"Horrible!" cried Jefferson; "horrible!"
Dismay and terror were on every face.
The dreadful news paralysed their movements, and rendered them momentarily helpless.
Dick Harvey was the first to break the silence.
He sprang to his feet, and made for the grounds, motioning the others to follow him.
"Let us try and catch the postman," he exclaimed; "if we get hold of him, we may learn something worth knowing."
"Bravo!" responded Jefferson; "a capital idea."
They were flying all over the grounds immediately.
But the result may be guessed in advance.
Not a sign was there of the bearer of this alarming letter.