But the morrow came, and still no word from the absent ones. The heart of the mother had lost all hope, when one night there came a summons at the door after the bereaved parents had retired.
"It is Jason," said Allan Dilke, rising hastily and dressing, when the servant had tapped upon the door and announced that visitors desired to see him.
"Show them into the drawing-room," he said, as he came forth in dressing-gown and slippers.
"But they are rough, sea-faring men, sir," replied the domestic. "Shall I—"
"Do as I bid you!" interrupted the master of the house, sternly. "No room is too good for those who bring tidings of my son."
A moment later two men stood before him in rough sailor garb.
"We come to inform you that—" began one of them, who was no other than Shaky, when Allan Dilke interrupted him.
"If my son is with you," he said, firmly, "bring him to me. If he is dead, tell me so!"
Shaky at once left the room, and soon a little procession came slowly in. Two men were carrying a helpless body, while a woman and boy followed.
A wail of anguish sounded. A woman with white face and streaming hair knelt beside the slight figure which lay upon a sofa.