The captain came to the door, carrying in his hand the evening newspaper he had been reading.
“What is it?” he asked.
The messenger handed him the envelope he drew from his pocket. The captain signed for it and tore it open.
He ran his eyes over the message, and gave a shout that brought Don to his feet in a twinkling.
“What is it?” he asked in surprise and some alarm. “What’s the matter?”
“Read it! Read it!” cried the captain, shoving the message toward his nephew with a hand that trembled.
Don looked at it, and started as though he had received an electric shock.
“It’s from mother!” he cried. “It’s from mother!”
This was the way the message ran:
“Strange disappearance of Richard. Must have assistance. Cable immediately.