d Reg, as he glanced anxiously
round the bay.

"No, none of the boats there could be called a yacht. Say, where's the
hotel?" asked he of an old fellow standing by.

"That's it, straight ahead," said the man, pointing to what appeared to
be a private residence. In former days it had been the house of the
Governor of that noble settlement.

"Good-morning sir," said Hal, to a man who was holding up the door of
the hotel with his shoulder.

"Good-morning gentlemen," and he straightened himself and stood on one
side.

"This is a pretty place."

"Yes it is, sir."

"We were expecting to find a friend of ours here with his yacht, but we
can't see anything of him."

"What was his name?" asked the landlord, for it was he.

"Wyckliffe," answered Hal, carelessly, though the nerves of both he and
Reg were strained to the utmost.

"He's gone, gentlemen. You are too late."

A smothered oath burst from Reg's lips.

"How long was he here?" asked Hal, entering and sitting down.

"Let's see, this is Thursday. He came here on Tuesday evening, and
sailed the yacht round from Hobart. But I say, gentlemen, do you happen
to know anybody named Dick Burton?" said the landlord, with a cunning
smile.

"Yes, why?" said Reg.

"Well, he sent this wire to Wyckliffe," and he took down a telegram from
a shelf behind him, and handed it to Hal, who read:--

"Wyckliffe, Launceston, or Hobart. Two men enquiring. Morris one.
Fancy they left for Tasmania. Dick Burton."

"How did you get hold of this?" asked Hal.

"Well, that's a long story. Do you want breakfast?"

"Yes, we do."

"Then I'll go and order it, and come back and tell you all about it."

"Done again!" said Reg, looking at Hal, when the landlord, whose name
was Camden, had disappeared in the direction of the kitchen.

"Yes, there's no doubt of that, old chap."

"Now then, gentlemen," said Camden, returning, "I suppose you are D's.?"

"No, we are not, rest assured of that."

"Last Tuesday night a yacht sailed into the bay and anchored off shore.
I recognised it as belonging to Macpherson, of Hobart, who was in the
habit of letting it out. A small boat put off and brought ashore a young
fellow in flannels, who came up to this house and called for a drink,
asking me to join him. In the course of conversation he told me he
intended making a few days' stay here, and visiting the ruins. He put up
here till yesterday, and made himself very agreeable, and became