"If it is, he may reach here in time," the other answered, "but it will mean a great deal of trouble, because the boat sails early in the morning long before the office here is open, and the deported aliens go on board to-night. Indeed they are going now—-if they haven't gone."
"And Bridget with them?"
"Yes, I'm sorry to say Bridget is with them." He strolled to the window. "No," he continued, "they haven't gone yet, but they will in a few minutes."
"Could I see her before she goes?"
"What for?"
"Just to cheer her up a bit," pleaded the boy.
The two men looked at each other, and Hamilton's new acquaintance nodded.
"You won't say anything about these telegrams," the chief warned him.
"No—very well," said Hamilton, "but it seems a shame that she doesn't know."
The three passed through the door to the yard beside the lawns, and there Hamilton encountered one of the most desolate groups he had ever seen, sitting and standing in all attitudes of dejection. Among them was a little old lady with snow-white hair, walking with a stick, but clear-eyed and brisk-looking.