"Read it!" exclaimed the others, pressing nearer.
On the paper, which seemed to be a leaf torn from a pocket account book, were scrawled the following words:
"You fellers Haid better git erway Frum Devul irelan in a Blame big Hurry or you will git used the saim as frank Merryfull did. you wunt Naver se no moar of Him."
"That settles it!" said Diamond, bitterly. "Frank is done for this time! They have finished him—the devils!"
"Well, they'll never drive me away from this island till I have found out how they did it and who they are!" vowed Hodge. "Right here I swear I will spend the rest of my life in avenging Merry, if it is necessary."
"I am with you!"
"And I!"
"Yaw! Me, too!"
They shook hands on it, with bared heads. Never were four lads in more deadly earnest.