rainger. They are coming here to stay for a few
weeks."

The girl's fair face lit up. "Oh, indeed! I am sorry I was not here, as
I particularly wish to see Mr. Grainger also. I had no idea that he was
in Townsville, and was calling on Mr. Mallard--who, I know, is a friend
of his--to ascertain when he was likely to be in town."

"They will all be here for dinner, Miss----"

"My name is Carolan," and taking out her cardcase she handed Mrs.
Trappeme a card on which was inscribed, "Miss Sheila Carolan."

"Then Mr. Grainger is a friend of yours?" said Mrs. Trappeme
inquisitively, thinking of the poor chance Juliette would have with such
a Richmond in the field as Miss Sheila Carolan.

"No, I have never even seen him," said the girl stiffly, and then she
rose.

"Then you will send for my luggage, Mrs. Trappeme?"

"With pleasure, Miss Carolan. But will you not look at your room, and
join my daughter and myself in our afternoon tea?"

"No, thank you, I think I shall first try and see either Mr. Mallard or
Mr. Grainger. Do you know where Mr. Mallard lives?"

"At the Royal Hotel in Flinders Street. My daughter Lilla will be
delighted to show you the way."

But Miss Sheila Carolan was stubborn, and declined the kind offer, and
Mrs. Trappeme, whose curiosity was now at such a pitch that she was
beginning to perspire, saw her visitor depart, and then called for
Juliette.

"I wonder who she is and what she wants to see Mr. Grainger for?" she
said excitedly, as she mopped her florid face: "doesn't know him, and
yet wants to see him particularly. There is something mysterious about
her."

"What is she like?" asked Miss Trappeme eagerly. "I didn't see her
face, but her clothes are all right, I can tell you." (She knew all
about clothes, having been a forewoman in a Sydney drapery establishment
for many years.)

"Oh, a little, common-looking thing, but uppish. I wonder what on earth
she _does_ want to see Mr. Grainger for?"

Half an hour later, when Miss Carolan's luggage arrived, it was duly
inspected and criticised by the whole Trappeme family. Each trunk bore
a painted address: "Miss Carolan, Minerva Downs, Dalrymple, North
Queensland."

"Now where in the world is Minerva Downs?" said Mrs. Trappeme, "and why
on earth is she going there? And her name too--Carolan--Sheila Carolan!
I suppose she's a Jewess."

"Indade, an' it's not that she is, ma'am, whatever it manes,"
indignantly broke in Mary, who had helped to c