The precious cargo, which had passed safely through so many hazards, had vanished and was he knew not where.

He had heard nothing of the _Fanny_ (or _Doreen_) since he landed at Tenby five days previously.

Had she been captured by a destroyer from Pembroke, or overhauled, pirate as she was without papers, by Customs officials from Rosslare?
Or had Agnew mistaken his instructions, and risked all the dangers of the English Channel in a fruitless voyage to Yarmouth, where, even if still undetected, the _Fanny_ would be too far away to reach Copeland by Friday, unless Agnew could be communicated with at once?
There was only one way in which such communication could be managed, and that way Crawford now took with characteristic promptitude and energy.
The _Clydevalley_ crossed the Irish Sea to Fishguard, where he took train on Sunday night to London and Yarmouth, having first made arrangements with the skipper for keeping in touch.

But there was no trace of the _Fanny_ at Yarmouth, and no word from Agnew at the Post Office.

There appeared to be no solution of the problem, and every precious hour that slipped away made ultimate failure more menacing.