Was he a supermind — a criminal who had been waiting for the right opportunity to begin murder and destruction?
Was he a man entirely unknown in gangdom, who had suddenly developed criminal tendencies?
Was he a foreign agent bent on a campaign of terrorism, with New York as, its center?
These questions remained unanswered.
It was certain that Double Z, whoever he might be, must come under one or more of these classifications.
His paradoxical actions and unexplainable purposes marked him either as a person who obeyed any criminal impulse, or as a man gifted with remarkable genius.
In either event, the police had but one course: To track down this slayer before he loosed his evil powers throughout a wider range.
Everywhere one went, the talk was of Double Z. This was particularly evident at the exclusive Cobalt Club, where Philip Farmington had been a prominent member. The death of the international banker had cast a pall over the spirits of his friends.
The Cobalt Club was a gloomy place at best. Now, for once, its members were loquacious; but their talk was morbid. The death of Philip Farmington presaged future threats, directed at other men of wealth.
A small, tense group was discussing the matter in the club lounge. Half a dozen men had gathered together. Barnaby Hotchkiss, the lumber magnate, was speaking.