“I’m worried, Bess,” said George to her friend, her brow creased with concern, “we don’t actually have any real proof that these guys are the blackmailers. At this rate, we’ll have to let them go.” Bess kept her arms folded, betraying her own anxiety. She glanced over towards Peter and Jeff, who glared back at her resentfully over their gags: she wasn’t looking forward to having to untie the two furious-looking young men. “Unless Nance has discovered some new clues…” she remarked hopefully.
At that very moment the cabin door swung open and all eyes turned to see who was entering. It was Nancy with a disheveled looking prisoner in tow. “Nancy!” exclaimed George. “Who’s that?” The girl sleuth led the glowering man into the cabin, the despairing eyes of Peter and Jeff following the pair as the two captives noticed the suited, older new arrival also had his hands tied behind his back. “This fellow is the leader of the whole operation.” replied Nancy excitedly. “And he has a very interesting story to tell!”