CHAPTER XXVII 

THE COLLISION IN THE FOG 

"Hullo! Mumps isn't keeping this flag of truce very good," remarked Sam, as the seashell dropped at his feet. 

"There is something inside of the shell," said Tom. "A bit of paper. Perhaps it's a message?" 

"I'll soon see," returned his younger brother, and ran to where he could not be seen from the other yacht. 

He pulled from the seashell a small, square of paper, upon which had been hastily scrawled the following in lead pencil: 

"I will help you all I can and hope you won't prosecute me. I will see that Dora S. gets something to eat, even if I give her my share. They intend to go to Sand Haven if they can give you the slip." 

"Good for Mumps! He's coming to his senses," cried Sam, and showed the others the message. Dick read the words with much satisfaction. 

"I hope he does stand by Dora," he said. "If so, I'll shield him all I can when the crowd is brought up for trial." 

"If he tells the truth we may as well put into harbor and make for Sand Haven," said Martin Harris, who had now resumed the chase once more. 

"Yes; but he may not be telling the truth," was Sergeant Brown's comment. "The whole thing may be a trick to get us to go to Sand Haven while that crowd goes somewhere else." 

"I think they are tired of carrying the girl around," said Carter. "To give her up to us would have been no hardship." 
how did Mumps message make Dick feel?
Dick read the words with much satisfaction