Excerpts from The Shadow Laughs

The Shadow Laughs was the third Shadow story published.  It was featured in the October 1, 1931 edition of The Shadow magazine.  This was my second time reading the story and I wanted to share some great excerpts from parts of the adventure.  The issue that I read was the 1969 Bantam paperback edition.  

One thing I've noticed is how both the presence of The Shadow and just the mere mention of his name can strike terror into the hearts of gangsters and villains.  Here are just a few excerpts to show this:

"Spotter trembled as he crouched behind the boxes.  He gulped and repressed a terrified gasp....he was awed by a shadowy Phantom...Stark fear ruled the cunning gangster...It was half an hour before the terrorized crook dared to crawl from his hiding place." (page 80)

"The old man hesitated before pronouncing the name.  Birdie Crull listened intently.  "The Shadow!"  At these words from the lips of Isaac Coffran, Birdie Crull half rose from his chair.  The murderer, with all his nerve, felt the pangs of terror when he heard that name." (page 50)

"But now they saw a tall, black-clad figure at the other side of the room.  The sable form stood motionless.  It loomed like a specter from the world beyond. It had come like a messenger of vengeance.  "The Shadow!" The words burst from Tiger Bronson's twitching lips.  The figure in black did not move....The low, hollow laugh came from beneath the brim of the turned-down hat.  Tiger Bronson shuddered inwardly...."Tiger Bronson," said The Shadow, in a voice that seemed the pronunciation of a judgment, "you sought to lure me to this place.  I am here...You have twice sought to injure me," said The Shadow in his solemn, horrifying voice.  "Twice before.  This is the third time.  Your efforts are impotent.  Those who have thrice sought to injure me invariably suffer."  (page 123)

Just reading these brings some awesome imagery into mind of The Shadow suddenly appearing and causing fear, panic and disorder.  This is truly great writing by Walter Gibson!