Tom had not told Mrs. Damon to say this. It came out of her own heart--she could not prevent the agonized outburst.
"Never mind about that, now," came the gruff voice over the wire. "Are you willing to send the papers?"
Mrs. Damon looked over to Tom for silent instructions. He nodded his head in assent.
"Yes, I--I will send them if you tell me where to get them to you--if you will release Mr. Damon," said the anxious wife. "But tell me who you are--and where you are!" she begged.
"None of that! I'm not looking to be arrested. You get the papers ready, and I'll let you know to-morrow, about this time, where to send them."
"Wait a minute!" called Mrs. Damon, to gain more time. "I must know just what papers you want."
"All right, I'll tell you," and he began to describe the different ones.
It took a little time for the unknown to give this information to Mrs. Damon. The man was very particular about the papers. There were trust deeds, among other things, and he probably thought that once he had possession of them, with Mrs. Damon's signature, even though it had been obtained under a threat, he could claim the property. Later it was learned that such was not the case, for Mrs. Damon, with Tom's aid, could have proved the fraud, had the scoundrels tried to get the remainder of the Damon fortune.
But at the time it seemed to the helpless woman that everything she owned would be taken from her. Though she said she did not care, as long as Mr. Damon was restored to her.
As I have said, the telephoning of the instructions about the papers took some time. Tom had counted on this, and had made his plans accordingly.