In the Grip of the Griffin: The Complete Battles of Gordon Manning & The Griffin, Volume 3 by J. Allan Dunn Read Free Book Online Page A

address was in the too familiar bold hand that, to a handwriting expert, revealed eccentricity of mind and also force of character and purpose.
GORDON MANNING ESQUIRE ADDRESSED
    Manning’s face was grim as he broke the seal in his library, after deliberately filling and lighting his pet briar and waiting until his Japanese butler brought him a highball.
Manning:
Still you serve to amuse me and therefore I again invite you as antagonist. The board is set, I have planned the gambit in which I may lose a pawn but only to win. I realize that you have been eagerly expecting my challenge. Last time we almost became closely acquainted, but, even if the cloak had held, I had not played my final trick.
You may be glad to know that I am succeeding admirably in restoring the organisation you and the authorities so ruthlessly destroyed—for which you will some day pay in full. I have another Headquarters that it will take all your vigilance to discover, my dear Manning. I believe you called my last my “aerie” though it is by no means certain whether the griffins, who were the steeds of the sun and drew the chariot of Nemesis, nested or used a lair. It matters little. Things shape well. The next to be eliminated will be that persistent prig and self-publicist, Evans Cooke, who claims to be building the true type of young American manhood by his interest in and contributions to the Olympic Games, the Amateur Athletic Association and other “body-building organizations,” as he styles them. He considers himself a philanthropist and his chief enjoyment is to read about himself in the press. The man is a stench in my nostrils.
He may have an opportunity of recommending himself, as a shade, to Zeus, on Mount Olympus itself, since he will most certainly shuffle off this mortal coil at some swift second during the twenty-four hours calendered as the nineteenth of this present month. May you, my dear Manning, be there to see. I may be a spectator myself. The method employed is ingenious and I confess to a slight curiosity to observe how well it works, though, as you know, I never repeat myself.
    (There was no signature but only a delicate pen drawing of the demi-griffin, couped.)
    Manning knew of Evans Cooke. He was himself an amateur athlete of high standing with one record which, while not included in ordinary programs, was spectacular and interesting—the underwater long dive, “fetching.” Cooke had inherited money and large interests on leaving college and had shown good capacity in handling his business.
    He was always willing to give funds to true athletic promotion, however small and humble might be the attempt, however provincial. To greater projects he was equally liberal, once assured of their sincerity. He endowed gymnasiums, donated swimming pools, paid for running tracks and basketball and tennis courts, and bestowed numerous trophies every week of his existence.
    It was this man the Griffin proposed so lightly to destroy, and Manning knew well that the monster considered his plans perfect before he announced his fell intention.
    Manning had been given the date—seven days distant—but only in mockery. It was as if the Griffin, in this “game” of his that he likened to chess, had granted a lesser player a bishop or a castle. The main advantage still lay with the Griffin.
    As for Manning’s moves, they were clear enough—to enlist the police in providing protection, to himself mount guard over Evans Cooke, whether Cooke was willing or not; to exhaust every precaution and to be alert to discover the diabolical preparations, to prevent the kill. The Griffin had suggested he might himself be present. That must not be overlooked. He was mad and therefore he might make a false move out of sheer grandiose dementia.
    Manning put in a call for the police commissioner. He was sure of full cooperation there.
    “There’s a dinner at the New York Athletic Club to-morrow night,” said the commissioner. “Given to some of our