“There are no complications to the Silent Seven,” declared the leader. “To us, all crimes are one — and all are justifiable. Each crime must serve a purpose that is useful to us.
“We demand power and wealth. Society is our prey. We stop at nothing. We ask only that the gain be worth our attention.”
“My plan fills that requirement.”
“What do the Seven say?” asked the leader.
“Let Number Five reveal his plan to Number One,” came a voice. A chorus responded, “Aye.”
THE leader approached and produced a board which bore a sheet of paper. He placed a pencil in Paget’s hand. There, in that weird room, amidst those hooded figures, the man who had declared himself as Number Five began to write.
At times his hand hesitated. The presence of the leader urged him on. He completed his work.
The leader moved back, carrying the board with him. He was deliberate as he read the words which Paget had inscribed.
He perused the message a second time, as though committing it to memory. Then he pulled the paper from the board.
Paget’s heart sank as the leader tore the paper into halves and quarters; then he felt a thrill of elation when the leader spoke.