Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 336 - Blackmail Bay

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BLACKMAIL BAY

by Walter B. Gibson

As originally published in "The Duende History of The Shadow Magazine,"

1980.

UNDER the gleam of a bluish light, the chart depicting Cobosco Bay stood

out in vivid detail. Jutting in from the lower left corner was a promontory

that marked the fishing village of Gosport, a stopping place for the

old-fashioned double-decked steamers that still plied the bay, as indicated by

a dotted line continuing northward. That line veered to the westward to avoid

the Twins, two tiny isles that stood side by side, with a narrow channel in

between; then the dotted line took a curve toward the northeast as it

approached Spruce Island, the biggest thing on the map, which was portrayed in

full topographic detail.

Stretching from the southwest to the northeast, Spruce Island began with

Hiram's Head, a dome-shaped bluff which, judging from the numerous contour

lines, probably loomed to considerable proportions. It bore a distinct

resemblance to a monstrous head, due to a deep indentation to the right, which

was marked as Hiram's Cove. Continuing almost due east, the shoreline showed a

steamboat landing, indicated by the dotted line and half a dozen tiny blocks

that represented buildings. From there, the shore wangled to the northeast, to

terminate in a narrow strip of land called Beacon Neck, which led to an oddly

formed mark that represented Beacon Light, an old lighthouse at the very tip

the island.

The dotted steamship route ended at the central landing, making it the

key

factor of the map. As proof of that, a long, thin hand moved into the bluish

glow and placed a pointed forefinger on that very spot. It was a left hand, as

evidenced by a gem that sparkled from the third finger with its scintillating

rays running the gamut from deep crimson to brilliant purple, vivified by

flashes of flame that burst into being as though attracted by the

all-pervading

blue light. This was The Shadow's girasol, one of the unmatched fire-opals

that

symbolized his ability to conquer crime by dulling the brains of its would-be

perpetrators.

Right now, crime was afoot on Spruce Island. The Shadow's fingers were

already stalking it, as they moved westward from the landing along the

island's

only well-marked road that moved inland as it approached Hiram's Cove. There,

the Shadow paused to note a short turn-in that led up to a house on the cove;

then he continued along the main road, which skirted the cove itself, until it

ran directly into Hiram's Head where the bristling contours forced the road to

jog sharply to the right and wend northward until the west shore of the island

moved in gradually to meet it on a contour marked by a building on a spot

called Moffat's Point.

Due west from the Point was Round Island, with a few contours and

indentations, plus a sprinkling of buildings that gave it the appearance of a

summer resort, though it had no steamboat service. After studying Round

Island,

The Shadow reverted to Spruce Island, but only briefly enough to note that it

had a few irregular back roads, stemming chiefly from the landing which led to

buildings that were obviously summer cottages.

The left hand rolled the chart into a cylinder, revealing the surface of

polished table, which vanished as the right hand clicked off the bluish glare

and plunged the room into absolute blackness, stirred only by a whispered

laugh. This was The Shadow's sanctum, the secret headquarters where he planned

his campaigns against crime. As proof, a pinpoint of yellow light appeared

suddenly amid the Stygian surroundings and a quiet voice came from an unseen

amplifier:

"Burbank speaking."

It was the Shadow's contact man, responding to an automatic flash. In

return, The Shadow spoke:

"Instructions to Burke. He is to proceed with feature stories covering

vacation areas, as accepted by the New York 'Classic'. First assignment:

Cobosco Bay. Await further details."

"Instructions received."

"Instructions to Vincent." Again, The Shadow spoke in a subdued, sibilant

tone. "He is to confirm the rental of a cabin on Round Island at off-season

rates and proceed there immediately."

"Instructions received."

"Instructions completed," came The Shadow's final tone. "Switch to

outside

wire."

THERE was a click in the darkness. A luminous phone dial showed on the

sanctum table. Swiftly, The Shadow's forefinger dialled a number and a girl's

voice responded, "Hello."

"Hello, Margo." The response was no longer The Shadow's but a quiet, easy

tone that the girl immediately recognized. "About that trip you are taking

tomorrow -"

"I'm already packed," replied Margo, "but please, Lamont, tell me where -

and why -"

In the same calm tone, The Shadow detailed:

"You will go to Baxter Harbor on the Maine Coast and take the noon boat

the Cobosco Bay Line to Spruce Island. At the general store, you will pick up

reservation for a week's stay at the old hotel on Moffat Point -"

"In whose name will the reservation be?"

"In your name, Margo Lane. A local taxi driver will take you to the

Moffat

House and back to the home of Judge Parker Kroft, on Hiram's Cove. There, you

will introduce yourself -"

"As a friend of our mutual friend, Lamont Cranston -"

Margo's quick interruption brought an even-toned chuckle from Cranston.

carried a touch of The Shadow's subtle mirth that Margo failed to catch. Then

came Cranston's response:

"Definitely, no. I've never even met Judge Kroft. The man who wants you

meet him is our mutual friend, Commissioner Ralph Weston. Judge Kroft will

explain the rest."

There was a pause, the type that signified that there was more to follow.

Margo broke it with an abrupt query:

"Anything else, Lamont?"

"Yes," came Cranston's chuckle. "When you reach the lookout, look out."

A click of the receiver told Margo that the call was over.

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