“Not even The Shadow that you mentioned?”
“The Shadow? He may be a power among criminals. Faced by the Red organization, he would be helpless. His cloak of mystery would prove a thin, ineffective disguise. Whether he works alone, or depends upon other men, he would be utterly unable to combat the agents of Moscow.”
“Who directs them?”
“Ah!” exclaimed Prince Zuvor. “That in itself is a mystery. It is said that they work in groups, and that the leaders — men of nerve and cunning — receive their instructions from one higher up, a Red Envoy, whose power is greater than that of a government ambassador.
“These are facts which I have heard; but I cannot say that they are thoroughly reliable. My own knowledge is imperfect. I only know that the Moscow government pretends to have no connection with the Red Envoy.”
“He must be more remarkable than The Shadow,” observed Lamont Cranston, with enthusiasm. “Have you ever encountered him?”
“No!” exclaimed Prince Zuvor. “May I never do so! Those who are watching me are his agents. That is why I exercise great caution.
“I do not know when they may decide to strike. My life is a defensive one. I am not afflicted by fear — if that emotion should dominate me, I would go insane. My one controlling power is caution. Constant caution.”
“Your Russian servant. Can you trust him?”
“Ivan? He is a relic of the czarist time. Faithful and honest. He obeys my commands implicitly. He would sacrifice his life if he thought for an instant that I was in danger.”