turned without news. The group met in stony silence.
Professor Brierly was absently fingering an enclosure addressed to
him when he uttered an exclamation. He read it and handed it to
the person nearest him, McCall. The latter read the communication
aloud, all crowding in their eagerness to see it over his
shoulder. There was no signature.

_The boy is safe. You will hear from us. Do not communicate with
the police._

The communication was on an oblong sheet of cheap notepaper,
evidently torn from a scratch pad. The message was inscribed in
hand printed characters. The features of the group were compounded
of relief, deadly anger, hope, fear. Norah was of a sanguine
disposition. She thought of other kidnappings, but she chose to
dwell rather on those that ended happily. This note spelled hope.
She sobbed in an access of relief, being held close in her
brother's arms. Jack was clumsily and tenderly patting her
shoulder, making endearing and comforting sounds.

She looked up and dried her eyes, glancing from one to the other
of the four capable men in the group. A glow of confidence in
their combined ability gave her new hope.

"What shall we do," she asked piteously. "Shall we do what they
say or--"

The men exchanged glances. Professor Brierly finished her
sentence: "Or notify the authorities?" She nodded mutely.

After a long pause, Matthews answered slowly. "Everything I can
do, dear, everything I have is at your disposal and will be used
to help find Tommy. But it is for you to say what we do about it."

Professor Brierly said gently:

"John voices my sentiments, Mrs. Van Orden. All I can do, all I
have is at your disposal toward finding your boy. The Canadian
Police are a very efficient organization. But we take a certain
risk in calling in the authorities on this quest. The same, of
course, applies to publicity. Mr. Hale, I am sure, will respect
that. I realize that it is hard to wait because whatever traces
there are may be obscured by the passage of time. On the other
hand, calling in the police, with its resultant publicity, may
force the kidnappers to the very step we all fear. Therefore, I am
afraid that the responsibility for decision must lie with you, my
dear."

The men looked in unhappy silence at the struggle the young woman
was undergoing. Her features betrayed her hopes and fears. Finally
twirling the plain gold band on her finger she said:

"It can do no particular harm to wait a da