nfernal, grey-headed, mouldy old liar. That yarn is as old as the
hills, and since you cannot speak the truth we will go by ourselves,"
said Hal, coming forward and taking the keys from his hands.

"Hold on, Hal," said Reg. "Don't be too hard on the old chap."

"My dear Reg, I really can't stand such----"

"Oh, give him another chance. Come here, Jones. You see you have
disgusted this gentleman. Now, out with the whole truth, or you'll lose
your tip."

"Well, I can't see what it's to do with you," said Jones, in a sulkily
aggressive tone. "But if you wants it so very particular, I'll tell you.
I was poaching, and was nabbed. A keeper happened to be wounded, and
they said I did it. I didn't say I didn't do it. That's all."

"That's better, Jones; now we are satisfied."

They spent an hour or two wandering with great interest over the ruins:
now inside the huge penitentiary, now in the prison church. Everywhere
ruin and desolation stared them in the face. All over the settlement
vast walls lay crumbling to pieces, due almost as much to the
destructive curiosity of the thousands of tourists, who flock here in
the summer months, as to the effacing fingers of Time.

Camden met them on their return, and told them they had just sufficient
time to dine before a butcher's cart would start for Port Arthur, in
which they could have a lift to Norfolk Bay. Two hours later they were
again on the _Tarantula_ making for Hobart.

CHAPTER XIV.

EASTELLA.

When the boys, as Goody always called them and we will follow his
example, left, he returned to his hotel to think the matter over. So
much had occurred in such a short time; momentous events had succeeded
each other so rapidly that he felt bewildered and unable to think
coherently, so he retired to rest to sleep away the cobwebs in his
brain. He awoke somewhat refreshed, and decided to pay a visit to Mrs.
Eastwood, and, if possible, to see his daughter. Hal's telegram
announcing Wyck's escape, was put in his hands as he was leaving the
hotel. "Well," he mused to himself, "I am just as well pleased that he
has got away, for it would have brought about a scandal, and my name and
May's must have been made public; but there can be no doubt those boys
have not only saved my life, but my honour too."

At Eastella he received a cordial welcome, for Mrs. Eastwood and he had
been friends for many years. Her sympathetic soul soon noticed that he
was in sore trouble, and he w