had not seen Lieutenant Blake since.

Mrs. Keith's voice broke in upon her recollections. "It's possible we
may see Bertram and the new Mrs. Challoner. She is going out with him,
but they are to travel by the Canadian Pacific route and spend some
time in Japan before proceeding to his Indian station." Referring to
the date of her letter she resumed, "They may have caught the boat that
has just come in; she's one of the railway Empresses, and there's an
Allan liner due to-morrow. We will go to the hotel and try to get a
list of the passengers."

She rose, and they walked slowly back along the avenue.




CHAPTER II

ON THE RIVER BOAT

Dusk was falling on the broad river, and the bold ridge behind the city
stood out sharp and black against a fading gleam in the western sky. A
big, sidewheel steamer, spotlessly white, with tiers of decks that
towered above the sheds and blazed with light, was receiving the last
of her passengers and preparing to cast off from her moorings. Richard
Blake hurried along the wharf and, on reaching the gangplank, stood
aside to let an elderly lady pass. She was followed by her maid and a
girl whose face he could not see. It was a few minutes after the
sailing time, and as the lady stepped on board a rope fell with a
splash. There was a shout of warning as the bows, caught by the