Page:Rover Boys Down East.djvu/157

Rh exclaimed Sam, as the craft drew closer. "That is Pete Hawley rowing."

"Jack must have a message," came from Dick. "Wonder what it can be?"

"Hello, boys!" yelled the Rovers' hired man, as soon as he was within failing distance. "Got a very particular letter fer you!" And he waved the communication in the air.

"What is it, Jack?" demanded Dick, quickly.

"You jess read the letter, and you'll find out as quick as I kin tell you," answered the man.

"Anybody sick or hurt?" asked Sam.

"Nobuddy hurt—leas'wise not in body, an' nobuddy sick nuther, in the ordinary way. But I reckon your friends from Cedarville is putty sick all the way through, when they think of their loss."

Dick snatched the letter and glanced at it It was in his father's handwriting and bore only a few lines, as follows:

"'Just received a telegram from Mrs. Stanhope, wanting to know if I had received her money, as asked for? Telegraphed back that I had not asked for money and had received none. Then she telegraphed that she had sent money to a certain place at my request. I don't understand this at all. I fear something is wrong, and I am"