
“Since Lempe did not see Culden leave the house, there is a chance that he remained here. We suspect
him of being the murderer; also of having played the part of the Gray Ghost. Having lived on Long Island
for several months, Culden could be the man responsible for previous robberies.
“There was time for him to murder Windler; then go to Debrossler's on foot; therefore, he may have had
no car. To leave Holmwood, without an automobile or a boat, Culden would have had to take the train.
Cardona, give me the report of your visit to the railroad station.”
Cardona produced a wadded paper and a local time-table.
“A train went in to the city at seven twenty-six,” stated Joe. “The next was at eight twenty-six. Culden
couldn't have taken either of them. He was here at eight o'clock and at Debrossler's at eight-thirty.”
“Precisely,” approved Weston. “Proceed, Cardona.”
“There was a train at nine twenty-six,” continued Cardona, “but Culden wasn't on it. The station agent
was out on the platform; only three people went aboard and he knew all of them. There's another train at
ten twenty-six; a last one at eleven twenty-six. I've posted men to watch both of them.”
“Culden will not be on either train,” predicted Weston. “He would have been a fool to leave here by
railroad. We can count upon it that he will not appear at the station to-night. Nevertheless, we shall leave
the men on duty.
“Come. Let us go to Debrossler's. You may accompany us, Cranston.”
DRIVING his own car, The Shadow followed the commissioner to Debrossler's. The course led away
from the direction of the railroad station, in a rather roundabout circuit. Both houses were one street back
from the Sound; but there was no road that followed the shore line.
This meant that the cars were forced to go a few blocks inland, to a wide, tree-lined avenue. Halfway to
Debrossler's, a single street went out to the Sound; passing that thoroughfare, The Shadow saw lights in
the distance. From previous knowledge of this district, he knew that the street led to the Holmwood
Beach Club, which had a private club house near its pier on Long Island Sound.
At Debrossler's, another street made a dead end when it neared the Sound. Debrossler's house was
lighted; The Shadow pulled in alongside Weston's car. There was a question that needed explanation;
namely, why Cardona had happened to be coming past Debrossler's house.
The question was answered shortly after The Shadow had been introduced—as Cranston—to
Debrossler and Pennybrook. Cardona mentioned that he had taken the wrong road to Holmwood. He
had come into town from a road that passed beyond Holmwood.
Debrossler and Pennybrook were seated in the enclosed porch. The banker was grumbly; the lawyer,
moody. Both attitudes were explainable: Debrossler's by his loss of a hundred thousand dollars;
Pennybrook's by the blow that he had taken on the head. Debrossler heard Weston's theory concerning
Culden and agreed with it.
“Confound it!” expressed Debrossler. “I knew that Windler had a secretary; but I never saw the fellow,
nor did I know his name.”
“Could Windler have told him about this transaction?” queried Weston.
“Certainly,” assured Debrossler. “I talked with Windler more than a week ago. That was when we made
this appointment.”