Paget’s original plan, to drain Blake’s millions through the actions of an impostor, had certainly been thwarted.
The Sixth member of the group arrived while Paget was still thinking of the situation. Number Seven made his appearance a few minutes later. The members of the group went through their ceremony. Then came the period of silence.
“TONIGHT,” said the leader, “we are confronted by an important matter. The plan proposed by Number Five has been temporarily thwarted. We have been attacked by an enemy who calls himself The Shadow.
“The existence of this enemy was revealed to me by Number Five. Through the Faithful Fifty, we captured a man whom we suspected. He would not reveal his identity. I have given him his choice. He must speak or die. His opportunity is nearly ended.
“Now I believe that our enemy — The Shadow — is still at large. Our captive is probably his agent. We must use every power that we possess to eliminate our enemy. What is your expression?”
“Death to The Shadow!”
The words came from one of the hooded figures.
“Death! Death!” echoed the others. Paget joined the chorus.
“Death to The Shadow,” said the leader calmly.
Before he could speak again, the members of the group became suddenly rigid as they heard a startling sound.