The mother sighed.
“I wish I could feel it so,” she said.
“It is as true, madam, as that you are seated there. Her position is, of course, a false one. She is in a terrible situation. But it is neither fatal nor vital. Have I convinced you, Mrs. Harlan?”
“You have more than half-done so, sir.”
“Then let us proceed. We must now arrive at the quickest and best way of rescuing her; and we must agree that when she is at last rescued—as she will be in short order—the secret of her adventure must remain with us—with only those who are concerned in it—forever.”
“By thunder! Carter, you are getting at the meat of the thing in short order. I knew that you would do it. I couldn’t think of a method to cheer these women, try as I might, and here you have accomplished it in a moment.”
“We must now get about the rescue,” said Nick, again.
“But how? How shall we get about it? You can’t trace that infernal craft of his across the waters of the ocean!”
“Why not?”
“Eh? Why not? Can you?”