"HARKAWAY."
This letter he sent by a trusty messenger to the spot appointed for the meeting place, and they waited impatiently for the further result.
It was not long coming.
Before two o'clock, Marietta discovered another letter tied to the garden gate, but how it came there they were unable to decide.
Be that as it may, it was soon discovered to be of the highest importance to them in the present state of affairs.
It was brief and startling, and ran as follows—
"We do not bandy words with you. We offer our conditions. You refuse. Well and good. The consequences be upon your own head. If the money be not paid by four to-day, at six the boys will lose an ear each."
"The villains!" cried poor Harkaway. "Oh, villains!"
But he was powerless to help them.
He knew well enough that, do what he would, he could not hope to get the boys back without paying, and paying through the nose too.