Part 17 (1/2)
CHAPTER X
STARTLING NEWS
Sam and Tom watched with interest while d.i.c.k tore open the envelope and took out the letter it contained. The oldest Rover boy scanned the communication hastily.
”What is it?” questioned both of his brothers, impatiently.
”It's from Uncle Randolph,” replied d.i.c.k. ”He says father went to New York several days ago.”
”Is that all?”
”No, he adds that he sent father a telegram and so far no answer has come back,” went on d.i.c.k, seriously. ”He thinks something has happened to dad.”
”Oh, d.i.c.k,” cried Sam. ”What could happen to him?”
”A great many things, Sam--in a big city like New York. He might get run down by a street car, or an automobile, or be hurt in the subway, or on the elevated railroad. He wasn't very well, remember.”
”Yes, I know that. Is that all?”
”Uncle Randolph wants to know at once whether we have heard from dad during the past three days.”
”We haven't had a word,” broke in Tom ”I thought it kind of strange, too.”
The other boys read the letter, and then the three talked the matter over. They were interrupted by a knock on the door, and Stanley appeared.
”Going to the spread, aren't you?” he questioned. ”Hurry up--it's getting late.”
”I don't think I can go,” answered d.i.c.k. ”I've got something I must attend to--this letter from my uncle,” and he held the communication up. ”Sam and Tom can go.”
”I don't feel much like it--now,” murmured Sam.
”Neither do I,” added Tom.
”Oh, you might as well go,” urged d.i.c.k. ”I'll attend to the message to Uncle Randolph. Everything may be all right--and there is no use of the three of us disappointing Bob. You go, and explain why I didn't come.”
”Maybe you can come later,” suggested Stanley.
”I'll see. But I must get word to my uncle first,” answered d.i.c.k.
While Sam and Tom got ready to attend the spread Bob Grimes was to give, d.i.c.k hurried downstairs again. In the hallway he ran into Paul Orben, one of the older students whom he knew real well.
”Why in such a hurry, d.i.c.k?” questioned Paul, good-naturedly grabbing him by the shoulder.
”I want to get to town--to send a telegram home,” answered d.i.c.k.
Then, struck by a sudden idea, he added: ”Paul, is your motorcycle ready for use?”
”It is, and if you want to use it to run down to Ashton with, take it,” answered the other, readily. He had once been up in the Dartaway and was glad of a chance to pay the debt he thought he owed the Rovers.