Always； Castenago used the title： 〃La Sombra。〃 He did so for a reason that he tactfully did not mention： namely； if The Shadow proved himself other than a citizen of Centralba； he could demand an appeal to the consul of his own country； which would automatically postpone the trial。
Castenago didn't want that to happen。 Hence he talked of La Sombra as an established fixture in Libertad。
Castenago almost struck a snag when one of the councilors suggested that La Sombra remove his hat and reveal his features； on the chance that someone would recognize them。 Castenago rode over that one by citing a law which stated that all prisoners must be tried under their chosen names。
The thing went back almost to the time of the Spanish conquest； when the Indians had objected to having their names reduced to pronounceable form。
Nevertheless the law still stood； and it settled the entire problem。
Should The Shadow unmask； he would no longer be La Sombra； which was unquestionably his chosen name。 Thus did Castenago prevent the council from identifying The Shadow as Allard； a man whom most of them had met。 In turn； it further prevented them from learning that he was an American。
As usual； Castenago was working subtly。
He had The Shadow in a dilemma。 To reveal himself as Allard； in defiance of Castenago's legal interpretation； he would be disclosing the true identity of The Shadow； thereby rendering it useless in the future。 Contrarily； by keeping his identity concealed； The Shadow was placing himself beyond redress from local law。
Either way； Castenago would win。
He could order Allard's deportation； he could demand the execution of La Sombra。 From Castenago's viewpoint； it was unfortunate that two paths were open to the prisoner； for he would prefer to dispose of The Shadow for all time。
But Castenago； in his own neat way； was working to close the first path； that of banishment； and make death the positive verdict。
Since The Shadow offered no defense； Castenago decided to call in the witnesses。 In accordance with a law dating from the eighteenth century； this was never done in the presence of the accused。 So Castenago summoned more guards and manded them to take La Sombra to the presidio。
〃You will be detained there；〃 Castenago told The Shadow； 〃until the trial is ended。 I shall deem it my especial privilege to inform you of the verdict。〃
EVERY member of the palace guard was along The Shadow's route to the presidio。 The fancy soldiers totaled more than fifty； and nearly a score of gatomontes supplemented them。 Castenago was taking no chances on The Shadow performing another whirlwind escape。
Crossing the cement courtyard； The Shadow was marched into a cell block and placed in immediate confinement。
The cell chosen for him was the strongest in the block。 Its barred door was so heavy that it took two soldiers to swing it shut； and it had three strong locks。
Having incarcerated the prisoner； the guard captain took the keys personally。 He put four men on duty at each end of the cell block； but left none near the cell itself。
Castenago not only feared the guards might be bribed； he knew that The Shadow might play upon their superstitions。 Hence； he had ordered that no one should have contact with the prisoner。
It suited The Shadow。
The cell had a metal cot； which could stand on three legs as well as four； provided no one lay on it。 The Shadow wasn't sleepy； so he removed one of the cot legs and tried it on the barred window。
The bars were too stout； and too deeply embedded in concrete； to be demolished by the lever that The Shadow employed。 Besides； the window opened into the courtyard； where any clatter on the bars would be heard。
Pausing a few moments； The Shadow stared through the bars。 The night was very mild； and sounds carried far。 He could hear the patter of the fountains and the music of the marimba。 The local musicians generally stayed up all night； along with the rest of the inhabitants。 It was all very pleasant and lulling； but The Shadow had no time for it。
Instead； he tried the cot leg on the stone wall beneath the window； and found that results were easy。 The cell was below ground level； and therefore damp。 The stones were moldy； and mortar between them gone。
It was no trick at all to pry out a couple of stones and dig into those beyond。 The Shadow amused himself with the task for a long while until his hope of an escape was suddenly terminated。
Two thirds of the way through the thick wall； The Shadow came upon an outer layer of new； and very solid； masonry。 The cot leg proved about as useful as a can opener against the obstacle in question。
It was like Castenago； to bulwark his cells from the outside。 Probably； dozens of other prisoners before The Shadow had supposed that they could hack their way through； only to meet with disappointment。
The Shadow tossed away the leg of the cot and sat down on the other end。
He still had cigarettes； so he lighted one and considered the Castenago question。 The Shadow's case hadn't yet reached the fatal stage。 He could always bargain with Castenago； and the miserly dictator would certainly listen to terms that involved a million dollars。
Since Murk Wessel was willing to talk about eliminating The Shadow for a price； the thing could work the other way about。
In fact； Castenago would prefer an offer from The Shadow。 Maybe he was even playing for one； another case of a game within a game。
The Shadow's price would simply be that of life； and Castenago would save a cold million cash。 Moreover； he'd go through with the bargain of eliminating Murk； whereas Castenago would doubt that Murk could ever dispose of The Shadow。
A very nice arrangement； since The Shadow had e to Libertad with the rightful idea of hunting down Murk Wessel to begin with。 There was just one thing about it that The Shadow did not like。
He would have to pledge that he would never again disturb Luis Castenago。
To The Shadow； such a promise would be as bad as an actual alliance with the notorious tyrant。 It would be better to find another way。
Deep in thought； The Shadow listened to the sounds from outside。 Softly； he laughed。 His whispered mirth told that he had found the way。
MEANWHILE； within the palace； Castenago had e downstairs； after a long session with his council。 He stopped in the reception room； where Peridor and Mariquita were waiting； under guard。 With a profound bow； Castenago addressed Peridor。
〃The council has heard the evidence；〃 declared the dictator。 〃The witnesses are gone； and the case is under deliberation； with the council； itself； as jury。〃
Indignantly； Peridor arose。 For once； he was ready to defy the wrath of Castenago。
〃With you to be the judge！〃 stormed Peridor。 〃Never； during your regime； has there been justice in Centralba！〃
Frantically； Mariquita was trying to draw her father back into his chair； fearing that Castenago would summarily order the guards to take him to the presidio。 To her amazement； Castenago bowed again and spoke quite mildly：
〃You forget； Senor Peridor； that my policy is to be lenient。 I was forced to show strength only because our government was weak。 Having established my regime； I seek to balance power with justice。 I assure you； I shall remend clemency in the case of La Sombra。〃
Peridor； himself； was surprised； half inclined to believe。 He remembered Castenago's promise with Durez； only to recall that it had meant murder outside of Centralba； according to The Shadow。
Still； there might be facts in Castenago's favor； and Peridor couldn't disregard the point that Durez； in his own underhand style； had given a false promise to Castenago。
〃I swear by the name of Castenago；〃 purred the heavy…browed dictator； 〃that you will hear the final verdict before you leave here； Senor Peridor； also； that you will see justice given。〃
When Castenago backed a pledge with his own name； it counted。 The dictator of Centralba was too egotistical to let himself down。 When Castenago bowed himself from the room； Peridor actually felt at ease； and so did Mariquita。
Neither had caught the full interpretation that Castenago had put into his words。
MORE hours passed。 Dawn was near when Castenago again left the council chamber。 This time； he did not stop to speak to Peridor； but went directly to the presidio。 He entered the cell block and stopped at the door which barred The Shadow's escape。
Castenago smiled when he saw the uprooted stones that told of The Shadow's futile efforts。 Then the dictator's face went solemn。
〃The council found La Sombra guilty；〃 he declared。 〃I asked for clemency； pleading for another trial at least。 Unfortunately； I was outvoted。 You have only one hope： I can still reprieve the sentence。 I might do so； if it would lead to the permanent removal of certain enemies who are a threat to myself and my country。〃
Castenago was fishing for the offer that would save him a million dollars。
The Shadow did not accept the bait。
〃Centralba has only one enemy；〃 spoke The Shadow。 〃His name is Luis Castenago！ If you give me my fre