What they read was this:
“Have been captured by Jean LeBlanc. Have been forced to write this letter to you. LeBlanc wants a thousand dollars for my freedom. You are either to bring it with you, or make arrangements for its delivery at a spot known to the bearer of this letter. Warn you that any attempt to molest bearer will result in serious injury or worse to me. You know I would not ask this unless I were in grave peril. Don’t fail me. Follow bearer’s directions.
“Being emergency will ask ransom emphatically.
“Dick Wallace.”
“That’s Dick’s writing, sure enough. He must have been tortured into writing that letter, else he would never have done it,” said Garry between his teeth. “Now Barrows, the time has come for a showdown. What do you know about this matter? Speak up, and speak up quick!”
“What should I know about it. I don’t know what’s in the letter about your friend,” answered Barrows taken back by the tone of Garry’s grim voice.
“How do you know it’s about our friend?” demanded Garry quick as a flash.
“Why, the bearer here told me that it had to do with one of the three boys who were staying here,” answered Barrows weakly.
“I think you’re lying, Barrows, but I can’t prove it. Here, read the letter.”
He handed the crumpled note over to the manager, who took it and read it in silence. Then he burst into a protest.