“Their spokesman, who did all of the talking, so informed Miss Langham and Hazen,” Clayton proceeded. “He commanded them to return to the hotel, and to state that I had left town for a few days. He warned them against disclosing the truth and making a stir over my abduction. He threatened, in case they did, that my life would be the forfeit. On the other hand, he promised that I should be liberated and allowed to return safely, if his instructions were rigidly obeyed.”
“Did you say anything to him except to protest against the outrage?”
“No. He wouldn’t permit it, and the interview lasted only a few moments. I saw plainly that I had no alternative but to obey, however, and I resolved to take the rascal on his word. I directed Hazen and Clara to obey the scoundrel, therefore, and to take no steps for a few days, at least.”
“I infer that they did so, since the outrage was not published.”
“Exactly. That was the reason.”
“You then went with the gang?”
“Yes. I had no alternative. Hazen was ordered to drive on with Miss Langham, and the gang waited until[Pg 5] my car had disappeared. I then was commanded to get into the other, which I did, taking a seat between two of the knaves in the tonneau.”
“Were there only three in the gang?”
“There was one other, the man who was driving the car.”
“Did he also wear a beard?”