“No,” replied Don slowly, his tone tinctured with soberness. “That’s the one bad thing in the news. He’s disappeared, and mother doesn’t know where he is. We’re going over to hunt him up. But at least we know that he was alive nearly up to the time she cabled, and that’s a whole lot in itself.”
By this time the car had reached the house. Captain Sturdy went inside to discuss the coming trip with Professor Bruce. Don and Fred sat down on the porch, while Emily rushed inside to rejoice with Ruth over her new-found happiness.
Fred and Emily Turner were orphans, who lived at a little distance from the Sturdy home. Their first acquaintance with Don dated from the time just before his journey to Brazil when Don had saved Emily from a raging torrent into which she had fallen. Fred at that time was badly crippled, so badly, in fact, that his recovery seemed hopeless. The orphans were also in bad financial circumstances, and the small estate in stocks and bonds that had been left them by their father had been taken from them by a heartless swindler.
A warm friendship sprang up between Don and the young folks, and the former enlisted the help of his uncles in their behalf. The story of what was done for the Turners by Professor Bruce and Captain Sturdy and how Fred was cured of his lameness and made as strong and well as other lads of his age has been narrated in the preceding volume.
Don and Fred had been chatting for a few minutes on the porch when the telephone bell rang. Don excused himself and went inside to answer it.
“Hello!” came the call. “Is that you, Don? This is Brick.”
“Bully!” cried Don, as he realized that his caller was Teddy Allison, nicknamed Brick because of his mop of fiery red hair. “I’ve been wondering why I hadn’t heard from you.”
“Been plugging away at my books,” growled Brick. “But vacation will be here in a few days now, and I’m going to make tracks to Hillville just as soon as I can get away. I’m crazy to hear all about your trip to Brazil.”
“You haven’t been any crazier than I’ve been to have you come,” replied Don. “But, Brick, old boy, I’m afraid I won’t be here when your vacation begins. I’m going to Egypt.”
There was an exclamation at the other end of the wire as though Brick had been stunned. Don went on to explain the good news he had received and Teddy was overjoyed.