“Both had money.”
“But this man called Double Z did not profit thereby,” Glover persisted.
“How can you tell? I assert that no one is safe! He will strike again, and one of us may be the victim!”
“That would be interesting,” commented Matthew Wade. “I hope it isn’t worrying you, Hotchkiss?”
“Just as much cause for you to worry, Wade,” came the reply. “You are no safer than any of the rest of us. I tell you again, the man is out to make trouble. He has a mania that causes him to attack those who have wealth — no matter how they may have acquired it.”
A murmur of agreement followed. Even Glover admitted that Hotchkiss might be correct in theory. Wade seemed noncommittal. Rutledge Mann noted that Lamont Cranston was in the group, but silent. He went along to the library. When he returned, Cranston was gone.
A few hours later Mann stopped back at his new office. He found a letter on the floor. He opened it and read it quickly. The writing faded away, but Mann had perused the entire coded message. He sat by his desk and softly repeated the words that he had read.
“Jake Dermott,” he said. “Jake Dermott and Tony Marano. That’s right. Burke said they were only gunmen, not typical gang leaders. Marsland must be cautious; but if he can follow Dermott, he may gain information. Burke must be posted, too. Vincent on the usual job — no results as yet—”
None of these thoughts had occurred to Mann when he had forwarded his data to The Shadow. But since then, the Double Z problem had been studied by The Shadow. Mann knew that the master mind had been at work, for he had just become acquainted with the findings. Facts that Cardona had never suspected were seen by The Shadow’s keen vision.
“Cliff Marsland’s report,” murmured Mann. Here he was on a trail which Cardona had not even seen.