The door had opened, and a man was standing there. He was tall and slender, and he wore a close-fitting suit of dark blue. His face was hidden behind a crimson mask. His hands, which rested upon his hips, were covered with red gloves.
“So!” The soft exclamation came from the man who wore the crimson mask. “I have interrupted. Perhaps it is well that I came here to-night.”
Prokop still stood rigid, and motionless.
The red-masked man looked at Arlette.
“Who is the lady?” he questioned suavely.
“Agent R,” mumbled Prokop.
The man with the crimson mask approached Arlette, and bowed. The girl stared in bewilderment. The masked man spoke slowly, uttering each word with careful pronunciation.
“I am the Red Envoy,” said the strange man. “Have you received your instructions?”
The girl nodded.
“You will forget what has occurred. I can assure you that it will not happen again.”