"I didn't know it was going to be so bad. Anyway, I thought I'd get here before it broke."
"It must have been good news that brought you out here to-night," declared one of the others, sitting down.
"I'll say it was good news," said the newcomer. "Mighty good news."
"What is it?" they asked eagerly.
"I've found out why Fenton Hardy didn't pay any attention to that letter."
The boys listened eagerly. At the mention of their father they knew that all their suspicions had been verified. They waited tensely as the conversation went on.
"Why?" asked Red.
"He didn't get it."
"Why didn't he get it?"
The newcomer paused and smiled.