Sir William accompanied him to London, thence to Liverpool, where he saw him safely on board the stanch Cunarder that was to bear him across the Atlantic, after which he returned to Heathdale, feeling as if half the sunshine had suddenly been blotted from his life. The boy was inexpressibly dear to him, and he would have been bereaved indeed if anything happened to him.
CHAPTER IX.
A STRANGE MEETING.
The voyage was a tempestuous one, but the steamer made her time notwithstanding, and Rupert landed in New York eight days after leaving Liverpool, and was not sorry to be once more upon terra firma.
He joined the Raymond party on the twelfth of January, according to his plans, and found himself among a very pleasant company of gentlemen and ladies, young men and maidens, all enthusiastic in view of their trip.
He was particularly attracted by the appearance of one young man, who, like himself, was traveling alone, and after one or two interviews, being mutually pleased with each other, they decided to become traveling companions.
On the third day after starting Rupert’s new friend, who, by the way, had introduced himself as Harry Webster, remarked to him:
“I say, Hamilton, have you noticed that dainty little piece of humanity opposite, who is traveling with that old codger, Mr. Knight, they call him?”
“Yes; she is a very attractive young lady,” Rupert answered, as his eyes wandered to a trio who occupied seats a little in front of the young men on the opposite side of the car. “I wonder who she is.”
“Our list will probably tell us,” remarked Mr. Webster, as he drew the card from his pocket. “Yes, I have found it. Mr. Robert G. Knight, Miss E. F. Knight, and Miss Virginia Alexander.”
“Ah, then the old gentleman and lady must be brother and sister, and the young lady some friend, perhaps a niece, who is traveling with them,” said Rupert.