The Shadow in Pursuit

the long version

> Blackmail is not an easy crime to pursue. Victims are hardly ever eager to say what the blackmail is about. But two victims who came to Mr Keyes for help were very open on their past sins, or so it appeared. Because they were ladies who were being persecuted, Mr Keyes believed their stories. He began to feel uneasy, however, when he found they were carrying loaded guns along with the money which they planned to hand over to the blackmailer. When he advised against this behaviour he found the blackmailer's loaded gun turned on him. Then it appeared that what was wanted on all sides was not money, but blood, and that, Mr Keyes felt, was the worst kind of payment for blackmail.