“Plenty,” said Keatcham. “I was going to send him to the pen in self-defense. It isn’t safe for me to have it creep out that my secretary made a fortune selling my secrets. Besides, I don’t want to be killed. You say they can’t find him?”
“Seems to have gone to Japan—”
“Seems? What do you mean?”
“I am not sure. He was booked for a steamer; and a man under his name, of his build and color, did actually sail on the boat,” announced the colonel blandly.
“Hmn! He’s right here in San Francisco; read that note.”
Winter read the note, written on Palace Hotel note-paper, in a sharp, scrawling, Italian hand. The contents were sufficiently startling.
Dear friend Hoping this find you well. Why do you disregard a true Warning? We did write you afore once for say you give that money or we shal be unfortunately compel to kill you quick. No? You laff. God knows we got have that twenty-five thousan dol. Yes. And now because of such great expence it is fifty thousan you shall pay. We did not mean kill you dead only show you for sure there is no place so secret you can Hide no place so strong can defend you. Be Warn. You come with $50000.00 in $100 bills. You go or send Mr. Mercer to the Red Hat; ask for Louis. Say to Louis For the Black Hand. Louis will say For the Black Hand. You follow him. No harm will come to you. You will be forgive all heretobefores. Elseways you must die April 15-20. This is sure. You have felt our dagger the other is worse.
You well wishing Fren,
The Black Hand.
“Sounds like Atkins pretending to be a Dago,” said the colonel dryly. “I could do better myself.”
“Very likely,” said Keatcham.