"Mr. Croyden," said Rebbert, "we have been questioning the servants, but have obtained nothing of importance, except that the ladies wore their hats and coats (at least, they have disappeared). This, with the fact that you found Miss Cavendish's glove and handkerchief, on a road without the limits of Hampton, leads to the conclusion that they have been abducted. But why? Miss Carrington, we are informed, has no great wealth--how as to Miss Cavendish?"
"She has more than sufficient--in fact, she is very rich----"
"Ah! then we _have_ a motive," said the detective.
"There is a motive, but it is not Miss Cavendish," Croyden answered. "You're correct as to the abduction, however--this will explain," and he handed him the letter.
"At noon to-day," replied Croyden, passing over the envelope.
"Do you object to explaining certain things in this letter?" Rebbert asked.
"Not in the least," replied Croyden. "I'll tell you the entire story.... Is there anything I have missed?" he ended.
"Very well! Now, we prefer that you should take no measures to apprehend the abductors, until after Miss Cavendish and Miss Carrington have been released. We are going to pay the amount demanded."
"Going to pay the two hundred thousand dollars!" cried the detectives, in one breath.
Croyden nodded. "Afterward, you can get as busy as you like."
A knowing smile broke over the men's faces, at the same instant.
"You too think we found the treasure?" Croyden exclaimed.
"It looks that way, sir," said Rebbert; while Sanders acquiesced, with another smile.
Croyden turned to Macloud and held up his hands, hopelessly.
"If we only had!" he cried. "If we only had!"
On the second morning after their abduction, when Elaine and Davila arose, the sky was obscured by fog, the trees exuded moisture, and only a small portion of the Bay was faintly visible through the mist.
"This looks natural!" said Elaine. "We must have moved out to Northumberland, in the night."
Davila smiled, a feeble sort of smile. It was not a morning to promote light-heartedness, and particularly under such circumstances.
"Is this anything like Northumberland?" she asked.
"Yes!--Only Northumberland is more so. For a misty day, this would be remarkably fine.--With us, it's midnight at noon--all the lights burning, in streets, and shops, and electric cars, bells jangling, people rushing, pushing, diving through the dirty blackness, like devils in hell. Oh, it's pleasant, when you get used to it.--Ever been there?"
