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Suspense.
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posed to be in the land of the living? Philip had feared it.

"Mr. Saxton's son—and the clerk?" he replied. "How was it known?"

"O, they were both upset in a boat, overturned in making for the shore. A sailor was picked up who had been in it; he told how it happened. Nobody else escaped—out of that boat. Their bodies weren't recovered."

"Mr. Marcy and Mr. Saxton—came on?"

"Yes; got here the day after. Mr. Saxton was almost distracted, I believe. I didn't see much of either of 'em. They only stayed until the folks on the steamer that came off safe were all in. Mr. Saxton's boy was a little fellow—about as big as you," he added, pointing to Gerald. "It's been a bad thing for his father, I understand—broke him all up."

Philip laid a hand on Gerald's trembling arm to warn him not to give way to the emotions almost ready to burst out. Gerald bit his lips and looked down at the register.

"Guess you must 'a' been camping somewhere that the newspapers don't get to very quick," the elderly man said, smiling.