Missing. A Story Of The South Pacific

-"What's become of the Linnet?" asked somebody, suddenly, one fine morning at the Admiralty some fifty years ago. And nobody knew. Some said China, others the West Coast, others again the West Indies. But there was no finality in the guessing. And not until an old clerk in the Under Secretary's room happened to mention that his son was the Linnet's midshipman, that he had not been heard of for three years, and that his last letter was from Australia, was the clue found.

Then, presently, despatches, voluminous and complete, were forwarded to the colonial authorities at 'Sydney, Victoria, ' asking for information respecting Her Majesty's ship Linnet, one gun, 300 tons, Lieutenant-Commander Morrissey, &c., &c., supposed to be on duty somewhere on that station.