The team was turned over to Aleck Pop and the boys went into the house. There the Rovers read the telegrams which had been received from Mrs. Stanhope. There was also a telegram from John Laning, in which he said he would look into the matter if he could get around, but that he had fallen from the hayloft of his barn and sprained his ankle.
“That will keep him home,” said Sam. “Too bad—just when the Stanhopes may need his aid.”
“I wish I knew the particulars of the affair—then a fellow would know how to act,” said Dick, impatiently.
“Father may send word before night,” answered Tom.
“I was sorry to see your father go away,” said Mrs. Rover. “He was not very well.”
“Not well?” cried Sam. “What was the matter with him?”
“Oh, it wasn’t much, but it was enough. You’ll remember how he struck his knee on a rock or something, while you were on that treasure hunt.”
“Oh, yes, he fell down in the hole,” said Tom. “He was so excited at the time he didn’t notice the hurt.”
“Exactly, Tom. Well, lately that has bothered him quite some, and he had to go to a doctor about it. The doctor told him to be careful of the knee, or it might give him lots of trouble and maybe get stiff.”
“Then he shouldn’t have gone to Cedarville,” said Dick. “We don’t want dad to get a stiff leg.”