; why do you ask?"

"Have you a Mr. Wyckliffe?"

"No, he's not here at present. I expect him back in a day or two," she
answered, wonderingly.

"Then they have not met?" said Hal, in some excitement.

"No, of course not; but who are you? I hope you are not an enquiry
agent, for if you are--"

"No, no, madam! but you cannot think what a relief to me your answer
was."

"Will you kindly explain?" said she, looking at him curiously.

"You know that Miss Goodchild has left her home and father, to meet him
here?"

"No, I do not; although she's certainly not herself. But who are you?"

"My dear madam, forgive my haste; but I will explain everything to you
later. I must run off now to tell Mr. Goodchild the good news."

"Why, where's Mr. Goodchild?"

"Staying at the 'Orient,' by my advice. But now, one more question,
madam--Do you know where Wyckliffe is now?"

"He's yachting off Port Arthur. I sent a telegram on to him to-day,
which had been waiting here for him for two days." Here, the entrance of
a maid-servant for instructions, gave Hal the opportunity of leaving;
and, taking a cab, he was soon back at the "Orient."

"It's all right, Reg," he shouted. "Where's Goody?"

"He's in the drawing-room, pacing it like a wild beast in a cage."

"Good news, Mr. Goodchild. They have not met yet," said Hal, shaking him
by the hand.

"Thank God!" said the old man, fervently, and the relief was so great,
that he sank on his knees by the sofa.

Hal and Reg left the room: the old man's thankfulness was too sacred to
be overlooked.

"Have you found him?" asked Reg.

"Yes, he's at Port Arthur."

"Where's that?"

"It's the old convict settlement, about forty miles from here."

"How do you get to it--by rail?"

"No, we must go by boat. If you'll look after Goody, I'll run down to
the wharf and make arrangements."

"Hal, old boy, where should I be without you?" said Reg, turning a face
full of gratitude on his friend.

"Nonsense. We must lose no time," and he hurriedly left in the direction
of the harbour. Alongside Elizabeth Pier he found a small steam-boat
and, as smoke was coming from her, he concluded she was in use.

"Ship ahoy, there!" he sung out.

"What's up, boss?" said a young fellow, putting his head through the
hatchway.

"Is the skipper aboard?"

"Yes, he's for'ard in his cabin. He's gone to bed."

"Are you there, skipper," said Hal, knocking at the door of a small
cabin.

"Hallo, there; w