The same evening found him in the billiard room of the Palmer House, playing a game of billiards with Remington.
Remington took up a copy of the New York Herald, and glanced over the columns in a desultory way. Something caught his eye, and he exclaimed in an excited tone, "Vernon, the mystery is solved. Your aunt is at the Charing Cross Hotel in London."
"You don't mean it?" ejaculated Vernon.
"See for yourself. Mrs. Ralph Vernon, Chicago; Robert Frost, Chicago."
Frederic Vernon gazed at his friend in stupefaction.
"I can't believe it," he muttered feebly.
CHAPTER IX.
ROBERT REACHES LONDON.
The ocean trip was more enjoyed by Robert than by Mrs. Vernon. For three days the lady was quite seasick, while her young secretary was not at all affected. He was indefatigable in his attentions to the invalid, and gained a stronger hold upon her affections.
"I don't know what I should do without you, Robert," she said on the third day. "You seem to me almost like a son."