hyte. They arrived at Adelaide on Monday," said
Reg, handing him their telegram.

"What's become of Philamore?"

"Staying at Government House."

"We musn't lose sight of that chap."

"Oh, you remember old Joe Brown, who swore to Wyck's identity?"

"Yes; what about him?"

"I saw him here yesterday," said Reg. "I followed him, and he got into a
cab, with whom do you think?"

"Not Philamore?"

"Yes."

"Then that settles it. Well, now we will get the girls to call a meeting
at Blue Gums to-morrow. They must invite Mr. and Mrs. Montague, Goody
and ourselves; then we can compare notes, for we all must go to the
garden-party at Government House to-morrow afternoon."

Goody's tale to Reg was quite true. Fred Philamore had made the
acquaintance of the Governor, and had mentioned so many London friends
that were known to both, that His Excellency, finding him so
interesting, had invited him to Government House. This invitation he was
glad to accept, as he was still uneasy about his pursuers. The boys,
however, little guessed that all this while they were themselves being
watched: yet this was so, as the pseudo Fred Philamore had two retainers
on their track, who reported all their movements. Consequently he knew
all about Hal's journey to Toowoomba, and guessed its object. He was
engaged in forming a plan by means of which he could be revenged on
Morris, but as he did not consider the time was ripe to put it into
practice, he accepted the chance offered him by the Governor to enjoy
himself at the expense of the Colonial Government.

The next morning the party of seven interested in the doings of Villiers
Wyckliffe met at Blue Gums to discuss matters.

"Of course," said Hal, "we are only surmising that Philamore is our man.
We have no direct proof of his identity yet."

"When I last saw him he had dark hair and moustache," said May.

"Well a moustache is easily shaved off, and hair can be as easily dyed,"
said Reg.

"I suppose nobody noticed his hands, for he has a white scar on the
fore-finger of his right hand, plainly visible," said Mrs. Montague.

"Why, I noticed that only yesterday on Philamore's hand," said Goody.

"Then it is he," said Reg, excited. "Now how are we to get at him?"

"Leave that to me, old chap," answered Hal. "You've got your die ready;
you shall be executioner, I will bring him to the block."

"You are not really going to brand him?" put in Mrs. Montague.

"I am, indeed."

"Well,