Judge, sitting with folded hands, nodded wisely. He studied Ferret closely; then looked squarely at Major. Finally he glanced at Butcher. Then he raised his eyebrows, and all knew that he was considering Deacon. At last Judge spoke.
"I see the game now," he said emphatically. "It has worked. So we will end it. Already, Major suspects Ferret. In turn, Ferret suspects someone else — perhaps Major. Butcher and I have said nothing. But we are wondering, too.
"You see the damage that has been created. We are Five Chameleons — who have worked as one. No one can defeat our plans — except ourselves. Dissension and mistrust can ruin us. Are we going to let it?"
"Not on your life!" exclaimed Major. "You've hit the spike square, Judge! Put it there, Ferret!" Major thrust his firm hand across the desk, and Ferret seized it with a grin. Butcher was nodding his approval. All suspicions had vanished. Judge beamed approvingly.
"Be early, tonight," he said. "It's up to you three — and Deacon. Forget everything else. Work together." All three nodded in agreement. Judge dismissed them with a wave of his hand.
The tension was ended. There might be danger for some unknown person, but they were ready for it. When the three had left the office, Judge sat alone. He was thinking, hands still clasped, of tonight. He was thinking of The Shadow. For Judge, shrewdest of the Five Chameleons, who had adjusted themselves to extraordinary circumstances, was acknowledging The Shadow as a foe that did exist. Sitting there, in his office, the perfect picture of a bank president, Judge was analyzing with the mind of a master criminal.
What did The Shadow know? It did not matter how much he knew. If his knowledge was merely sufficient to be of use to him tonight, there could be but one wise course for him to take.
Judge's eye swept over the floor of the banking room. He studied the door, the windows, the offices, and the vault. His face gleamed, and his thin lips hardened in a curving smile. Judge had heard of The Shadow — the master who worked alone. Judge, too, was a man who worked alone.
These others were his tools.
The Shadow was ready to match his skill against five. Let him try, tonight! For these Five Chameleons were not five of a kind. In reality, they were four — and one.