This review is written with
a GPL 4.0 license and the rights contained therein shall supersede
all TOS by any and all websites in regards to copying and sharing
without proper authorization and permissions. Crossposted at
WordPresss & Blogspot by Bookstooge’s Exalted Permission
Title: Six Men of Evil
Series:
The Shadow #24
Authors: Maxwell Grant
Rating:
3 of 5 Stars
Genre: Crime Fiction
Pages:
128
Words: 40K
Publish: 1933
Whenever I read a Shadow novel, and I’m looking for a synopsis online, I never know what I am going to find. Sometimes I find absolutely nothing and have to do it all myself. Sometimes I can find a publisher’s blurb and depending on how detailed it is, I’ll add my own little bit to that. Then you have the times like with this book. Somebody has gone to TheLivingShadow.fandom.com and written out a highly detailed synopsis, so detailed in fact that I’ll never need to re-read this book again because I can read the synopsis and be good to go. I like those kind the best. The synopses never have credit, so I don’t know how or why some Shadow novels get the royal treatment and others get the shaft.
The basic story is that six men have all had the same face stamped on them by a torturous process and now they are using that to their advantage. They commit crimes and give each other air tight alibis.
Only the Shadow gets negligibly involved and brings them all down. Like he should.
This was an extremely different story from The Shadow’s Shadow, which was filled with action and explosions and gun battles. This was all about showcasing how the crimes themselves and how clever the criminals thought they were being. It was all leading up to the denouement where The Shadow smashes their crime circle into nothing and gives the proof of their crimes to the police.
Now, I like when the story is a slam bang bulletfest with thugs dying by the carload and The Shadow using his .45 automatics like machine guns, but at the same time, that kind of pace is unsustainable. Which is why I do appreciate these slower kind of stories. We see the brainy side of The Shadow and this slower kind of story helps reset my thinking and expectations. The John Wick movie franchise is a good negative example of this. The directors had to go to further and further extremes in each movie so that by the time the final movie happens, it’s like watching a shoot’em up video game. It was pointless and not exciting or fun because it was relying on the “More” principle instead of the “Variety” principle.
I think that is enough for me. I enjoyed this for its slower pace and am looking forward to more The Shadow novels. That is the very pinnacle of success in my books.
★★★☆☆
From Thelivingshadow.fandom.com
A torturous Aztec transformation gives "Six Men of Evil" an unexpected advantage in their criminal pursuits.
Six men travel by horseback in Mexico. They are traveling to the border, where they will have to split up. Charley is the leader of the outfit. They are complaining about their recent failed score. The men aren’t happy with Charley but he says they are just as much to blame and they should be thankful the Aztecs let them leave with the gold and their lives. Another member of the men agrees but says it will be a problem again at daylight. They approach the border. Charley sees their current situation as a blessing in disguise.
"The trouble is, you've weakened. You figured you could go back to the United States and pick up. You had your alibis. Maybe they've got you listed as men who scrambled across the border into Mexico - maybe they haven't. If worst came to worst, you could say that bandits had dragged you there. But that's all ended now, because you're changed men - and you're all in the same boat. You've been little crooks - little enough to get away with it. You enlisted in the army so as to hide, like I did. You didn't like it, and when you found others of your kind, you deserted, like I did. I knew where there was something worthwhile getting, at Zeltapec. We went after it; we flopped; and now, with a few thousand dollars worth of gold apiece, you want to go back to where you left off. I want to go back, too, but not the same man as I went away. So I'm glad of what happened to me at Zeltapec - now that it's all over. I've got my brains; I know the ropes; and I'm free from recognition. When I hit New York, I'll be ready for business, and there's nobody going to know me. That's why I'm glad I'm different!"
One of the men says it's good for him but how is it good for the rest of them. Charley says they are from small towns and there was a good chance they would be identified as deserters. Now they are free from that possibility. Charley tells them to go home, change their name and invest their money in their towns to become respected individuals. They should avoid small crimes and wait until they have the chance for a big score. They will communicate through code using the Aztec sign they learned in Zeltapec. Charley tells them the plan. He tells them he left New York because he was against the only person who could have stopped him, The Shadow. Now they will commit crime The Shadow wouldn't be able to stop.
Earl Northrup is meeting with the dignified elderly Anthony Hanscom in his home in Tilson Illinois. He is a successful businessman. Anthony finishes work and they discuss train times going past Chicago. A young man enters the room. This is Carl Walton, Hanscom's secretary. They are working on bonds, Earl has to leave. Hascom says his secretary can finish the work. Northrup has only been in the city for eight months but has done nicely for himself by applying his capital to a sound business in a small city. Northrup takes Hanscom to the train station. Walton does clerical work on the bonds. Once he is done he leaves them in an unlocked safe for review. He hears the train in the distance knowing that Hanscom has boarded. Northrup returns to the house and asks Walton where the bonds are. After reviewing them he takes his leave. Walton says he shouldn't have put them in the safe as it was his responsibility. Northup tells him to look for himself but Walton doesn't have the combination. Walton tells Northrup that he didn't like the way Northrup came in. He couldn't have rang the bell or the butler Moiser would have notified him. Walton checks the corresponding papers in the desk and finds them blank. Now he knows that Northup has stolen the bonds worth a quarter of a million dollars. Walton tries to stop him but is thrown towards a desk where Hanscom keeps a revolver. He turns to aim the gun but Northup pounces on him. He disarms Walton and knocks him out. Moiser, the large butler enters the room to inspect the commotion. He is shot dead by Northrup who wipes his prints off the gun and places it in Walton's hand before leaving. Walton Wakes up to find the dead body of the butler. Two police officers arrive and he tells them that Northup is the killer.
Walton is interviewed by police chief Culver at the scene of the murder. Officer Johnson tells Culver that they found Northup's car at the train station. They wonder why he would use another vehicle to return and commit the crimes he's accused of. Hanscom returns home, joined by Northrup. The police question Northrup to the ire of Hanscom who claims Northrup joined him on the train and has been with him the entire time. The police arrest Walton believing him to be an accomplice to the crimes at the very least. Meanwhile the man with the bonds, Charley Kistelle was boarding a train to Baltimore with the same facial features of Earl Northrup.
In Barmouth Maryland at the first national Bank George Talmadge the bank president gives Sherman Brooks, a cashier $220,000 for a civic relief fund to be delivered to Harold Thurber, the chairman of the civic relief committee. Thurber was a newcomer to town and convinced other business owners to make contributions. Thurber arrives to collect the money. Brooks had been considering employment elsewhere and Thurber tells him about a job opportunity. Thurber tells him when he gets to Baltimore, take the train to Westgate and inquire for a mister Phillip Garmon who is interested in forming a new bank and wants an experienced cashier. He tells him if he hurries he can catch the train. As Brooks is leaving Thurber tells him he would speak to the bank president. When the cashier leaves, Thurber waits a few minutes and discreetly leaves the bank without gaining any attention. $220,000 in his possession.
At 3pm another man claiming to be Thurber arrives at the bank to retrieve the money, joined by two other members of the committee. Talmadge takes them to Brooks' office. When he's absent Talmadge grabs another teller, Davis, so they can grab the committee money from the vault but find it missing. Davis knew that Brooks was on the train to Baltimore. They call the police and have him picked up. Brooks claims that he gave the money to Thurber at 2pm. One of the committee men says that Thurber had been in their presence until they went to the bank at 3pm. Convinced of Brook's guilt Talmadge offers to compensate for the loss of the funds. Brooks is arrested for the theft of the funds.
The Shadow reviews newspaper clippings of unsolved crimes gathered by Rutledge Mann in his sanctum. He isolates the Earl Northrup and Harold Thurber cases due to their similarities. The Shadow sends orders to Harry Vincent to investigate in Tilson and Clyde Burke to investigate the Barmouth Illinois case.
Cuthbert Devenport is the most influential man in the city of Daltona, Georgia. At one time he had controlled the manufactory which afforded employment to the greatest number of workers in the town. Now retired, Davenport still retained real-estate holdings of considerable extent, and his private fortune was estimated at more than two million dollars. His son Perry's waywardness had scandalized the town of Daltona. Perry has become the town drunk. Less than a year ago - shortly after Perry's actions had passed the bounds of reason - Thomas Rodan had arrived in Daltona. An enterprising man, Rodan had entered the real-state business on a moderate scale. He had made contacts with Cuthbert Davenport, and had become a frequent visitor to the Davenport mansion.
A courtship had resulted between Rodan and Sonia Davenport, Cuthbert's only daughter. The old man had given his consent to the marriage; the wedding had taken place after a few months; and now Tom Rodan was living, with his bride, at Cuthbert Davenport's home. Cuthbert Davenport liked Tom Rodan because the young man was the direct antithesis of Perry. Rodan was sober, capable, and enterprising.
Cuthbert meets with Sonia and Rodan to discuss Perry. Rodan expresses interest in helping to bring Perry home. The last time Perry was in the presence of his father he attacked him. Cuthbert has cut off Perry, he left everything to Sonia in his will and in turn Sonia had Tom marked as her sole benefactor if something happened to her. Glade Fitzroy, the county attorney and George Seaton, the county sheriff arrive at the Davenport estate. They exchange pleasantries and Tom says he is going over to Fitzroy’s home for a few hours and will return later. Half an hour later Tom returns with the estranged Perry, who is in a state of inebriation. Tom says he saw Perry on the way to Fitzroy's and tried to help him. He said that Perry wanted to come home to speak to his father. Sonia notices a difference in her husband's speech pattern but it was definitely him. His facial features were remarkably distinct. Perry proceeds to get into another physical altercation with his father. Tom knocks over the phone by a desk and the operator can hear this interaction. Tom pulls out a gun from the desk but instead of aiming at Perry he shoots and kills both Cuthbert and Sonia. Perry then attacks Tom as the Davenport houseman, Fairchild arrives to investigate. Tom shoots and kills him then knocks out Perry and leaves out a side exit. A few minutes later, Billings, Cuthbert Davenport's chauffeur, arrives on the scene. The man had been asleep on the third floor. He saw the motionless bodies; he saw Perry on hands and knees, trying futilely to pick up a revolver. The front door burst open, and two neighbors came dashing into the house. Perry screams that he will kill Tom Rodan. The three men tackle him to the ground as police sirens are heard in the distance, summoned by the listening telephone operator. Perry is accused of the crimes.
In his sanctum The Shadow reviews more news clippings and the reports from Harry and Clyde. Both alibis of Earl Northrup and Harold Thurber were still believed and neither man was attempting to leave their respective towns or do anything suspicious. The one link in these crimes lied in the fact that both men had arrived in their towns less than a year prior. Harry and Clyde manage to find photos of the two men. They were completely identical. The Shadow traces the distance between the two crimes and believes another man was likely to be the traveling look alike since both men had not left their locations for some time. The Shadow learns from a news clipping provided by Rutledge Mann of a third similar crime, the Davenport murders in Georgia. He determines that he must uncover the appearance of the third man, Thomas Rodan. The Shadow boards his plane and flies to Daltona.
Lamont Cranston checks into the Southern Hotel in Daltona. Cranston looks up Rodan in the phone book and tells one of his employees that he has important business that he would like to speak to Rodan about. Shortly after 12pm, Tom Rodan walked hurriedly into the hotel and approached the desk. He inquired for Mr. Cranston. When they meet, Cranston tells him that he wants to buy real estate in Daltona. Cranston is also seeing that Rodan's face is identical to Earl Northrup and Harold Thurber. Rodan is suspicious of Cranston. As they look over different properties Rodan tries to trick Cranston into revealing anything that proves secret intentions. Cranston never slips. After Cranston departs Rodan wonders if Cranston might have been a detective. He decides he is overreacting and has nothing to worry about. He reassures himself that he is a man of iron nerves. The Shadow materializes in the home of the Davenports, now owned by Rodan. He whispers the word "MURDERER!" Rodan stands up to find the person who made that accusation. Rodan hears the accusation again. He knows he wasn't the man that killed the Davenport family. He calls the hotel and finds Cranston had checked out.
Walking steadily across the room, Rodan reaches a writing table and draws forth a pen, ink, and paper. He sat in momentary speculation, and as he rested there, he was forgetful of the room behind him. Something was taking place - something that Rodan did not see. From the darkness of the wall, a tall figure came into view. Silently, and with gliding tread, The Shadow moved directly toward the seated man. Like a phantom of vengeance, he approached until he was but a few feet away. He stood there, his burning eyes focused upon Rodan. Then, from unseen lips came a softly whispered word. "Beware!" Upon a sheet of paper, Rodan inscribed a mysterious symbol. It consisted of a circle, with two crosslines in its center. Above it, Rodan marked a crescent, with the points turned downward. Below, he made the same symbol, pointing the same way. While the paper lay beside him, Rodan addressed an envelope. The name that he wrote was Eastern Specialty Company; the address is a street number in New York City. A silent motion took place behind him. The Shadow emerged from his hiding spot. His tall form gilded forward. His brilliant eyes peered over Rodan's shoulder. They saw all that the man had written. As Lamont Cranston, The Shadow had deliberately aroused the suspicions of Thomas Rodan. The result had been a secret message of warning, posted to the place of contact in New York. The Shadow makes his way back to New York to find the possible leader of The Six men of Evil.
In New York The Shadow follows a gangster that goes by the name Pasty. He meets with another gangster named Boots Marcus. Pasty gives Boots the letter sent by Rodan that has an image of a New Orleans hotel on it. Boots has been laying low and keeping his location a secret. Pasty, being the mob leader's messenger, was the only person who knew Boots' location. After receiving the message Boots tells Pasty to join the rest of the mob and wait for later plans. When Pasty leaves, The Shadow arrives and holds a gun on Boots. The Shadow tells Boots to give him the envelope Pasty gave him and the postcards in his possession. Each postcard has the same address with a different hotel image on the opposite side. He tells Boots to share what he knows.
Boots says that Charley came to see him about a year ago but his face was completely different. Charley wanted Boots to send any letters to him that come addressed to his office. He says to use the name Craig Kimble, which was enough like his own moniker. He never writes anything, he just sends postcards showing' the picture of the hotel where he's stopping at. "There was some letters like the one that come in today. I never opened none of 'em; just put 'em in the new envelopes an' sent 'em on to Charley. I don't know what he wanted 'em for." "How many letters have you forwarded to Kistelle?" inquired The Shadow coldly. "Just a few of 'em," began Boots. Then, as he saw The Shadow's piercing eyes, he added: "Let's see. There was one - two - three - this one was number four since Charley went away.”
Boots tells The Shadow, Charley Kistelle is behind everything. Boots used to work for Charley a few years ago before he fled town. The Shadow tells Boots Charley fled because he feared The Shadow. Boots stalls to explain everything to The Shadow. While speaking he sees his door open slightly as Pasty is returning. Pasty figures out what's going on and quietly leaves to get the rest of the mob. Boots is now speaking in an attempt to keep The Shadow unaware of imcomming reinforcements. As Boots continues to tell The Shadow unhelpful details on the letters he glances at his door as a member of his gang tries to enter. The Shadow catches his glare and spins to fire at the entering monster. The Shadow turns back to Boots in time to catch him pulling his gun. The Shadow fires and slays Boots. The Shadow shoots the light out cascading everything in darkness. He uses gunfire to briefly illuminate the room at fire at other gangsters. After taking out the mob he catches Pasty before he can alert reinforcements. Spotting the glimmer of his gun, The Shadow shoots and kills Pasty.
The Shadow sorts through detailed records of his previous cases in his sanctum. He reviews details on Charles Kistelle. During a previous crime Kistelle was an underling who managed to escape. He decided to not only break contact with his known associates but he joined the army under a false name. He deserted the army along with several others near the Mexican border. The Shadow theorizes that others may share the same face that were already confirmed on three other men. The Shadow knows that Kistelle is in New Orleans but decides not to go directly after him. First he would need evidence that would free the three men in jail accused of previous crimes. The Shadow decides to act as Boots to contact Kistelle in order to learn of upcoming plots by these criminals. The Shadow deciphers the symbols used in letters sent to Kistelle as hieroglyphs of a lost Aztec tribe in the unknown city of Zeltapec. The Shadow calls Burbank with orders for Harry to receive and mail letters sent to Boots' hideout. He then takes a plane to Texas to find the city of Zeltapec.
The citizens of Zeltapec are conducting their moon ritual as the crescent moon hangs in the sky. The Shadow locates the tribe and flies his autogyro under the moon and lands in the center of the tribe. The isolated tribe has never seen anything like this. They believe The Shadow to be a messenger of their moon God. The Aztecs take The Shadow to a room that holds a giant emerald called Chicquatil. The light that enters the room and reflects through the gem. The Shadow sees a metal statue of the Aztec God Colpoc, an evil deity in their religion. The face of the idol bears the features of Rodan and the other men.
The Aztec Chiefs show The Shadow a process they use as a form of punishment. They have metal masks of the face of Colpoc that are tightly secured to their victims until it molds their face into that of Colpoc. The Shadow asks if they ever had to use the masks. The chiefs tell him of the single occasion. This tribe by custom is welcoming to visitors. Some time ago six men came to their village. The traded goods for gold. The men had learned of Chicquatil and attempted to steal it. They were caught and forced to wear the masks so the rest of the world would see them for their wicked deeds with the visage of their malevolent deity. They were released with the gold they had traded for the tribe would not take back their gifts of trade.
In Fargo, North Dakota, Charley meets with Horace Fenwick, one of the men who share the face of Colpoc. Charley mentions Eddie, going by the name Edward P. Montague, the sixth member of their team stationed in Riviere near New Orleans. While they speak they are being spayed on by The Shadow. The job they are working in North Dakota in the town of Sharport involves a jewelry store run by a man named Dagewood. They set a time to enact their plan and separate. Kessle leaves in a new coup which The Shadow leaps on unnoticed.
Sargon's jewelry shop owned by James Sargon is positioned in a popular part of town. Maurice Cotter, James' junior partner informs him that Raymond Dagewood and Horace Fenwick were in the shop. James meets with the two men. Dagwood is known to be the wealthiest man in town. Fenwick has shown interest in seeing a collection of diamonds Dagwood has been interested in buying. After looking at them Fenwick says they look to be worth the $300,000 asking price. Fenwick claims that he has a set of gems that he wants appraised. Dagwood recommended that Sargon could take a look at them. The three of them leave the store as Cotter remains. As they approach a limousine. Fenwick holds up his thumb and index finger as a sign to Kissle waiting in his Coup. The Shadow then follows and attaches himself to the limo. As they approach the Dagwood estate they enter the home. Fenwick, who is the last to enter, hears the voice of Kistelle saying Chicquatil. Fenwick believes this means Kistelle came to tell him that something has gone wrong. Fenwick makes an excuse to the two men that he needs to check his car in order to meet with Kistelle. Fenwick finds himself face to face with The Shadow. Fenwick realizes this must be the man Kistelle spoke of some time ago in Mexico. The Shadow forces Fenwick at gunpoint to drive both of them to the jewelry store.
As Cotter closes the store he is met by Kistelle pretending to be Fenwick. Kistelle tells Cotter that Sargon wants the list describing the diamonds and that he will probably make a sale that night. When they enter the room with the safe Kistelle pulls a gun on Cotter and demands the diamonds. Kistelle tells Cotter that he will claim that Fenwick stole the diamonds but Fenwick is at the home of Dagwood and Cotter will be blamed as he was accused of theft in a jewelry store he used to work at in Chicago, unless Cotter flees the scene tonight. While Kistelle attempts to blackmail Cotter, Fenwick walks through the door. The Shadow walks in, one gun on Fenwick, the other on Kistelle. Charley drops his revolver. The Shadow tells Cotter to call the home of Dagwood and the authorities. After doing so Cotter uses Kistelle’s revolver to keep the two criminals at bay. The Shadow gives Cotter a paper that documented all six men with the same face including Edward Montague who was mentioned earlier during Kistelle and Fenwick’s meeting. The note had evidence that would exonerate the men implicated in previous crimes. The Shadow waits for the police to arrive before escaping into the night.
While the police, Dagewood, Cotter and Sargon are all on the scene discussing the crimes committed by Kistelle and his men, Kistelle and Fenwick attempt an escape. They disarm an officer. Kistelle uses the gun to shoot and kill one officer. They take the diamonds and steal Dagwood's limousine. Police chase the limo, The Shadow is also chasing the criminals in Kistelle's coupe. During the chase Kistelle drives the limo as a train approaches. The Shadow manages to cross the tracks before the train passes. The Shadow gets close enough to the Limo to start firing. He shoots one of the Limo’s tires. The Limo approaches a large ravine. Before plummeting Charley manages to jump out of the limo. The Shadow leaves the scene before the police arrive. Fenwick doesn't survive the crash and Kistelle escapes before The Shadow can confirm his death.
In San Francisco's Chinatown Charley Kistelle enters a shop that appears closed. He asks to speak with a man named Tam Sook. Dressed in an American style suit sat Tam Sook, one of the most important figures in Chinatown. Tam doesn't believe he is Charley. Kistelle looks at him and says "Don't look at my face, Tammy, listen to my voice. That's all. You'll hear Charley Kistelle's voice. That ought to be enough for you." Sook and Kistelle worked together in New York. Tam agreed that he would help Kistelle if he needed him. Kistelle tell's Tam that The Shadow had interrupted their fourth big crime and one of the six men are dead. He tells Sook when he set up the crimes he and his men committed he had set a signal for everyone to meet at Tam Sook's if their plans were discovered. They will all be at Tam's in two days to divvy their earnings and give Sook a cut. Kistelle tells Sook he is worried about The Shadow coming. Sook tells him not to worry. Tam intends to use his influence in Chinatown to handle The Shadow. The Shadow is spying on them during the meeting. All three men await Friday night when the four men with the same face will arrive.
Tam Sook is sitting in his office at 8 pm Friday evening. Tam Sook was young and functioned as an intermediary between rival factions of the Tongs. The Shadow enters Tam's building and quietly knocks out two guards. He confronts Sook in his office. He asks where the remaining members of Kistelle's gang will meet. Sook tells him that he has rigged the room to blow up if he doesn't reset the bomb in five minutes The Shadow shows Tam Sook his girisal ring. The gem pops up on a hinge to show a symbol. The sign of Chow Lee!" The sign of The Great One!" "Yes," came the weirdly-whispered reply, "the gift of those of Chow Lee - those who are even more powerful than you! Only one man, other than your own, has this sacred symbol. I am that man!" Tam Sook was still staring at the symbol. To him, as to all important Chinese in America, the sign of The Great One was a symbol of faith and loyalty. Whatever hates or friendships were made, all were leveled before this mystic symbol. All the leaders of Chinatown respected those who carried it. Tam Sook was in a daze. It was The Shadow's quiet voice that aroused him. Four minutes have passed. The Shadow tells Tam he should press the other side of his desk to diffuse the bomb. Sook realizes that the Shadow discerned the way to deactivate the bomb and still showed mercy to Tam. Having the sign of the great one and the fact that he didn't eliminate Sook and seems to be all knowing, Sook decides to help the Shadow. Kistelle arrives at the meeting place where the other four men are present. They split the earnings of all their crimes. Kistelle tells them that the jig is up. He plans to return to Mexico to steal the Chicquatil. The Shadow enters the room to confront them. Kistelle attempts to pull a gun but the Shadow uses an explosive powder by snapping his fingers to halt Charley. The Shadow pulls out the Chicquatil and places it on the table. The men shudder at the sight of it, reminding them of the torture that changed their faces. The Shadow tells them that their crimes are over and the innocent men have been freed. All that's left is for them to sign confessions that the Shadow produces. He forces them to sign each confession. He tells them that Tam Sook had betrayed them.
The Shadow takes the stolen money and the gem and hides them under his cloak. With the gem gone Kistelle gains his bearings. He recalls when he and Fenwick escaped a superior crowd of enemies. If he doesn't act now all will be over. With anger he sands and cry's " death to The Shadow". The men stand and attempt to pull their guns. The Shadow pulls his two 45s and eliminates all five of them before they can land a useful shot.
The police shortly enter the room to find each man dead with their unique confession in each of their hands. The confession of Fenwick was on the table, signed by The Shadow
