Instead of having been written, however, the communication was neatly printed with a lead pencil, occasional erasures denoting that considerable care had been taken in forming the printed letters.
The communication read as follows:
“Mr. John Madden: The undersigned need money—of which you have a thousand times more than you really need.
“In order to separate you from the amount we require, therefore, we have begun with separating you from something more dear to you than money—your child.
“The situation now is a simple one. It needs no elaboration. You want your stolen child. We want half a million dollars.
“That is the price you must pay—or suffer an only alternative.
“If you submit and consent to pay this ransom, acting directly in accord with instructions we shall give, your child will be quickly and safely restored to you.
“If you refuse, or attempt to dicker over the payment, we will send you the girl—laid out for burial. There is no middle course.
“Half a million ransom—or death.
“This is the only letter we shall send you. We refuse, furthermore, to treat directly with you. You are too[Pg 13] old a man to engage in such business. Negotiations must be continued, therefore, and the ransom finally paid, by a third party—some representative in whom you have absolute confidence.