“I hear,” he said derisively; “but who fears a coward who lurks in the darkness and spends his breath in threats! It is nothing.”
Then, once more, the voice spoke:
“The days from the falling of the red star till the time of death are ten, and they are passing!”
Immediately Frank cried:
“Before the ten days are over, the last of the assassin band of Black Brothers shall meet his just deserts!”
“That is right,” came solemnly from the lips of the Man of Mystery. “The end of the brotherhood is near!”
These words were spoken in French, and the Man Without a Name seemed to command the language without an accent to mar his pronunciation. Following his words, silence reigned in the old building.
“Let’s get out!” muttered Diamond, who feared no enemy he could see, but who now felt, despite his courage, a strange chill stealing through his veins.
The man who was leading them found and opened a door. When they had passed through, he barred the door behind them, and again led them on till they stood beneath the open sky. Then, when Frank turned to speak to the Mystery, who seemed to have halted to fasten the last door, he found the man had vanished. The door was closed, and Mr. Noname was not with them!
“Gone!” exclaimed Frank.