"You wish to go to the railroad station, do you not ?" "I want to find my father if I can, and I think he must be in the city," replied Christy, as he gave his companion the location of the office where he did his business with the government, though he made frequent visits to Washington for consultation with the officials of the Navy Department.
The carriage was retained, and in another hour they reached the office.
Captain Passford was not there; he had gone to Washington three days before, and no one knew when he would return.

Christy was prepared for this disappointment, and he had arranged in his mind the wording of a telegraphic message to his father.

While he was writing it out a gentleman came out of the office whom the lieutenant had met before.
"I am delighted to see you, Mr.Passford!" exclaimed the gentleman, who was in the uniform of a naval officer, as he extended his hand to the visitor.

"One of our people informed me that the son of Captain Passford was at the door, and I hastened out to see you.

Won't you come into the office ?" "No, I thank you; I am not very well, for I was wounded in the left arm in our last action, and I am sent home by the surgeon on a furlough," replied Christy.