“The plan is good,” declared Number One. “What do the Seven order?”
“Let Number One decide,” came a reply.
“Aye,” affirmed the whispered chorus.
“We shall accept it,” said the leader. “Has Number Five any further request?”
“I shall need money,” said Paget boldly.
“How much?”
“Ten thousand dollars.”
“It is granted,” was the leader’s prompt reply. He beckoned to Paget. When the latter approached, the leader wrote a few cryptic words on a card and showed it to him.
Paget nodded his hooded head. The leader destroyed the card, and Paget retired.
“Shall the silence become unbroken?” questioned the leader. There was no reply.