"Why?"
"If he were one of the survivors he would have cabled at once."
"He might be ill or--"
Maynard shook his head.
"I think we can discount that suggestion."
"Then his only chance would be the other boat?"
"Yes."
"And you think that chance--"
"A faint one. It was probably the bigger and better boat. It should have turned up before the other. It has not."
Every word carried conviction to the girl. The flicker of hope in Harnash's heart died away. It revived again when Stephanie, after pondering her father's words--and he allowed her to reflect upon them at her pleasure, volunteering nothing, suggesting nothing--began with another question.