This telegram was delivered to Captain Brown's housekeeper, who sent it to the steamship company's office, where it was safely pigeon-holed.
The morning passed at Kildare Villa. The telegram brought no reply. In foolish desperation, hoping against hope, Uncle Gilbert took the first fast train northward, crossed by mail steamer to Holyhead, thence on to Liverpool, where he arrived too late. The boat had sailed. He went to the steamship company's office in Water Street, and passed, without asking leave, into the manager's office. That official was alone, which was to Gilbert Strong's purpose.
"Why did you permit my brother to sail with Captain Brown?" asked he abruptly.
"My dear Mr. Strong," said the manager, "calm yourself. I do not understand."
"Yes, you do. You know as well as I do that his ship is—is not in the best condition. You ought not to have allowed passengers at all."
"Sit down, Mr. Strong. The boat is good for many a trip yet, though it is true, as you know, that she is to go into dry dock for overhauling on her return. Has your brother sailed on her?"
"He has, my brother, his daughter and her young man. I suppose there were other passengers also?"
"Yes; a few—perhaps twenty-five all told. Don't worry; Captain Brown will bring them safely through."
"Yes," said Gilbert Strong, as he left the office, "yes, if the Lord will give him a show—but—"