left you. You have two days to think upon this. My messenger will
then see you, and receive the first instalment of the money. Those
who know me will tell you that you had better not harm one hair of
that messenger's head, but your best course will be to meet this
demand. 'Signed,' PETARD.

"The mystery was solved, and the father knew that the robber, vile
as he was, would keep his word; that though Bettina was thus
fearfully situated, Petard would protect and restore her, if he
acceded to his demand. The sum named was far beyond his means to
raise before the expiration of a considerable period of time; for
though, as the robber chief denominated him, rich, yet the princely
sum of money demanded could hardly have been raised at once, had the
united interest of the country for miles round been brought to bear
upon it.

"After consulting with Egbert and other friends, the father saw that
there was but one course left for him to pursue under the
circumstances of the case, and that was to comply with the demand as
far as was possible, and to get ready the first instalment of the
money for the following day. It would have been madness for him-his
daughter's safety, of course, being paramount to every other idea-to
have called upon the authorities to serve him. They had already, as
we have before stated, often failed in their efforts upon the
robber; and to incense Petard against him, was for the father to
sacrifice the life of his child. Thus influenced, the sum of money
demanded as the first instalment was made up by the assistance of
Egbert and others, and was quietly paid over to the robber
messenger, by the anxious father of Bettina.