[CHAPTER XX]
OFF TO THE LAKE
“Kidnapped?” the chief exclaimed.
“Yes! Look here!” spoke Mr. Nixon, his hands trembling with excitement as he extended a piece of paper to the chief. “Noddy did not come home all night. This morning I found this in his room. It is terrible. You must help me find him.”
The chief read aloud what was written on the paper:
“We have taken your son away. If you want his return say nothing but leave $1,000 under the old oak tree on the river bank Friday night.
“The River Pirates.”
“What do you think of that?” asked Mr. Nixon, who was much excited.
“Um,” spoke the chief non-committally. “It’s certainly very strange, Mr. Nixon. Noddy is rather a large size to kidnap, but then you can’t tell about criminals now. If you’ll leave this with me I’ll put some of my men right to work on it. I’ve got my own hands full with this robbery.”