Joe Marion, entering the room noiselessly, dropped a letter into his hand. The letter bore the insignia of the Ardmore family in one corner.
"From Gladys Ardmore!" he told himself.
But he was mistaken. It was a typewritten letter signed in a bold business hand. It ran:
"It is with great pleasure that I inclose a check for the sum of the reward offered for the safe return of my son.
"(Signed) J. Anson Ardmore."
Curlie looked at the check, then uttered a low whistle.
"Pay to the order of C. Carson, $10,000.00," he whispered. Then out loud:
"Joe, what would a fellow do with ten thousand dollars?"
"Search me," Joe grinned back. "You got the fever or something?" he asked a second later.
Curlie showed him the check.