Volovick. Another member of the organization. Deputed to observe Berger. Saw Vincent. Led him into a trap. Sought to kill him.
The third name would have interested Harry Vincent:
Arlette DeLand. Saved Harry Vincent temporarily. Is a friend of Bruce Duncan. Now fails to recognize Vincent. Has some purpose in making Bruce Duncan’s acquaintance.
The moving fingers became motionless. The directing brain was considering the next person on the list. Finally the hand wrote; but this time it inscribed no name. Instead, it used the letter X to denote an unknown factor.
X. A supervising power of the organization. The person who visited Stanley Berger. A keen, strong mind. Overcame the suggestion under which Berger was working. Gave him new directions. Induced him to commit suicide.
The forefinger of the right hand ran down the list, carefully checking every statement which had been written. Then, with precise care, it wrote a definite summary upon another sheet of paper:
Stanley Berger worked for an unknown purpose. Therefore he was inspired by a cause not governed by personal gain. Murder was too drastic an action to merely cover up his theft. He murdered Jonathan Graham because in him he saw an enemy to his cause. Graham had no known personal enemies. He was a millionaire, and noteworthy as a capitalist. He was an outstanding opponent of communism. This would be sufficient cause for a fanatic to kill him. Berger was a fanatic. His suicide proves it. Volovick has connection with gangsters. But he is not identified with major activities in the underworld. He is a Russian. A logical member of a Red organization. The members of this organization do not know one another — except when deputed to watch a former member of the group; as Volovick watched Berger. Arlette DeLand, as an agent of the organization, did not recognize Volovick; or was not recognized by him. Hence she did not know that Vincent was under observation as a supposed enemy. Bruce Duncan is being tracked by the organization because he was the recipient of czarist wealth. That is the only reason why he would be investigated. Arlette DeLand is working for the group, to learn more about him.
The Shadow, invisible in the darkness, had summarized his facts. Now his hand wrote the details of his future plans. They were brief and definite:
X must be traced. Two methods. First, through Volovick. Second, by warning Bruce Duncan to watch Arlette DeLand. Find connection between Whitburn and Graham. Danger may threaten Whitburn. He must be protected. Vincent is now in danger. His name is known to X. Two in danger are safer together. Whitburn will be reached through Vincent.
The hand paused; then it used the pencil to underscore the last sentence. The hand produced a pen, and wrote a brief note in ink. The message was quickly folded; the newspaper clipping of A. W. was dropped with it, into an envelope.