The firm clutch brought results.
The millionaire’s body gave way beneath the pressure. It slumped down into the chair. The arms dropped lifelessly, and the lighted cigar rolled upon the floor. The head with the staring eyes fell back, and the gruesome gaze turned unseeingly toward the ceiling.
A deep gasp came from Detective Joe Cardona.
Philip Farmington was dead!
CHAPTER VI. THE SHADOW PREPARES
THE strange death of Philip Farmington, millionaire international banker, was tremendous news. The circumstances under which it had occurred, in the presence of Detective Joe Cardona during a discussion of the mysterious Double Z, brought stern realization to both police and press. It was obvious that a man who had previously dealt only in eccentricities had now become a shrewd, insidious killer.
What — who — was Double Z?
Was he a gangster, who had suddenly given up the usual undercover methods of crime?
Was he a tool of some one higher up — a blind to mislead police investigators?
Was he a maniac, who knew the ways of the underworld — who, after contenting himself with writing his eccentric letters, had now launched into a career of murder and thievery?