"We are up against a black hand game," he said. "Jimmie has been stolen!"
CHAPTER XIII
THREE DAYS TO MOVE IN
Ned took the paper into his hand and read:
"You boys are not wanted in the hills. We give you three days to get out. On the morning of the fourth day, if you are still here, we shall send you your friend's right hand. On the fifth day you will receive his left hand. On the sixth day his right foot. On the seventh day his left foot. On the eighth day his head. If you obey this command he will be restored to you, in good health, at Cumberland."
"Is it a joke?" asked Frank, white to the lips.
"It must be!" cried Jack. "No one would mutilate Jimmie."
"It is a coarse joke!" Teddy cut in.
"I'm afraid it is no joke, boys," Ned said. "I'm afraid we'll have to go."
"But we'll come back again!" shouted Oliver. "We'll come back with a whole company of Boy Scouts! There are enough Boy Scouts in New York to tear these mountains up by the roots!"