“Was that all?” Tom asked.

“I think so—­I made a note of it at the time.”  Mrs. Damon looked into a small red book.  “No, that wasn’t all,” she said, quickly.  “I was so astonished, at hearing those strange words about my husband, that I didn’t know what to say.  Before I could ask any questions the voice went on to say, rather abruptly:  ’We will call you again.’”

“That’s good!” cried Tom.  “I only hope they do it while I am here.  Perhaps I can get some clue as to who it was called you.  But was this all you heard?”

“Yes, I’m sure that was all.  I had forgotten about the last words, but I see I have them written down in my note book.”

“Did you ask any questions?” inquired Tom.

“Oh, indeed I did!  As soon as I got over being stunned by what I heard, I asked all sorts of questions.  I demanded to know who was speaking, what they meant, where they were, and all that.  I begged them to tell me something of my husband.”

“And what did they say?”

“Not a thing.  There wasn’t a sound in the telephone.  The receiver was hung up, breaking the connection after that message to me—­ that mysterious message.”

“Yes, it was mysterious,” agreed Tom, thoughtfully.  “I can’t understand it.  But didn’t you try to learn from the central operator where the call had come from?”

“Oh, yes, indeed, Tom!  As soon as I found out the person speaking to me had rung off, I got the girl in the exchange.”

“And what did she say?”

“That the call came from an automatic pay station in a drug store in town.  I have the address.  It was one of those telephones where you put your money for the call in a slot.”

“I see.  Well, the first thing to do is for me to go to that drug store and find out, if I can, who used the telephone about that time.  It’s a slim chance, but we’ll have to take it.  Was it a man’s voice, or a woman’s?”

“Oh, a man’s, I’m sure.  It was very deep and heavy.  No woman could speak like that.”

“So much is settled, anyhow.  Now about the land papers—­what was meant?”

“I’ll tell you,” said Mrs. Damon.  “You know part of our property—­ considerable land and some buildings—­is in my name.  Mr. Damon had it fixed so a number of years ago, in order to protect me.  No one could get this property, and land, unless I signed the deeds, or agreed to sign them.  Now all of Mr. Damon’s fortune is tied up in some of Mr. Peters’s companies.  That is why my husband has disappeared.”

“He didn’t disappear—­he was taken away against his will; I’m positive of that!” exclaimed Tom.

“Perhaps so,” agreed Mrs. Damon, sadly.  “But those are the papers referred to, I’m sure.”

“Probably,” assented Tom.  “The rascals want to get control of everything—­even your possessions.  Not satisfied with ruining Mr. Damon, they want to make you a beggar, too.  So they are playing on your fears.  They promise to release your husband if you will give them the land.”