Shadow The Baron Read Online Free PDF Page A

heard that there was “trouble” at Quinns. Most of the people there had already identified Mannering, many knew Quinns, and none was surprised to see him hurry out.
    He took a taxi to Berkeley Square, and then walked briskly towards Albemarle Mansions. As he walked, he felt the heady rise of excitement. He knew that the result of the ruse might be disappointing, but there was stimulation in the thought that this was the beginning of a hunt. It brought nostalgia, for the days of the Baron, when he would have slipped away from the Lulu Club on a more daring mission that this – a job such as the Shadow might do.
    He reached the end of Bray Street He saw no one. He had to walk a further few yards before turning off, towards the back entrance. He reached it, and surprised an elderly man, who was sitting reading a newspaper by the side of a big central heating boiler.
    “Evening, sir.” The man put the newspaper down. “Anything I can do for you?”
    “I want to go in the back way,” said Mannering, and a ten shilling note appeared in his hand, as if by magic. “A trick on Mr. Plender.” He beamed.
    “Well, sir?”
    “He’ll be happy,” said Mannering.
    There had been a time when it would have been vital to get past the night watchman without being seen; bribing his way took the edge off his enjoyment. He smiled to himself as he walked up the narrow, cemented stairs which led to the second floor and the main staircase. No one was about, and the lift was silent. He reached the Plender’s flat
    – Number 14 – and let himself in with Toby Plender’s key.
    A light glowed along the first passage; the maid was in, and knew he would be back. Plender had vouched for her loyalty.
    Mannering went along to the door, and tapped before opening it. The maid, sitting in front of an electric fire, was knitting; and the Persian cat was sitting on her lap.
    “Don’t disturb him,” said Mannering. “You know exactly what to do, don’t you?”
    “Oh, yes, sir. If anyone comes, I’m to let them come in, if they want to, and show them into the drawing room. They’re not to know that anyone else is at home. I’m to shut the door, if they do come in, and then come back here.”
    “And if they stay outside?”
    “I’m to detain them for a few minutes if I can.”
    “That’s fine,” said Mannering.
    He went back to the drawing room. There was a door leading to the small dining room, which stood ajar. He went across and opened it two or three times; there was no squeak. He went into the dining room and found that he could see into the room through the crack between the door itself and the frame. Next he went into the hall. There was a tall wardrobe, standing near the front door and there was room for a man to hide behind it. He stepped inside; his hair ruffled by coats, and closed it on himself. He couldn’t see through the keyhole. He opened the door a shade; he could see the front hall, but anyone standing in the doorway could see him. He decided to stay in the dining room all the time.
    It was a little after eleven o’clock.
    He selected Paradise Lost in a tooled leather binding, went into the dining room and switched on a standard lamp, and began to read; the beauty of the words was like the company of an old friend.
    His blood pounded with an upsurge of exhilaration.
    A clock struck the half hour. If the Shadow was a man of his word, he or a messenger would be here within thirty minutes unless he decided to be spectacular and return the pendant at the Lulu. If that happened Mannering wouldn’t live this down for a long time.
    Another ten minutes passed – and then he heard the front door bell ring.
    He put the book down and switched off the light. He heard voices, but at first couldn’t be sure whether the caller was man or woman. Then he heard the maid say “Mr. Pender’s out, I’m afraid, but if you would like to leave a message. . . .”
    A girl said: “Oh, no, I won’t trouble. But – do you know where I