The time passed in great anxiety.

The scientific world of England was inclined to believe that one of its most distinguished members had positively disappeared.

At the same time, when so many people were thinking about James Starr, Harry Ford was the subject of no less anxiety.

Only, instead of occupying public attention, the son of the old overman was the cause of trouble alone to the generally cheerful mind of Jack Ryan.
It may be remembered that, in their encounter in the Yarrow shaft, Jack Ryan had invited Harry to come a week afterwards to the festivities at Irvine.

Harry had accepted and promised expressly to be there.