“If you say a word of this to any one outside _your_ family and the man you send with the money or if you take any steps to bring it to the attention _of the police you will never see your child_ again, for if _any one_ knows of it we will not take the risk of returning him, but will leave him _to his fate_. “If you obey our instructions in every point you will have word _within two hours_ after the money has been left where you can go and get your boy safe and sound “We have been after this thing for a _long time_ we _know our business_ and can beat all the police in America “we are after the money and if you do what you are _told_, _no harm will come to your little boy_. but if you fail to do what we tell you or do what we tell you not to do _you will never look upon your child again as sure as there is a god in heaven we know you have the money in the bank_ and that the bank closes at 2 o’clock and we _must_ have it _to-night so get in time_. don’t tell them why you draw it out. You can say you are buying property if you wish for this thing must be _between you and us_ if you want your boy back alive. “_Remember_ the case of _Charley Ross_ of Philadelphia. His father _did not do_ as _he was told_ but went to the police and then spent five times as much as he could have got him back for but never saw his little boy _to the day of his death a word to the wise man is enough_ “_Now understand us plainly_ get the money from the bank _in time_ don’t open your lips to any one and send the money by a trusty man to the place we say at 8:15 a _quarter past eight to-night_ He wants to _be sure that no one else sees him put the package there_, so there is no possible danger of any one _else_ getting it, then within two hours you shall have word from us where your boy is. “Every move you make will be known to us and if you attempt _any crooked work_ with us _say good-by to your boy_ and look out for _yourself_ for we will _meet you again when you least expect it_ Do as we tell you and all will be well and we will deal straight with you if you make the _least crooked move_ you will _regret it to the day of your death_. “If you want to have your little boy back _safe and sound_. Keep your lips closed and do _exactly as you are told_ “If you fail to obey _every direction_ you will have _one child less_. “Yours truly “The Captain of the Gang.” Mrs. Conway threw down the letter before she had got past the first few sentences and ran into the street, screaming for her boy. He did not answer. None of the neighbors had seen him since eight o’clock, when he had been let out to play in the sun. It was true. The distracted mother, clutching the strange epistle in her hand, ran to summon her husband. He read the letter, set his jaw, and sent for the police. No one was going to extort three thousand dollars from him without a fight.