I am very, very grateful to you, Mr. Grainger," said Sheila. "I fear I
am going to prove a great encumbrance to you."

"Oh, Ted is a dear old brother!" said Myra, patting his brown,
sun-tanned hand affectionately.

After a walk along the beach as far as the small, rocky point, they
returned to breakfast, and great was Mrs. Trappeme's astonishment when
Grainger informed her that he was leaving in a few hours.

"Not for long, I trust?" she said graciously, bearing in mind that he
had told her he might remain for a week or two after Myra had left.

"I do not think I shall be in Townsville again for some months," he
replied, as he handed her fourteen guineas. "This is for the week for my
sister and for me."

"Thank you," said the lady, with a dignified bow--for she felt a little
resentful at his not telling her more. Then she said with a sweet smile,
"We will take good care of Miss Grainger. Either my daughters or I will
be delighted to see her safely on board the steamer."

"Thank you; but Mr. Mallard will do that."

"Oh, indeed!" said the lady, with unmistakable disappointment in her
voice, and then Grainger, without saying a word about Sheila, went to
his room to pack, and talk to Mallard, who had not yet risen.

"I wonder if Mr. Mallard is leaving too now that his friend is going,"
anxiously said Juliette a few minutes later.

"If he does I shall insist upon having the ful six guineas," remarked
her mother angrily. "No, on second thoughts I won't _ask_ for it.
Whether he leaves or not, I may find him very useful. I quite mean to
ask him to every day publish a 'list of guests at "Magnetic Villa."'"

"Miss Carolan wud like to see yez, mum, if ye are dishengaged," said
Mary, entering the room.

Sheila was in the drawing-room, and thither Mrs. Trappeme sailed.

"I shall be leaving Townsville to-day, I find," she said politely.
"Would it be inconvenient for you to have my luggage sent to Hanran &
Co., who will store it for me until I need it?"

Mrs. Trappeme's curiosity was intense, but she remembered Mrs. Wooler's
experience of the previous evening--and feared. And then she had had the
girl's money in advance.

"Oh, I am so sorry you are going," she said, with a would-be motherly
smile. "Of course I will send it anywhere you wish--but why not leave
it here in my care?" And then she could not resist asking one question:
"Are you going to Minerva Downs, Miss Carolan, may I ask?"

"Yes; I am going there."

"