"Ah, my dear boy," she said, as he appeared; "how late you are, and
how dirty! We have waited dinner for you."

"You shouldn't have done that, mother," he replied cheerfully; "though
it's very good of you."

"Well, you see, it's your last night with us for ever so long, and
with Tom and your father away--"

"Yes, I'm sorry I'm so late," Smith broke in hastily. "We were caught
in a mist. I shan't be ten minutes changing."

He ran up the stairs, and before going to his room put his head in at
the door of his sister's.

"You there, Kate? You didn't get my telegram, then? Come to my room in
ten minutes, will you? I want to see you particularly before dinner."

With a seaman's quickness he was bathed and dressed within the time he
had named.

"Come in," he said, as his sister tapped. "You've got a pretty cool
head, Sis; look at this, quickly."

He handed her the evening paper, pointing out the fateful paragraph.
Kate went a little pale as she read it; her bosom heaved, but she said
nothing.

"It must be kept from Mother," he said. "Get hold of to-morrow's
paper, and if the paragraph is there, cut it out or tear off the