Chief among these papers were reports from Vic Marquette. The secret-service agent had made every effort to trace the man who had vanished with the important plans of Professor Whitburn’s inventions. Marquette had been informed that the man had probably left the country; but with all the power that he had at his disposal, he had been unable to track the mysterious thief.
Another report was from Burbank. This man, a valuable worker for The Shadow, had been watching Prokop’s apartment. He had seen Prokop leave the apartment; he had observed another man enter and leave, a few hours later. Those events had taken place on the same night that the Red Envoy had appeared at Death Island. Since then, Prokop had not returned home.
The hands began to write beneath the light:
Prokop left a note for the Red Envoy. It was the Red Envoy who entered and left the apartment, a few hours later. He must have flown from Connecticut by plane. Despite the fact that Marquette has obtained no results, the inference is obvious. The Red Envoy sailed for Europe on the Dresden. He will reach Cherbourg day after to-morrow. Prokop had all passage arrangements in readiness. He left the apartment after receiving a long-distance call from the Red Envoy. When the latter reached New York, he went to Prokop’s to pick up the information. Burbank saw him arrive and leave. Prokop is playing a safe game. He is hiding until the meeting to-night. He is the only man who knows the Red Envoy’s plans. He took all incriminating documents from his apartment. A brief search has revealed nothing. There is one sure way to trace the Red Envoy’s route. Once in Europe, he will be comparatively safe. Prokop made the arrangements. Prokop must be made to tell them, unless -
The hand paused, then added:
Unless a final search unearths a clew.
The hands opened a large envelope, and brought out time-tables of European railways. These came under a careful perusal. Then the hand wrote:
Air routes are quickest across Europe; but passengers are too easily observed. Red Envoy will probably travel by rail. This must be confirmed. Taking Prokop alone is bad enough; raid on meeting would be worse. Might not get all.
Then came a few vague suggestions, written, crumpled, and tossed away, as though the brain behind the hands was searching for tangible ideas.
Finally the hand prepared a schedule, compiled from the railway guides. The single word: “Confirm” was written at the top. The paper was folded between the hands. The light was extinguished.