“What about Dad?” she asked.
Don’s face clouded.
“That news isn’t so good,” he answered. “Mother says that he has mysteriously disappeared. But we’ll find him, never fear. And, anyway, we know that he is still alive—or was up to within a very short time. When is that cablegram dated, Uncle Frank?”
“This morning,” answered the captain, “and it comes from Alexandria. That shows that they both reached Egypt from Brazil. It’s probable that Richard has been missing for a day or two only, or Alice would have cabled sooner. I wish she had gone more into details. But those will come later,” he added.
“She has probably been short of money, and cable tolls are expensive,” suggested the professor.
“We’ll soon settle the money question!” exclaimed the captain. “Dan,” he called to the man of all work, who, together with Mrs. Roscoe and Jenny, had been called out by the excitement and stood near by, “get out the car at once and drive me down to the village. I’ll cable her a thousand dollars to-night, and tell her we’re coming to her by the first steamer we can get.”
Dan hurried away to the garage, while the captain went into the house to get his hat.
“Come into the house, my blessed lamb,” said Mrs. Roscoe, her own face wet with happy tears, as she folded Ruth in her motherly embrace and led her inside.
“My poor dear Missus!” blubbered Jenny, as she followed them. “All alone out there in the land of the Pigamids and the Spinach!”
“I’m going with you, Uncle Frank!” cried Don, as Dan brought the car up to the door.