"He appears to really mean business," Nick observed. "Did your wife recognize him?"
"No. She had only a glimpse at his face. She is sure that he wore a beard, however, and was a dark man, of medium build. She was too frightened to note anything more."
"The beard may have been a disguise."
"Quite likely."
"What steps did you then take to protect her?"
"I employed two private watchmen to stealthily keep an eye on my estate, hoping to discover and arrest the miscreant. On the very next day, Nick, a threatening letter came in the mail, addressed to my wife. It was on cheap, plain paper, and printed with a lead pencil, as were the placards mentioned."
"Obviously, then, from the same person," said Nick. "What did the letter contain?"
"I have it in my pocket."
"Ah. Let me see it."
Mantell hastened to comply, and Nick read the following, rudely printed on a single sheet of paper: