s the guard, the three had a first-class
compartment in the Hobart express all to themselves. By the time Hobart
was reached, all three thoroughly understood each other.

"Really, gentlemen, I don't know how to thank you for the trouble you
are taking; certainly I am rich, and I shall be most happy to place my
purse at your disposal."

"We appreciate your offer, sir, but we have enough to go on with," said
Hal.

"And as for the rest," chimed in Reg, "we are just as anxious to get
hold of Wyck as you are, sir."

"Gentlemen, I am an old man, but should harm have come to my----"

"Come, come, sir, don't look at it like that," said Hal, making light of
it, for he could plainly see that the old gentleman was working himself
up to a highly-excitable state.

"Here we are," said Reg, taking his cue from Hal. "By Jove, what a
glorious place; what magnificent scenery; well may Tasmanians be proud
of it!"

"Where do you stay when in Hobart?" asked Hal of the old man.

"At 'Eastella.' The proprietress, Mrs. Eastwood, is an old friend of
mine."

"If you will be guided by us, sir, you will stay at the 'Orient' with
us."

"I am entirely in your hands, gentlemen."

Hobart is known as "Sleepy Hollow." The train was slow, the porters
leisurely, the cab-horses comatose, and it was only after considerable
delay that they arrived at the "Orient" and took their rooms.

"Excuse us for a moment," said Hal, leading Reg away. "I am going to
Eastella to enquire. The girl may be there, and so may he. I may book a
room for a week. In the meantime, keep an eye on Goody, and don't go out
until I return and let you know the result," he said, when Goody was out
of earshot.

Reg assented, and returned to his companion. Hal had no difficulty in
finding his way to Eastella, and, noting it was a first-class place, he
sent in his card, with the intimation that he wished to see the
proprietress. A few minutes later he was ushered into a snug little
office, and found himself face to face with a pleasant-featured, homely
lady of some fifty summers, seated at a desk heaped up with papers.

"You wanted to see me, Mr. Winter?" she enquired, rising and greeting
him.

"Yes, Mrs. Eastwood, I want to stay here for a week."

"Certainly; that will cost you three guineas," she said, making out a
receipt.

Hal paid the bill, with a mental tribute of admiration of her
business-like ways.

"Have you a Miss Goodchild staying here?" he asked.

"Yes