But
just before the runner reached him a sudden thought flashed into the
boy's mind.
"Are you Jim Mahoney?" he called, just as the man swept by.
"Yes," answered the other, scarcely slackening speed and passing him.
Hamilton wheeled on the instant, and caught up to him in a few steps,
for the other man was older, not in training, and getting out of breath.
"You'll do it, don't worry," the boy said, as he overtook him, running
along beside him. "I was talking to your mother a few minutes ago and
she was all right. But she was just starting for the steamer then.
There's not a second to lose."
"What shall I do?" puffed the other.
"Go in there, by that door marked 'Information.' Tell them who you are
and they'll fix things up in a hurry. Then go up and see the
Commissioner. I'll go on and tell them at the boat."
Then, seeing that the man hesitated, he shouted:
"Go in there," and nudged him in the direction of the door.
As the man turned, Hamilton settled himself down to run. In a second he
was at the landing. The tender had just cast off her ropes and was
moving out.
"Bridget," he cried, and his voice rang high and clear above the
dripping of the water from the cable, the creaking of the wheel as it
swung round, and the churning of the screw.
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