The information, while definite and reliable, was still vague.
Details were lacking, yet it was known that there was surely going to be something doing in the line during this particular week, and that whatever was done would take place in the neighborhood of the India Basin.
This made the fourth night the Bradys had been on the watch with three local Secret Service men as their aides.
It was discouraging work.
Nothing had happened.
The weak point of the undertaking was the lack of knowledge as to the particular ship or steamer on which the opium was expected to arrive.
Two steamers had arrived from China this week, one regular liner and one tramp.
Three sailing vessels had also come in, all from Chinese ports.
Yet it was by no means certain that the opium would enter the harbor of San Francisco in that way.
It is quite the custom with captains of English tramp steamers, and also with those of sailing vessels, to drop opium overboard in sealed rubber bags while off the Farraleone Islands.