Cardona suddenly recollected that Judge Tolland had been pressing investigations at the time of his disappearance. One of them had involved members of Dave Markan’s gang. Rumors had said that Tolland was bought off. Certain it was that the investigations had ceased when the justice had disappeared.
“I’d like to rely on you, Cardona,” said Wade. “But you know too well that the police have been unable to cope with this murderous man.”
“We’ll keep the threat out of the papers,” began Cardona.
“That won’t do,” argued Wade. “Publicity might help us rather than hinder. Think of my viewpoint. I want to be beyond the reach of Double Z. If I—”
“How about leaving town,” suggested Cardona. “Start on one of your trips to—”
“I might be followed. We’ve got to do more than that. We must deceive the man completely. If he thought that I was dead—”
CARDONA pondered. He was anxious to be of aid to Matthew Wade. The last suggestion was a happy one.
“If you were dead,” said Cardona, taking up the uncompleted sentence, “there would be no fear from Double Z. For the time at least. Your death is what he wants — provided that he cannot get his million. You have given us a tip to-day. At last we have learned that he is after money. But as I said, if you were dead — if he thought you were dead—”
Matthew Wade brightened suddenly.
“You’ve got it, Cardona!” he exclaimed. “Fake my death! Make him think I’m dead!”