"I haff told you what those men haff been," resumed Orlinov. "I haff told you that they haff been dead. You would like to know who they haff been? Giff me that pen from your pocket. Then can I write the names of them—"
Cliff's hand was moving toward his vest pocket. He realized suddenly that his fountain pen was gone. It was the pen that he had used in writing his message to The Shadow — the pen filled with the special ink that vanished after it had dried and been exposed to the air!
Realization dawned. Cliff knew that Orlinov was tricking him. His hand slipped away from his vest pocket, reaching for the handy revolver. Something cold pressed against the back of Cliff's neck. It was the muzzle of a gun. He knew that another move would mean instant death. He paused and waited.
"Ah!" exclaimed Orlinov, with a leering grin. "You are too wise to move. That iss goot — for you. You were not so wise to sit with your back toward that door. It iss Petri who holds that gun against you.
"You tink that you are wise, perhaps. You haff made a great mistake. Remember what you haff told me that one mistake can be too much. Why did you leave that fountain pen so carelessly?" The Russian's voice took on a tone of sarcastic reproach as he chided his victim.
"Yess" resumed Orlinov, "I haff found that pen this morning. I haff written with it. That iss strange writing that goes away so quick. Perhaps you haff found out too much. Perhaps you haff told someone. That iss why I haff talked to you tonight. You haff seen those men who still liff. That iss because you, too, will soon be one of those men.
"When a man iss bad for us, we kill him. But not if he iss to be of use. It may be that you will be of use. It may be that you will not. We shall see, yess?"
Cliff's face was obdurate. He expected Orlinov to question him, now that he was suspected of a plot. The Russian's eyes were blazing, and Cliff detected a suppressed frenzy there. Let the man try, thought Cliff. He would learn nothing of The Shadow!
Orlinov seemed to be reading Cliff's thoughts. He laughed as he rose and came closer.
His eyes stared toward Cliff's face. His lips formed a wicked, evil grin.