“YOU — YOU are here — ” stammered Mann.
“To receive your report,” came the quiet reply. “I take it that you followed my instructions.”
“I did,” said Mann quietly. He had regained his composure after the first surprise. “But I must confess that I am completely in the dark.”
“After reading all the reports?”
“Yes.”
“You have formed no impression regarding Double Z?”
“None. Except that he must be eccentric to the extreme — and possessed of the cunningness that often goes with eccentricity.”
“That may all be true,” came the whispered voice. “But let us be specific. What are your opinions in regard to the Caulkins murder?”
“I think the police have it about right,” declared Mann. “Double Z has gone in for crime. In person. He lured Caulkins to that house, after sending him a written threat. He killed him — while he was telephoning. Cardona’s theory, that Double Z is not an expert murderer, seems logical. Those four bullets—”
“And the mention of Judge Tolland?” came the interruption.