"Sir,--Your niece is in our hands, and you may be sure that she is securely hidden. Every move you take on her behalf increases her danger. There is only one means of rescue--ransom. Within forty-eight hours you shall pay to the credit of James Franklin with the Credit Lyonnais, Paris, the sum of a quarter of a million sterling, a small sum when Wilkinson's wealth is considered, and the means he used to amass it. The moment the money is in our hands, and you may be sure we have left open no possibility of your tricking us, your niece shall be set at liberty. Delay or refuse, and your niece dies. In case you should deceive yourself and think this is not genuine, that we are powerless to carry out our threat, your niece herself has endorsed this letter." Quarles looked at the endorsement. "Is that Miss Wilkinson's signature?" he asked. "It is," Sir Michael answered. "I could swear to it anywhere," said Cayley. "The money is a small matter when Eva has to be considered. We may succeed in tricking the scoundrels later, but the money must be paid." "If it is, you may depend they will get clear off," said Quarles. "They have made their arrangements cleverly enough for that." "But you forget--" "I forget nothing, Mr. Cayley." "I feel that it must be paid," said Sir Michael. "If you can devise any way of tripping up the villains, do, but Eva's signature--" "Look at it, Sir Michael," said Quarles. "I do not doubt that it is her signature, but I think it was scribbled on that piece of paper before the letter was written, and certainly a different ink was used." Sir Michael took the letter and looked at it carefully. "Yes--yes, I think you are right," he said after a pause. "What do you advise?" "Delay," said the professor promptly. "They are out for money, for a quarter of a million. They will not hurt Miss Wilkinson while there is any chance of their getting the money." "How long would you make the delay?" Cayley asked. "At least until after Mr. Wigan and I have visited Whiteladies again. We propose to go there to-morrow." "I was going down to-morrow after seeing the solicitors about this money," said Sir Michael. "That will be excellent," said Quarles. "You will be able to assist us in a little investigation we want to make at Whiteladies. May I suggest that you should arrange preliminaries with the solicitors so as not to waste time, but tell them to await your instructions before taking final steps? There may be nothing in our idea, but there may be a great deal in it." "You do not wish to tell me what it is?" "Not until to-morrow evening." I was watching Cayley. I saw the ghost of a smile on his lips for a moment. He evidently saw through Quarles's reticence, and knew that the professor would not speak before him. "It will be evening before we reach Whiteladies," Quarles went on, "because there is an important inquiry we must make in London first." "Very well," said Sir Michael. "I will delay until to-morrow night."