The Mountain, Chapter 9 Summary

James meets with Andahl in a café. The gaunt man thinks that James is a writer; this is what Volterra has told him. James tells him that he is a friend of Owen Brademas. Andahl asks him if he has discovered the meaning behind the killings, and he responds with his theory regarding the initials. Andahl seems to confirm this and explains how the cult is an amorphous thing with many cells. Members die off, leave, and return. This allows them to go about their work without authorities intervening.

James asks Andahl about the words at the Mani that were painted over. Andahl says that some member of the cult, wandering off, left them as a clue. The cultists painted over them. He refuses to tell James the origins of the group, saying they will speak at another time...