The Isle of Doubt

CHAPTER XII. THE SHADOW’S MESSAGE

WHEN Harry Vincent awoke at eight o’clock, the first object that he noticed was an envelope which lay upon the chair beside his bed. It was not strange that Harry should have looked at that spot. He had laid an envelope there the night before.

But Harry had placed his envelope face up; this envelope, apparently the same one, was face down. A very simple phenomenon, but in The Shadow’s service, such occurrences often had important meanings.

The envelope which Harry had placed upon the chair had contained his complete, coded report to The Shadow. Always, when The Shadow was to receive a report in person, his agents left their envelopes in conspicuous places.

This envelope, apparently, had been touched, but not opened. That was sufficient cause for Harry to open it. He did so, and immediately learned that this was a different envelope from the one that he had placed upon the chair.

The Shadow had been here. Weirdly, the master of the night had entered the house unseen and unheard.

He had taken Harry Vincent’s report. In its place he had left an envelope which contained definite instructions. Harry read the coded lines of The Shadow’s message.

The writing faded as soon as Harry had completed his perusal. The Shadow’s instructions were simple — as simple as the procedure of putting the new envelope upside down so that Harry would immediately notice it.

The Shadow’s ways — The Shadow’s orders — both were invariably designed with full knowledge of his agent’s abilities and limitations. As surely as had Harry noticed that envelope, so surely could he follow the instructions which he had gained.

Tonight, Harry learned, he was to bring the motor boat to the wreck of the River Queen. The old steamship, so The Shadow informed him, was quite accessible from the shore side, even with the motor boat, if approached directly amidships.

By making another of his trips down the river, Harry could return after dark and visit the steamboat by stealth, as he had previously visited the isle of doubt.

That part was up to Harry; and it gave the young man another idea — to go up the river, this time to come back just after dark, and drift by the plantation until he reached the neighborhood of the derelict.

Harry’s duty on the old boat was tersely specified in The Shadow’s message. The agent was to descend the companionway and follow the passage to the boiler room of the old vessel.

Having located that spot, he was to keep careful watch to make sure that no one approached. The motor boat was to be in readiness below the bow of the stranded River Queen.

Two factors impressed Harry. One, that there was a slight possibility of visitors aboard the River Queen; two, that The Shadow, himself, might have need of the craft that Harry would have available: namely, the motor boat.

Did The Shadow need Harry as a guard? Did he need him to aid in some punitive expedition?

Both situations were possible; but they were unusual. Generally, The Shadow worked alone. Harry realized that some strange business might be afoot tonight, some business that would do much to clear up this mystery.

Whom did The Shadow expect to interfere? The crooks had not, to Harry’s knowledge, left the island.

Harvey Wendell, whom Harry had cause to regard as an evil factor as potent as the lurkers on the isle, was spying on Zach Telvin and his friends. There was no reason, Harry believed, to suspect that Wendell would have a purpose to board the old derelict.

Wendell had gone out again last night, however. Harry had heard the secretary sneak from the house.

The fog had prevented Harry from watching where Wendell went, but Harry was sure that the man had taken to the river. Had The Shadow encountered Wendell?

Puzzling cross-purposes! Yet Harry felt sure that they would soon be explained. Events had a way of reaching a quick culmination when The Shadow arrived in the field. As he went downstairs to breakfast, Harry felt a strong sense of security. He was ready for any danger that might lie ahead.

Weston Levis breakfasted with Harry. Wendell did not come downstairs until afterward. It was evident that the man had overslept. The morning passed. Wendell went out before lunch and did not return.

During the placid noonday meal, Harry began to discuss his own affairs with Weston Levis. He remarked that he would like to visit some spots above Saunders Landing, while awaiting further news from New York. During the conversation, Harry learned that there was another landing six miles up the river, on the opposite side.

“I might go up there and look around,” Harry suggested. “That is, if the motor boat is available.”

“It is available,” smiled old Levis.

“Thanks,” said Harry. “I’ll wait until later, though. It’s pretty hot in that open boat. A clear day — a heavy sun — I think if I start after three o’clock, I would be acting wisely. I can have my dinner at the upper landing — I suppose there is an eating place there.”

“There is,” remarked Levis.

AS the afternoon progressed, there was no sign of Harvey Wendell. Harry sat on the veranda. Levis strolled about the plantation. On two occasions the old man stopped by the porch to inquire if Wendell had returned. Harry gave a negative reply each time.

While Levis was away on another stroll, Hadley arrived in the old truck.

The overseer came up on the porch, filled his pipe, and began to chat. Harry had become good friends with Hadley. He liked the man, and it was good policy to maintain a cordial relationship with him.

“Seen Wendell?” questioned Hadley, while he puffed at his pipe.

“No,” returned Harry. “Not since breakfast.”

“Humph,” grunted Hadley. “What does that fellow do with all his time? He acts like he was busy — but I notice that he takes plenty long when he goes to Knoxport.”

Harry was watching Hadley as he saw the overseer staring toward the river.

He noticed that Hadley’s lips were moving, and he detected that the man was silently muttering vague thoughts concerning the sallow-faced secretary.

It was obvious that Hadley did not like Wendell. But for the fact that he was now under definite instructions from The Shadow, Harry would have begun to draw out opinions. He fancied that Hadley might have something definite to say regarding Harvey Wendell.

Weston Levis appeared upon the lawn. His first question was one which he had asked before. This time it was addressed to both Harry and Hadley. The old man wanted to know if Wendell had returned.

“Mr. Vincent says that he hasn’t been here,” announced Hadley. “And what’s more, I haven’t seen him myself. By the way, Mr. Levis, I want to talk with you about these men we’ve hired. They’re pretty slow on the job. Come over here and let me show you how they’ve been loafing on the shacks they’re building.”

Hadley and Levis walked around the corner of the house. Harry, still seated on the veranda, sensed that Hadley had a particular purpose in speaking to Levis — a purpose other than the one that had been mentioned. Intuition told Harry that something was due to break.

Not long afterward, Levis reappeared. As the old man approached the veranda, Harry could detect a grave look on his face. Harry knew that questions were going to be asked. He prepared himself.

As an agent of The Shadow, Harry was left to his own judgment in matters of unexpected consequence.

Harry had already proven his ability to use resourcefulness. He felt that he could exhibit it now.

“Vincent,” declared Levis seriously, as he seated himself upon the porch, “I want to talk to you. I want your frank answers to my questions. Tell me: have you any special motive other than the real-estate proposition for staying in this vicinity?”

“Only my instructions from New York,” answered Harry truthfully. “I am working for interests represented by Rutledge Mann, who specializes in investments. I have remained here because of Mr. Mann’s telegraphed instructions.”

“I shall be frank with you,” returned Levis. “’My secretary, Harvey Wendell, has expressed doubts to me regarding your purposes. Wendell is, perhaps, more observant than I. He is apt to be overly suspicious.”

Harry nodded his agreement.

“Wendell has been a rather odd sort of an employee,” continued Levis. “Hadley, on the contrary, has worked for me a good many years. He is a man in whom I impose the greatest confidence. Last night, Hadley tells me, some one left this house and returned later on. Hadley believed the man took a trip on the river. I am not questioning the purpose of that trip. I know only that either you or Wendell was the man who left the house. Your affairs are your own. Will you tell me this: were you the man who went out?”

“I was not,” responded Harry calmly.

Weston Levis looked squarely into Harry’s eyes. The old man’s gaze was stern, but kindly. Levis nodded slowly; then said:

“I believe you, Vincent. I also believe Hadley. Therefore, the man who left this house was Harvey Wendell.”

Harry said nothing; Levis resumed his talk in a serious manner.

“Understand, Vincent,” he said, “Wendell is in my employ. I want to know what he is doing. Hadley has been watching Wendell; and Hadley feels sure that it was Wendell who went out. In order to be fair, I first questioned you regarding your own actions. Now that I am convinced of the truthfulness of your reply, I may tell you that Hadley has suspected Wendell of making previous excursions of this type.

“I want to ask you something else. I do not ask you to be unfair to any one. My own suspicions are now well-grounded. Have you seen any evidence of Wendell being on the river at night?” The question was a firm one. Harry was thoughtful. He realized that he must use good judgment. Harvey Wendell, Harry knew well, was interested in affairs upon the isle of doubt. There were crooks upon that isolated plot of land. Wendell was the cross-purpose in the situation.

Under less extenuating circumstances, Harry could have cried out his true thoughts — that Harvey Wendell, too, was a crook in search of ill-gotten spoils. But to reveal this to Weston Levis might interfere with the plans of The Shadow.

At the same time, Harry could see a subtle test in Levis’ question. Harry had observed Harvey Wendell making secret trips from the house. Perhaps Levis or Hadley had seen Harry watching the secretary. To deny all knowledge of Wendell’s actions, and thus to defend the man, might be the worst thing possible.

It could promptly put Harry under suspicion of being Wendell’s accomplice in some questionable enterprise.

IN his previous answers to the old man’s questions, Harry had adhered to the truth, with careful reservations. A deliberate lie would now be disadvantageous. It would not only be difficult to put across; it might cause trouble with tonight’s arrangements.

With Weston Levis a dupe of Harvey Wendell; with Hadley a faithful yeoman, who followed Levis’ instructions, there was nothing to fear by playing fair with Levis. To maintain his own position as a respected guest, Harry knew that he would do best to deal in frank statements.

These thoughts were rapid in Harry’s mind; but they brought a pause, during which Harry gazed soberly toward the river and its distant isle. Realizing that delay was forcing him to the decision already in his mind, Harry hesitated no longer.

“You have questioned me as a friend,” declared Harry, turning to Weston Levis. “Therefore, I must answer as a friend. I knew that Harvey Wendell left this house late last night. I heard him go out on a previous occasion. I must confess that I wondered regarding his purpose; I did not think it my province, however, to discuss the matter.”

“Have you actually seen Wendell on the river?”

“Yes. In the evening when I was returning from my trip down the river. I passed his rowboat just as I came into the dock. He said that he was out for an evening’s row.”

“He did not mention it to me,” remarked Weston Levis thoughtfully. “Vincent, in talking with Hadley just now, I find that he thinks Wendell has been visiting that island a few miles below here. Can you think of any purpose that he might have in doing so?”

“Hardly,” said Harry. “I have noticed the island, and I can readily see why a person might like to make a curious visit there, but as a business proposition” — Harry smiled — “my own ideas of real-estate values involve the mainland only.”

“That is understood,” rejoined Levis. “I have just begun to believe, however, that Wendell may have had a special purpose in acquiring this piece of ground. Hadley has that idea; and it means that we must be on the watch.

“Vincent, I have begun to mistrust Wendell. I ask you, therefore, to return my hospitality by watching for any actions on Wendell’s part — actions which might appear suspicious to you.

“I do not request you to spy upon my secretary. That is an unfair proposal to make to a guest. I simply want you to regard me as I regard you. We are friends. We can talk as friends. I fear” — the old man’s face clouded — “that Wendell might actually be engaged in crime. He might have friends stationed on that island — or enemies. Hadley is watching Wendell; I shall do the same. But you, as a visitor, may uncover something that would be of added value.”

“I understand,” returned Harry. “I shall remember it, Mr. Levis.” The old man chose to waive the subject from then on. Harry knew that nothing further would be said until occasion or circumstances called for it.

The young man noted, however, that the matter was still on Weston Levis’ mind.

IT was mid-afternoon when Harvey Wendell appeared. The secretary arrived as if from nowhere, strolling across the lawn of the plantation. Weston Levis greeted him as cordially as usual, but expressed annoyance because the secretary had not been present to take dictation on some important letters.

As Levis turned to go into the house, with Wendell close beside him, he turned to Harry Vincent and made a remark concerning the trip which Harry contemplated.

“Take the motor boat whenever you desire,” said Levis. “Arrange to have dinner with us — if we proceed without you I shall have the servants keep some food for you. However, Wendell and I will be very busy until seven o’clock at least, so dinner will be late.”

Harry decided that he would depart at once. As he arose to go to the dock, he noted Wendell watching him with a sour expression. Harry Vincent smiled as he strolled away. Weston Levis was serving Harry — and himself — a good turn by keeping Harvey Wendell engaged until after sunset.

When darkness had fallen, Harry would be on the River Queen. Important affairs would be on their way to settlement before Harvey Wendell would have an opportunity to leave the plantation house.

The way was clear to go through with the instructions given by The Shadow!