No one else appeared to have paid any heed to the horseman. A few minutes later the soldier rode up the driveway.
"Senor—Haynes?" called the soldier, holding up an envelope.
Tom passed the word. Messrs, Haynes and Ellsworth were absent, it seemed, on a walk.
"If it's a telegram," said Mr. Hippen, "I'm a director in the same road. It may be on railroad business. I'll take the telegram."
It was turned over to him. Mr. Hippen broke the seal of the envelope, took out the enclosure and read it. Then he read it aloud, as follows:
"Train thirteen wrecked this forenoon." It was signed by President
Haynes's secretary.
"Humph!" said Mr. Hippen. "I don't see the need of wasting the railroad's money to send that despatch here."
He folded it and placed it in his pocket, against Mr. Haynes's return.
"I shall want to talk with you two for a few minutes," Don Luis presently whispered to Tom. "I shall have my car here soon. When you see it, both of you come forward and be ready to take a short ride with me."
In the background stood Dr. Tisco, looking on with cynical eyes.