le to render them. We have our work marked out for us, and until it is
finished there is neither rest nor leisure for us. When it is finished
we shall come and stay with you and your friends, for more hospitable
people we have rarely met," said Reg, as he bade her good-bye.

After an uninteresting train ride they reached Launceston, and found, to
their surprise, Goody waiting for them.

"Are you going on to Sydney, to-day?" he asked.

"Yes. How is Miss Goodchild?"

"Very well, thanks. She and I are going over too. You had better come to
my trap here," and he led the way to a handsome barouche.

"My daughter is down at the steamer making arrangements," he said, when
they were seated, and being driven to the wharf. Goody still had an
anxious look about him, and seemed somewhat disturbed.

"Here we are, boys, jump out, and never mind the luggage. George will
see to that." With astonishing activity the old man ran up the gangway,
followed by the boys, and found May waiting for them. Their greetings
were of the simplest, and May calling the chief steward told him to shew
the gentlemen their cabins, while Goody handed Hal an envelope as they
followed. On opening it he found it contained their tickets to Sydney.

"I say, Reg, they seem determined to run the show here," said he. "We
have done nothing but what we were told to do since we left the train.
What do you think of it?"

"I think we had better appear grateful. They are evidently anxious to do
something in return."

They arranged their berths and returned on deck as the ship was leaving
the wharf. Goody and his daughter seemed to be popular, judging from the
number of friends who came to see them off. Once started, the two were
always together, and it was pathetic to watch the way in which the old
man's eyes rested continually on his daughter. He told Reg they had only
made up their minds to go to Sydney when the wire reached them. His
daughter wished to go, as she had some plan in her head which she
wouldn't let him know of yet, and he continued, sadly, "she will never
be to me what she once was. She was then an innocent child, now she is a
resolute woman. She seems ten years older in her manner and speech. She
is going to a cousin of hers who has the reputation of being a bit
lively, but is an excellent girl at heart."

"I cannot tell what steps I shall take," said May, at the same time, to
Hal. "That depends on my cousin, Hil. I shall follow her advice, for