"I hope it's not bad news."
"A message for Richard Rover," announced George Strong, after receiving it, and handed over the yellow envelope.
Wondering what the message could contain and who had sent it, Dick tore open the envelope and read the brief communication. As his eyes met the words his head seemed to swim around, so bewildered was he by what was written there.
"What is it, Dick?" came from Tom and Sam.
"It's from Uncle Randolph. He wants us to come home at once. He says—but read it for yourselves," and the elder Rover handed over the message, which ran as follows:
"Have just received a strange message from the sea, supposed to be written by your father. Come home at once. RANDOLPH ROVER."
"My gracious! News from father!" gasped Tom.
"Is he really alive?" burst out Sam. "Oh, I pray Heaven the news is true!"
"A strange message from the sea," repeated Dick. "I wonder what he can mean?"
"Perhaps it's a message that was picked up by some steamer," suggested Sam. "Anyway, uncle wants us to come home at once."