“Is it from your enemies?” asked Ned.
“I think it is. Read it!”
Ned let his eyes rove over this:
“If Mr. Quick will present himself at a certain house on Rattlesnake Island he will learn something to his advantage. Mr. Quick must present himself absolutely alone. If there is any attempt at trickery all negotiations will be called off and vigorous retaliatory measures at once undertaken. Come this midnight.”
“Are you going, Tom?” asked Ned.
“I certainly am!”
“Alone—and to Rattlesnake Island where we were held prisoners?” cried Ned.
“Why not? They won’t try any trick like that again. They’ll know I wouldn’t walk into a trap like that without leaving word where I am bound for and my non-appearance in due time would mean a search. They aren’t such fools as that. I’ll go and see what they have to say. I’ll be there when the clock strikes twelve.”
“They aren’t giving you much time for preparation. It’s after two o’clock now.”
“It’s all the time I need. I’ve been anticipating this and I’m ready. Now, Ned, I’ll let you into some of my secrets that I’ve been holding out on you.”