The verbal message made no sense when Prokop had copied it. By referring to a code list among his papers, Prokop translated the message, and quickly told Fritz Bloch’s message to the Red Envoy.
“It was Cranston who came to Zuvor’s last night,” said Prokop. “The prince sent him away by the secret method. Something must have gone wrong. I imagine that the elevator broke before Cranston had a chance to enter it.”
“What else does Fritz say?”
“He tells me that Cranston made an appointment to meet Prince Zuvor at his home, one week from last night. The appointment will be at nine o’clock. They will then discuss important matters.”
The Red Envoy was thoughtful. Prokop, staring past the masked man, again observed that blackness that seemed so thick by the door. He became a trifle worried.
He was about to make a remark, when the Red Envoy spoke. This time the lips were expressive. They indicated the cunning thoughts that were in the man’s brain.
“I agree with you,” said the Red Envoy. “Zuvor is a menace. He must be destroyed. But you must be patient — for six days, at least.
“Our one great task is to obtain Whitburn’s plans and diagrams. Until we have them, any other action would be unwise.
“However, I am confident that we shall obtain the plans, within a few days. So I shall now tell you what I propose should be done with Zuvor. My scheme will enable us to dispose of two enemies instead of one.”
Prokop sensed that the masked man had thought out an ingenious arrangement. The next words of the Red Envoy proved that fact.