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else, something more interesting: This woman was keeping a secret.
    Korbuscek’s brain began to race. What was going on here?
    While trying to analyze McGrory, Korbuscek was also listening to Dr. Hwa’s brief remarks about the work being done on the island. Suddenly the spy felt a surge of excitement—no sign of which was allowed to reach his face. He had been sent to Anza-bora Island because the government that hired him was interested in a robot called Euterpe. After months of monitoring the scientist who was making the robot, their operatives had temporarily lost track of him. Considerable effort had finally turned up the information that Dr. Leonard Weiskopf had moved to Anza-bora Island under “mysterious circumstances.”
    Now, that government wanted to know what he was up to.
    Actually, they wanted more than that. If Weiskopf was still working on his robot, they wanted a few “changes” made.
    That was fine with Korbuscek. He would do exactly as his employers desired. But Dr. Hwa’s speech, oblique as it was, confirmed what the spy had already begun to suspect. Whatever was being created on Anza-bora Island, it was bigger—much, much bigger—than the people who hired him had even begun to guess.
    That meant information—information that could be sold to the highest bidder.
    Looking at his solemn face, no one could possibly have understood how happy that thought made Ramon Korbuscek.
    From his position at the computer Hap looked up at the sputtering Wendy and said, “What guys? I’m the only one here.”
    Wendy scowled. “This is important. Where are they?”
    â€œI don’t have the slightest idea.” Hap paused, then added tartly, “You don’t have to wait for them to tell me, you know.”
    Wendy smacked her palm against her forehead. “Duh!” she said. “Sorry.” Then, talking so fast she could barely keep her words straight, she spilled out the story of Black Glove’s warning message.
    Hap turned pale. But his response was interrupted by a commotion at the door as Roger, Rachel, and Trip came piling into the room. A moment later Ray, clutching his beloved basketball, came stumbling in as well.
    â€œWhat happened to you two?” asked Roger, when he saw the expression on Hap and Wendy’s faces. “You look like you just saw a ghost.”
    â€œNot saw,” said Wendy. “Heard from. Black Glove left a message on my computer this morning.”
    It was impossible for her to speak above the babble that erupted at this statement.
    â€œAll right, everybody shut up!” shouted Roger. When the gang finally fell silent, he turned to Wendy and said, “Do you have the message?”
    She snorted in disgust. “It disappeared, just as you would expect. But it also burned itself into my brain. I feel like Rachel; I can repeat the thing by heart.”
    â€œGo ahead,” said Roger.
    Wendy cleared her throat, and began to recite:
    Miss Wendell:
    This is a warning.
    The people I work for have suffered enough from your foolish interference. You and your friends will stay out of my affairs, or suffer the consequences.
    If you question this, let me review a few points for you.
    You know I exist, but you cannot convince anyone else that I am real. Even worse, you have no idea who I am. You do not know where to find me, or how to fight me.
    I, on the other hand, know who each of you is.
    I can contact you by computer anytime I wish. Much of the time I can see what you are doing.
    At times I can even hear you.
    I have power. You do not.
    Until today, I have been taking it easy on you. But I am not playing any longer. Cease to bother me, or be prepared to suffer the consequences.
    Remember: I am watching.
    And I may watch one of you die.
    â€”Black Glove
    When the Wonderchild was done a heavy silence hung over the group.
    â€œHe’s bluffing,” said Roger at last.
    â€œOr she, ” said