A slight sound interrupted Prokop's musings. He looked up to see the Red Envoy standing before him.
The mysterious personage had arrived unseen. He had entered Prokop's apartment unannounced. Now
he was looking at Prokop; and his lips formed a straight, firm line beneath the crimson mask.
The Red Envoy did not speak. His expression appeared to be one of inquiry. He awaited a statement
from Prokop.
When the latter had recovered from his astonishment, he went to the bookcase, and brought out his
reports. When he turned around, he saw the Red Envoy sitting in a chair.
'I have very little progress to report,' said Prokop, in a reluctant voice.
'So I expected,' replied the Red Envoy dryly. 'That is one reason why I did not visit you last night.'
PROKOP became a trifle nervous. The Red Envoy was between him and the door. As he looked at the
man in the crimson mask, he fancied he saw something, beyond—a strange, dark shadow that rested just
inside the door.
He stared for a moment; then, believing that the sudden arrival of the Red Envoy had started his
imagination, he turned his attention back to the reports.
'Regarding Whitburn,' he said slowly. 'I received word through Agent C, who was present at last night's
meeting. He says that Agent E is slowly getting results. He is afraid to make too sudden a step.'
'What have you done about this man Vincent—the one who was to be watched at the Metrolite Hotel?'
'I shall read you the complete report,' said Prokop. 'Agent F registered at the Metrolite Hotel, under the
name of Ernest Manion. He watched Vincent.
'The man received a letter. Manion obtained it. It proved to be a blank sheet of paper. We have tested it
with chemicals. No writing appears.
'The letter was evidently a blind; for while Agent F was obtaining it, Vincent left the hotel. Agent F sent a
message to that effect.
'In the meantime I received a message from Agent E, the man who is with Whitburn—under the name of
Stokes. He had learned that Whitburn intended to hire Vincent to fill the vacancy on his staff.'
Prokop looked at the Red Envoy, expecting some token of approval; but the masked man made no sign.
'Agent F reported later that he had picked up Vincent's trail. Vincent had entered a theater. F awaited
instructions.
'I notified him that Vincent was going to Lake Marrinack. I told F to trail him, if possible. Vincent did not
return to the Metrolite Hotel; F followed him to the Baronet Hotel.
'The next morning, Vincent managed to elude Agent F; but he turned up, as we had expected, at Lake
Marrinack.'
'Is he there now?' asked the Red Envoy.
'Yes. Agent E tried to eliminate him by what would have appeared to be accidental death. Vincent
escaped the trap.
'Before that, he communicated with some one in the village.'
'He must be eliminated immediately.'
'I sent word to that effect to Agent E. I told him to act quickly.'
'Send him further instructions. He must obtain the plans as quickly as possible. You have accomplished
results in the past, Prokop. This is your greatest work. We can delay no longer.'
Prokop made notes; then he brought up the next subject.
'Report on Bruce Duncan,' he said. 'Agent R has made no progress. Duncan has left town; she does not
know where he has gone. Agent R is negligent.'
'You speak from malice, Prokop.'
'I am telling you a fact!' Prokop suddenly restrained his anger, as he noted the sternness of the Red
Envoy's countenance. 'My report is correct,' he added, less bitterly. 'Agent R has accomplished
nothing.'
'Put another agent on the case. Immediate results are not necessary, even though they are desirable. This
matter of Whitburn is most important.'
Prokop nodded. The Red Envoy made no further statement. That subject was closed. Prokop continued
with his report.
'This refers to Prince Zuvor,' he said, with a shrewd gleam in his eyes. 'I told you that the prince was
dangerous.
'A man has called to see him. The man is a millionaire—his name is Lamont Cranston.' Prokop's voice
became suddenly triumphant.
'This man Cranston,' he added, 'carries the sign of the Seventh Star.'
This time Prokop believed that he caught an expression of astonishment upon the Red Envoy's lips.
'That means plotting,' said Prokop emphatically. 'Prince Zuvor is a menace. He will make trouble for our
cause. We should make an example of him.'
'You are anxious to dispose of Prince Zuvor?'
'I am,' admitted Prokop. 'While he lives, my agents wonder why I do not strike him. Three of our men
are detailed to watch him.
'Long vigil without result injures their morale. I have a plan which will surely dispose of him. I ask your
permission to use it.'
'What is your plan?'
'Fritz Bloch,' said Prokop, in a low voice, 'is our Agent K. He is posing as Prince Zuvor's servant. He,
above all others, desires the death of Zuvor. He has heard so much said in Zuvor's home—so many
statements denouncing our cause -'
'I understand,' interrupted the Red Envoy quietly. 'Go on with your scheme.'
'My plan is this,' explained Prokop. 'I shall give Agent K one of the new bombs—with the time-clock
attachment. He can plant it in Zuvor's house. Then pouf! It will be the end of the Zuvor and his czarist
servant, Ivan Shiskin.'
THE Red Envoy was thoughtful. He seemed to be considering the merits of Prokop's scheme.
'I shall do this at the meeting,' continued Prokop. 'In the presence of all our agents, I shall delegate
Agent K to the work. They will be exuberant -'
The Red Envoy held up a crimson-clad hand.
'What happened at Prince Zuvor's house last night?' he questioned.
'I have not heard,' admitted Prokop.
'There was an elevator accident near there -' began the Red Envoy.
Prokop smiled as he interrupted. He admired the insight of the Red Envoy.
The masked man knew that the accident had been the work of the Red agents, even though Prokop had
not revealed the fact that his men had tampered with the elevator.
'That,' said Prokop, 'was one of Prince Zuvor's safe ways of leaving his house. A man should have died
in that crash—somehow, he must have escaped.'
'Who was the man who escaped?' came the Red Envoy's question.
'Cranston, perhaps,' answered Prokop. 'I have not yet called Agent G, to learn if a report has come
from Fritz Bloch.'
