“Yes.”
“No doubt about it?”
“No.”
In a rather peculiar voice, Ellery said, “All right, Laurel. Read it.”
“But it’s not signed.” Laurel sounded as if she wanted to punch somebody.
“Read it.”
Macgowan knelt behind her, nuzzling her shoulder with his big chin.
Laurel paid no attention to him; she read the note with a set face.
You believed me dead. Killed, murdered. For over a score of years I have looked for you ― for you and for him. And now I have found you. Can you guess my plan? You’ll die. Quickly? No, very slowly. And so pay me back for my long years of searching and dreaming of revenge. Slow dying... unavoidable dying. For you and for him. Slow and sure ― dying in mind and in body. And for each pace forward a warning... a warning of special meaning for you ― and for him. Meanings for pondering and puzzling. Here is warning number one.
Laurel stared at the notepaper.