"All that my agents can find out is that she is apparently a tramp, and that she cleared from Boston for southern ports with a cargo of general merchandise."
"And she has not been reported since?"
"No."
"There can be little hope then?"
"We must not despair yet."
"There could have been no mistake in the name of the steamer that picked them up?"
"I hardly think so. I saw the captain of the steamer that reported them and he is positive that he could have made no mistake in reading the signal."
"Then she should have arrived at some port long ago."
"Yes; but these tramp steamers are sometimes very slow and it is not unusual for them to be many days overdue and turn up all right. I think, Mary, it is best that you should go home. This anxiety is killing you and the surroundings here keep you constantly overwrought. I have every point covered from which a report of the steamer might be received, and then, who knows, if Harry should land in the South, he might go West at once."
Mrs. Hamilton shook her head and pointed out over the sea.