"So you know the men who have taken the boy we call Mike III.?" asked
Ned.
"I know him too well," was the bitter answer. "He's one of the men who use their friends up to the limit and then drop them!"
"You say 'him,'" Ned suggested. "Is there only one in this outrage?"
"There are several, but all bow to the will of the leader. I can't tell you anything more about it! I don't like the way I have been treated, or I wouldn't have said as much as I have."
"I thought your motive was to secure the return of the boy to his grandmother?"
"I want that done, of course, but I wouldn't have suggested it to you only for the high and mighty airs of the man placed over me."
"Why don't you tell me who this man is?" asked Ned. "Why don't you tell me the object of this abduction of the prince? Why not tell me where to find this little chap you seem honestly interested in?"
"I don't know anything about any prince!" insisted Bradley.
"Look here," Ned said, "I believe I can tell you just how this man you hate looks. If I describe him, will you tell me if I am right?"
"I will tell you nothing, except that you ought to look in the vicinity of Chimney rock for the grandson—not at the rock, but close to it! That is more than I ought to tell you."