p people make up their minds.

"As you please," said Goody, with a sigh, resigning himself to the
inevitable.

All three stepped into Hilda's conveyance, and were rapidly driven in
the direction of Potts' Point and set down at the door of a handsome
mansion surrounded by extensive grounds that overlooked the bay.

"Now, uncle, you must excuse us for a little while, as we have a lot to
talk about," said Hil, leading May away to her own room, and leaving
Goody to amuse himself in the drawing-room.

"Now then, May, to business," said she, promptly seating herself by her
cousin's side. "When I received your wires I was rather upset, and spent
a good deal of my anger on that man. I went off to the 'Grosvenor,'
where I found out he was staying, and saw him come out with a
low-looking fellow. They both got into a cab on which was a lot of
luggage, and I guessed he was off, so I hailed another cab and followed
them. We came to the wharf where the _Glanworth_ was lying, and they
went on board. I waited till the boat sailed, saw him bid good-bye to
his companion, who seemed very excited, and then came home. That we had
to follow him I looked upon as certain, but how? We could not follow him
in the costume of ladies, that would make us look ridiculous."

"How are we to go then?" asked May, impatient with excitement.

"Please don't interrupt. You shall hear all if you are patient," said
Hil, smiling. "I thought over it a good deal, and then the idea struck
me that we would go to Brisbane as ladies disguised and, if he cleared
to the country, we would follow as men."

"Oh, Hil!" cried May, laughing.

"Of course, you know when I am out on my station and there is a
buck-jumper to ride I always wear trousers, as one can get a better
grip."

"Yes, I have heard father speak of that. Now, go on."

"Another thing, I have done a lot in private theatricals, and I
invariably take a man's part, and I flatter myself I am so _au fait_ at
the make-up that I can easily pass as a man. I have several suits of
men's clothes among my 'props,' and as you are about my size, they will
fit you well. Now, what do you say?"

"That you are a darling old girl. Come here and be hugged."

"Then that's settled. Now we had better leave to-day. There are two
boats starting, one at twelve and the other at two and, as they are both
good boats, I think we had better go by the later one, as it will give
us more time to get ready."

"I am quite agreeabl