But when he approached closer he saw that Rafaela was crying and that Jack was trying to comfort her.
Jack looked up at him, an expression of dismay on his face.
“I can’t make much out of this, Dad,” he said, “except that Don Ferdinand has disappeared, and Rafaela is dreadfully worried.”
CHAPTER IV.
WORD FROM DON FERDINAND.
Rafaela pulled away from Jack’s arms quickly at Mr. Hampton’s approach. The latter cast her a sharp glance and noted some slight confusion which his quick perception told him was not due solely to her anxiety over her father’s disappearance. He glanced at Jack, a question in his eyes. Jack grinned shamelessly, and Mr. Hampton had difficulty preserving a sober countenance. Evidently, his handsome son did not object to offering Rafaela comfort in her distress.
Then his thoughts leaped to the words still ringing in his ears, informing him that Don Ferdinand had disappeared. He turned to Rafaela to question her. But at that moment, she emitted a sharp exclamation as she held up a sealed envelope and examined the superscription.
“Why, this is from my father,” she cried.
“From your father?” exclaimed Jack. “Thought you said he had disappeared?”
“I did say he had disappeared,” answered Rafaela, ripping open the envelope. And pulling out the folded sheet which it contained she read it eagerly.
“Ah, this explains it,” she added, dropping to her side the hand holding the note, and facing the two men.