston.

Crawler nodded. Myland did the same. Joe Cardona looked glum. He had faith in The Shadow’s integrity.

“Get me right, commissioner,” continued Crawler. “I don’t want to give you a bum steer — and there ain’t nothing to prove that The Shadow has gone crooked.

“I’m just telling you this: there’s plenty of mugs down in the badlands who would follow any guy that they thought was tough enough to pull jobs in spite of The Cobra.

“They’ve razzed The Shadow, but he’s still got ‘em buffaloed. He’s played a lone wolf game. There’s no telling what he could do with a mob behind him. So I’m telling you what to watch for that’s all.”

“Gorgan,” decided Weston, “this is the best report you have produced. There is our task, Cardona. The Cobra, alone, is stronger than The Shadow. If mobs reorganize, there can be but one answer. The Shadow will have become their leader.”

THE commissioner turned to Caleb Myland. The criminologist was sitting with his hands upon the table. His eyes were gleaming. He seemed to be looking into the future.

“I can predict it now!” he declared, with emphasis. “Chaos always produces a leader. Contact with crime produces criminals. Weston, the stage is set!

“I can see but one course for The Shadow. He has lost credit. He has behaved in a suspicious manner. His power has waned; but it can be regained. He has seen a way to take advantage of The Cobra’s deeds. That is why he has sought to block The Cobra.

“The Shadow has failed; but in failing he has won. The Cobra still remains as an avenger; but mobsters, far and wide are looking for a leader. Petty crime may exist for a short while; after that will come a masterstroke.

“Backed by a supercrew of ruffians, The Shadow will deliver crime. The law will find it difficult to thwart him. We can only hope that The Cobra will aid.”

“I believe you, Myland,” declared Weston, soberly. “Nevertheless, we are handicapped for the present. We need proof!” The commissioner thumped the table. “Proof! Cardona has shown that. I believe that The Shadow will appear with dangerous men at his heels — but until he has done so, we cannot act with surety.

“Captured now, The Shadow could not be held. We must wait, Myland — wait in watchful readiness, to see if your prediction is fulfilled.”

“You will see my statements justified,” prophesied the criminologist.

“It looks like something is due to happen soon, commissioner,” asserted Crawler Gorgan. “Still, I ain’t saying anything. I’ll keep my eye out — that’s the best that I can do.”

Joe Cardona made no comment.

“On Wednesday night,” said the commissioner, rising, “we shall meet here again. Is that all right with you, Myland?”

The criminologist nodded.

“You be here, Cardona,” ordered the commissioner. “If Gorgan is available, bring him with you. If it is unsafe for him to come, get his report. Use your own judgment in that matter.

“Perhaps, by Wednesday night, we may have evidence of the sort that we are seeking. At any rate, I shall confer with you, Myland.”

The criminologist nodded to close the conference. There was something in his knowing smile that made the observers feel that he was sure his convictions would be proven when that next meeting took place within this room.