said, giving him a piece of sugar, and rubbing his
nose.

"We heard about your doings at Dalby; how you took the auctioneer and
the farmer down," said Reg, "but we little guessed who the new chums
were."

After wandering round the extensive stables, Hil called one of the
grooms, and told him to put Fan and Tan in the dog-cart.

"They are a bit skittish, miss," said he, being a new hand.

"All the better," answered she. "Go and put them in."

A handsome dog-cart was wheeled out, and two beautiful dappled grey cobs
harnessed to it, who by their prancing and restless antics looked like
mischief. The wheeler was the more quiet of the two, but the leader
seemed to prefer a more picturesque attitude than that of standing
quietly on four legs, and elevating himself on his hind-legs remained
pawing the air like an heraldic beast. Twice did the groom pull her into
line with the wheeler, but she preferred dancing round and gazing at the
driver.

"I think she has had a fair look at us now," said Hil, quietly taking up
the whip. "Straighten them again, please."

The opening of the gate was not a wide one, and the boys confessed they
felt a trifle nervous in their seats. But they did not know their
driver. With a sharp, "Now then, let go," she gave the leader a couple
of smart smacks with the lash, and he dashed forward and they passed
through the gate at a hand-gallop, and were soon flying along the
beautiful roads round Sydney.

The boys thoroughly enjoyed themselves. What more could heart desire
than to be driven behind a pair of handsome horses, beside a pair of
handsome girls!

"Will you ladies come to the theatre to-night?" asked Reg. "There is a
new star just arrived from London."

"What do you say, May?"

"Delighted."

"Yes, we'll go with pleasure," said Hil, and arriving at the
"Metropole," where the boys had taken up their residence, the cart was
pulled up, and they alighted.

"Shall we call for you?" asked Reg.

"No, we'll call for you at 7.30. Good-bye."

Standing on the pavement, the boys gazed first after the cart
disappearing round the corner, and then at each other. But words failed
them, so they turned on their heel towards the hotel.

"By-the-bye, we had better call on old Goody. He might like to go," said
Reg, and Hal being of the same opinion, they turned back to the
"Grosvenor."

They found Mr. Goodchild in conversation with a young man, whom he
introduced to them as Mr. Philamore.

"W