Flynn’s Weekly Detective Fiction. Vol. 27, No. 2, September 24, 1927

“Whitcher Bemis:

“Since you have seen fit to appoint yourself the manager of the Essie Crocker kidnaping affair, we are therefore naturally addressing our proposition and ultimatum to you.

“This Avenging Society, as it calls itself, is not a. legitimate organization. It is composed of two or three stragglers, all discredited men who have been dismissed from our own society. We have been slightly bothered by them before this, but they have never gone to the cold lengths that they have on the present occasion — nor do we think they fever will again. Anyway, we have stepped in, as soon as our nearest headquarters was informed of the matter, and taken Essie Crocker from their hands and into our own charge. She is with us now.

“We must mention, Mr. Bemis, that we never deal in such comparatively trifling amounts as ten thousand dollars under any circumstances, twenty-five thousand dollars being our minimum. We are, however, not too greedy. We realize that your community and the surrounding country is not exactly a wealthy one, so we will demand no more than the twenty-five thousand dollars mentioned as our lowest ransom ever quoted. As we know you must collect fifteen thousand dollars more to make up the amount, we will give you a little grace, until three o’clock Saturday afternoon, precisely.

“The money, also in small bills, may be placed in the same Porcupine Cave on Sleepy Hollow Mountain already specified by the amateur kidnapers. Unless it is there by that hour, we — well, we do not stupidly threaten something that will be worse than death itself. We will kill, quickly and mercifully and positively.

“Black Hand.

“(Chapter of Original Society).

“P.S. — By the way, Mr. Bemis. In order to conclusively prove to you that we are an efficient organization, and also that we know this locality thoroughly, we have captured both Walter Trowbridge and Jefferson Moseby. You hid sent them to spy about the vicinity of Porcupine Cave, and, although we acknowledge that they are fine woodsmen, we had no difficulty in taking them completely by surprise and making them our prisoners. They are now safe, having suffered no violence, in the same hiding place where we are keeping Essie Crocker. They, too, will be freed when the twenty-five thousand dollars is forthcoming, and we believe that you will agree as to our generosity in giving you what may be called this bargain rate.

B. H.”

“Oh, God! Oh, dear God, help—”

Amos Crocker had yelled this out, as Whitcher finished, while the others looked on wide-eyed.