After a fifteen minute wait Herman Crocker's car was heard coming down the road. The automobile stopped some distance from the bridge, and Penny, who had keen eyes, saw that the old man had brought his grandson with him. However, he left the boy in the car and came toward the bridge alone.
"Well, did you bring the money?" asked Jay Kline.
"I could raise only half the sum you demanded," the old man whined. "You have the letters with you?"
Jay Kline produced the packet.
"Oh, no you don't," he laughed as Herman tried to take the letters from him. "You'll get them only when you've paid over all the money."
"I'll give you what I have. Don't be too hard on me."
At a nod from Mr. Nichols, the plain-clothes men stepped from the bushes surrounding the pair.
"Tricked!" shouted Jay Kline.
Believing that Old Herman had betrayed him to the police, he struck savagely at the man and then brushing past one of the officers, ran down the ravine. Two policemen took after him and soon dragged him back. Herman Crocker had not attempted to escape.
"Take Kline down to Kendon," Mr. Nichols ordered tersely. "I'll look after Crocker myself."