ent. They continued their
way, and entered the saloon of the "Royal."

"What are you drinking?" asked Hil.

"Brandy and soda, please," said May, as she squeezed the barmaid's hand
on the sly.

"Let's sit down," said Hil, "and fix on our names. Mine is Percy."

"And mine is Jack," promptly answered her companion.

They sat at the table smoking and sipping the drinks before them,
occasionally ogling the barmaid, when both were rather startled at the
entrance of Hal and Reg. A covert kick from Hil made both extremely
cautious.

"What will you try, Hal?" said Reg, with a casual glance round the room
and a critical one at the ladies behind the bar.

"Ale, thanks. I wonder if there is an English boat in."

"That's meant for us: new chums," whispered Hil to May, and picking up
the _Evening Observer_, she glanced over the contents.

"They seem to be pretty friendly," said May, pointing to the boys, who
were monopolising the barmaid's time and attention.

"What'll you have, Jack," said Hil, aloud. "I say, miss, when you are at
leisure--"

"I beg your pardon, sir," answered the barmaid, coming forward.

"Same again, miss, please."

"Very little brandy," put in May, for she noticed the spittoon by her
side was nearly full and would not carry much more.

Reg picked up the paper which Hil had laid down, and looking down the
columns gave a start at something that met his eye. Calling Hal aside,
he shewed it him. Hal merely nodded his head and, shortly after, they
left. As soon as they had gone, Hil took up the paper again, and looking
at the column Reg had pointed to, turned to May, and said:

"I was wondering what had startled those two and I believe it must be
this."

May looked at the column she indicated and read:

"W--k, come to-morrow. All safe, S--l."

"Nothing in that, Percy," answered May. "That girl's name is Sal, she's
in it," she added, in a lower voice.

"They look like detectives, those two," said Hil sharply, out loud,
turning round to watch the effect of her announcement.

The lady, who wore her name conspicuously engraved upon her ring,
coloured and seemed disconcerted, and shortly after quitted the saloon.

"Come for a stroll as far as the Post Office," said Hil, as she saw Sal
return with a letter in her hand.

"Are you gentlemen going to the Post Office?" she asked, sweetly.

"Yes, we're going to try our luck again."

"Would you mind taking this letter, and handing it in to the T