He had carried on a desultory correspondence with his father, who had replied occasionally, rather briefly, but on the whole affectionately.

He had noticed that during the latter part of his stay abroad the replies had been more than usually irregular, but had attributed no special significance to the fact.

It was not until afterward that it occurred to him that in all their correspondence his father had never alluded in any way to his return.
On the passenger list of the Altruria John came upon the names of Mr.
and Mrs.Julius Carling and Miss Blake.
"Blake, Blake," he said to himself.

"Carling--I seem to remember to have known that name at some time.

It must be little Mary Blake whom I knew as a small girl years ago, and, yes, Carling was the name of the man her sister married.