"From father?"
"No, from a Captain Townsend, who, it seems, commands the clipper ship Rosabel. He sent me one letter inclosing another. The first letter is from himself."
"And is the second letter from father?" burst out Tom.
"Yes, my boy."
"Oh, let us see it!" came in a shout from all three of the Rover boys.
"You had better read the captain's communication first," answered Randolph Rover. "Then you will be more apt to understand the other. Or shall I read it for the benefit of all?"
"Yes, yes, you read it, Uncle Randolph," was the answer.
"The letter is dated at Cape Town, and was written a little over a
month ago. It is addressed to 'Randolph Rover, or to Richard,
Thomas, or Samuel Rover, New York City,' and is further marked
'Highly Important-Do Not Lose or Destroy.'"
"And what is in it?" asked the impatient Tom. "Do hurry and tell us, Uncle Randolph."
And then his uncle read as follows: