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diff --git a/29315.txt b/29315.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..eacf391 --- /dev/null +++ b/29315.txt @@ -0,0 +1,10156 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Australia Revenged, by Boomerang + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Australia Revenged + +Author: Boomerang + +Release Date: July 4, 2009 [EBook #29315] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AUSTRALIA REVENGED *** + + + + +Produced by Nick Wall and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries) + + + + + + Transcribers Note + + Obvious punctuation errors have been corrected. + A list of other changes is supplied at the end of the book + + + + + AUSTRALIA REVENGED + + + BY + "BOOMERANG" + + + LONDON: + REMINGTON AND COMPANY, LIMITED + 15, KING STREET, COVENT GARDEN + AND SYDNEY + 1894 + + + _All Rights Reserved_ + + + + +PREFACE. + + +Each character in this work is a type. The Australian characters may be +met with every day in the Colonies. Nor are Villiers Wyckliffe and the +Detlij Club distorted figments of the imagination; and the broken heart +is a symbol of the aims of the one, and the object of the others, +softened down so that the cheek of modesty may be spared a blush. + +In those parts of the work where Colonial Governors are mentioned, they +appear in a less heroic light than that in which one ordinarily sees +them in print. Therefore for the further enlightenment of the reader, an +appendix has been added, in which the standpoint wherefrom Young +Australia views them is fully explained. + +"Boomerang" is the joint _nom-de-plume_ of a Young Australian and his +collaborator. + + B. + +London, October, 1894. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + I THE DETLIJ CLUB 1 + II CONFIDENCES 14 + III THE MIA-MIA 26 + IV THE BALL 38 + V THE OATH 48 + VI REVENGE 63 + VII HAL 79 + VIII ADELAIDE 94 + IX MELBOURNE 114 + X CABBIES 128 + XI LAUNCESTON 144 + XII GOODCHILD'S 156 + XIII PORT ARTHUR 170 + XIV EASTELLA 182 + XV MAY 192 + XVI HOBART 203 + XVII SYDNEY 214 + XVIII THE GIRLS 222 + XIX HIL 232 + XX BRISBANE 242 + XXI TOOWOOMBA 254 + XXII DALBY 269 + XXIII CAMPING OUT 283 + XXIV FRED PHILAMORE 294 + XXV BLUE GUMS 306 + XXVI MARJORIE WILLIAMSON 319 + XXVII FOILED 332 + XXVIII PREPARATIONS 343 + XXIX EAR-MARKED 354 + XXX THE TRIAL 367 + XXXI THE VERDICT 377 + XXXII CONCLUSION 383 + + APPENDIX + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +THE DETLIJ CLUB. + + +In a handsome block of buildings in the neighbourhood of Piccadilly--a +phrase which may embrace a considerable area, North, South, East or +West--is located the quarters of that small and extremely select Club, +known, and known up till now only to a favoured few, as the Detlij Club. +The name, like the Club itself, is an uncommon one, and is simply +indicative of the sad mischance which must befal each member before he +can qualify for admission. No mysterious or secret rites were shadowed +in the title, and the ultra-curious in search of the origin of the +name, need no more overhaul their Hindu or Persian dictionaries, than +they need their Liddell and Scott. A simple inversion of the letters is +all that is necessary to solve the riddle, a process which discovers the +word "jilted," and discloses the character of the Club. + +Briefly, the origin of the Club was in this wise. Some four years +previous to the date our story opens, a certain Major Fitzgerald, a man +of unenviable notoriety in Society, whose name was almost as well known +in the Divorce Court as it was in the clubs and boudoirs--a fact which, +though it caused his exclusion from some circles, made him more welcome +in others--chanced to meet the young and charming heiress, Helen Trevor, +at the time of her _debut_. + +"That's the girl for my money," was the Major's inward comment. He had +no money, by-the-bye, it was merely his _facon de parler_. So he lost no +opportunity of cultivating Miss Trevor's acquaintance. Now the Major was +a handsome, dashing man, with complete knowledge of the world, much +_savoir faire_, the faculty for making himself dangerously agreeable, +and no morals to speak of. Helen Trevor, too, though a girl of her +time, was one of those strong characters that--thank goodness!--have not +yet been eliminated from the human species, either by the artificial +restrictions of Fashion on the one hand, or the undisciplined vagaries +of Female Emancipationists on the other. She was too young and +enthusiastic to have surrendered her habit of sympathy for the cheap +cynicism that marked the culture of her day. Brimming over with +sympathy, impatient for some sphere of active interest, and just +sufficiently tinged with the spirit of martyrdom to be anxious to feel +herself doing some work in the world, her sympathetic young heart, that +had no suspicion of evil, went out to the Major when he murmured in a +tone of manly contrition: "It is true, Miss Trevor, I have been wild and +reckless, but it was all due to my having no one to guide me." + +Helen's older acquaintances shook their heads in mysterious warning, and +supplied just the needful hint of opposition to cause her to devote +herself to what seemed to be a labour of moral heroism, helping him to +the best of her ability. And Fitzgerald congratulated himself on his +success in having brought about the very condition of mind he had laid +himself out to produce. But he over-estimated his powers, and he made an +irretrievably false step in trying to persuade Helen to elope with him +to avoid her father's anticipated disapproval. + +Helen was prepared to go far in her antagonism to her parents' wishes, +even to consent to an open engagement, but to fly with her _fiance_ in +the fearless, old fashion did not commend itself to her somewhat rigid +ideas of right and wrong. She frankly, therefore, told her father +everything, and he, prompt to nip this affair in the bud, removed his +daughter out of the way of Major Fitzgerald's influence; and, calling +upon the Major himself, subjected the latter to an unpleasant +quarter-of-an-hour. The result of the interview was that the Major +assumed the air of an injured man, whose love had been ruthlessly +trodden on, and who had suffered the humiliation of being jilted. + +For the space of two whole days the Major was absent from his usual +haunts, and when he did appear again he wore a becoming air of dignified +dejection. + +"Hullo, Major!" said a young fellow named the Honourable George Buzzard, +as he familiarly struck him on the shoulder. "Why these tears of +sadness, eh?" + +"My boy, I've been badly treated. I've been jilted." + +"Jilted, have you! and by whom?" + +"Young Trevor." + +"What! Helen Trevor! that youngster who is causing all our fashionable +beauties to hug the green-eyed monster. Then shake hands, Major. For I +met the same fate yesterday." + +"You did, George?" + +"Yes. I suppose you noticed that I have been paying a good deal of +attention to old Browne's daughter." + +"Don't know her, George." + +"Oh! her father is a squatter in Australia, with millions. She's his +heiress, and not a bad sort either." + +"She refused you. Eh?" + +"Rather, and now she's engaged to the Earl of Bentham." + +"It's the title, my boy. Younger sons have no show nowadays; but how +those Australians run after titles. Eh?" + +"By Jove, they do," said the other. "But now, as we are companions in +misfortune, let's drown our sorrows," and he led the Major in the +direction of his club. + +Here they were joined by Thomas Thomas, Esq., known to the entire +Society world as "Tommy" only. He was one of that common class of young +men whom only Society produces. Without any income or apparent means of +subsistence he did not work, yet he was invariably well-dressed, and had +the _entree_ of the best houses. Welcome there because he could readily +adapt himself to any occasion, preserve a constantly agreeable manner, +and had the details of the latest scandal at his finger-ends; in fact +was one of the parasites that Society creates, and without whom it +cannot get along the thorny path of its day's enjoyment. Tommy greeted +the two men with a silent nod, and waited, with the caution typical of +his species, to discover the subject of their conversation. This did not +take him long, as experience in this work had sharpened his wits. +Sitting down beside them, he heaved a deep sigh, and said, sadly: + +"I have been atrociously treated, you fellows. The little widow has +thrown me over." + +"What, another!" cried the Major. "Then sit down, Tommy, and enjoy +yourself. By Jove, we ought to start a club for fellows like ourselves, +and call it the Jilted Club." + +"A grand idea!" said Tommy, rubbing his hands. "Why we can already +number five, for I know Watson and Carrington have suffered the same +fate." + +From that hour the Jilted Club was formed, and as time went on its +membership increased. The mysterious title of Detlij Club was agreed on, +and, at the time of writing, its adherents numbered some seventy +_habitues_ of London Society. + +The Major was elected President; Tommy held the honourable and lucrative +post of Secretary, and a code of rules, of which we quote the principal, +was drawn up: + + 1. This Club shall be called the Detlij Club. + 2. None but jilted men shall be eligible to become members. + 3. The objects of the Club shall be: + + (_a_). To extend shelter and sympathy in their calamity to all + members whose affections have been trifled with. + (_b_). To assist them in their schemes of vengeance. + (_c_). To encourage them to jilt others in return. + + 4. Each member shall be required to take the oath of secrecy. + 5. A gold badge shall be voted annually to that member who shall + prove to the satisfaction of the Committee that he has made + the highest record in broken hearts. + 6. The badge of the Club shall be a heart rent in twain. + +There were a great many other rules, but they are of minor importance +relative to this narrative. + +When Tommy announced at the first general meeting that he wished to +propose Villiers Wyckliffe as a member, the announcement was greeted +with loud cheers, for that gentleman was a man of town notoriety, +popular with all sections of Society, but especially so in the boudoirs. +He was immensely wealthy, having inherited a vast fortune from his +father, the celebrated Seymour Wyckliffe, the world-wide known head of +the great banking firm of Wyckliffe & Co. Having joined he soon let it +be known that he intended making strong running for the coveted gold +badge. He was generally known and addressed as "Wyck." + +The fifteenth of July, when the season was well on the wane, was the +date fixed on which the first competition for the badge was to be held. + +Great preparations were made for a banquet at the Club, on the most +lavish and extensive scale. + +The dinner over, the President, Major Fitzgerald, formally opened +proceedings; and, alluding in felicitous terms to the momentous +occasion, announced, amid cheers, that there were no less than nineteen +competitors for the badge, who, their names having been drawn from a +hat, were to address the meeting in the following order:-- + + 1. Villiers Wyckliffe. + 2. Sir Charles Keyning. + 3. Thomas Thomas. + +and so on until the full list had been announced. + +"Gentlemen," proceeded the Major. "We are all anxious to get without +delay to the main business of the evening. I will therefore make my +remarks as brief as possible--" + +A loud "Hear, hear!" from a distant corner made the Major look round +angrily, but without discovering the delinquent. + +"Jilted gentlemen, your most sacred feelings have been trifled with by +the delicate, the harmless, the innocent (groans) daughters of Eve. They +are not to blame, oh no, they could not do such a thing; but we, +gentlemen, we know better (hear, hear), and we are here to-night to +ratify our bond to stand united against the insidious onslaught of those +'whose fangs,' as an American writer so aptly and so eloquently +expresses it, 'drip with the blood of the foolishly fond and true' (loud +cheers.) I shall now call upon our esteemed member, 'Wyck,' to relate to +us his story of the revenge he has taken upon the sex which has wronged +him." + +Cheers again greeted the close of the Major's speech, and cries of +"Wyck! Good old Wyck," resounded from all quarters of the room. + +Villiers Wyckliffe, a young man of about 28 years of age, rose slowly. +In his hand he held ostentatiously a small ebony stick, that was his +constant companion, and which he handled fondly. + +"Gentlemen," interposed a member, "before Wyck speaks I have to ask you +to charge your glasses, and drink to him." A request that was at once +complied with. + +"Mr. President and gentlemen," he began, in a soft, caressing voice, "I +thank you for the kind manner in which you have drunk my health. I will +now endeavour to give you a few details of my simple career. I will +plead guilty to a sneaking fondness for the fair sex (hear, hear), but I +can fairly say I have only yet seen one member of it who struck me as +being anything out of the common (oh). I mean by that, one that I should +care to marry (laughter). Feeling rather weary of London, I went for a +trip round the world, and it was during that trip that I met the +uncommon one. At Nice I made her acquaintance. She was the daughter of a +retired Colonel with a wooden leg, and she took my fancy. Why, I cannot +tell, but there is no accounting for taste. Her manner to me was cold +and haughty, which had the effect of making me all the more eager, and +after a week's acquaintance I proposed. I offered to make handsome +settlements, even to make the one-legged papa a handsome allowance of +the most liberal description, but all my offers were received with +scorn, as she informed me her heart was given to another, a beggarly +Lieutenant in a marching regiment. I humiliated myself by even proposing +a second time, when dear old wooden-leg threatened--the humour was +unconscious--to kick me out of the house. Gentlemen, either through +disappointment or chagrin, I felt my heart was broken, and I vowed one +day to avenge it. That day did arrive, and I took advantage of it. Here +is my record," and thereupon he held up to the view of his audience the +ebony stick on which was cut a series of notches. "You will see here a +number of notches. At present they number forty-eight, and each notch +represents a broken heart. Number 1, is that of a haughty young damsel +who had cut me on various occasions. Number 2, is that of the girl I +loved, now an officer's wife. Number 3, is that of her husband, for they +are separated." He continued to tick them off, giving each a short +description with comments of almost diabolical cynicism. "I have two +more in view," he continued, "and when I have completed my record of +fifty, I intend to take a long rest and go for a trip to the Colonies. I +think that is all I can say." + +Wyck resumed his seat amid tremendous cheering, maintained for several +moments. His enthusiastic friends surrounded and complimented him. + +When silence was restored the President called upon the second +candidate, Sir Charles Keyning. + +"I beg to withdraw in favour of Wyck," said that youthful worthy. The +remainder of the candidates, unable to sustain their own triumphs +against such a crushing list, also resigned their claims, and Villiers +Wyckliffe was unanimously awarded the coveted badge. + +In the small hours of the morning the meeting broke up, and Villiers, +the Major, Tommy, and a few more of the choicer spirits adjourned to +Wyck's rooms to finish with a few hours' card-playing. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +CONFIDENCES. + + +Some time after mid-day the next morning, Wyck awoke with the unpleasant +sensation that his head was of abnormal size, his throat very dry, and +altogether he felt and looked extremely seedy. A brandy-and-soda and a +cold tub eased him somewhat, and he managed to get through his dressing +and lounge daintily through his breakfast. A knock at the door was +followed by the entrance of Tommy. + +"How do, old boy; head a bit thick?" was that youthful spark's airy +greeting, as he coolly settled himself in an easy-chair. + +"A trifle, thanks. How's yours? Help yourself," he said, as he pushed +the brandy-decanter towards him. + +"Thanks. I feel in want of a pick-me-up," and Tommy helped himself to a +stiff nobbler of brandy. + +Wyck and Tommy were fast friends, though of such opposite dispositions. +Wyck liked his companion's light and jovial manner, and Tommy liked +Wyck's pocket. + +"What sort of a cruise did you have, Tommy, while you were away?" asked +Wyck. + +"Ripping. A month in the Mediterranean is great fun, I can tell you, +when you are in good company." + +"You're a lucky devil, Tommy." + +"Yes, I suppose so. But judging from the charming little history you +gave the Club last night you've been going it during my absence." + +"Yes, I flatter myself I've had some good fun." + +"I say, Wyck, I want to know how you do it." + +"My secret; eh, Tommy?" + +"Exactly. Now out with it. I swear dumb." + +"Then I'll tell you, Tommy. Only mind, should you let it out, I'll kill +you," said Wyck, fiercely. + +"It's a bargain, Wyck," answered Tommy, calmly helping himself to a +cigar from Wyck's box, and, lounging back, prepared to listen. + +"Last night I mentioned an episode with a Colonel's daughter. Well all +that is true. Smarting under the slight, and vowing vengeance, I left +Nice and travelled to India, where I had plenty of chums. One night I +attended a big kick-up given by one of the Rajahs in honour of some +affair or other. All sorts of amusements were provided, and amongst the +numerous entertainments was one by a mesmerist and hypnotist, who gave +very clever manifestations of his skill. I happened to be standing close +to him and he begged my assistance in one of his experiments. I, of +course, agreed and did exactly what he told me, trying to help him to +the best of my power; but to my surprise all his passes had no effect +whatever upon me. Another fellow was taken in my place and the feat was +accomplished successfully. This puzzled me and the first opportunity I +got I asked the mesmerist the reason. His answer was: 'You are as strong +if not stronger than I and, unconscious to yourself, you make yourself +antagonistic.' I laid awake all that night, his words running through +my head, and when I fell asleep I dreamt I was a great mesmerist. A +hunting party was organised for the next day and I was invited. We took +the train some distance, and then rode into the jungle. I became +separated from the main party and was watching an open space in the +jungle when my attention was attracted by a pretty little tropical bird, +fluttering round and round a tree. This interested me, and on closer +inspection I found a huge snake had coiled himself on one of the upper +branches, and was calmly lying with its mouth open, waiting for his +prey. Smaller and smaller were the circles the bird made, and weaker and +weaker were its efforts to escape the fascination, until it finally +fluttered to a limb just above the snake. It seemed to turn its piteous +glance for help on me, but not I! I was enjoying it. At length it could +no longer resist its fate and it fluttered into its enemy's jaws. Now +other men would have let sentiment get the better of them and have shot +that snake; but I looked up to it with respect, and it set me thinking. +'What if I could bring people under my will like that!' I thought. 'No +girl would slight me any more.' + +"Two days later, I left India for England. A sudden departure, but I was +on the eve of a great discovery. I gathered together all the treatises +relating to mesmerism that I could find and shut myself up in the +country to study them. By the time I had mastered them, I found I +thoroughly understood the art and, returning to London, I began to +practise on people whom I had engaged for the purpose. One evening I +accidentally made a great discovery. I found that by concentrating my +gaze at a certain angle on another I could control that person's will. +To my joy I found it answered with greater ease on women, and I started +experimenting right away. My first subject was Fanny at the 'Royal.' You +know the snubby little minx she was. She had tried to snub me more than +once in public, and I felt I owed her a grudge, so to her I went to pay +it. + +"I found her alone in the bar, and calling for a whiskey and soda, she +served it out in her usual languid way that riled me. As she put out her +hand to take my half-crown I seized it and looked her in the face hard. +Her first impulse was to withdraw it in disgust, but gradually her face +began to relax, and in two minutes we were talking together like the +oldest friends." + +"What did you will her to do?" asked Tommy, with interest. + +"I willed her to think that she loved me. And I succeeded, for when her +_fiance_ came in, she gave me the preference of her company. I despised +and detested them both, so, to rile him, I boldly invited her to go with +me to the theatre that evening, and she could not refuse, for I willed +her to come. Needless to say, I did not take her. Her intended married +someone else; hence the first notch in my stick. The second was, as I +said, the Colonel's daughter, now the Lieutenant's wife. I found out her +address, and called when he was on duty. Though she gave me a chilly +reception, I soon had her will under control, and I carried on in public +with her for some days. On her husband's return, his kind friends told +him all about it. He accused her; she retaliated. There was a row, and +now he is in Africa, while she is living again with her father, fretting +her heart out. I was overjoyed at this success, for it enabled me to put +two notches on my stick and, as he is the only man represented, he ought +to feel honoured. As for the others, they are of all classes; some +married women; some Society ladies, who have displeased me at one time +or another." + +"What about Marjorie Williamson?" asked Tommy, who was drinking in this +ignoble history of wrong redressed with avid interest. "I heard you had +some fun with her. Tell us about it." + +"Oh! that was a great joke. It all came about like this: + +"Of course you know that Marjorie was acknowledged to be one of the +prettiest little girls on the stage, and you know how stand-offish she +was where men were concerned. Charley Walkden was fearfully gone on her, +and occupied the same front stall for months. Every night he threw her a +bouquet with a note or present and every night, as regular as clockwork, +were they returned. One night he made himself too conspicuous, so that +Marjorie became annoyed, and that night's bouquet was returned on the +spot, accompanied with a verbal message that even an ardent admirer like +Charley could not misunderstand. I was in the theatre that night and +Wilson, the manager, told me about it. I mentioned it at the Club, and +when old Charley turned up he was chaffed by the others. He was annoyed +when he came in, but this fairly maddened him. + +"'I'll lay five to one in hundreds,' he said, 'that there is not a man +here who would be allowed to see her home.' As no one seemed inclined to +take it up, I said, casually, 'I'll book that bet, Sir Charles.' Of +course, the boys were delighted and I suppose I got a bit excited, for I +offered to lay another even five hundred that I would take her to +Brighton within a week. Sir Charles eagerly snapped that up, and when I +left I felt keenly interested in Marjorie, as I stood to win a thousand +or lose six hundred. + +"The next day I called on Wilson, the manager, who told me there was to +be a _matinee_ that afternoon. As I wanted his help I told him about the +bet and what my plans were. At first he demurred to assisting me to +carry them out, but I had been of some use previously to Wilson on +several occasions, so I had not much difficulty in shewing him there was +no harm in my scheme. By a little manoeuvring I was soon introduced to +the fair Marjorie and had her will well under my control. I saw her home +that afternoon and made five hundred. The next day I met her after +rehearsal; we took a cab to London Bridge, caught the mid-day train to +Brighton, lunched at the Metropole, and got back to town by five. +Witnesses were posted at both places to avoid disputes. Walkden was +madder than ever and that night we had a big kick-up, on the strength of +the thousand I had won." + +"But what's become of Marjorie?" asked Tommy. "We never see her now." + +"Oh, it appears that Lotty Carr, that stuck-up little minx who is +jealous of her and everybody else, heard something about this business +and asked Walkden, who, to save himself, told a lot of lies. Little Carr +then proceeded to make mischief by going first to Wilson and then to +Marjorie's mother. Wilson, of course, I was able to square, but the +mother was an invalid and the affair so upset her that it ended in her +death. Marjorie at once left the stage, forfeiting her salary. I was, of +course, awfully sorry and sent her half my winnings, which she returned. +_Truth_ then took it up and added to the fuss." + +"What's she doing now?" + +"Dressmaking or something of that sort. And, poor devil, I believe she +has two or three kids to support, brothers and sisters." + +"Ah, well! I suppose she'll pick up with Sir Charles, now? He's got +plenty of the needful." + +"Fool if she doesn't," replied this elegant young gentleman, flippantly. +Extremes meet. The naked savage has a fairly low estimate of the value +of his womankind, but it is many degrees higher than that of this +product of a highly-cultured civilization. + +Tommy's curiosity was roused and he was anxious to draw more particulars +of his peculiar gift from his friend, so he continued his catechism. + +"I say, Wyck! I suppose if you wanted a girl to get properly struck on +you, you could do it. Eh?" + +"Rather, Tommy, I only want a girl to be in my company three or four +times and I can mould her so that she will break her heart and pine +away, if I leave her." + +"Nonsense. But you don't go so far as that?" + +"No, but I may do so for an experiment." + +"I suppose you alluded to this power when you once said you had +conquered every nation under the sun?" + +"Oh! only that I had willed girls of most nationalities." + +"And who are the two you are looking after now?" + +"One I have found; she is a Swiss. The other I am looking for; she is an +Australian." + +"Australian, eh? I fancy I could fit you up there. I know a jolly girl +from Australia." + +"You do? By Jove, Tommy, that's glorious! Who is she?" + +"I don't know her very well. She lives in one of the suburbs with some +retired Australians, called Whyte. Her name is Amy Johnson." + +"Is she good-looking?" + +"She's more, she's sweetly pretty. But I believe she is engaged to a +young fellow named Morris, also an Australian." + +"That makes it all the more interesting. But how are we to meet?" said +Wyck, really roused. + +"I can arrange that, if you are game for a suburban ball-room. The +Brixton Bachelors give their annual ball shortly. She will be there and +I will get you an invite." + +"Tommy, you're a brick," said his friend, slapping him on the back; a +proceeding which ensured the success of his neat manoeuvre, by which a +note or two was transferred from Wyck's pocket-book to that of his +friend, who was "rather hard-pressed, you know," and Wyck was "a +devilish good chap for helping a fellow out of a hole." + +In Piccadilly they parted, Tommy's last words being: + +"'Ware young Australian, old chap. These colonial fellows are not to be +trifled with." + +"My dear boy, I've heard that before. They told me the same with regard +to Americans, but three of my notches represent Yankee maidens. I'm all +right. Don't forget the ticket for the ball. I must complete my score of +fifty." + +He waved him an adieu, and went his way, very well pleased with himself +and full of self-confidence. The old pitcher in the fable succumbed at +the hundredth journey, and Wyck's successful career will be cut short by +the fiftieth notch. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +THE MIA-MIA.[A] + + +"How dare you do it, sir? You are too presumptuous." + +"I am awfully sorry, Amy, but really I could not help myself." + +"But you did help yourself, Reg," and the young girl turned upon her +companion such a bewitchingly pretty face, her lips pouting with +badly-simulated anger, that the young man had no compunction in taking +her in his arms, and kissing the pouting lips till they smiled again. + +This scene was enacted in a tiny summer-house of trellis-work, +completely covered with hanging greenery, which stood in one of those +pretty gardens that are still to be found in the suburb of Brixton. The +summer-house appeared to be designed expressly for its two occupants. It +held only two seats and was of dimensions just sufficiently confined to +prevent them from being too far apart. Through the opening could be seen +the full stretch of the carefully-tended garden, backed by a comfortable +house with a verandah running round it. On the lawn, a couple of dogs +were lying lazily; hanging in the verandah was an aviary and the noisy +twittering of its occupants reached the ears of the two in the +summer-house. Their eyes dwelt lovingly on the scene before them, with a +sense of rest, for happiness and contentment seemed to be in the air. + +An elderly man in shirt-sleeves was busily engaged in pruning some fruit +trees. As he paused in his work to wipe his perspiring brow he formed a +picture of contentment in complete harmony with the scene of which he +was a part. This was Oliver Whyte, the owner of the house and garden, +which he had christened, in true Australian fashion, "The Mia-Mia." He +was a man of about sixty, short and thick-set in appearance with a +tendency to corpulence. His character was written in his fine open face, +clean-shaven save for a ring of white hair that set his honest +countenance in an oval frame; was felt as one listened to the tones of +his rough, good-natured voice. He was joined by an elderly woman, who +despite her grey hair and heavy build, was as active as many a younger +maid. Her voice had a genuine and pleasant ring in it and her face +always wore a cheerful, contented smile. She was beloved by all who came +in contact with her, for she was the embodiment of the word motherly. +The dogs rose and stretched themselves and lazily rubbed their noses +against her skirt, as she passed from one flower bed to another, +snipping a dead leaf here and picking a faded blossom there. This was +Mrs. Whyte or, as Oliver fondly calls her, "the missus." + +Forty years before, Oliver Whyte, a young man in his prime, set out with +two companions for the sunny shores of Australia. He had served his time +as a carpenter, and his employers had cause to regret the loss of a fine +workman when Whyte became fired with the ambition of travel at the time +when the glorious accounts of the richness of Australia attracted the +energetic youth of Britain. Arriving in Melbourne in '52, when the gold +fever was at its height, he and his companions lost no time in finding +their way to the fields in search of the precious metal. He spent twelve +months in rough living and hard labour then, to realize it was not as +easy to make a fortune as he imagined. But he was a good artizan and, +men of his stamp being scarce, he returned to Melbourne and started +working at his trade. In vain he tried to persuade his mates to follow +suit, but the gold-fever had taken too strong a hold upon them. Wages +were very high in Melbourne, and he had no difficulty in earning ten and +even fifteen pounds a week. In a few months' time he was able to start +in business on his own account and, as Melbourne had by this time been +acknowledged as the capital town, he invested all his savings in land +which could then be had at low rates. When he had made a fair business +he sent home for the girl with whom he had "kept company," and on her +arrival they were married in Melbourne. Years went by, his business +extended, and his land increased in value fifty-fold, and Oliver Whyte +was rapidly becoming a wealthy man. + +The fact that no children blessed their union was a great trouble to the +Whytes. But when his wife began to fret over it Whyte would answer in +his cheery fashion, "Never mind, missus, we shall have to get one of +somebody else's." + +One day, when they were at their mid-day meal, a letter in a strange +hand-writing was brought to them, in which they were begged to come at +once to the Melbourne Hospital where a woman named Johnson wished to see +them. + +"Johnson! Johnson!" said Whyte. "The only Johnson I ever knew, was my +mate, Bill Johnson, whom I left on the 'fields.'" + +"Maybe this is his wife, Olly." + +"We'll go at once and see her." + +Straightway the honest couple set out for the hospital and, on arriving +there, were taken to the bedside of a dying woman. + +"Are you Olly Whyte?" asked the woman, feebly. + +"Yes, that's me," said Whyte. + +"My name is Johnson and Bill told me that if anything went wrong I was +to look out for Olly Whyte, and he would help me." + +"Are you Bill's wife, then? Where is he?" + +"Dead, two years ago, and I am going to join him." + +"Poor old Bill!" said Whyte, feelingly. + +"I've got a little girl," murmured the poor woman. "She ain't been +brought up first class, but if you would look after her I'd die happy." + +"Where is she?" said Mrs. Whyte, speaking for the first time. "Of course +we will do so." + +That night the widow of Whyte's old mate, Bill Johnson, died and the +house of Whyte had an additional inmate in the shape of a tousled-haired +little girl, removed from a tenement in Little Bourke Street, one of the +lowest slums in Melbourne. When Amy Johnson found herself in the midst +of these novel surroundings, and experienced the delights of new and +warm clothing and of plenty of good things to eat, and the disagreeables +of having her face and hands washed oftener than she thought necessary, +her equilibrium was completely upset. But time and careful handling soon +made her forget her old ways. As she grew up, she developed startling +qualities of mind and body, united to a loveable disposition, that she +soon filled the gap in the home of the old couple. At the age of eight +she was sent to school, where she early distinguished herself and became +a great favourite with the teacher, as with her schoolfellows. Her life +was one of sunny happiness, the more so because she was completely +unspoiled. Though she never knew trouble, she could yet sympathize with +it, and she returned the idolization of her adopted parents with a love +and consideration that caused them to bless the day that saw them on +their errand of mercy to Melbourne Hospital. + +Meanwhile, the occupants of the summer-house in Brixton were passing the +time in lover-like reminiscences. + +"Do you remember the first time we met, Amy?" said Reginald Morris, as +he fondly stroked her hand. + +"We met, 'twas in a crowd, upon the mighty ocean, on board the steamship +_Ormuz_," answered Amy, in mock-tragedy. "Yes, I remember it well," she +added, with a happy little sigh. + +"I can remember every incident of the voyage, though it's three years +ago. I thought it was going to be a disagreeable voyage for me, and I +was seriously thinking of landing at Adelaide, when I made the +acquaintance of your dear old dad, and that changed the whole purpose of +my life. I can see him now as he came up to me with his frank smile and +said in his cheery voice: 'My name is Oliver Whyte, sir.' My heart went +out to him after his hearty greeting, and we soon became fast friends. +Then he introduced me to his dear old wife, and a pert little kid--" + +"Take that for your impertinence," interrupted Amy, boxing his ears +lightly. + +"I mean a smart young lady. I can see her now, and she captured my heart +on the spot and, try how I will, I cannot get it back." + +"Well it was a fair exchange, for you took mine in return," she +answered, with a blush. + +"Six months from to-day, Amy?" + +"Yes, Reg. Six months before I have to give up all my pleasures, +sacrifice all my pets and put myself at the mercy of a tyrant." + +Reg stooped to kiss the lips again that chaffed him so prettily, when +the doorway was darkened by the figure of Oliver Whyte, who said in an +amused tone of enquiry: + +"I suppose you are too busy to go and say good-bye to Mr. Northmore, +Reg? He's waiting to see you, for he sails to-morrow." + +"Come Amy, let's go to him together," said Reg rising and, tucking Amy's +arm under his own, he entered the house and greeted a young man waiting +there: + +"Hullo, Jack, how are you?" + +"I'm jolly, old chap. And Miss Amy, I trust you are well." + +"No, I'm not, Mr. Northmore, he's been worrying me again. Never get +engaged: it's too wearing. If it were not for the fact that one can +wreak revenge when one is married I don't think any girl could stand +it." + +"Well, Reg does not seem to dread the coming vengeance." + +"How do you do, Mr. Northmore. I am so sorry you are going to leave us +so soon," said Mrs. Whyte, entering at this moment. + +"Business, Mrs. Whyte, business. I am not so fortunate as our friend +here. I came only on a visit, which I have enjoyed very much. I am due +at Cape Town in a fortnight." + +"Amy, do you think you can find our friend Northmore some refreshment," +said Whyte, as he joined them. + +"I'll try, dad. Come on, Reg, I shall want your help," and they both +skipped out of the room. + +"That's the way they go on all day long," said Whyte to Northmore, +"just like two kittens." + +"They are to be married shortly, are they not?" + +"Yes, in six months. It's hardly fair to keep Reg waiting any longer. +They've been engaged three years now." + +"I am glad Reg is going to settle down, and with such an excellent +partner." + +"Yes, you're right, Northmore. I don't think a happier pair, or one more +suited to each other could be found in a year's travel." + +"Reg is a wonder, too. It is not every man who can boast of having made +a fortune for himself at twenty-four." + +"Ah, I intended asking you about that. He is so modest and reticent +about himself. He says he did it by accident and could not help +himself." + +"Nothing of the kind, Whyte. He was left an orphan at fourteen in +Adelaide and had only one relative, living at Dunedin in New Zealand, +who sent for him there and procured him a post in a sharebroker's office +as errand-boy. By dint of hard work he rose to be confidential clerk +when he was twenty-three. It was then that the great event happened +which made him. I remember it well. Reg had studied mineralogy +thoroughly and was able to give a pretty accurate forecast of the +capabilities of a mine, and he was often sent to report. One day he was +ordered to 'Dagmar No. 2' and, on his return he gave a most promising +account of it, in face of two experts who had reported it of no value. +The experts were believed and the shares fell, but Reg, to show his +confidence in his own opinion, bought all he could get at a low rate. +His employers and his friends reasoned and argued with him, but to no +avail. All his earnings and all he could raise, he invested in the mine. +His employers were annoyed and he was dismissed. Nothing daunted, he +went off to the mine and offered to manage it for nothing, telling the +directors he would make it pay. They laughed at him, but finally gave +way, especially as his holding was large enough to entitle him to a seat +at the board. Two months later reports began to spread that Dagmar No. 2 +had struck a rich lode, and a week later it was acknowledged to be one +of the richest mines in New Zealand. Reg sold out for something like +sixty thousand." + +"Come this way," said Amy in a playful way, opening the door, and +leading Reg by the ear. He was carrying a tray of glasses and completely +at her mercy. "This is how I intend to lead my husband." + +"Amy, I'm shocked," said Mrs. Whyte, laughing heartily. + +"So am I, mother," said Reg, putting down the tray, and gently releasing +her fingers. + +Then the conversation became general. In the midst of it the postman's +knock was heard, and letters for Reg and Amy were brought in, which +proved to contain invitations to the annual ball given by the Brixton +Bachelors. + +"Oh! Reg, dear, will you go?" cried Amy. + +"That rests with you." + +"Then we'll accept," said Amy, decisively. + +As Northmore bade them good-bye at the gate he said: "Reg, you are a man +to be envied. You have a girl who is a pearl amongst diamonds." + +"I know it, old fellow, and I appreciate it to the full." + +On the following day acceptances were sent to the invitation of the +Bachelors, and little did that happy circle dream that this ball, about +which they laughed and joked, would be the means of blighting that happy +home for ever. + +[Footnote A: Pronounced "mi-mi."] + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +THE BALL. + + +When Reg and Amy, accompanied by Mrs. Whyte, arrived, the ball was in +full swing. This Bachelors' Ball was an annual affair of some more than +local reputation and the suburban element was frequently enforced, and +leavened, by guests from the West End, who at other periods of the year +professed never to have heard of Brixton. The ball-room was beautifully +decorated with hangings of dainty tints. Palms and ferns, artistically +placed with fairy lamps glimmering through the masses of greenery, made +inviting corners, that attracted the weary dancers. No expense had been +spared to make the scene one of splendour and attraction, and it fairly +took good Mrs. Whyte's breath away. Reg succeeded in finding two vacant +seats near a Colonel's widow, who was an acquaintance of Mrs. Whyte +and, having comfortably settled the old lady, offered his arm to Amy and +they were soon whirling together in the mazy throng of waltzers. + +They made a striking couple; the tall, handsome man and the slight, +willowy girl, with her beautiful face flushed with the exercise, and +many were the enquiries made as to who and what they were. The dance +over, Reg reserved for himself nine of the items on her card, leaving +the remainder, as he laughingly said, to her numerous admirers to fight +over. Then he left her for a moment to greet some friends. + +"Miss Johnson, may I introduce a great friend of mine?" said a voice +behind her. + +Amy turned to find Tommy smiling complacently at her, accompanied by a +handsome, dark stranger. + +"Certainly, Mr. Thomas." + +"Miss Johnson--Mr. Wyckliffe," and the two met. Amy was too full of +enjoyment to notice more than that her new acquaintance had a quiet +manner, soft attractive voice, and a peculiarly penetrating gaze. She +surrendered her programme, and, as he passed it back to her, he merely +bowed, and said: + +"I have taken sixteen and eighteen, thank you." + +The ball went merrily forward, both Reg and Amy enjoying themselves to +the full. At the sixteenth dance Reg found himself disengaged, and went +outside to have a smoke. He was scarcely half through his cigarette, +when the fancy seized him to go back to the ball-room and watch Amy +dancing. Standing in the doorway he marked each couple pass him, but +without discovering the object of his search. He made his way round to +Mrs. Whyte, but that good lady could only tell him that she had been +claimed by her partner, Mr. Wyckliffe. Reg felt vaguely disturbed, how +or why he scarcely knew; but he remembered Amy had once told him she +never sat out a dance except with an old friend. He wandered away +aimlessly, and when the next dance had begun and still Amy did not +appear, he decided to look for her. Pausing at the refreshment buffet he +was in the act of raising a glass to his lips when his eye caught sight +of a portion of a dress he knew too well, partly hidden by some drapery +hanging over a corner of the gallery. In the twinkling of an eye he ran +up the stairs. Amy saw him coming, and drawing the drapery on one side, +smiled at him. It was enough to dispel all his troublesome thoughts, and +he came up to her and laughingly said: + +"Ah, here you are, you truant. It is too bad to disappoint your partners +in this way." + +"Reg, this is Mr. Wyckliffe," said she, referring to her partner. + +"I am very glad to meet you, Mr. Morris," said that gentleman, rising +with a smile and extending his hand. + +"Thanks. I am delighted to make your acquaintance," answered Reg, +shaking warmly in his genuine way the hand extended to him. + +"Miss Johnson has been good enough to make a confidant of me," continued +Wyck, lightly. "She has told me of your engagement and I hope you will +let me congratulate you. You are a lucky man." + +"I am, indeed," answered Reg, as politely as he could, though he felt +strongly inclined to resent the familiarity from a man who had only met +him and his _fiancee_ for the first time that evening. + +"Miss Johnson mentioned that she was engaged for this dance with you, +but as I have the next she agreed to sit them both out with me." + +Reg began to grow uncomfortable, and turned to Amy, and said, "It's very +cold here, Amy, I think you ought to go back, as Mrs. Whyte is looking +for you." + +"Oh! you won't desert me, will you, Miss Johnson?" said Wyck, gazing at +her in an intense way, and exerting his will-power to the utmost. + +"I'd rather stay, Reg," she answered, but the decision seemed to come +from her reluctantly. + +"I'll take care of her, Morris, never fear," said Wyck, smiling. + +Reg looked from one to the other. He felt helpless, and in a predicament +from which only a scene, which he abhorred, would extricate him. It was +galling in the extreme to find a total stranger dictating to the girl he +was engaged to. + +"Then you won't come?" he asked. + +"Not yet, Reg," she replied, in a languid manner, and he turned sharply +on his heel and descended the stairs in a mood the reverse of amiable. +Here he ran against Tommy, whom he stopped and asked: + +"Who's your friend Wyckliffe, Thomas?" + +"Oh, old Wyck is a great friend of mine. Why do you ask? You don't look +well, old chap. Come and have something to pull you together." + +"No thanks. Look here, Thomas, I don't like the way your friend is going +on." + +"Why, what's he done?" asked Tommy, in feigned surprise, though he was +rather enjoying the joke of badgering the jealous lover. + +"Miss Johnson is an innocent girl, not up to the free-and-easy flirting +ways of your Society friends, and she should not be compromised by +sitting out three dances with a stranger." + +"Come, old chap. You make too much fuss over a small matter. But look, +there is Mrs. Whyte beckoning to you," said he, pointing to the lady in +question, who was anxiously watching them. "I won't keep you." + +"Where's Amy, Reg?" said Mrs. Whyte as he came near, in an anxious +voice, somewhat louder than strict etiquette demanded. + +Reg sat down beside her and told her Amy was sitting out with Mr. +Wyckliffe. + +"What, three dances, Reg. I think I had better go to her." + +"There is no need for that, for here she comes," answered Reg, quickly, +as he saw Amy suddenly appear in the ball-room. A fierce pang of +jealousy seized him when he noticed how she hung on her partner's arm. +"Hadn't we better go home, mother?" he said, "I am tired of this." + +"Really, Mrs. Whyte," said Wyck, coming up to her with a bland +expression of unconsciousness, "I must apologize for keeping Miss +Johnson away from you so long; but it was so cool and pleasant in the +gallery." + +Mrs. Whyte merely bowed and said: + +"Amy, come and let us fetch our cloaks, we are going home." + +"All right, mother," she answered, quietly, her eyes fixed on Wyck's +departing figure. + +They passed him again in the entrance hall, and as Amy shook hands with +him and bade him good-night, Reg was maddened to notice Wyck stoop and +whisper something to her, and to see her smile and nod in return. + +The demeanour of the party on their return was so different, that even +the old cabby could not help noticing it. Incessant chattering and gay +bursts of laughter marked their journey to the ball-room, that "it did +one's heart good," as the cabby put it. But on the return journey +everyone was silent, gloomy and depressed. Whyte was waiting at the gate +for them and, as he opened the door, cried out in his cheery voice, +"Back again, my children," but, to his surprise, there was no response +and, seeing Mrs. Whyte signal him to be quiet, he gave a low whistle and +murmured under his breath, with a chuckle, "a lover's quarrel, by Jove." + +Amy, on entering the house, went straight to her room and locked herself +in; an occurrence so unique in the history of the Mia-Mia, that old +Whyte stared open-mouthed at Reg, who had flung himself on the sofa, and +asked: + +"What's the matter, Reg?" + +"I don't know, dad. I don't understand it at all." + +"Have you quarrelled?" + +"No." + +"Then what is it?" + +Reg told him all he knew about the matter, which certainly did not seem +much in the telling, and sitting-out being a common occurrence at balls +Whyte was disposed to look at it in the light of an attack of lovers' +jealousy, until Mrs. Whyte entered the room, looking very concerned, +and, taking her husband's arm, burst into tears. + +"Don't give way like that, missus. Why, what's the matter?" said he, +tenderly. + +"Oh, dad, dad, it's horrible. She has locked herself in her room, and is +crying bitterly, but she won't open the door. Who would have thought our +Amy would do such a thing. Oh, these horrid balls!" + +"It's not the ball," said Reg, fiercely. "It's that scoundrel Wyckliffe +who is the cause of all this. I'll murder him." + +"Reg, I am surprised at you talking like that," said Mrs. Whyte. "If Amy +wished to stay with him, she--" + +"Prefers him to me, is that it?" put in Reg, rising, and pacing the +room, angrily. + +"No, not that. I mean she is to blame." + +"She's not to blame. If she had not met that fellow, there would have +been no trouble." + +"Come, come," said Whyte, anxious to make peace. "Let's get to bed; +perhaps she will have forgotten all about it in the morning." And he led +his wife away. + +Reg did not go to bed, but walked restlessly to and from the garden to +cool his heated brain and collect his thoughts. At last he entered his +room, and casually picked up a copy of _Truth_ to while away the time +until he felt inclined for sleep. His eye happened to light on a +paragraph drawing attention to the ruin of the prospects of a young +actress by a gentleman "well-known in Society." No names were mentioned, +but fuller details were promised. Had names been mentioned an amount of +sorrow, with its appalling consequences, would have been saved and this +story never have been written. At last Reg tumbled into bed, only to +toss about and dream of dreadful accidents to Amy, with which Wyck was +somehow connected, while he himself lay powerless to rescue her, +fighting fiercely against the invisible hands which kept his hands tied, +and his limbs stiff and helpless. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +THE OATH. + + +"Reg, Reg, get up," said Whyte, entering Morris's room the next morning. + +"Hallo, dad, what time is it?" + +"One o'clock, lad." + +Ten minutes later Reg was down to his breakfast. The reminiscences of +the previous night had come back to him, and were very bitter. + +"Is Amy up yet?" he asked. + +"Yes, and gone out," said Whyte, looking anxiously at him. + +"What!" cried Reg, in surprise. + +"About an hour ago," continued Whyte. "She came out of her room fully +dressed for walking out, and looking as miserable as possible. I asked +her where she was going, but she seemed not to notice, and only came up +to me and flung her arms round my neck, kissed me, and left the room." + +"Did she not say where she was going to?" + +"No, lad; she said nothing." + +"What would you suggest doing, Whyte? Shall I go and hunt this fellow +Wyckliffe up, and ask him what he means?" + +"No, lad. That will do little good. We will speak to Amy herself when +she returns. Dear, dear! I fancy her brain must be touched," and the +sympathetic old fellow walked hurriedly away to conceal the tears that +would fall. + +Reg walked to the garden with a heavy heart. There were all the pets +waiting for their mistress. The dogs ran to him with yelps of enquiry; +the birds twittered plaintively, as if they felt something was wrong. +Reg stooped and patted the dogs, and it seemed a relief to his bursting +heart to tell them all his forebodings for the happiness of their home. + +The weary hours passed, and Amy returned. Her usually bright manner had +disappeared; her step had lost its lightness, and there was an air of +languor about her, very foreign to her nature. As she caught sight of +Reg she hung down her head, and passed rapidly into the house, taking +no notice of the dogs who bounded towards her barking with delight. Reg +slowly followed her, his face revealing the troubles of his heart. + +"My darling girl," said Mrs. Whyte, as she met her in the passage and, +fondly throwing her arms around her, drawing her into the room. "Won't +you trust us and tell us what is the matter?" + +"Don't ask me, mother," said Amy, bursting into tears. + +"Look here, Amy," said Whyte, coming forward and vainly trying to put a +trace of sternness in his voice. "You must give us some explanation of +your conduct, dear. You are not acting fairly by Reg." + +"Oh, Amy, darling, I'll forgive anything. Only do tell me what has come +between us," said Reg, coming quickly forward, and taking her hand he +led her to a sofa. + +At length her sobs became less violent, and she tried to say with some +air of decision: + +"I want you to release me, Reg. I find I do not love you sufficiently to +be your wife." + +"Release you!" cried Reg, starting. + +"Yes, Reg dear. I cannot marry you now. I thought I loved you, but I +find now I love another." + +"Is _he_ the other?" asked Reg, sternly. + +"Yes, I love Wyck." + +"Wyck! is that Mr. Wyckliffe?" + +"Yes. He told me to call him Wyck;" and here she began feverishly to +pull off her engagement ring. + +"Oh, don't take that off," cried Reg, in a pained voice. + +"I must, Reg, I must. He told me to;" and she handed back the ring she +had worn and caressed so long. + +"Then all is over between us," said Reg, quietly. + +"Yes, Reg. I am sorry, but it must be," and she slowly rose and went to +her room, not noticing any of the others. + +"Reg, my dear boy, bear up; be a man. God knows, it is a severe blow for +us. So changed; so different! Had anyone told me that such a catastrophe +could happen in such a short time, I would have given him the lie +direct." + +"Yes, Whyte, you are right. It is a blow, but there are times in every +man's life when he is called on to bear the heaviest burdens, and it is +his duty to submit. She has told me she prefers Wyck, as she calls him, +to me; so I give way, and God grant he may make her happy." + +"He is a stranger to us and, if he does marry her, he will take her away +from us, and we may never meet again. With her all our happiness +disappears," and tears again welled in the good old man's eyes. + +"Whyte, I must see this man," said Reg, firmly, but threateningly. + +"Reg, I beg you won't interfere. It will do no good. Promise me you will +not interfere," said Whyte, imploringly, for he feared the consequences +if Reg and his rival met. + +"What shall I do then, dad?" he said, sadly. + +"Go away for a few days. This sudden infatuation may go as quickly as it +came, and when you return, perhaps we may see a change." + +"Very well, dad. Your advice is always good. I will go away for a week, +and wander about somewhere to kill time." + +That evening he took the mail to Dover, and with a heavy heart crossed +to France. The Whytes missed Reg sadly, and Whyte himself deeply +regretted having advised him to go away, for Amy, instead of noticing +his absence, seemed to become more and more absorbed every day in her +new attraction, that she took no notice whatever of her surroundings. +She made no enquiry for Reg, and scarcely addressed anyone in the house. +The second day after his departure she went out in the same mysterious +manner as before without explanation. Whyte thereupon determined to +follow her. + +He saw her take a 'bus going in the direction of the city, and managed +to catch another running close behind it. At Westminster Bridge she +quitted the 'bus, and looked round eagerly, till her gaze rested on a +young man, who was laughing and talking with two others. After waiting +in their vicinity, Whyte saw one of the trio lounge carelessly towards +her and, without raising his hat or making any formal or respectful +greeting, take her hand and kiss her on both cheeks. A roar of laughter +greeted this proceeding from the two companions left on the pavement. + +"Well, and how's little Amy to-day?" said Wyck, carelessly. + +"Quite well and happy now, Wyck dear, thank you," replied Amy, in a +bright tone, but in a dreamy, absent manner, walking away by his side +along the Embankment. + +Whyte remained watching these proceedings, but did not attempt to +interfere. He had seen sufficient, and hailed a return omnibus going +homewards with a heavier heart than ever. "Why did I send Reg away?" he +murmured to himself. "No good will come from this, I see. I'll put a +stop to it, for he can't mean square." The whole journey through he +puzzled his brains to find an explanation for this peculiar conduct of +Amy's so unusual with her. On his arrival home he told his wife all he +had seen, and in their helplessness the two old people could only offer +a silent prayer to Heaven to protect the child they loved so devotedly. + +When Amy returned from her visit, Whyte went to her and said: + +"Amy, I forbid you to see that man again." + +"You cannot stop me, dad, for he said I was to go," she answered, +looking at him in a curiously absent way. + +"We shall see," he answered, vaguely, for her opposition startled him. +Amy said nothing, but passed on to her room and locked herself in. + +The next day, and for several days afterwards, she eluded Whyte's +vigilance with a cunning so abnormal, and so unlike herself, that the +poor old man was nearly driven frantic with perplexity. Each day she +returned in the same silent, oppressed mood, and avoided everyone in the +house. + +A letter in a man's hand-writing came for her one evening, which she +opened in the Whytes' presence, and made no comment. Since the +mysterious change in her behaviour she was in the habit of rising early +and retiring to her room with the morning paper. The morning following +the receipt of the letter she acted as usual, and shortly after, the +Whytes were startled by hearing a loud cry coming from her room, +followed by a heavy thud, as if something had fallen. A vague terror +seized them, and in an instant both rushed to her room and, flinging +open the door, they were horrified to find their darling child stretched +on the floor with the paper clenched in her hand. They gently raised her +and, while Mrs Whyte undressed her and put her to bed, Whyte himself ran +for a doctor. + +Reg meanwhile had found his resolve to keep away intolerable, and had, +in a moment of impulse, returned to London in time to meet Whyte +hurriedly entering the house, followed by a young doctor. + +"What's the matter, Whyte?" said Reg, running forward. + +"Thank God, my boy, you are back again. I feel the change is coming, one +way or another," answered Whyte, solemnly, as he motioned the doctor +upstairs. Then, in answer to Reg's breathless questions, he told him all +that had happened during his absence. + +At this juncture the doctor returned. His face was grave and troubled, +and a nameless chill seized the two. + +"Well, doctor," cried both together. + +"I'm afraid it's for the worst," he answered, sadly. "I would advise you +to send for a specialist's opinion at once. Sir Charles Edward I would +recommend, for there is grave heart trouble." + +In all haste the celebrated specialist was summoned, but his examination +was sickening in its brevity, and his verdict held out no hope. "The +nervous system has received some terribly sudden shock," he said; "and +there is a serious rupture of the vessels of the heart. She may recover +consciousness, but it will be only momentary. We see many appalling +sights in my profession, but rarely one so sad as this. A young life so +beautiful, and apparently so strong, to be suddenly cut off; it is +terrible! What can have caused it?" + +Whyte hurriedly told him all he knew. Meanwhile Reg, in his +restlessness, had seized the paper left lying on the floor, and began +aimlessly to scan the columns. Suddenly his eyes were arrested by a +familiar name, and he read as follows: + + BANQUET TO MR. VILLIERS WYCKLIFFE. + + This popular and fortunate young gentleman, who is on the point of + starting for a tour of the Australian Colonies, was entertained at + dinner at the Angora Club, last evening. Lord Hardup presided, and + in proposing the health of the guest of the evening in eulogistic + terms, presented him, on behalf of the Club, with a handsome + diamond pin, and heartily wished him God-speed. The pin was in the + shape of a broken heart, which curious badge has been adopted by + Mr. Wyckliffe. Mr. Wyckliffe left by the night express for Naples, + to join the _s.s. Himalaya_ en route for Adelaide. + +"The ---- scoundrel," said Reg, emphatically. Whyte and Sir Charles +turned round upon him in surprise. "Here is the cause of it," said Reg, +handing the paper to Whyte. + +Barely time to express their surprise at the discovery was given them +before they were all hurriedly summoned to Amy's bedside. Mrs. Whyte +and a nurse, who had been at once sent for, were watching the still +figure on the bed, with the doctor in attendance. + +"Will she die, Sir Charles?" asked Reg, in a feverish whisper. + +"My dear young sir, there is no hope. She may recover consciousness, but +if she does it will only be for a few moments. Doctor Carr will remain +till the end;" and giving the young man's hand a sympathetic squeeze, +while he brushed away something dangerously like a tear, he hurried away +to his carriage. + +They remained in the darkened room in anxious silence. Suddenly, the +nurse moved to the bedside, and held up her hand in warning. The nervous +tension of each watcher was extreme, that the movement seemed to give +relief. + +"Wyck! Wyck!" came from the lips of Amy, in a mournful whisper. "Wyck +gone; Reg gone. Poor Amy." + +"No, my darling," burst from Reg's lips, but the doctor held up a +warning finger and hushed his impetuous outburst. + +It was a terrible scene. To watch helplessly while a few stifled words +broke in interjections from the dying girl's lips, and note the +manifest struggle to give them utterance. + +"Reg, Reg, forgive--forgive daddy, mammy! God--bless--you;" and with a +convulsive shudder, her spirit had passed away. + +Doctor Carr had seen many death-beds in his career, but never one so +affecting as this. Kneeling by the bedside were the two old people, and +a hale and hearty youth, sobbing as if their hearts were broken. He was +about to leave the sombre chamber, when he was startled by a voice +saying in loud, firm tones: + +"I call God to witness and hear me swear. By the hand of this corpse, +than which I hold nothing more sacred in this world, I, Reginald Morris, +solemnly swear vengeance upon her murderer. Henceforth I have but one +hope; henceforth I dedicate my fortune and my future to avenging Amy +Johnson's death. Amen!" + +A deep echoing "Amen" broke from Oliver Whyte, and the two men joined +hands over the fair dead form each loved so much. + +Two days later all that remained of Amy Johnson was carried to its last +resting-place. + +The bright and sunshiny little domicile "The Mia-Mia," was now silent +and desolate, as if under a spell. Whyte and his wife had aged visibly +since their darling's death, while Reg had grown into a sad, silent man +with a stern, relentless expression of face. Even the pets seemed +subdued; the flowers seemed to droop; the sun to shine less brightly, +for the hope and the light of the house was dead. + +One solemn duty had yet to be performed, when Whyte took Reg by the arm +and led him to the room of the dead girl. Here the gay pictures on the +walls, and the pretty draperies so daintily arranged seemed to mock +them. On the table lay her writing desk, one of his first presents to +her, and Reg, with a feeling of sacrilege, slowly opened it. On the top +lay a letter, which read as follows: + + "Tuesday. + + "Dearest Amy, + + Come to the Park to-morrow as usual. I have procured a special + licence, and we can be married right away. + + _Tout a toi_, + WYCK." + +"Why this was written the evening before he sailed," cried Reg. "This is +a worse villainy than I dreamed of. Stay, here is another in her own +writing," and he read the following: + + "Tuesday night, + + "My dearest Reg, Mammy and Daddy, + + "By the time this reaches you I shall be married to Wyck. Forgive + me. I cannot help myself, for he said I was to go, and I do love + him. Good-bye. Forgive, but do not forget, + + "Your undutiful girl, + "AMY." + +"At last," said Whyte. "Now we see what caused the shock." + +"Yes, he had promised to marry her at the time he had arranged to leave +England for his trip. Why the Angora Club presented him with his badge, +set in diamonds, and, by Heaven, I will do the same. I'll brand the +scoundrel on both ears with the same distinguishing mark." + +"It was all my fault, Reg. If only I had not persuaded you--" began +Whyte, blaming himself. + +"Stay, Whyte; it is too late for praise or blame, however undeserved. I +have only one sentiment left to guide me, and that is Revenge." + + * * * * * + +Villiers Wyckliffe had added the fiftieth notch to his stick, and with +the air of a hero at the close of a brilliant campaign, had started on a +tour of pleasure to Australia--for, as he expressed it, he liked that +"Australian kid" so well that he must needs go to her native land to +make acquaintance with others of her sort. Little did he think that on +his track was one dominated with a relentless purpose that would never +grow weak, whose motto was--_REVENGE_. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +REVENGE. + + +Reg had now fully determined to follow Wyck to Australia, and he lost no +time in making his preparations. His first step was to go to a firm of +die-sinkers, where he ordered a die to be cut in the shape of a broken +heart, exactly similar to the device on Wyckliffe's letter-paper. + +"Make it of the finest steel," he said, "and have its edges as sharp as +that of a razor. Have a case made to fit it, so that it can be kept +constantly sharp and bright, and ready for use at any time." + +"It will be an expensive article, sir," said the shopman. + +"Never mind, have it made exactly to order. Let me know when it will be +ready, and I will call and pay the bill." + +That done, he called a cab, drove to Finsbury Pavement, and got out at +a large warehouse. + +"Is Mr. Bridgland in?" he asked at the Inquiry Office, and was ushered +into a small room on the door of which was painted the word "Manager." + +"Good morning, Bridgland," he said, entering and shaking hands with a +man sitting at a desk. + +"What, Morris!" he replied. "You look like a ghost. Are you ill, man?" + +"She's dead and buried, old chap." + +"Who?--not Miss Johnson," almost gasped Bridgland. + +"Yes, Amy Johnson is dead. She was murdered." + +"Murdered!" + +"Yes, murdered." And sitting down, Reg told Bridgland everything, +omitting not the slightest detail from the day of the ball to the +present. + +Joseph Bridgland was the only man in London Reg had ever called a +friend. He had met him through a business transaction shortly after his +landing, and had taken a great fancy to him. Bridgland was a self-made +man, and had started in life as the office boy to the large firm of +whose business he was now manager. He was short and stout, with a +full-moon-like face that was always twinkling with good-humour. He +always faced his troubles with a smile; met all difficulties lightly, +and generally conquered them in the end. But Reg's trouble was too +serious to be smiled at, the sight of the pale, drawn face of the friend +who had always been so gay and light-hearted was a shock to him, and +when Reg had told his pitiful story, he found it difficult to restrain +his tears. He was fairly intimate with Reg and Amy Johnson, and looked +upon them as an ideal couple. + +"My dear old chap, I cannot tell you how sorry I am. This fellow +Wyckliffe must be a miserable scoundrel, but I think I can help you." + +"You can, Bridgland?" said Reg, starting. + +"Yes, sit down and I will tell you. Listeners are people I despise, but +I was compelled to overhear a conversation, which has troubled me ever +since, but now I see there must have been something in the fact that I +was given this chance. One of the partners here leads the life of a man +about town. His office is there, next to mine, and he frequently has a +young fellow called Tommy drop in and have a chat with him." + +"I know him," said Reg. + +"Well, on this particular day the door I suppose was not closely shut, +and I chanced to hear them talking about a certain secret club called +the Detlij Club, or some such name. It is nothing more or less, I +believe, than an association of youthful rakes who lay plans to ruin +women. Tommy and he were apparently members, and they frequently spoke +of Wyck." + +"That's my man, Bridgland," said Reg, fiercely. + +"From what I could gather, this Wyck boasts of the possession of a +diabolical faculty for making girls fall in love with him. His next move +is to throw them over and one more is added to his record, which is kept +by means of notches on a stick. Now I distinctly heard Tommy say that +Wyck had his fiftieth notch booked, and that she was an Australian." + +"My God! that was Amy. Bridgland, I will see you again, but I cannot +stay longer now. I begin to see my way clear. A thousand thanks and +good-bye." To Bridgland's astonishment he left the office hurriedly, +without another word. + +Calling a cab, Reg drove to the Angora Club in Piccadilly, and asked for +Mr. Thomas. Finding he was not in, he left a letter asking him to meet +him on business of importance at a certain hotel at three o'clock the +following afternoon. + +That evening he and the Whytes discussed his project. + +The old couple were bearing up well, and so deep was their indignation +against the man who had ruined the peace of their home that they +encouraged Reg in his revenge. + +"You are young and strong, Reg. I wish I was too, then I would go with +you," said Whyte; "but I am getting too old." + +"Leave it to me, Whyte. I have sworn to brand him, and as long as I have +breath in my body, I will not give in." + +The following day, Reg engaged a private room in the hotel, and gave +instructions that Mr. Thomas was to be shown up immediately on his +arrival, an event which soon happened. + +"How do you do, Morris?" said Tommy, genially coming towards him. +"Awfully good of you to think of me." + +"Yes, I wanted to have a chat with you." + +"You don't look well, old fellow. Nothing wrong, I hope." + +"I have a little trouble, but--" + +"Then let me share it, old fellow." + +"What will you have to drink?" asked Reg, disregarding the invitation. + +"Ah! the best way to kill trouble. Drink, and put your care in the +grave." + +The liquor was brought, and the waiter dismissed with instructions that +they were not on any account to be disturbed. + +"Do you mind my drawing the curtains?" said Reg, "the light affects my +eyes." + +"Not at all, old man. Here's good luck to you," answered Tommy, filling +his glass. + +Reg did not reply, but going to the door, he locked it, and put the key +in his pocket. Tommy looked on in amazement. The little man had not much +pluck, and he felt his knees tremble. + +"What's the joke, old chap!" he asked, in a voice intended to be +jocular. + +"Thomas Thomas, listen to me. Amy Johnson is dead." + +"Dead!" gasped Tommy, upsetting his glass in astonishment. + +"Yes, she is dead. Your friend Wyck murdered her." + +"Murdered her!" + +"Yes, murdered her," reiterated Reg. + +"My God, old chap, I'm----" + +"Silence!" cried Reg, in a stern voice. "You were the man who introduced +her to him, and it is to you I look for some explanation. Who is this +Villiers Wyckliffe, and what is his power?" + +"My dear Morris, really I don't know. I always thought he was a straight +chap." + +"Tommy, you're a liar. You do know, so out with it." + +"But I've sworn not to divulge," almost whined Tommy. + +"Then you refuse," said Reg, placing pen, ink and paper before Tommy, +and producing a revolver from his pocket. Then he quietly placed his +watch on the table in front of him, and said: + +"There are pen and paper. If you want to write to your friends, do so, +for you have five minutes to live." + +This was too much for Tommy. All his dapper gaiety had disappeared. His +clothes seemed to hang loosely on his limbs, and a perspiration broke +out on his forehead. All his self-control vanished, and he fell +abjectly on his knees and cried out for mercy. + +"Get up, you lying scoundrel," said Reg. "What mercy did you or he +show." + +"I'll tell you all, Morris. I'll tell you all," gasped his victim. + +"Then get up and do so at once, for you have but three minutes." + +"What do you want to know?" + +"All you know about Villiers Wyckliffe, and this power he is said to +possess." + +Tommy started with a tremulous voice, and narrated in disjointed +sentences all that is known to the reader, the Detlij Club, all Wyck's +secrets, his affair with Miss Williamson, and his own share in procuring +the invitations for the Bachelors' Ball. + +"Where has he gone now?" said Reg, still fingering the revolver. + +"To Adelaide by the _Himalaya_." + +"Is he going direct?" + +"Yes he is, I swear." + +"Then go down on your knees, Tommy, and swear you will never divulge +that you have told me all this, and that you will not communicate with +him." + +"I swear, Morris," and Tommy was fairly on his knees. + +"Now go. You are only his accomplice. You did not do the deed, so I'll +let you go; but mark my words, if ever I hear of you mixing my name up +with yours, I shoot you like a dog. Now go," said Reg, unlocking the +door, through which Tommy rapidly slipped without a second bidding. + +"It's really wonderful what an empty pistol can do with some fellows," +said Reg to himself, as he drank a glass of wine and straightened the +table. + +"Miss Williamson," he continued, musing to himself, "Marjorie +Williamson; you are the poor victim who lost your mother and your +livelihood through the same man. I must see you, for you and I ought to +shake hands." + +Half-an-hour later, he entered the Caledonian Theatre by the stage-door, +at the entrance of which he was confronted by an old fellow, who gruffly +enquired his business. + +"Have you been here long?" he asked. + +"Yes, close on twenty years; why?" + +"I want a little information. What's your name?" + +"Jones. What's yours?" + +"Mine is Morris." + +"Well, what is it you want to know?" said Jones, looking suspiciously at +him. + +"Do you know Miss Williamson?" + +"Yes, I do." + +"Can you tell me where she lives?" + +"No, I can't; and what's more, you'd better clear. She was ruined by one +of you cursed--" + +"Stay, Jones, I understand you. I don't come here as one of those vile +cattle who hang round stage doors. I want to offer help and sympathy." + +"Then you can go away, for she don't want either," said Jones, pointing +to the door. + +"My good fellow, I see you are a friend of hers, and I am glad to find +she has one so good and true." + +"What do you mean, sir?" + +"Can I trust you, Jones?" + +"Certainly, sir." + +"Then listen. The same man who ruined that girl, and killed her mother, +killed also the girl I loved, the girl I had been engaged to for years. +And I now look for my revenge." + +"But what has she to do with it?" asked he, in a softer voice. + +"I want to know her. I want her to have her revenge too. I am a rich man +and I am off on his tracks to Australia next Friday." + +"I don't think she'd see you, sir. She's never seen a gent since." + +"You are an old friend, I can see?" + +"Yes, sir, I am. Her dead mother and I were old friends. She was one of +the good sort. She didn't put on airs because her daughter was a great +actress. She used to sit and talk to me every night." + +"Jones, you can manage it. Come, we'll go together." + +As they drove along very little conversation passed between the two. At +length the cab stopped at a house in a shabby street in Camden Town. +"You stay here, sir, until I've seen her," said Jones, as he knocked at +the door. The curtain was drawn aside for a moment before he was +admitted. Five, ten minutes elapsed, and he did not return. Reg became +impatient, but at last he heard the door open, and Jones was saying, +"You see him, Miss Marjorie, he has a good face." But still she seemed +to hesitate, and Reg, without waiting for more, walked up to her and +grasping her hand, said in an earnest voice: + +"Miss Williamson, I _must_ see you." + +She offered no further resistance, and Reg passed with her into a small +sitting-room. + +"Stay where you are, Jones," said Reg, as he saw him about to leave them +alone. "You can hear all I have to say. Miss Williamson, I have heard +all about your troubles, and I want you to listen to mine:" and again +his sad story was recited. + +"Now Miss Williamson I am off to Australia to take vengeance, and I want +you to assist me." + +"Assist you! how? Mr. Morris." + +"In this way. You are here toiling your life away for a meagre pittance. +You must give it up." + +"Indeed I--" + +"Stay, let me finish. I want you to clear your name and honour before +the world. I want you to rise again to your old position, and be +revenged that way." + +"Impossible," she said. + +"No it's not, sir," chimed in Jones, eagerly. + +"She could get a good engagement to-morrow if she liked." + +"Miss Williamson, as I said before, I am a rich man. I have thousands a +year, and now I have no use for the money I want you to accept--" + +"I shall accept nothing, sir," said she, sharply. + +"I want you to accept," resumed Reg, tranquilly, "a small loan in order +to enable you to have a fair start, and as you will not quite trust me, +I will place it in Jones's hands. Here, Jones," he continued, handing +him a roll of notes, "are a hundred and fifty pounds. You are to watch +over Miss Williamson and see that she resumes her calling. Miss +Williamson, once more I beg of you to assist me, and when you are a +successful woman again, and making lots of money, you can repay me." + +"Miss Marjorie, do it. I'll help you," said Jones, appealingly. + +"Then I'll do it, Mr. Morris, and God bless you;" then words failed her, +and she laid her head on the sofa and burst into tears. + +Reg bid her good-bye and, followed by Jones left the house, feeling +lighter-hearted than he had been for several days. And Jones, when he +was put down at the theatre door, said, in a choking voice: + +"You'll never regret this day's work, sir. God bless you." + +Reg next went to the shop at which he had ordered his die, and found it +a most satisfactory piece of workmanship. Then he drove to the offices +of the Orient Company, and found if he left London on the following +Friday he could catch the _Orltuz_ at Naples. + +"There's only one berth left, sir," said the clerk. "It's in a two-berth +cabin, and a Mr. Allen Winter has the other." + +"Then cable and secure it for me," he said, putting down the money and +receiving his ticket. + +The next day he called on Bridgland, related all he had done, and told +him his plans. + +"You are a marvel, Morris," said that worthy man. "I could not +understand why you left me so suddenly. So you leave England to-morrow +for certain?" + +"Yes. Wyck has a clear week's start and, as the _Himalaya_ is a faster +boat, I expect he will reach Adelaide eight days ahead of me." + +"And when you catch him what will you do?" + +"Do you see this die, Bridgland?" asked Reg, as he produced his case. +"This is his device. I'll brand him with it on both ears. He shall be a +marked man for life." + +"But that's rather dangerous, is it not?" + +"Listen, Brigland. I have sworn by the corpse of the girl I loved that I +would avenge her death, and I will do it at any cost. Your high-class +Englishman looks upon a woman's honour as his legitimate prey, and his +fellows feast and toast and testimonialise his success in his nefarious +deeds; but we Australians are made of different stuff from the rotten +fabric of European civilisation. We hold the honour of our women in +respect, and we have only one law for those who sully or sport with +it--the law that a right-minded man makes for himself. Here is a +murderer gone to our country to continue his infamous amusement. Mark my +words, Bridgland, if he ever returns alive to England, he will return so +that it is impossible for him to hold up his head. Now good-bye, old +chap. When you see me again, rest assured Australia will have been +revenged." + +"My God!" said Bridgland to himself when Reg had left him. "I would +rather be dead than have a sleuth-hound like that on my track. Wyck, +your time has come, but not before you deserve it." + +The final arrangements were completed, and Reg started on his journey. +He bade a fond farewell to the Whytes, and his last word rang in Oliver +Whyte's ears for many a day. It was "Revenge." + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +HAL. + + +"Now then, Reginald Morris, my name is Allen Winter. I am going to have +it out with you," said a tall, handsome man, fully six feet in his socks +and broad in proportion, as he closed the cabin door, and stood with his +back to it. + +Reg had been lounging on his bunk, deep in his own thoughts, when he was +disturbed by the abrupt entrance of his fellow-passenger, and the above +good-humoured demand. Reg got up from his bunk, and faced him without +speaking. + +"You've shared my cabin since we left Naples, three days ago. Not a word +have you spoken. You have done nothing but mope about, and look as +miserable as a boiled owl. I say again, I won't have it, for you are +infecting me with your low spirits," said Winter. + +Reg looked at him with curiosity, but still answered nothing, so that +Winter began to show signs of annoyance. + +"Hang it all! can't you speak, man? I can box, shoot, fence, fight, or +anything you like. I don't think I am a bad sort of fellow myself, and +it's because I know you are a good sort that I feel so annoyed to see +you moping." + +"I am much obliged to you for the compliment; still I fancy I can do +what I please," said Reg, quietly. + +The other showed no signs of resentment, but continued smiling at him as +he rattled off the following, "You are in trouble, I know. You have had +a severe blow lately. There was a woman in it, and she's dead. You loved +that woman; her name was Amy, and the man who came between you was a +certain Wyck. You are an Australian, and have plenty of money. You are +seeking revenge, and your instrument of vengeance is in your breast +pocket. These are details I have gathered from what I have seen of you, +or what I have heard you mutter in your sleep; and knowing this much I +am curious to know more." + +"You are quite an up-to-date detective, sir," said Reg, frankly. + +"Ah! then you acknowledge that I have hit the mark." + +"But pray, sir, are there not enough people on board to amuse you +without the need of exercising your powers on me. I am in trouble, I +acknowledge, but I prefer keeping my troubles to myself," answered Reg, +really angry this time. + +"I apologise, Morris, if I have been abrupt, but really I did not mean +to be so. It is strange that though there are over two hundred +passengers on board, I have not seen a face I care about but yours, and +when I see you fretting away I feel for you, for I have gone through the +mill, and know what it is." + +"What do you mean?" said Reg, growing interested. + +"Let me tell you my history. I was born in Victoria. My father died when +I was fifteen, and left me to look after my mother, who was a confirmed +invalid. She died twelve months later, and I was left alone. While +walking down Collins Street one day I had an adventure which changed the +course of my career. A carriage and pair of flash horses were being +driven by, the coachman lounging on the box holding the reins +carelessly, when a tram-car rounded the corner at a good pace. The +horses gave a bound, the sudden shock sent the coachman off his box, and +away they galloped. They turned one corner, and then another safely, and +I was able by cutting through a cross street to come up with them. Well +I was always a handy youngster, and as they dashed by me I made a run +for the back of the carriage, caught one of the springs, scrambled on +the top of the carriage, and reached the box, only to find the reins +hanging round the pole beyond my grasp; but it did not take me long to +slip along the pole, pick them up, and get back to the box. I, like most +Australians can handle the ribbons, but it took me all my time to pull +those horses up in time to avoid a collision. I didn't think much of the +feat, in fact I rather liked the fun of it, but the old gentleman +inside, who was the only occupant, chose to think differently, and when +the coachman came up in a cab, in which he had been following us, not +much hurt, the old gentleman made me get in beside him. + +"'What's your name?' he asked. + +"'Allen Winter,' said I. + +"Then he asked me my history. I told him that I was an orphan and had +to work for my living. Well, to make this long story short, I have never +had to work since, for he gave me twelve months at the Scotch College in +Melbourne, and during my holidays he died, leaving me the whole of his +fortune. He was an old bachelor, and his money was well invested, so I +have now an income of a thousand a year. I have been over every inch of +Australia; I know the Colonies well, and I have been round the world +twice." + +"But you have not explained your interest in me," said Reg. + +"No, I thought I would keep that to the last," he said, his voice +growing sadder. "I never was much of a Society man, for although I have +been through a lot, I never feel at home amongst fashionable folk, and +Australian Society is rotten--I don't like it. But I chanced to be +thrown into contact with a young girl, with whom I fell madly in love, +and whom I endowed, as every man in love does, with all the virtues. I +courted her for two years, and she professed to return my devotion. Now, +her mother had a great fondness for Society ways and fads, and we were +not the best of friends in consequence, but I thought we loved each +other too well for that defect in my character to make any difference. +The wedding-day was at last fixed. I had presented her with funds to buy +her trousseau, as they were not at all well off, when a young sprig of +English nobility visited the Colonies, and became acquainted with them. +The mother played her cards well, for that cursed snob married my girl +under my very nose, and used the trousseau I had provided. She sent me a +letter, in which she stated she had never loved me as I deserved to be +loved, and that she would offend her mother if she refused the +Englishman." + +"Did you care for her very much?" asked Reg. + +"Except my mother, she was the only woman I ever loved, and when she +threw me over it nearly killed me." + +"She married this man?" + +"Yes; and her mother had the cheek to ask me to the wedding, but, +needless to say, I did not go. I very nearly went to the devil instead." + +"Now, just listen to me. Suppose that man had come between you two, and, +after separating you, had jilted and deserted the girl, and was +directly the cause of her death, what would you have done then?" said +Reg, excitedly. + +Winter did not reply at once. He guessed instantly that Reg was +referring to his own case. + +"What would you have done?" asked Reg, again, impatiently. + +"I think I should have shot him dead, or marked him for life," he +answered, deliberately. + +"Winter, shake hands. You are a man," said Reg, jumping off his bunk. "I +apologise for my previous rudeness." + +"Accepted, with pleasure," said Winter, cordially; and the two men shook +hands. + +Reg thereupon unfolded to him his whole history, which the reader knows. +Winter listened attentively and, when he had finished, stood like a man +dazed with horror. For the second time he put out his hand, and gripped +Reg's hand with a grip that spoke volumes of sympathetic help. For a +minute or two there was silence between the two men, which Winter broke +by saying: + +"Morris, I am an Australian. I know the Colonies well. You will let me +join you?" + +"Thanks, Winter; but I live for nothing but revenge." + +"Then I will join you. You swore an oath to devote all your time and +money to vengeance upon this man who has so foully wronged you. Let me +swear too that I will join you. I will go with you, and the same spirit +that animates you shall animate me too." + +There was no mistaking the genuineness of the appeal, and Reg frankly +gave him his hand. From that day they were "Reg" and "Hal" to each +other, and Wyck had two determined men on his track, the one endowed +with all the shrewdness of a keen detective, possessing also a thorough +knowledge of Australian life and habits; the other of strong +determination and obstinate will that no obstacles would foil. Both +awkward customers to deal with, and whose bitter enmity no man could +afford to despise. + +From that day they were observed by all the passengers to be close +friends, and they showed very plainly how little they wished to be +disturbed by, or to come into contact with, the other passengers. Now it +happened that, although there was a large number of passengers, eligible +young men were scarce, and when two of the best-looking young fellows on +board gave it to be clearly understood that they intended keeping aloof +from the general company it naturally caused a little sensation. + +"I can't understand them two gents. They be always together, always +talk, talk; and when anybody speaks to them they appear offended. It's a +shame they ain't more sociable, 'specially as my gals is fond of +gentleman's company." + +Both Reg and Hal overheard this remark from a stout, florid lady, who +with her two daughters was starting on a tour through Australia. She was +the wife of Samuel Lewis, cheesemonger, of Drury Lane: they had noticed +a label on one of her boxes. + +"I feel sorry for her and her daughters, don't you, Reg?" said Hal. + +"I've not noticed them, old chap," he answered, indifferently. + +"Look here, my boy. You must enliven up a bit. It's no use fretting. You +can do nothing till you get to Adelaide, so let's have a bit of fun." + +"I'll come round in time, old chap. I have felt better every day since +meeting you." + +"Yes, and I mean you to feel better still; but come away, here's that +confounded old Tickell coming, he's dead set on us," as they dodged +round some deck-chairs. + +"Ha, gentlemen, here you are! I am so glad to see you. Would you try one +of my cigars; they are really a first-class brand. No; you don't smoke +cigars, eh? Sorry for that. Prefer a pipe, eh? Well, that's a nice one +you are smoking, and it seems to colour well. Splendid thing, a +meerschaum. I always smoke cherry-wood myself; see, this is one. I have +some more down below like it. Would you care for one? I assure you they +are something special; and this tobacco's simply--" + +"Yes, yes," said Hal, stopping him abruptly. "I am sure all you say is +quite correct, but we do not require anything to-day, and, moreover, we +are engaged--" + +"But, my dear sir, you know on board ship people are--" + +"Supposed to mind their own business," said Hal, exasperated with the +man's importunity. + +"Yes, exactly, my dear sir, but when--" + +"Look, Mr. Tickell, there's Mrs. Morgan beckoning to you," said Reg. + +"Where? Ah, yes, I am sorry I must leave you: ta, ta; I'll see you +again," and away he skipped to annoy someone else. + +"Tickell is a specimen of that irritating species of human kind, the +unsnubbable," said Hal. + +Various attempts were made to penetrate their reserve, but without +success, for they clearly gave everyone to understand that they +preferred the company of each other, which did not tend to their +popularity on board. Amongst the passengers was a young man who rejoiced +in the high-sounding name of Hugh St. John Wilson-Mainwaring, and whose +sense of self-importance was as extensive as his appellation. He was the +younger son of a bishop, and intended to tour the Colonies at the +expense of the inhabitants, feeling satisfied that he had only to make +it known that his father was the Bishop of Doseminster to have the door +of every aristocrat-loving Australian flung open wide in his honour. His +voice had a delightful drawl that attracted the female portion of the +passengers, and the little time of each day that was left to him after +that which was occupied in the management of this characteristic, the +manipulation of his eye-glass, and the exposure of the correct four +inches of shirt-cuff, was devoted to the invention of inane practical +jokes. He had successfully played "ripping good jokes, don't yer know" +on most of the passengers, and one old squatter who was returning with +his "missus" after doing England felt highly honoured at being made the +butt of such aristocratic ingenuity. + +"We must invite him to the station, missus," he said to his wife the +evening after that event. "He would be such a catch for our Eliza." + +Now Mr. Hugh St. John Wilson-Mainwaring had noticed that Hal and Reg +invariably took possession of a couple of the most comfortable chairs on +deck, which they placed in a sunny corner while they read, smoked, or +talked together, and he determined to have a joke at their expense. He +took the ladies into his confidence in his charming, affable way, and +the Misses Lewis, especially, were delighted to be made partners in the +attempt of a bishop's son to make these two young men who thought so +much of themselves look ridiculous. + +One afternoon Hal and Reg, coming on deck, found all the chairs +occupied, and were compelled to seat themselves in a couple of hammock +chairs, ingenious contrivances in which the back is supported in a +notch cut for the purpose. Fortune favoured the bishop's hopeful +offspring, for they were not only convenient for his purpose, but they +occupied a conspicuous position. Reg and Hal were just dozing off, when +he seized his opportunity and crawled quietly on his hands and knees +behind Reg's chair, and tied a piece of string on to the support. +Cautiously, and in the same monkey-like fashion, he returned, paying out +his line as he went, and gleefully drew all his lady admirers' attention +to his huge joke. + +"You'll come down directly, Reg. They've tied a string to your chair," +said Hal, in a whisper. + +"Right! old chap. We'll see who will have the best joke. If I come down +my back will be broken: understand?" + +"Rather! Look out, he's got his string taut." + +Scarcely had Hal finished when Reg's chair collapsed, and he fell on the +broad of his back. Hal jumped up as if startled, and a violent peal of +laughter burst out in all directions, but still Reg lay motionless. Hal +went to his assistance, and in a scared voice, called out for the +doctor. That gentleman happened to be close at hand, and soon a crowd +gathered round. + +"My back; it's broken," moaned Reg; and a litter was improvised, and he +was carried to the surgery. + +"Poor fellow!--How could you do it?--What a shame!--He'll die"--and +similar expressions were hurled at the bishop's son, who became +seriously alarmed. + +When they reached the surgery, the doctor ordered all to leave, except +Hal, and began to examine the wounded man. + +"Stop," said Reg, pulling himself up. "It's all a joke. Keep it up, +doctor." + +The doctor was amazed at first, but expressed himself as quite agreeable +to join in the plot. Hal left the cabin with a serious face, and met all +the anxious enquirers at the door with one stern remark: + +"He's dying. I'm going for the Captain." + +Mr. Wilson-Mainwaring became seriously alarmed, turned pale, wrung his +hands in despair, and gave vent to disjointed appeals and ejaculations. +"It was only a joke. Oh! you know it was only a joke. Oh, my poor +father! Why did I come? What shall I do?" until they were afraid he +would throw himself overboard. + +Hal, who had been enjoying his dilemma, now thought the joke had gone +far enough, and opening the surgery door, pulled out Reg, smoking his +pipe, and looking as if nothing had happened. + +The laugh was now turned against Mr. Hugh St. John Wilson-Mainwaring, +who disappeared below, and did not venture on deck for several days. + +No one after this attempted to interfere with the two friends' mode of +passing their time, and they were left undisturbed, and remained +engrossed in each other's society. After an eventful voyage the ship +arrived in due time at Adelaide. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +ADELAIDE. + + +"That's Largs Bay over there," said the officer on duty to the small +group of passengers collected on deck to watch the approach of the +vessel to her anchorage at Adelaide. + +To none did the news come with greater pleasure than to Reg and Hal, who +were impatient to get on to Wyck's track without delay. Reg had improved +in spirits considerably since he had taken Hal into his confidence, but +he remained as determined as ever to carry out his object. + +Poor old Tickell had in vain tried to penetrate their reserve, and find +out something about them, but he had to acknowledge they had seen +through all his cunning devices. He knew everybody and everybody's +business, from one end of the passenger list to the other, with the +exception of these two. His failure here worried him, but still, though +the voyage was fast terminating, he did not lose all hope of finding out +something about them. As luck would have it, he found himself standing +close beside the two who were occupying his thoughts. + +"I am sorry we are going to part, gentlemen," he said, affably. + +"Yes?" answered Hal, smiling. + +"I shall miss your society. You are out here for pleasure, are you not?" + +"Now, Tickell, my good fellow, drop all that," said Hal, seeing what was +coming. + +"No offence, my dear sir. On business, then?" + +"Go to the devil, Tickell--or what is better, go and worry some of the +old women," said Hal, turning away. + +"Now, don't get cross, sir." + +"You're an infernal old fool," said Reg, fairly losing his temper; and +tucking Hal's arm under his own, strolled away. + +"Well, I'm hanged if I can make them out," said Tickell, to Mrs. Morgan, +who had come towards him. + +"Found out anything, Mr. Tickell?" asked that lady, sweetly. + +"No, just had another try, but no use." + +"Wonder if they're criminals escaping from gaol," hazarded Mrs. Morgan, +who had all the romantic imagination of her sex. + +"No, more like lords in disguise," said Tickell, thoughtfully. + +"You've hit it, Tickell," said Hal, passing by, not having heard the +remark but guessing it referred to them. + +"I knew it. I knew it," said Tickell, gleefully, as he rushed below to +spread the news. + +"Oh, my lords, I really beg your lordships' pardon," said Mrs. Morgan, +apologetically. + +"Pray what for, madam?" asked Reg, wondering if she had lost her senses. + +"Well, you see, your lordships, neither me nor my gals ever guessed your +lordships was what you are, or we would not have talked about you so +familiar-like." + +"My dear madam, we are no more lords than you are," said Hal, laughing +at the joke. + +"Here they are; here they are," cried Tickell, to a little crowd he had +collected. "I found them out; I found them out." + +"Found out what, Tickell?" asked Hal. + +"I found you out, my lords. I knew all the time you were lords in +disguise, but I did not like to say so," and Tickell skipped about and +snapped his fingers with joy at the discovery. + +A small tender now came alongside, and the Health Officer boarded the +ship, and at once granted _pratique_, as there had been no sickness +during the voyage. Several people accompanied him. Reg and Hal, taking +advantage of the lull, escaped to their cabins, but no sooner were they +there than the Captain rushed down to them, shook hands, and +complimented them on their disguise. He had not taken any notice of them +before, for he was a big man in his own estimation. + +"I really feel annoyed at your not letting me into the secret of your +identity, gentlemen, for there is great competition and jealousy between +the captains on this route as to whose ship carries most members of the +nobility in a year. I'd have put on extra steam had I known, and arrived +a day sooner. You two will put me top of the list, and I shall be bound +to have a big passenger list coming home." + +"But, Captain, we are not lords or noblemen, or anything else," said +Hal, laughing at the joke; but the Captain, being called on deck, left +them with a hurried apology. + +"That confounded old fool Tickell will get us into trouble yet," said +Reg, as they both returned to the deck. + +"That's them," said Tickell, pointing them out to a couple of young men +standing by with note-books and pencils in their hands, whereupon both +stepped up to them. + +"My lords, I have the honour to represent the _Advertiser_. I should +feel much obliged if you would give a few particulars of your visit to +the Colony." + +"I belong to the _Register_, my lords," said his companion, preparing to +write. + +"I am afraid, gentlemen, you are under some mistake," said Reg. "We are +not lords, nor anything of the kind, we are happy to say. Here are our +cards." + +"But you are travelling _incognito_, perhaps?" suggested one. + +"No, we are both Australian born, and if I don't make a mistake, I +believe I recognise Joe Watson," answered Hal. + +"That's my name. Why, now I know you--Winter; Hal Winter, of course," +and they shook hands, laughing heartily over the joke. + +"Then who is that old fool who told us a long yarn about your being +lords in disguise? I am awfully sorry you are not." + +"And why, Watson?" asked Hal. + +"Oh, news is scarce, and the arrivals of nobility are welcomed nowadays. +They catch on, you know." + +"Don't understand, Watson." + +"Why, from a matrimonial point of view. There are so many mammas lying +in wait to receive them. But I must go. I am glad to see you, Winter; +call at the office and look me up, some time or other." + +"Certainly I will," and the two shook hands. + +"Fancy that," said Hal, "he and I were at school together; we haven't +seen each other for ten years." + +"He does not seem over fond of the nobility, with all his enterprise," +said Reg, smiling. + +"No," answered Hal. "He is a young Australian. His father is one of the +leading citizens, but when a man's on a paper he is not allowed to +express his own opinions." + +"Then the papers toady to the nobility?" + +"Not exactly. I consider the Australian Press is second to none in the +world, and both the papers these men represent would hold their own in +any country; but they must study public taste, like any other public +caterers, and they do so love a lord. See, they are both now engaged +with the bishop's son." + +The Captain did not seem so cordial to them as they left the ship, and +he wore a disappointed look. As they said good-bye to all, and the tug +started for shore, a figure on deck waved his hat and called out to +them: "I found you out." + +"Good-bye, you old idiot," shouted Hal, and an uproarious laugh greeted +the amiable Tickell. + +"It's nearly time they had an outer harbour here," said Reg, as he tried +to dodge the spray flying over the side of the tug. + +"Yes, you're right, but there seems to be too much jealousy amongst the +three ports. Glenelg think they ought to have it, and the Semaphore, +too, lays claim to it, and between the lot of them we have to land with +a wet skin." + +"Now then, gentlemen, hold tight," shouted the tug-captain, as a wave +washed the small boat from stem to stern and drenched them to the skin. + +After a tedious voyage they were landed at the pier, wet through and, +having made arrangements about their luggage, they stepped into the +train for Adelaide. + +"Where shall we stay while in Adelaide, Hal?" asked Reg, when they were +fast approaching the pretty little city. + +"The 'York' is the tip-top house, but I should prefer the 'United +Service.'" + +"Good, the 'United Service' it shall be." + +Half-an-hour later they stood at the door of the hotel, ready and fit +for work. + +"Hal, are you ready to begin the search?" asked Reg. + +"Right you are. We'll go to Reuter's first, and see if there is a +cable." + +The office was in King William Street, close by and, on enquiry, a cable +was handed to Reg. It read: + + "Morris, Adelaide. All well. Revenge. Whyte." + +"Yes, Whyte, we'll be revenged," said Reg, handing the telegram to Hal. + +"So far, so good. What's the next move?" + +"Wyck will arrive a stranger here. He will enquire for the best hotel, +and will be told the 'York.' He will tip the man, and ask him if there +are any good-looking girls there, and he will be told that old Ford +won't have a barmaid about the place, and is fearfully particular. Then +he'll ask for another, and he ought either to be told of the South +Australian Club, the United Service, or the Southern Cross. All these +keep saloon bars, so we cannot do better than enquire at them." + +"Why do you think he will proceed in that way?" + +"Wyck is fond of ladies, isn't he? Well, where would a stranger go to +talk to a nice girl? He'd go to a saloon bar, where so many good-looking +girls are found." + +"You're right, old chap. Let's go over to the 'Cross.'" + +On entering the small saloon, they found a handsome young lady in +attendance. After calling for drinks, Hal asked her how long she had +been there. + +"I only came yesterday," she replied, sweetly. + +"Good-bye, miss," said Hal, with equal sweetness. + +Johnny Lord's and several more were visited, but without success, for no +one knew of such a person as they were enquiring for. + +On calling at the South Australian Club they were met by a very busy, +energetic, little man, who said he was the proprietor, and seemed proud +of it. + +"Have you had a gentleman named Wyckliffe, stopping here?" asked Hal, as +he stood sipping some iced wine. + +"Yes I did. He stayed here three days." + +"Do you know where he went when he left?" + +"I fancy he left for Port Pirie; at least that's where I heard him say +he was going to," answered the bustling little man as he hurried away. + +"Did you know Wyckliffe?" asked Hal of the young lady who presided over +the bar. + +"Yes, I knew him slightly," she answered. + +But the entrance of a gentleman of the masher type, who shook hands with +her, and kept her in conversation with him, effectually prevented any +further information being procured from that quarter. Hal and Reg +therefore left. + +"Hal," said Reg, anxiously, "is Adelaide a very holy city?" + +"Why; whatever makes you ask that?" + +"Well, in the first place I notice an enormous number of churches, and +secondly, I hear you cannot get a drink on Sunday." + +"That's true, but it came about in this way. When public-houses were +open on Sunday, the churches were always empty. The parsons agitated the +temperance party, and the result was the closing of the houses." + +"And did that fill the churches?" + +"Oh, no, it filled the clubs instead." + +"I wonder if he would call on the Governor," said Hal, after a slight +pause. + +"Don't know, but he might. Shall we see?" + +"No, thanks." + +"Oh, I forgot. Of course you don't appreciate Governors." + +"No, you are right there. I think them useless pieces of furniture to +the Colonies. They do no good and are merely sent out for Society's sake +to be able to entertain English visitors, when they come over at the +Colony's expense. Now look at that little man in the carriage there, +with a dog by his side. Well, he has more brains than any six Governors +put together." + +"Who is he?" + +"He's the Lieutenant-Governor and Chief Justice, and one of the +cleverest men Australia ever had." + +"Why don't they appoint him Governor, then?" + +"Well, my dear old chap, if you had a friend who was in trouble +financially, or otherwise, you would do him a good turn, would you not? +Well, English political leaders do the same." + +"I see, there is a big salary attached to it. But, now, how about Wyck?" + +"If he has returned to Adelaide we must find him. He may have seen the +cable addressed to me, or he might have seen our names in the passenger +list wired from Albany," said Hal, musingly. + +"Then we had better continue our search, for he cannot now have much +start on us," answered Reg, and they prepared to renew their enquiries +at the hotels. Walking down Rundle Street, they called at the "Globe," +and other places, without result, till dinner time caused them to +adjourn. + +"Let's have another nip of Mount Gambier whiskey," said Hal, "and after +dinner we'll try Hindley Street." + +While walking along King William Street continuing their search, Reg, +who had continued closely observant, remarked: + +"Is there anything exceptional about our appearance, Hal?" + +"Why?" + +"I was judging by the number of people who stare at us closely, and then +turn round for a second look." + +"That's one of the characteristics of Adelaide--curiosity. They do love +to know who's who and, if they see a stranger, they like to know all +about him," answered Hal, as a well-dressed lady passing them stared +hard. "Now, come round this way, old chap. We must explore Hindley +Street. It's a peculiar street, fashionable at one end, and----" + +"Not fashionable at the other," added Reg. + +"Exactly; there is a tribe of Mongolians and Asiatics inhabiting the +lower quarters, but let's ask here where Mick Tier lives." + +"What, Mick Tier, Slavin's friend when he was in England?" + +"The same. Here he is," and a stout gentleman, who could turn the scale +at eighteen stone, appeared. + +They had half-an-hour's chat with their genial host, without being able +to procure any additional information, and went on to the "Melbourne +Hotel." They entered the saloon, and were smilingly greeted by a +good-looking young lady. + +"Good evening, Miss Wallace; how are you, this evening?" said Hal, +leaning familiarly over the bar. + +"Very well, thank you." + +"Have you seen Wyck lately?" + +"No, do you know him?" answered she, with a slight start. + +"Oh, yes, I know him well. He told me to call and give you his best +love, Gussy." + +"That's very kind of him, and did he tell you my name?" + +"Certainly. When did you see him last?" + +"I don't remember. Why?" she asked, curiously. "But really I forget your +name, though I remember your face." + +"Thompson is my name. It is very unkind of you to forget me so soon." + +"I don't remember the name." + +"I saw Wyck at Port Pirie. He said he thought he was going on to +Melbourne." + +"But he did not go," said the girl, quickly, and Hal gave Reg a gentle +touch with his foot. + +"Where did he go to?" + +"Come on, let us look round and see all the pretty girls," said a +familiar voice behind them, and turning they saw Tickell and an elderly +gentleman. + +"Hullo, Morris and Winter. I've found you out," shouted Tickell. + +Hal made a movement of annoyance, for he had seen the girl start at +their names, and now felt sure she was in league with Wyck, and knew of +his whereabouts. + +"Will you join me, gentlemen?" said Tickell, between his smiles and +smirks at the barmaid. + +"No, thanks," said Hal, as he sat at a small table, with Reg alongside +him. + +"Confound that old fool, he's spoilt my game," said he, in a low tone, +to Reg. + +"How did you know her name, Hal!" + +"My dear boy, if a girl leaves a letter on the shelves behind, addressed +to Miss Wallace--" + +"I see, but where did the Gussy come in?" + +"Look at her brooch, and you will find that." + +"Well, good-bye, my dear; awfully sorry I must go. Good-bye, gentlemen," +and Tickell and his friend retired. + +"You'll excuse me for a moment, sirs," said the barmaid, leaving her +post, with a bow. Quick as lightning, Hal leant across and examined the +envelope-- + +"Melbourne stamp, dated two days ago." + +"And that's his writing, Hal," said Reg, excitedly. + +They had scarcely time to settle themselves when the lady returned, +carrying a sheet of blotting-paper, which she carelessly threw on the +shelf under the counter. + +"Same again, please, Gussy," said Hal, trying to be pleasant. + +"My name is Miss Wallace, sir," said she, indignantly. + +"I beg your pardon, madam." + +"I don't believe you saw Mr. Wyckliffe at all. I know what you are +after, but you won't see him again, for he has left for Western +Australia." + +"Is that so?" queried Hal, cynically. "Then he did not go to Melbourne, +Miss Wallace?" + +"No, Mr. Morris, he did not," she answered, with emphasis on the name +Morris. + +"I notice you had a letter from him," said Hal, quietly. + +"I never had--" She got no further for, turning round, she found the +envelope facing her. "You've been reading my letters while I was away," +she called out, in a fury; then, noticing it was an envelope alone, she +cooled down, and said: + +"This was from my brother at Port Augusta." + +"It's a pity all the Colonies do not adopt the same colour for their +stamps, for, while Victoria is puce, South Australia is yellow," said +Hal, carelessly pointing to the puce stamp, but the girl snatched it up, +gave him an evil glance, and sat down to write a note. + +The saloon was very tastefully arranged, and Gussy had forgotten that +the wall at her back was covered with mirrors, otherwise she would not +have been so hasty as to write on a telegraph form in a manner that was +easily to be distinguished by both Hal and Reg. + +"Come, Reg. We must go," said Hal, rising. + +"Good-bye, Miss Wallace, I'm awfully sorry you are offended." + +"She's going to send a telegram to him. We must try and get a look at +the address," said Hal, as they once more found themselves in the +street. + +"How is that to be done?" + +"Well, I don't know if you have noticed the way a messenger generally +carries a telegram to the office." + +"Can't say I have." + +"Well, I amuse myself frequently by noticing these things, and I have +observed that he invariably carries it in his hand, and reads it twice +before sending it." + +"Well, what of that?" + +"In the first place it will enable us to see who the messenger is, and +in the second we may be able to read the telegram as well as he," +answered Hal, as he took up his position in a deep doorway on the side +of the street opposite to the hotel. + +Shortly afterwards they saw Gussy appear at the door, and look about her +to see all was clear. A few minutes later a boy appeared carrying a +telegram in his hand. + +Walking on the opposite side of the street as far as King William +Street, they shadowed him, and crossing the road walked close in his +rear. As the lad stopped at the office, he opened the telegram, and +looked at it. Hal at the same time glanced over his shoulder, and read: + + V. Wyckliffe, Great Australian Palace, Melbourne. Morris and + another called for you to-day. Going Melbourne. Look out. G----y. + +"Hal, you're a wonder," said Reg when he became acquainted with the +contents of the telegram. + +"I reckon we're getting close on him now. He will only have three days' +start of us," said Hal, complacently. "The guide says--'Express to +Melbourne at 3.30., arriving at 10.30 next morning: boudoir car +attached.'" + +"Let's fill up the time by going to a music-hall," suggested Reg. + +"Don't keep them here, my boy." + +"What, no music-halls!" + +"Well there is a small one run by Tommy Hudson, but it is used as a +theatre. Adelaide people don't believe in leg-shows and ballets." + +"But I thought they had the Gaiety people out here, and did a big +business." + +"Quite true, but it caused such an extra-ordinary number of divorce and +breach of promise cases that they have not repeated it." + +"Have they a decent theatre, then?" + +"Yes, a capital one, run by good old Wybert Reeve, and as the Governor +goes there to-night, there will be an extra crush." + +"Does he influence the public?" + +"Rather, my boy. I have seen the stalls and dress-circle quite empty one +night and crowded the next to overflowing, all on account of the +presence of the Governor and his wife." + +"Then we had better not rob them of their enjoyment," said Reg, +emphatically. + +They spent the following morning in visiting the sights of Adelaide, +that picturesquely placed and beautifully laid-out city, nestling by the +_broad waters_ (_!_) of the Torrens, beneath its background of lofty +blue mountains; and took the afternoon express to Melbourne. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +MELBOURNE. + + +After passing a somewhat restless night in the boudoir car they arrived +at Melbourne. Boudoir cars are very comfortable and pleasant places in +their way, but on this particular occasion they did not find it +overwhelmingly pleasant, for their fellow-passengers had their own +peculiar way of amusing themselves. For instance, a Melbournite and a +Sydneyite had to share the same compartment, and any man who has +travelled in Australia knows what that will lead to. It was a new +experience to Reg. Hal, however, found himself fully occupied in closing +his ears to the snores coming from a passenger in the next compartment. + +"Talk about Sydney! Why, what have you got to talk about? You've a +decent harbour through no fault of your own, and that's about all you +can boast of," said the man from Melbourne. + +"And what have you got? Just open the window, and everybody will know. +_Smellbourne_ is your proper title. I always have to carry disinfectants +with me when I come here. Say, guard, see that those windows are +closed," sang out the man from Sydney. + +"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed the other, in retort. "We certainly have not your +natural resources, but what we have we have made ourselves. Look at our +splendid buildings, our streets, our cable tramcars, our prosperous +country." + +"Yes, look at them. Where are the men that built them? In gaol. How was +the money to build them obtained? By robbing English capitalists. And +what's the consequences? Why, they are all empty. Fancy, ten thousand +empty houses in a small town like yours." + +"And how about your empty houses? Your Parliament House? Bah! It's a +bauble shop. While your members are fighting amongst themselves like +cats and dogs, the country is going to the deuce." + +"Guard, please separate those gentlemen," screamed a shrill voice from +the lady's compartment. + +"Stop your row, there," shouted the man who had been snoring so loudly, +imagining their quarrel had woke him up, whereas, a kick from Hal had +done it. + +"Go to sleep, you fellows, blowing about Sydney and Melbourne. Why, our +little town of Brisbane licks you both hollow," roared a tall man in +pyjamas, jumping on the floor. + +"Yes; before the flood," shouted the Sydney man. + +"Look here, gentlemen. You will have to make less noise," said the +collector, now appearing on the scene. + +Thus it was that they were disturbed all night long and, on the +following morning, things nearly approached a crisis, owing to the +Sydney man ostentatiously producing camphor and eucalyptus and preparing +to scatter them about to kill the noxious germs of Melbourne. + +"That is a fair sample from the citizens of the two rival cities of the +South," said Hal. "They are for ever fighting against one another. +Jealousy is no name for the rivalry between them." + +"It seems a pitiful waste of energy," answered Reg, strapping up his +rugs, for they were nearing Melbourne; and soon the train ran in to +Spencer Street Station. + +Here all was noise and hurly-burly. Porters jostled the passengers and +each other, and flung the luggage about. Cabbies yelled for fares, and +everyone seemed bent on making as much noise and causing as much +inconvenience as possible. + +"Thank goodness, that's over," said Reg, when they had safely put +themselves in a hansom. "Talk about London porters. They are not a patch +on these fellows for banging your things about." + +"That's true. In Melbourne, old man, everything must go with a rush," +answered Hal, as the cab pulled up at the entrance to a tremendous +building, some eight stories high. + +"Fine place this, Hal." + +"Yes, as far as appearances go. It's run on temperance principles, at a +heavy loss every year." + +"Who built it then?" + +"There's his face on the wall there, somewhere. He's in gaol now, went +with the land-boom when it bust." + +"That's why they put his bust up," laughed Reg, dodging the portmanteau +that was flung at him for his atrocious pun. + +They booked their rooms on the advance system at the office, and started +for a stroll round the streets of this marvellous city. + +"By Jove, Hal," said Reg, pointing to a tall building known as a +sky-scraper; "thirteen stories high. Is the man who built that doing a +term too?" + +"No he was too smart. He sold out and got knighted." + +"Knighted for building a place like that?" + +"Well you see he gave a big cheque to charity, and got it that way." + +"Are they as easy to get as that?" + +"Rather. One man built a university, and was given a handle to his name. +England loves to encourage that sort of thing. But now to business. I +noticed that girl at the Palace eye us pretty closely." + +"We had better enquire, and see if we can hear of anything." + +"Time is precious. Let's get back." + +"Do you keep a record of all visitors staying here?" asked Hal of the +young lady at the booking office. + +"Yes, sir. What name are you enquiring for?" + +"A friend of mine named Wyckliffe. Ah, I see you know him"--for he +noticed the lady give a start of surprise. + +"There was a gentleman of that name here, but he has gone to Adelaide," +she answered, in rather a tremulous voice. + +"Oh! it doesn't matter. He asked me to enquire for him, if I came to +Melbourne. We have just arrived from Sydney." + +"What a shame," said she, quite recovered. "He was expecting some +friends, and said he was going to Adelaide to meet them." + +"If you should hear from him, you might say Mr. Thompson was asking for +him," said Hal, carelessly. + +"How long are you staying, sir?" + +"That all depends how we like the place," said Hal, as he left, followed +by Reg. + +"That girl is in it. I'll swear she knows where he is.--Query, how are +we to get it out of her?" + +"Where did those gentlemen come from?" asked the lady, of the porter. + +"Adelaide express, miss," he answered. + +"Are you sure?" + +"Certain, miss, for I noticed the ticket on their luggage." + +"I fancy they will have to look for him," she said to herself, smiling +grimly. + +Hal and Reg had walked as far as Bourke Street, when Hal suddenly turned +to his companion and said: + +"What fools we are, Reg. That wire was sent late at night, addressed to +the Palace. We must find out who was on duty at that hour, for that girl +surely would not be." Thereupon they wheeled round, and returned to the +Palace. + +"Say, porter; do you keep a night-porter here?" asked Hal, of the man in +livery hanging about the hall. + +"Yes, sir." + +"Do you know who was on duty the night before last?" + +"I was, sir." + +"Do you remember a telegram arriving for Mr. Wyckliffe?" + +"Well, er, you see, sir--" + +"I do see," said Hal, and, by a dexterous move, a half-crown-piece +changed hands. + +"Thomas' buildings are not far from here, sir. I'll shew you if you just +step to the door," said the porter, leading the way to the street as he +noticed the girl's eyes on him. + +"Enquire at the Gaiety, Bourke Street," he whispered, and hurriedly +withdrew, the happy possessor now of two half-crowns. + +"What did those gentlemen want?" asked the lady, when the porter +returned. + +"They only wanted to know where Thomas' Buildings was, miss." + +"Oh, all right," said she, apparently satisfied. + +Hal and Reg lost no time in following up the clue given them, and a +quarter of an hour later found them in one of the many saloons of the +Gaiety Hotel, where they began to take stock of their surroundings. Both +agreed that it had been well-named. Business seemed brisk, and +liveliness and gaiety characterised everybody. They happed to have hit +upon the same saloon that Wyck patronised. Had Hal known this he would +perhaps have been more careful. Two young ladies were in attendance. One +of a very winning appearance; the other rather plain. + +"Have you seen Wyck lately?" asked Hal, of the pretty one. + +"No, he's gone," said she, colouring to the roots of her hair, and then +appearing annoyed at having spoken. + +"Why do you want to know? Who are you?" she asked, in rather an excited +way. + +"My name is Thompson. Wyck is a great friend of mine. We came out in the +same boat from London," said Hal, carelessly. + +"You are staying at the 'Australian,' are you not?" + +"Yes, why?" + +"Oh, nothing. I thought I saw you there the other day. Miss Kelley, will +you mind my bar for a few minutes?" and she hurried away. + +"You've upset Miss Harris," said the other lady, coming forward. + +"I am sorry. It was quite unintentional," said Hal. + +"You know she and Wyck are great friends?" + +"Well, I heard something about it, but as Wyck is such an outrageous +flirt I did not take much notice of it." + +"But they are engaged and going to be married shortly." + +"Lucky fellow," answered Hal, with a smile. + +"Infernal, lying scoundrel," added Reg, under his breath. + +"Miss Harris not in?" asked a rough-looking fellow, putting his head +through the doorway. + +"She'll be back directly," answered Miss Kelley. + +"Oh, never mind," said the man, disappearing. + +"That's Wyck's old cabby," she said to Hal, and Reg, excusing himself, +got up and went outside. + +"Is that gentleman your friend?" she asked. + +"An acquaintance," he answered. "But you and Miss Harris are not +friends." + +"I never said so, sir," said she, shortly. + +"No, there's no necessity for that." + +"She's a niece of the proprietor." + +"I see, and has a lot of privileges which the others don't like." + +"Who told you that?" said the girl, in surprise, but not denying the +truth of the statement. + +"When did you last see Wyck?" continued Hal. + +"Yesterday afternoon. He came in in a very hurried manner, quite +unusual in him, and called Miss Harris aside and held a long confab with +her. He seemed upset, and so was she, for she left the bar, crying, and +did not come back till the evening." + +"How long had she known him?" + +"That's the funny part of it. She only met him three days before. It +seems to have been a regular case of love at first sight. She is a very +proud and haughty girl, especially to strangers. It was reported once +that a private secretary of the Governor's was going to marry her. +Certainly he used to pay her a lot of attention, but he married an +heiress instead." + +"Did she fret then?" + +"No, she laughed it off and treated it as a joke." + +"Tell me this before I go. Did Wyck say anything to her about a telegram +when he called?" + +"Yes, I remember he did, for it was sent on here from the Australian; +but why are you so inquisitive?" + +"You won't mention a word of our conversation to Miss Harris, but just +tell me what size gloves you take, and how many buttons." + +"Six-and-a-quarter, twelve buttons." + +"Thanks! good-bye!" and he left her, well-satisfied with his enquiries. + +"I thought you were never coming," said Reg, as they met at the door. +"Short, thick-set man, wearing soft felt hat, black coat, riding +breeches, and top-boots; drives a hansom with a smart grey horse; No. +1246A." + +"You could not hear his name, of course?" + +"I heard someone call out, 'Good-day, Dick,' as he left. What's the next +move?" + +"A fashionable one. Where shall we go--Buckley and Nunn's or Robertson +and Moffat's?" + +"What for--gloves?" + +"Yes, six and a quarter, and twenty buttons." + +"No, surely." + +"Twenty did I say? No, the young lady is modest. A dozen will satisfy +her," said Hal, leading the way. + +The gloves were bought and posted to Miss Kelley, and Hal told Reg all +about the courtship. + +"A proud, haughty girl is what he delights in," said Reg, though he +mentally added that his Amy was not of that character. + +"Our next move is to find out Dick's character and his habits, for from +the way she referred to him, I fancy Dick is of some material assistance +to him," said Hal, dodging his way through the crowded thoroughfares. +"We'd better, therefore, find his cab-rank first." + +"Can you tell me--" he enquired of the first gentleman he met. + +"No, got no time," said the individual addressed, as he bustled away at +the rate of ten miles an hour. + +"Where are the cab-ranks?" he asked another. + +"Up there, round the corner," replied this one, without stopping, and +being well out of range before Hal had understood his reply. + +After trying to extract the information from about a dozen people, he +gave it up, for every man he spoke to seemed to be in a greater hurry +than his fellows. "One continued rush," said Hal, "all day long; each +trying to out-do the others in business, but it all ends in the mushroom +style, for they boom up everything to ten times its value, and when the +relapse comes matters are fifty times worse. That's Melbourne." + +After several unsuccessful attempts to find a cab-rank on which was a +hansom with a grey horse, they at last saw one in Swansea Street, but to +their chagrin, before they could get to it, they saw a hansom with a +grey horse and a driver answering to Dick's description drive away. + +"That looks like Dick," said Reg, excitedly. + +"Here you are, gintlemen, jump in," said the driver of a cab, with a +strong Irish accent, as he brought his vehicle to a standstill alongside +them. + +Acting on impulse they jumped in. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +CABBIES. + + +Hal and Reg had merely acted on impulse when they entered the cab. All +they wanted was to get the cab out of the neighbourhood of the rank. So +they ordered the driver to take them to Hosie's Hotel, in Flinders +Street. Going along, a smart landau passed them, carrying a young man. + +"Look, Hal," cried Reg, pointing him out. "There is our friend, the +bishop's son. Wonder whose carriage he is in." + +"Don't know, but it is exactly as I told you. He'll live for twelve +months or more among _our_ bloated aristocracy, who will feel only too +honoured to have him as their guest." + +"I suppose he has money?" + +"Not necessarily. He can borrow, and they will be only too glad to lend. +As soon as he is tired of one, he can go to another, and so on until he +plays them all out. Finally, he marries an heiress, and goes home to +spend her money amongst his friends and relations," said the cynical +Hal. + +The cab brought them to the hotel, and, alighting there, they ordered a +boy to the horse's head, and asked the cabby to join them in a drink. + +"What's your name, cabby?" asked Hal, as he handed him a pint of beer. + +"Terence O'Flynn, with the accent on the 'ynn.'" + +"Very nice name, too. Did you notice that cab with the grey horse drive +away as we drove up?" + +"Sure I did, for wasn't he foreninst me?" + +"Do you know the driver's name?" + +"Rather! It's Dick Burton he is, and no other." + +"Where's he gone to now, Terence?" + +"Sure, and I cannot tell you. He is a lucky devil is Dick, and always +manages to get hold of a soft line." + +"What do you call a soft line, Terence?" + +"Why, gents like yourselves, with plenty of brass." + +"I see, and for that reason you want us to take your cab, eh? You want a +soft line, too." + +"Oh! I don't mean it that way. You see, a soft line is when a fellow +pays his cabby a sov., instead of a bob." + +"But these sort are scarce now, Terence?" + +"I don't know about that. That fellow, Dick, allus seems to spot 'em. +Why look at that chap Wyck who----" + +"Are you a mate of Dick's?" + +"Well, you see, we go for a booze sometimes together." + +"Come on! Drive us to Tattersall's stables." + +"Right you are, boss," answered Terence, as he mounted the box, and +cracking his whip, drove them quickly to the stables. + +"Drive right in, Terence," shouted Hal. + +"Take that horse out and give him a good feed," said Reg to the groom in +charge as they alighted. "Now come along, Terence." + +But Terence was too amazed to stir. All his Irish wit had left him, and +he did not feel certain his fare were not softies. He stood with his hat +in one hand and, scratching his head with the other, gazed blankly at +his horse being led away to the stable. + +"Come on, Terence," called Hal again; but Terence did not appear +inclined to stir. + +"I'll fix him, Hal," said Reg, going to the groom and paying for an +hour's feed in advance. This had the desired effect, and Terence +followed them without a word, but his perplexed thoughts ran thus: + +"Now be jabers, by ould Oireland, here's a couple of queer coves. What +the divil are they up to at all, at all? Maybe it's information they'll +be wanting about Dick. Terence O'Flynn mind what you're up to--that's +what Biddy, the darlint, would say if she were here, and by jabers I'll +take her advice." + +Hal and Reg in the meantime walked to the Palace, and calling Terence +in, took the lift to the fifth floor, and went to their room. + +"Sit down, Terence," said Reg, pushing a chair forward. + +"You mean straight, gentlemen, I hope, 'cos I have a big family, and +sure they'll all be kilt intirely should anything happen to me." + +"Terence O'Flynn, we--" + +"Begging your honours' pardon, the accent's on the--" + +"Never mind the accent now, Terence. We mean business. We want you to +tell us all you know about Wyck and his cabby, Dick Burton. If you can +give us any particulars that will assist us, we will pay for the +information," said Hal, producing two or three sovereigns and jingling +them together. + +As soon as Terence saw the sovereigns all his Irish avarice was roused. + +"You want information," asked he. + +"Yes, that's what we want, Terence," said Reg. + +"Well then, how much are ye prepared to pay for it, for I may say the +information I can give is the rarest quality to be had anywhere at +double the price." + +"That's your game, is it, my boy," said Hal, rising. "Now I'll pay you +what I think fit, and you'll take it and be satisfied, and no hanky +panky." + +"Oh, beg pardon, your honour. I did not mean--" + +"Never mind what you mean. Understand what I mean. In the first place +you will have to swear secrecy." + +"What's that: must I join a secret society? Oh, no, I'd die first, for +what would Biddy and Father Doolan say?" + +"I only want you to promise not to repeat anything you hear, nor +anything that takes place in this room." + +"I'll swear to that all right, your honour." + +"Good. Now then kiss that pistol," said Hal, producing a small Derringer +from his pocket. + +"Kiss that craythure! Why it's a gun, and may be loaded. It may kill me. +Oh, Biddy, Biddy, your darlint is going to be kilt entoirely! I can see +your game. You are going to kill me and make me swear to say nothing +about it." + +"I'll hold the barrel towards me. You kiss the stock," said Hal, +laughing. + +"Well hold it tight, your honour, for if it goes off it might kick me +with its rump." + +"D--n you block-headed Irishman," said Hal, losing his temper. + +"I'll kiss it; I'll kiss it; and if it do kick I'll open my mouth." + +"Say after me then--I swear to keep this meeting secret." + +"I won't, I won't; for I'll have to confess to Father Doolan. Oh, Biddy, +Biddy, your darlint is amongst burglars!" + +"Now then, Terence O'Flynn, with the accent on the 'ynn,' you are a +silly fool, but you have sworn to keep secret all that passes here, and +to assist us, for which we will pay you--" + +"Barring Father--" + +"Shut up. Wait till I've finished. When did you first see this Wyck, +whom you called a soft line?" + +"The first time I saw him was the second cos I only had a back view +first. It was one morning just as I drove to the stand, about ten +o'clock. I was in my cab, and Dick Burton was just foreninst of me. I +twigged a fellow coming along who looked like a swell looking out for a +cab, so I drove up to him before Dick could, but by jabers if he did not +pass me right by and beckon to Dick. That was Wyck. I was a bit cross +all day, and when I saw Dick in the evening I asked him who he was. +'He's my property,' says he. 'He's a good un, and allus pays in gold.' +Dick drove him about for several days, and last night he comes to me in +great excitement. 'Terence,' says he, 'we'll go on the booze.' 'All +right,' says I; and we had a regular good booze, we had. Bill was +regular screwed, and he told me his pigeon had gone away and left him. +He's gone to the "toight little island." That's what we call Tasmania, +sir; and that's all I know, so help me." + +"Where did Wyck live?" + +"At the Gaiety. He was a bit sweet on a gal there. Lord, he was a lady's +man, he was. Always had them out driving." + +"What sort of a man is Dick Burton?" asked Reg, now speaking for the +first time. + +"Well, sir, I don't like to say bad of any man if I could say good, but +Dick Burton is a bad egg, sir." + +"What do you mean by a bad egg?" + +"Well, as I said before, I don't--" + +"Yes, we know all that." + +"Well, sir, I don't like to say bad, I don't; but Dick ain't to be +trusted. He's been mixed up in several dirty jobs." + +"That will do now, Terence. If you are careful and mind what you are +about, you will have a soft line. Your address is you say 470, Lonsdale +Street, West, so we know where to find you. Here are a couple of +sovereigns, and you are to keep a sharp look out on Dick for us. +Remember this," and he touched the revolver. "Good-day. There's the +lift." + +"No, your honour, thank you. I've not got half-an-hour to waste; I'd +rather go down the steps, that'll only take five minutes," with that +Terence disappeared. + +"We must enquire about Tasmania at once, Hal," said Reg. + +On enquiry they found that there was no boat leaving for Tasmania for +several days, so they decided to spend the time in looking round to see +if they could come across Dick Burton and his grey horse. + +They went off to the usual stand, but neither Terence nor Dick was +there, but turning, they found themselves in luck's way for once, for +they met the identical cab driving towards them. They hailed him, and +directed him to drive to Cumberland Hotel, Fitzroy. + +Arriving there they engaged a private parlour, found up a boy to hold +the horse, and invited Dick in. The man's face and manner marked him as +all Terence described. + +"What's the game, gents?" said he, "something good on?" + +"I can't say there is anything particular on, but you shall be well paid +for your time, and will not be a loser," answered Hal. + +"Quite right, gentlemen, but you ain't the sort to bring fellows like me +here for nothing, so again I asks, what's your game?" and Dick smiled +benignly at them, and noisily expectorated into the fire-place. + +"You know a gentleman named Wyckliffe, I believe?" + +"Yes, he does me the honour to ride in my cab." + +"He's a friend of ours," continued Hal, "and to tell you the truth, he +is going it a bit strong; in fact, too strong for his income to stand +it." + +"Never did it with me, sir. Fact was, he was rather mean, and often +barneyed over a few bob. I was jolly glad when he cleared, for he began +to be too familiar-like, and I don't like chaps who run up a score with +a cabby. He owes me twenty quid now. Of course, I reckon he'll pay it, +for he told me he was a bit stiff, but that his friends would settle up, +so if you'll kindly hand over twenty sovs, I'll give yer a receipt," +said Dick, quite unconcerned. + +Hal and Reg were as much surprised at Dick's news, as at his manner of +imparting it. + +"My time's money, so if you want to part up, I'll tell you what I'll do. +I ain' a hard one to chaps stuck. Give me a tenner, and we'll cry +quits." + +"Where's Wyck now?" asked Hal, sharply, looking Dick straight in the +face, a gaze he did not approve of. + +"He ain't far away, quite close handy; but what do you want to know +for?" asked Dick, in return, on the aggressive. + +"Merely wished to look him up," said Hal. + +"Oh! well, that alters the case. I thought you was after him to do him +an injury and, as he has been a good friend to me, I'll stick to him. +I'll tell yer what I'll do, gents. I'm a bit short, and will run the +risk of offending him, but if you plank down a fiver, I'll guarantee to +bring him here to-night." + +"How can you do that, when he's in Tasmania?" said Reg. + +"Who told you he'd gone there? Well, well; they was getting at yer. He's +not in Tasmania," answered Dick, putting on an innocent air. But finding +he had given himself away, he began to get into a rage. + +"We'll have another drink, and bring this interview to a close. You can +drive us back to Collins Street, Dick." + +Dick obeyed in a surly way, and when they pulled up at the Palace, Hal +asked him the damage. + +"A sov.--and no humbug," was the reply. + +"Your fare is two shillings," said Hal. + +"It's a sov. or a summons, so please yourself," retorted Dick. + +"I'll pay it you, but it's a swindle, and you know it, but, mark my +words, Dick, when swindlers swindle people, then it is time for people +to swindle swindlers," said Hal, handing him the money. + +"Oh, go to the d--," said Dick, shortly, and whipping up his horse, +drove rapidly away. Terence appeared then on the scene, and received the +order to follow him and report. + +"Come up as far as Menzie's Hotel, Reg," said Hal. "I have a little bit +of business to do there." + +Off they go, but Reg is puzzled to find out what the business is, for +all Hal does is to call for drinks, take a sheet of paper from the rack, +and scribble a few words, put it in an envelope, and leave again. + +Back in their room at the Palace, Hal explains the purpose of his visit +to Menzie's. + +"It was this address I wanted," said he, producing a couple of sheets of +paper having the name of the hotel stamped on them. "These are for our +friend, Dick. I intend to swindle the swindler," he added, as he handed +Reg the letter he had written, as follows: + + "Dear Dick Burton, + + "A chum of mine recommends you as being the very man I want to + assist me in a little bit of fun. Meet me at Pier Hotel, St. Kilda, + on Tuesday, at 10.45, and bring a good horse. There's a lady in it. + + "Yours, etc., + "WATSON. + + "P.S.--Enquire for letter of instruction at the bar." + +"That's for Dick at this end. Now for another at the other end," and he +sat down and wrote: + + "Melbourne. + + "MY DEAR RICHARD, + + "I am very much obliged by your coming. Did you ever hear of a case + in which a swindler was swindled? This is one. Remember honesty is + the best policy. + + "Yours etc., + "WATSON." + +"The first I will post to-night, and the second I will leave at the +hotel to be called for." + +About eight o'clock Terence turned up, and reported having shadowed Dick +first to the Telegraph office, then to the Gaiety, and out to the +Cumberland, before he came back to the stand. This seemed satisfactory +news to the boys, and they again tipped Terence, and after giving him a +few further instructions, let him go. + +"Now for Tasmania," said Hal. + +They found the _Pateena_ was advertised to leave at noon for Launceston, +and were successful in securing a couple of good berths. In the midst of +their packing the following morning, it flashed upon Hal that he had +made no arrangements whereby Terence could communicate with them, so +they walked towards his stand, but finding both Dick and Terence there, +they passed on. As a young urchin calling out "Monthly Guide" passed by +them, Reg stopped him, and told him to follow them to the hotel. + +"I'm fly, governor; go ahead," he said. + +Shortly after the youngster joined them, and Hal gave him a note for +Terence, instructing him where to write. + +"Take this," he said, "to the second cab on the stand, with the black +horse, No. 1974, and here's a shilling for you." + +"Eight you are, boss; but I suppose yer going to shout." + +"Certainly, what will you have--lemonade, ginger-pop?--" + +"Go along with yer. A glass of beer, and not too much froth on it is my +style. Ginger-pop, indeed! Do you take me for a temperance lecturer? +Here's to yer, governor. I'll fix yer note for yer: never fear. +Good-day." + +"Now we can catch the boat nicely, Reg," said Hal, when they had done +laughing over this depraved juvenile. + +"I say," said Reg. "Did it strike you that Wyck might have crossed in +the same boat? We may be able to pick up something from some of the +officers. I suppose we are free from the 'lords in disguise' business +this time?" + +"We can feel safe on that score. The Tasmanians are too slow to trouble +about us; and not only that, but it might be dangerous to mention it." + +"Why?" + +"I'll tell you later on." + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +LAUNCESTON. + + +"What time do you expect to make Launceston, Mr. Wilson?" asked Hal, of +the chief officer of the _Pateena_ during his watch. + +"At mid-day, all being well, sir." + +"Do you remember having a passenger named Wyckliffe, on board during +your last trip across?" + +"Wyckliffe, or Wyck, as they called him--rather, do I not?--the funniest +thing I ever saw"--here Wilson fairly roared at the recollection of the +incident. This interested the boys, and they begged Wilson to tell them +the joke. + +"There was a lady in it, I bet," said Hal. + +"You are right; there was. It was like this. We had a pretty big +passenger list, and amongst them was a Mr. Goodchild and his +daughter--but perhaps you know them?" + +On being assured the contrary, he continued: + +"This Goodchild is a very wealthy squatter, and lives about twenty miles +from Launceston. He made his money in the early days: how I don't know, +but he had something to do with convicts. At any rate, he's very rich, +and owns a lot of country. His only daughter, May, is a girl of +twenty-one, with about as pretty a face as one can see in a day's march. +Goody--as we call him behind his back--adores this girl. She is +everything to him, and he lives for her; he jealously watches her and +wards off every man who comes near her. He once nearly snapped _my_ head +off for bringing her a chair. She is a good girl and tries her best to +please and humour him in every way, taking very little notice of anybody +else. This Wyckliffe seemed to have no difficulty in making himself +popular with the ladies, and began to pay special attention to Miss +Goody. Old Goody noticed this, and twice carried his daughter away from +him. Tea being over, old Goody had stayed below to finish one of his +yarns, and did not notice his daughter had left the saloon. Coming to an +interesting episode, he happened to look round, and missed his daughter. +That yarn was never finished, for he rushed on deck, and sure enough +found those two promenading arm in arm. He tore the girl away, and +carried her below, shouting out to Wyck: 'I'll come back and deal with +you directly, you infernal scoundrel. You reprobate, etc., etc.' 'A nice +evening, Mr. Goodchild,' answered Wyck, as cool as possible, 'I'm sorry +you are cross.' Well, old Goody kept his daughter down below, and +wandered about himself in a frenzied condition. My watch was up at +twelve, and we had a whiskey together before turning in. About four +bells I heard a tremendous row; jumped out of my bunk, and ran up on +deck, and the sight that met my eyes nearly killed me with laughter. It +appeared that both Miss Goody and Wyck had made the acquaintance of an +engaged couple who spent the whole voyage in spooning. They did not like +to go on deck by themselves at such an early hour, and so had arranged +that Wyck and Miss Goody should join them. This plan was carried out, +and all four were having a jolly time when old Goody, unable to sleep, +came on deck for a little fresh air, and was in the midst of them before +they guessed their danger. Then the fun commenced. Wyck pushed Miss +Goody on one side, and the old chap, with a war-whoop, made for him, but +came seriously to grief by catching his foot in one of the hawsers; and, +falling on his stomach, lay there yelling 'Murder!' Both Wyck and his +daughter tried to help him up, but when he found who it was, he chased +him round the deck. The noise was terrifying, and the picture the ship +presented was intensely amusing. Ladies and children in their +night-gear, gentlemen in pyjamas, all had rushed up in their excitement, +feeling sure the ship was wrecked and, seeing Goody racing about, forgot +all about their appearance, and enjoyed the fun. Suddenly an old maid +appeared in her dressing-gown and, catching sight of her niece in worse +than _deshabille_, shouted out, 'Maria, come here, you disgraceful +creature. You ought to be ashamed of yourself.' That was the signal for +them all to realise their position, and it was a case of 'rats to their +holes.' In two minutes the deck was clear. It was the joke of the +voyage, but did not end there, for when old Goody, looking very cross, +accompanied his daughter to breakfast next day, he took care to seat her +and himself in two vacant chairs which were occupied on either side. +Goody had an excellent appetite, and did full justice to the good things +provided, but he was so fully engaged that he did not notice that the +young man on his daughter's right, had slipped away to another seat. +Wyck came down and seeing the vacant chair, took possession of it, much +to the amusement of all around. While old Goody was engaged in devouring +a large helping of curry, and was in the act of raising his cup to wash +down an extra large mouthful, he suddenly caught sight of Wyck talking +to his daughter. His amazement, his rage and his greediness acting +altogether at the same moment, brought about a calamity. He tried to +swallow his food; he tried to put down his cup; he tried to swear and he +tried to catch hold of Wyck all at once, and the result was disaster. +The curry stuck in his throat, the coffee spilt all down his +shirt-front, and in the struggle his chair gave way beneath him and he +was landed on the floor with half the table on the top of him. There he +lay sputtering, kicking and swearing, and the shrieks of laughter from +the other passengers were almost deafening; in fact so great was the +noise that the steerage passengers and crew came bolting to the cabin. +Goody was borne off to his cabin, and he kept his daughter by him until +we were at the wharf. We all supposed that Wyck was a lover of hers, but +since then I have heard he met her here for the first time. But there +goes the breakfast bell, and you had better secure your chairs," said +he, abruptly, and as the captain came on deck he hustled the two from +the bridge. + +When Wilson's watch was up, he again came aft to his two friends, and +suggested they should go with him to the fore-cabin where they could see +some fun, as there were a great number of miners making for Tasmania at +that time, and the boat was crowded with them. Although only allowed to +carry sixty, nearly double that number was on board and, in consequence, +some little trouble was experienced in serving their meals. + +"Now watch the fun," said Wilson, as two dirty-looking stewards came +from the galley, each carrying two large tin dishes smoking from the +fire. One contained chops, the other boiled potatoes. These they placed +on a table, and the whole of the miners rushed and scrambled for them. + +From the seething mass of human beings one would emerge with a chop in +one hand, and a potato in the other, and race away to a quiet corner to +enjoy them. It looked like a huge monkey-cage at feeding-time. + +After this sensation, Reg and Hal promenaded the deck, smoking and +chatting. + +"Why did you say it was dangerous to mention lords in disguise here?" +said Reg. + +"Oh, I'll tell you," said Hal. "You see, last year Tasmania was very +short of visitors. Now, there was a barber in Sydney whose business was +bad, so he decided to boom Tasmania. He assumed the name of a bogus +viscount and, leaving his wife and children behind, went for a holiday +with a young lady of the theatre. Of course, the good news that a +viscount and viscountess were on their way to Tasmania soon spread, and +great preparations were made for their arrival. They were invited +everywhere to all the aristocratic places, and were made no end of. +Well, to make a long story short, the game was exposed by means of the +deserted wife applying for maintenance. The barber is now in gaol." + +"But surely his manners must have shewn him up?" + +"I'll give you, in answer, the opinion of an old resident who met them. +He said he and his missus liked that viscount because he put on no side, +and talked and laughed in such a way that they felt quite at home with +him. I must add that this gentleman was absent for a trip when the trial +was on." + +The boat was now coming alongside the Pier at Launceston, the pretty +little capital of Northern Tasmania, nestling cosily at the foot of its +surrounding hills. Landing, they went at once to the Brisbane Hotel. + +"Launceston is small in comparison with Melbourne," said Hal, "and, +being only twenty hours' distance by steamer, it naturally endeavours to +copy her in many ways: certainly the business people have a touch of +Melbourne in their ways, and they are as proud of their muddy little +river, as Adelaide is of her lake." + +They both lost no time in proceeding on the war-path, and immediately +commenced on the hotels which kept saloons. The number was not large, +but to their surprise they could not find the slightest trace of Wyck. + +"Perhaps he is going for higher game," said Reg, as they walked down +Brisbane Street, struck, as every visitor is, with the overwhelming +extent to which female beauty was represented there. + +"He is probably still devoting himself to Miss Goodchild, but I do not +think he would have much chance, as her father would not let him come +near the place." + +"My dear fellow," answered Reg, sadly, "Whyte forbade Amy to see him, +and yet she went." + +As they continued their walk, Hal made the following comments, as was +his wont: + +"Tasmanian people are decidedly slow. They do not care to hurry and +bustle about, but take their own time. Launceston has a great deal of +the leisurely element, but so many Victorians have gone over there to +settle that the older residents have had to enliven themselves a bit. +Launceston and Hobart are as jealous of each other, if not more so, than +Melbourne and Sydney. Launceston is the best business town, so many +mines having been opened up on the North-West coast, but their sore +point is their mud-hole, the Tamar; while Hobart has one of the finest +harbours in the world. Launceston people repudiate their connection with +'that old convict settlement' and claim to rightly belong to Melbourne." + +At dinner they made acquaintance with a young fellow named McKintosh, +who had been a passenger on the boat with Wyck, so they carried him off +to the smoking-room for a jaw. + +McKintosh verified the first mate's account of the _contretemps_ on +board, and remarked that the strangest feature about it was the girl's +infatuation. + +"Do you know them at all?" asked Hal, puffing vigorously at his cigar. + +"Oh, yes, I have known the old man for some years, as I am a frequent +visitor here. I met him in town to-day, and I have never seen a man so +changed in so short a time. He seems completely upset. I should advise +Wyck to keep out of his way, for if he meets him there will be +bloodshed." + +"Did you see anything of Wyck after landing?" + +"Once I saw him in the street, but I don't know where he is staying. Do +you know him?" + +"I met him in England," answered Reg, quietly. + +"He's the funniest chap I ever saw," continued McKintosh. "He shared my +cabin, and just before landing I went down to pack. I had tennis shoes +on, and I came upon him unawares, and he seemed a bit flurried." + +"What was he doing then?" + +"I don't know, exactly, but he seemed to be whittling a stick--a black +stick with a lot of notches in it." + +"My God!" said Reg, startled out of his reserve. + +"What's the matter?" said McKintosh. + +"Nothing," answered Reg, as, excusing himself, he left the room. + +"He's subject to sudden attacks like that. Don't mind them," said Hal to +McKintosh, in a casual way; and, bidding him good-night, left the room. + +When he joined Reg in the room they shared, he was taken aback at what +he saw. Reg was polishing his die with a chamois leather, and his face +wore an expression of sternness. + +"Hal, old chap. We must get this in use at once." + +"My dear boy, we cannot go faster than we are going. We have not lost an +instant up till now." + +"Where does this Goodchild live?" + +"His place is ten miles from here, on the North-Western line. He has a +private siding called Lewisham." + +"One of us had better go and see him. How do the trains run? Where's the +guide?" + +"Here you are. The first train leaves at 8.10. I think I had better go, +and leave you to get our things packed and square up, in case I send you +a wire." + +"Yes, all right. I should like to sympathize with him, but I may get +another chance. This is the only thing that gives me relief," added Reg, +holding up his die, "when I think that some day it will be used for the +purpose that I had it made for." + +"Let's hope so, old chap. But now to bed." + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +GOODCHILD'S. + + +The North-Western express pulled up for a few moments at the Lewisham +siding, and Hal alighted with a "Thank you, sir; that's the house, over +there," from the guard; and the train proceeded on its way. + +The house referred to was a mansion in size. It was surrounded by +beautiful trees, and stood in well-kept grounds, in the midst of which a +lake could be discerned glistening in the sun. The country round was the +pick of the land, for Goodchild's father had taken it up in the early +days, when every pound in cash that a man could show entitled him to an +acre of land. No check being put on this rough-and-ready mode of +procedure, the sovereign was frequently passed on to a friend to show, +who would secure another portion and hand over the title to his +principal, receiving something for his trouble. Most of the rich +estates in Tasmania were originally obtained in this manner. Hal walked +along the path leading to the house, lost in admiration of its +beautiful, natural surroundings. His arrival was apparently noted, for +an elderly man came out to meet him. + +"Mr. Goodchild, I believe?" + +"Yes, that's my name," and he gave his visitor a close scrutiny, +wondering what his errand could be. + +"My name is Winter, sir, and I have called for the purpose of having +some conversation with you." + +"What is your business, sir?" + +"If we could go inside we could talk it over." + +"Are you a book-traveller, or anything of that kind?" asked he, +snappishly, "for if you are I cannot see you." + +"No, sir, I am not. I have called on business too important to be +discussed out here." + +"Then you had better come inside and tell it," he answered, leading the +way into the house. + +"I called to see you about that fellow Wyckliffe," said Hal, as he sat +down in the library. + +"What about him? Are you a friend of his?" snarled the old man. + +"No, I am not; and that is my reason for calling on you." + +"Curse him, I say. Curse him," added the old man, emphatically. + +"You're not the first who has had cause to do that," said Hal, solemnly, +wishing to gain his host's confidence. + +"Do you know him then?" + +"By reputation, yes; otherwise, no." + +"Then why do you call on me?" + +"Mr. Goodchild, my errand may seem a strange one, but I have had a +detailed account given me of his blackguardly behaviour to you and your +daughter." + +"But what has that to do with you?" he asked, excitedly. + +"Stay, Mr. Goodchild. I will tell you all. My friend Morris and I are on +his tracks to revenge a cruel wrong he did." And Hal thereupon told him +the whole story from the beginning. "Now, sir, I come to offer you my +assistance to shew him to your daughter in his true light." + +"But she's gone," he burst out. + +"Where?" cried Hal, "not with him?" + +"God knows, I don't," and the poor old fellow hid his face in his hands, +and sobbed. + +"You must tell me all, sir. Tell me all: there is no time to be lost," +said Hal, excitedly. + +"There's not much to tell, sir. He will be able to add another notch to +his stick, for he has literally broken my heart. I never have discussed +my private affairs with anyone, sir, but I will tell you my story, for I +feel you are to be trusted. + +"She is my only child. I loved her mother dearly for sixteen years, and +all that time it was our great sorrow that we were childless, and I +fervently thanked God on the day she told me our hopes were to be +realized. Had I known the trouble that child was to cost me, I would +have been less fervent. A little girl was born to us, and a week later +she was motherless." + +"Go on," said Hal, encouragingly, as Goody stopped and hesitated. + +"Well, it took me a long time to console myself with a little bundle of +flesh like that. But as she grew up I found all my love returning, and +then I had only one thing to live for--my daughter May. I loved her with +a jealous love, and I guarded and watched over her as one might a +precious jewel. She has had the best teachers. She can ride, drive, play +on half-a-dozen instruments. Our one great joy and happiness was to be +together, and I dreaded the day when her hand would be asked in +marriage. We had never been separated, and when we started on our return +journey from Melbourne, where we had been on a visit, I little thought +what was before me." Here the heart-broken old man again broke down. + +"Come, come, bear up, sir. Don't give way," said Hal, comforting him. + +"My dear lad. I am a rich man, and would willingly lay down twenty +thousand pounds to have my girl back in her old place beside me." + +"And so you shall, sir," said Hal, reassuringly. + +"How?" asked he. + +"First tell me all that occurred after your arrival." + +"Well I took good care that that scoundrel should not see her again +after breakfast, and when we got ashore we drove in a closed carriage to +the station, and came on here." + +"Well, what then?" + +"She became very sulky, would not talk, and shut herself up; neglected +her pets, and all her favourite occupations; avoided me as much as she +could. I tried to coax her. I tried everything I knew, but to no avail. +She seemed to have forgotten me, and to think of no one but that fellow, +and I have since found out that he followed her here and twice met her +clandestinely." + +"I can quite understand that. It's his infernal mesmeric business." + +"Yes, I guessed things were not all straight, but I was completely +powerless, and yesterday she had a letter from him, from Hobart." + +"Hobart! How did you know it was from him?" asked Hal, with excitement. + +"She told me so, and she said she was going to meet him." + +"What did you say?" + +"What could I? When I offered to go with her, she told me straight out, +in a manner she had never used to me before, that she was going alone. +At that I lost my temper, and I said--go. And she left by last night's +express." + +"Do you know what time the next train passes?" asked Hal. + +"Yes, there will be one in half-an-hour. Why?" + +"Never mind why, but get a few things together, and be ready to go by +it." + +"What do you mean?" + +"I mean that if your daughter sees him, it will be too late." + +"I understand," he said, and lost no time in doing as he was bidden. + +The private signal was hoisted at the siding, and the train stopping, +they both got in. As it passed the next station Hal threw out a note, +with half-a-crown wrapped inside it, asking the station-master to +forward a telegram to Reg to meet them at Launceston station. + +"This is my friend Morris, Mr. Goodchild," said Hal, introducing Reg, +whom they found waiting for them; and ten minutes later, by special +arrangement with his highness the guard, the three had a first-class +compartment in the Hobart express all to themselves. By the time Hobart +was reached, all three thoroughly understood each other. + +"Really, gentlemen, I don't know how to thank you for the trouble you +are taking; certainly I am rich, and I shall be most happy to place my +purse at your disposal." + +"We appreciate your offer, sir, but we have enough to go on with," said +Hal. + +"And as for the rest," chimed in Reg, "we are just as anxious to get +hold of Wyck as you are, sir." + +"Gentlemen, I am an old man, but should harm have come to my----" + +"Come, come, sir, don't look at it like that," said Hal, making light of +it, for he could plainly see that the old gentleman was working himself +up to a highly-excitable state. + +"Here we are," said Reg, taking his cue from Hal. "By Jove, what a +glorious place; what magnificent scenery; well may Tasmanians be proud +of it!" + +"Where do you stay when in Hobart?" asked Hal of the old man. + +"At 'Eastella.' The proprietress, Mrs. Eastwood, is an old friend of +mine." + +"If you will be guided by us, sir, you will stay at the 'Orient' with +us." + +"I am entirely in your hands, gentlemen." + +Hobart is known as "Sleepy Hollow." The train was slow, the porters +leisurely, the cab-horses comatose, and it was only after considerable +delay that they arrived at the "Orient" and took their rooms. + +"Excuse us for a moment," said Hal, leading Reg away. "I am going to +Eastella to enquire. The girl may be there, and so may he. I may book a +room for a week. In the meantime, keep an eye on Goody, and don't go out +until I return and let you know the result," he said, when Goody was out +of earshot. + +Reg assented, and returned to his companion. Hal had no difficulty in +finding his way to Eastella, and, noting it was a first-class place, he +sent in his card, with the intimation that he wished to see the +proprietress. A few minutes later he was ushered into a snug little +office, and found himself face to face with a pleasant-featured, homely +lady of some fifty summers, seated at a desk heaped up with papers. + +"You wanted to see me, Mr. Winter?" she enquired, rising and greeting +him. + +"Yes, Mrs. Eastwood, I want to stay here for a week." + +"Certainly; that will cost you three guineas," she said, making out a +receipt. + +Hal paid the bill, with a mental tribute of admiration of her +business-like ways. + +"Have you a Miss Goodchild staying here?" he asked. + +"Yes; why do you ask?" + +"Have you a Mr. Wyckliffe?" + +"No, he's not here at present. I expect him back in a day or two," she +answered, wonderingly. + +"Then they have not met?" said Hal, in some excitement. + +"No, of course not; but who are you? I hope you are not an enquiry +agent, for if you are--" + +"No, no, madam! but you cannot think what a relief to me your answer +was." + +"Will you kindly explain?" said she, looking at him curiously. + +"You know that Miss Goodchild has left her home and father, to meet him +here?" + +"No, I do not; although she's certainly not herself. But who are you?" + +"My dear madam, forgive my haste; but I will explain everything to you +later. I must run off now to tell Mr. Goodchild the good news." + +"Why, where's Mr. Goodchild?" + +"Staying at the 'Orient,' by my advice. But now, one more question, +madam--Do you know where Wyckliffe is now?" + +"He's yachting off Port Arthur. I sent a telegram on to him to-day, +which had been waiting here for him for two days." Here, the entrance of +a maid-servant for instructions, gave Hal the opportunity of leaving; +and, taking a cab, he was soon back at the "Orient." + +"It's all right, Reg," he shouted. "Where's Goody?" + +"He's in the drawing-room, pacing it like a wild beast in a cage." + +"Good news, Mr. Goodchild. They have not met yet," said Hal, shaking him +by the hand. + +"Thank God!" said the old man, fervently, and the relief was so great, +that he sank on his knees by the sofa. + +Hal and Reg left the room: the old man's thankfulness was too sacred to +be overlooked. + +"Have you found him?" asked Reg. + +"Yes, he's at Port Arthur." + +"Where's that?" + +"It's the old convict settlement, about forty miles from here." + +"How do you get to it--by rail?" + +"No, we must go by boat. If you'll look after Goody, I'll run down to +the wharf and make arrangements." + +"Hal, old boy, where should I be without you?" said Reg, turning a face +full of gratitude on his friend. + +"Nonsense. We must lose no time," and he hurriedly left in the direction +of the harbour. Alongside Elizabeth Pier he found a small steam-boat +and, as smoke was coming from her, he concluded she was in use. + +"Ship ahoy, there!" he sung out. + +"What's up, boss?" said a young fellow, putting his head through the +hatchway. + +"Is the skipper aboard?" + +"Yes, he's for'ard in his cabin. He's gone to bed." + +"Are you there, skipper," said Hal, knocking at the door of a small +cabin. + +"Hallo, there; what's the matter?" shouted a voice from the inside, and +presently the door opened and a head was thrust out. + +"Can you take us to Port Arthur, to-night?" + +"What?" + +"Can you take us to Port Arthur, to-night?" + +"No, I'll be hanged if I can." + +"That's all right then. Sorry I disturbed you," said Hal, walking away. + +"Hold hard, boss. Don't be in such a blooming hurry," called out the +skipper, appearing on the deck, buttoning up his garments. + +"Now then, what's it you want?" + +"I want to go to Port Arthur, to-night." + +"Impossible, why it's ten o'clock now." + +"Well, I want to start at once." + +"Won't Norfolk Bay do you? It's only eight miles away: just a nice +walk." + +"Why Norfolk Bay?" + +"Why, because Port Arthur lies outside, and to go there you have to face +open sea, and it looks like blowing a bit. While if you go to Norfolk +Bay, you are under shelter." + +"I see; the boat is hardly big enough for the open sea." + +"What! this boat! Go along with yer. I'd cross the Atlantic in her. +She'd face--" + +"All right. Eight miles is not much of a walk. Can you start at twelve +sharp? And if a fiver will squeeze matters so that we can return +to-morrow--" + +"That'll do, sir. Twelve sharp it is. Now then boy, fire up like--" + +"What's the name of your boat?" asked Hal. + +"_Tarantula._" + +"And her Captain?" + +"Captain John White, R.N." + +Having made all arrangements, Hal returned to the hotel, where he found +Goody quieted down and in quite an amiable mood, ready to cry for joy +when Hal told him he was sure he would be able to take his daughter back +with him. He bade Reg be ready by twelve sharp. + +"Twelve sharp it is, my boy," said Reg. "And I hope I shall have a +chance of handling this toy"--and he touched the morocco case which held +the die. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +PORT ARTHUR. + + +"Good-bye, Mr. Goodchild. Be sure and carry out our instructions and, +above all things, wire if you hear anything of Wyckliffe," said Hal, as +he and Reg stepped on board the little steamer. + +"You can depend on me, gentlemen. Good-bye, and God bless you," answered +he from the pier. + +"Now then, skipper, full speed ahead." + +"Ay, ay, sir. Let her go, boy." + +Once more the boys were on the deep. As the little boat steamed ahead, +increasing the distance between them and the pier, they watched the +figure of Goody standing by the gas-lamp. He had resisted all their +endeavours to make him go to bed, and insisted on coming down to the +pier to see them off. + +"What time do you reckon to get there, skipper?" asked Reg, as they +prepared to turn in. + +"About day-break, sir. I'll call you," answered the skipper, as he took +the wheel. + +A gruff voice bawling "All for shore," wakened them the next morning +and, mounting to the deck they found the steamer was just entering the +picturesque little bay. The sun was gilding the line of rugged hills +that surrounded the bay and glinting on the water, and they both +exclaimed in delight at the lovely scene before them. + +The steamer was made fast alongside the little pier and, accompanied by +the skipper they made their way to the hotel, an old building standing +on the slope of the hill, a few hundred yards away. + +"Mornin', skipper. You're early," said a rough old fellow, appearing in +the doorway. + +"So we are, Clarke." + +"Is there any conveyance to be had here to take us to Port Arthur?" +asked Hal. + +"None, unless you wire to old Brown at the Port to bring his cart over." + +"Then we'll walk. Where's the road?" + +"Go right ahead, then turn to the right and follow the telegraph wire. +It will take you right into the Port," said Clarke, pointing out the +direction. + +"I suppose you don't know if there is a yacht lying there?" + +"Yes there is, or at least there was yesterday. It belongs to a young +fellow named Wyckliffe, who sent word he was coming my way to-day, as he +expected a lady," answered Clarke, with a smile. + +"Well, good-bye, we will be back some time to-day," as they started on +their journey. + +They found the road very hilly, and monotonous, lined on either side +with thick scrub and dotted here and there with the solitary house of a +selector. Having completed the ascent of a fairly high hill, they got +their first view of Port Arthur, where it lay in a small valley +surrounded with rough and mountainous country. Huge masses of ruins lay +in all directions, for it was on the shores of this loveliest of bays +that the early convict settlement was made. This fair spot, one of +Nature's most exuberant freaks, was the scene, in that fearful past, of +many a deed of atrocious barbarity. Very few houses still remain entire. +Many familiar English trees surround the blackened ruins of the little +church, which was destroyed by fire some years ago. Round its deserted +walls the ivy still clings, hiding its ruins with a tender cloak of +greenery as one who says, "_Je meurs ou je m'attache._" + +"I can't see anything of the yacht," said Reg, as he glanced anxiously +round the bay. + +"No, none of the boats there could be called a yacht. Say, where's the +hotel?" asked he of an old fellow standing by. + +"That's it, straight ahead," said the man, pointing to what appeared to +be a private residence. In former days it had been the house of the +Governor of that noble settlement. + +"Good-morning sir," said Hal, to a man who was holding up the door of +the hotel with his shoulder. + +"Good-morning gentlemen," and he straightened himself and stood on one +side. + +"This is a pretty place." + +"Yes it is, sir." + +"We were expecting to find a friend of ours here with his yacht, but we +can't see anything of him." + +"What was his name?" asked the landlord, for it was he. + +"Wyckliffe," answered Hal, carelessly, though the nerves of both he and +Reg were strained to the utmost. + +"He's gone, gentlemen. You are too late." + +A smothered oath burst from Reg's lips. + +"How long was he here?" asked Hal, entering and sitting down. + +"Let's see, this is Thursday. He came here on Tuesday evening, and +sailed the yacht round from Hobart. But I say, gentlemen, do you happen +to know anybody named Dick Burton?" said the landlord, with a cunning +smile. + +"Yes, why?" said Reg. + +"Well, he sent this wire to Wyckliffe," and he took down a telegram from +a shelf behind him, and handed it to Hal, who read:-- + + "Wyckliffe, Launceston, or Hobart. Two men enquiring. Morris one. + Fancy they left for Tasmania. Dick Burton." + +"How did you get hold of this?" asked Hal. + +"Well, that's a long story. Do you want breakfast?" + +"Yes, we do." + +"Then I'll go and order it, and come back and tell you all about it." + +"Done again!" said Reg, looking at Hal, when the landlord, whose name +was Camden, had disappeared in the direction of the kitchen. + +"Yes, there's no doubt of that, old chap." + +"Now then, gentlemen," said Camden, returning, "I suppose you are D's.?" + +"No, we are not, rest assured of that." + +"Last Tuesday night a yacht sailed into the bay and anchored off shore. +I recognised it as belonging to Macpherson, of Hobart, who was in the +habit of letting it out. A small boat put off and brought ashore a young +fellow in flannels, who came up to this house and called for a drink, +asking me to join him. In the course of conversation he told me he +intended making a few days' stay here, and visiting the ruins. He put up +here till yesterday, and made himself very agreeable, and became quite +popular, for he seemed to have plenty of coin, and was very free with +it. He appeared to make the acquaintance of most of the girls in the +neighbourhood, and be very popular with them, too. Well, about two +o'clock yesterday we were all in here, and Wyckliffe was in the middle +of a funny yarn when the old postmaster came in with a telegram for +him, which he said had been sent on from Hobart, where it had been +delayed. Wyck took the telegram, but before opening it said, 'Now, boys, +drink up, for I have a lady visitor coming, and we'll drink to her safe +journey.' The toast was drunk, and Wyck leisurely opened the telegram. I +never saw such a change in a man in my life. In an instant he was turned +from a jolly, good-hearted fellow, to a noisy, angry bully. His crew +were all in the bar drinking, and, by Jove, he made the fellows fly. +'Make up my account at once,' says he to me, and 'get ready to sail on +the spot' says he to his men in the same breath. He fussed and fumed +about, and seemed fairly mad with rage. The fellows here really thought +he was mad, for several tried to persuade him not to start, as they +feared dirty weather, but he snapped them up and took no notice of them. +In his anxiety he dropped the telegram, and without being seen I pushed +it under the counter with my foot. An hour later the yacht was under +sail, with two reefs in her mainsail and a small jib set." + +They had followed this narrative with interest, and as they went into +breakfast Camden asked: + +"If you are not connected with the police, who are you?" + +"We are merely here to save a young lady from that villain's clutches," +said Reg. + +"Then I am glad you came," said Camden, heartily, "for I should never +have felt easy if I had been in any way connected with that business." + +They sent a wire to Goody and sat down to an appetising breakfast of +fried flounders, a dish that an epicure in need of a new sensation for +his appetite is recommended to journey to Port Arthur to try. Hal and +Reg both did excellent justice to the fare, much to the satisfaction and +delight of Mrs. Camden, their landlord's wife. After their repast they +decided to take the chance offered them of inspecting the prisons, and +asked Camden to procure them a guide. + +"There's the very man for you," said Camden, pointing to an old fellow +sitting in the bar, whom they at once recognised as the man they had met +when entering the Port. + +"What's your name, old chap?" asked Hal, going towards him. + +"My name is Thomas St. Clair Jones," he answered, with dignity. + +"Well, Mr. Thomas St. Clair Jones, have another pint." + +"I'm not in the habit of drinking with strangers, but as you are a +gentleman like myself, I don't mind," and he graciously handed his pot +to be filled. + +"Now then, Jones, button up your coat, pull up your breeches, put your +hat on straight, and lead the way," said Hal, in an imperious voice. To +the surprise of Reg Jones did exactly as he was told, pulled himself +together, and obediently led the way out. + +"I thought as much," said Hal to his friend. "He's a lag and has been +used to obey orders." + +The procession halted in front of a dilapidated-looking building, +commonly known as the Police Station. In answer to a knock an antiquated +sergeant appeared and entrusted Jones with the keys after a whispered +colloquy in which one could distinguish the word "halves." Jones +preceded them with the keys, but had not gone far when Hal called out to +him: + +"Say, Jones: what were you sent out for?" + +Jones cast a withering glance at the speaker, which softened from +indignation to injured innocence in so dramatic a manner that Hal +almost felt sorry he had spoken. Then he silently turned and resumed his +road to the prisons. + +"Jones, come back," said Hal, in his voice of authority, which again was +instantly obeyed. "I ask again, what were you sent out here for; and I +may say if you do not answer my question this yellow boy will stay in my +pocket." + +"I came out here on a visit, sir." + +"Jones, you are a liar. Come on, Reg, he does not want this money." + +"Oh! well, sir, since you put it that way, and since I know you are +gentlemen, I will confide in you. It was like this: One day I was +standing at a street corner wondering where my next meal would come +from, when a swell joker comes along, and says to me: 'Do you want to +earn a bob?' 'Rather, sir,' says I, 'how?' 'By just follering me and +carrying this parcel.' 'Right!' says I, and I started off after him, +pleased as anything at earning a bob so easily; but I had not gone far +when a bobby comes up and says, 'Here's the man,' and he arrested me, +what for I don't know. All I do know was, that I was brought before a +beak and charged with stealing. I told him the whole story, but all he +said was, 'ten years' penal servitude.' That's how I come out here, so +help me G--" + +"I don't wonder at the magistrate not believing you, Jones. You are an +infernal, grey-headed, mouldy old liar. That yarn is as old as the +hills, and since you cannot speak the truth we will go by ourselves," +said Hal, coming forward and taking the keys from his hands. + +"Hold on, Hal," said Reg. "Don't be too hard on the old chap." + +"My dear Reg, I really can't stand such----" + +"Oh, give him another chance. Come here, Jones. You see you have +disgusted this gentleman. Now, out with the whole truth, or you'll lose +your tip." + +"Well, I can't see what it's to do with you," said Jones, in a sulkily +aggressive tone. "But if you wants it so very particular, I'll tell you. +I was poaching, and was nabbed. A keeper happened to be wounded, and +they said I did it. I didn't say I didn't do it. That's all." + +"That's better, Jones; now we are satisfied." + +They spent an hour or two wandering with great interest over the ruins: +now inside the huge penitentiary, now in the prison church. Everywhere +ruin and desolation stared them in the face. All over the settlement +vast walls lay crumbling to pieces, due almost as much to the +destructive curiosity of the thousands of tourists, who flock here in +the summer months, as to the effacing fingers of Time. + +Camden met them on their return, and told them they had just sufficient +time to dine before a butcher's cart would start for Port Arthur, in +which they could have a lift to Norfolk Bay. Two hours later they were +again on the _Tarantula_ making for Hobart. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +EASTELLA. + + +When the boys, as Goody always called them and we will follow his +example, left, he returned to his hotel to think the matter over. So +much had occurred in such a short time; momentous events had succeeded +each other so rapidly that he felt bewildered and unable to think +coherently, so he retired to rest to sleep away the cobwebs in his +brain. He awoke somewhat refreshed, and decided to pay a visit to Mrs. +Eastwood, and, if possible, to see his daughter. Hal's telegram +announcing Wyck's escape, was put in his hands as he was leaving the +hotel. "Well," he mused to himself, "I am just as well pleased that he +has got away, for it would have brought about a scandal, and my name and +May's must have been made public; but there can be no doubt those boys +have not only saved my life, but my honour too." + +At Eastella he received a cordial welcome, for Mrs. Eastwood and he had +been friends for many years. Her sympathetic soul soon noticed that he +was in sore trouble, and he was at once invited to her little office +where they could talk undisturbed. + +"Sit down, Mr. Goodchild, I want to give you a lecture. What have you +been doing to my darling May? you who used to be so fond of her, that +she has to run away to me; and she comes here so altered. All her +light-heartedness is gone; she never goes out; receives no friends; and +does nothing but mope inside the house. The only time she brightens up +is when she asks for letters or telegrams. In fact she is breaking her +heart, and you, though you won't own it, are doing the same." + +"You are altogether mistaken, it is not--" + +"No, of course it is not your fault; how could it be? No, sir, you need +not try to throw dust in my eyes. I have known both of you for so many +years, and I think too much of you both to see this going on without +attempting to put matters straight." + +"It's not I she's breaking her heart over. It's Wyckliffe: he's the man +who has come between us, and who alone has done all this mischief. You +had a gentleman here last night. I don't know what he told you." + +"He did not say much. He referred me to you. But what became of him? +Like most young fellows, I suppose he went out exploring the city by +night, and lost his way." + +"No, there you wrong him, madam, for as soon as he heard Wyckliffe was +at Port Arthur he came back to me, and then hired a steamer to take him +and his friend down there. I saw them off last night, and, see, here is +a wire I got this morning. It reads: + + 'Mr. Goodchild, Hobart. + + He has left here. Destination unknown. Suspicions well + grounded.--Winter.'" + +"I shall feel obliged if you can give me a little explanation, for Mr. +Wyckliffe was staying here for several days, and I took a great fancy to +him. You connect your daughter's ill-health with him; and finally you +produce a telegram saying 'suspicions well-grounded.' I must say I +cannot understand it. Help me to do so," said the lady, shifting about +in her chair, in the fidgetty, uncomfortable way women have when they +are puzzled. + +"Well, the fact of the matter is that this fellow Wyckliffe is an +English adventurer, and a scoundrel of the blackest dye. He passes as a +gentleman, and his intentions from what I can learn are never of a very +honourable description. Mr. Winter and his friend Morris are on his +tracks for an affair something similar, but as they will both be here +to-night, I would rather leave them to explain. I wish now to see my +daughter to try and bring her to reason." + +"And God grant you may," said Mrs. Eastwood, fervently. "You will find +her in the Blue Room on the first floor." + +Goody left the office, and hurrying up the stairs paused before a door +painted a sky-blue colour. He knocked and a melancholy voice bade him +enter. Opening the door, the sight that met his eyes almost unmanned +him. Seated, or rather reclining as if she had flung herself there, in +an arm-chair was his daughter, clad in a loose dressing-gown, carelessly +thrown on. She presented a most forlorn appearance. All her bright, +healthy colour had disappeared from her cheeks and her whole appearance +was that of one suffering from severe mental worry. + +"Is that you, father? I thought it was Mrs. Eastwood. Why have you +followed me?" she said, in a low, sad voice. + +"My darling girl. I could not stay away any longer; it was killing me," +said the old man, in a despairing voice, as he embraced her fondly. +"May, darling, tell your old dad your troubles, and let him help you to +bear them." + +The old man's appeal was intensely pathetic in its simplicity, and would +under ordinary conditions have touched a harder heart than his +daughter's; but she remained deaf to it; her manner was icily cold; the +fond embrace was not returned, and though she kissed him, it was done +mechanically, and the touch of her lips chilled him and made him shiver +with apprehension. Her nature seemed frozen under some strange spell, +and the old man stood helpless and bewildered by her side. + +"Won't you confide in your old dad, May?" he asked again. + +"My dear father, it hurts me to see you crying; but I cannot, I cannot +do what you ask." + +"You mean that you cannot trust your father, May." + +"It's not that, father. You do not understand," and she restlessly +turned her head away and almost moaned. "I wonder if Mrs. Eastwood is +coming up?" + +"If you want her, my dear, I will tell her," said the old man, now +becoming visibly annoyed. + +"Yes, I do, father. I do want her," and she lay back again and covered +her face. + +Goody left the room without another word in an agitated state and, +meeting Mrs. Eastwood on the stairs, told her May wanted her, then he +quitted the house and took a cab back to the "Orient" to await the +arrival of the boys. He reached the hotel not in the best of humours. He +was one of those simple-minded men unused to the analysis of complicated +emotions, and by turns his grief had changed to anger, his anger to +complaint. Fretfully he muttered to himself that it was too bad that +after all these years of unchequered happiness a stranger should step in +and destroy everything at one blow; that he should be made to feel he +was no longer an element in his daughter's happiness. And his anger +increased as his sense of injury grew stronger, until he clenched his +fist and thundered to the empty room: + +"May, you have turned against me; you have shown me you no longer want +me. Well, then, I will shew you I no longer want--" + +Here he came to a sudden pause. His voice trembled, his anger wavered, +for, by a sudden wave of memory, he caught himself listening again to +the voice of his dying wife as she handed over to him the care of the +child whose advent they had welcomed so much in the long past. At the +magic touch of the dead woman's memory his rage disappeared, his heart +softened, and tears coursed down his cheeks, and he vowed not to forsake +his daughter yet, and prayed for a way out of his difficulty. + +As if in answer to his unspoken wish, he heard footsteps approaching +and, with a glad cry of welcome, he grasped the hands of Hal and Reg. +They, in their turn, noticed his altered appearance, and asked if +anything had happened. + +"I called on her to-day, and was given to understand I was not wanted," +he said in a sad voice. + +"We'll fix that all right, Mr. Goodchild," said Hal in his hearty way. +And then he told him all that had happened during their trip to Port +Arthur. + +"Do you think he was referring to May when he spoke of a young lady +joining him?" asked Goody when Hal had finished. + +"I do, sir." + +"And what conclusion do you draw from that?" + +"Only the worst, sir, I am afraid." + +"And you have no idea where he has gone now?" + +"None, whatever. We called at the telegraph office and asked the +shipping agent, but without result." + +"I hope the scoundrel will be drowned." + +"I hope not," chimed in Reg, emphatically. + +"I don't think you need fear that," said Hal with light cynicism. +"Fellows of his stamp have nine lives. If he were a useful man in the +world then I should despair." + +"What do you intend doing now?" asked Goody, anxiously. + +"We intend going to Eastella and bringing your daughter to reason," said +Hal, with determination. + +"I admire your perseverance, but I am afraid you will be doomed to +disappointment, for she always had a will of her own, but I never knew +how strong it was until now." + +"Never fear, sir. So far we have succeeded and I have no doubt our +success will continue." + +"And what shall I do?" asked Goody. + +"Well, if you have any friends here, I suggest you should go to them for +a day or two." + +"You don't mean to desert me?" asked the old man, with a perplexity +almost comic. + +"Not by any means, sir. But we intend to live at Eastella, and for many +reasons it would be better for you not to go with us. If we left you +alone, I am afraid you would fret and worry, so I thought if you had an +old acquaintance who would cheer you up--" + +"Now I understand. I have plenty. There's old Brown, for one--he and I +were schoolfellows. I know he'll be glad to see me." + +"That's right. Let us know where she lives. And now get ready and rely +on us to wire to you when it's time to come back and open your arms to +take your daughter back to your heart again, from which you will find +she has never really been estranged." + +That evening all three had left the "Orient"; Hal and Reg for Eastella, +and Goody for his old friend's house at Broadmeadows. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +MAY. + + +As soon as the boys had made satisfactory arrangements about their rooms +they had a long interview with Mrs. Eastwood, and as she was considered +almost one of the Goodchild family, nothing of importance was kept back +from her. It was arranged that Hal should be introduced to Miss +Goodchild at the earliest possible moment. Fortune favoured their plot, +for while they were together the lady herself appeared to enquire for +letters, and with obvious reluctance underwent the ceremony of +introduction to the two visitors. + +May Goodchild was a tall, good-looking girl, with fair hair and pleasing +features. Her face shewed her to possess a strong capacity for strong +emotions, an intensity of love or hatred, both equally dangerous when +roused. Hal's sharpened faculties of observation had made him a keen +physiognomist and, in the brief moment of introduction he flattered +himself he had read the chief points of her character. + +She was about to leave the room, after looking at the letter-rack, when +Hal who had been gazing at the rack, remarked in a casual manner to Mrs. +Eastwood: + +"Wyckliffe must have a large number of correspondents to judge by the +heap of letters waiting for him here." + +Miss Goodchild paused. She was on the _qui vive_ instantly. + +"You know Mr. Wyckliffe, don't you, Mr. Winter?" said Mrs. Eastwood, +taking the cue. + +"Oh yes, rather! known him a long time. I heard from him the other day," +answered Hal, boldly. + +May walked away, but not hurriedly, and Hal, seizing his opportunity, +followed her out of the room. + +"What a delightful morning, Miss Goodchild." + +"Yes, it is," she answered. Then after a pause, she added, "Mr. Winter, +you said you had heard from Mr. Wyckliffe. Can you tell me when he will +return, as he is a friend of mine." + +"Now I remember, Miss Goodchild. I have important news for you +concerning him." + +"What! news of him for me. Oh! tell me at once, please," and her whole +face lit up with expectation. + +"It is rather a long story," said Hal. "If we could talk together +privately it would be preferable." + +"Oh, I'll arrange that. You can come to my sitting-room. I'll just run +and tell Mrs. Eastwood," and away she flew in a happy, childish way, +very different to her languid manner previously. Mrs. Eastwood could +scarcely believe, her eyes as the girl rushed into the office, crying: + +"He has news for me. I am taking him to my parlour." + +"This way, Mr. Winter," she cried out, as she re-appeared and ran up the +stairs. "Do hurry, I am so anxious. There, come this way and sit down. +Now we are quite private. Go on." + +Her haste had left Hal breathless, and he was rather taken aback, as he +had scarcely had time to formulate his plan of action. + +"Before I commence, I wish to ask your permission to--" + +"It is granted," she said, hurriedly. + +"Your permission to speak in an open and candid way, and that you will +hear me out to the end." + +"Most decidedly, but why this precaution? You said Wyck was a friend of +yours." + +"Pardon me, Miss Goodchild, I never said he was a friend of mine. He is +anything but that." + +"But you will bear in mind, sir, he is a friend of mine, and if you have +anything to his disparagement to say I would rather not hear it for I +love him. There now it is out." + +"I am obliged for your candour, but as what I have to say is not to his +credit, I had better leave." + +"No sir, since you put it that way, I will hear you." + +Once more was the tale repeated, but never before with the strength and +pathos that Hal put into his voice now. At the conclusion, neither spoke +for some moments. At last, May broke the silence: + +"You can prove your statements, Mr. Winter?" + +"Yes, unfortunately for my friend I can. They have left undoubted traces +behind them." + +"If you can prove them, and Wyck turns out the villain you say, think +for a moment what the result will be. I am no ordinary girl full of +puling sentiment. I love or I hate, and if my love is trampled on, there +is a dangerous woman to be faced who will thirst for revenge. So be +careful," and her voice took a stern, menacing tone. + +"Would you like Mr. Morris to corroborate all I have said?" asked Hal, +struck with the change in her, and feeling she was all she described +herself. + +The waiter was summoned, and bidden to fetch Morris. + +"Reg, I have told Miss Goodchild all about Wyck. Will you give her your +version?" said Hal, as Reg entered the room. + +Reg told his story, and Miss Goodchild listened attentively, and said: + +"Your accounts certainly tally, but you can give me, doubtless, further +proof. You have now a desperate woman to deal with, and if you have lied +to me, I will be revenged on both of you." + +Hal for a moment was nonplussed. He had not doubted that his statements +would not be believed. + +But Reg came to his rescue. + +"We could procure that telegram from Port Arthur, and we could get the +landlord to certify to his story." + +"That is certainly a small point in your favour, but is it the best +proof you can produce?" asked May. + +"No, I have a letter here addressed to Wyckliffe. I know the +hand-writing, and I am confident it would afford you conclusive proof +that he is involved with other ladies." + +"Do you mean to say you would be mean enough to suggest that the letter +should be opened?" asked May, in a disgusted tone. + +"Yes, I mean it, since you doubt our word." + +Here Reg deliberately tore open the envelope. + +"Mr. Morris, you are a thief," cried May, excitedly. "Had I known you +were capable of such a low action, I would never have received you +here." + +"Miss Goodchild, your hard words are uncalled for, but in spite of them +I shall go farther yet. We met your father when your conduct had left +him heart-broken, and we promised him to save you from the clutches of +this scoundrel Wyckliffe. And we will keep our word with or without your +assistance. Your conduct to your father has been disgraceful, and it is +not for your sake that we do this, but for his. And now I shall put the +police on Wyck's tracks, and have him arrested. It is not the course I +wanted to pursue, but having gone thus far I will go on to the end. Are +you coming, Hal?" said Reg, as he got up to leave. + +"Really, Reg, I think you ought to control yourself in this lady's +presence, and not be too strong in your expressions," said Hal, going to +him. + +"Stay, Mr. Morris," said May, rising. "You are quite right in every word +you have said about me. It is quite enough to convince me you are in +earnest and, to show my belief I will read that letter." + +Reg passed it to her, without a word, and she read aloud: + + "Melbourne, + "Sunday. + + "My own darling Wyck, + + "Your poor little Kitty is crying and fretting for you; come back + to her, my darling. I received your last letter, and roared over + the contents. What fun you must have had with that old chap Goody, + and his daughter. I would have given anything to have seen the old + fellow lying on the deck yelling. But I say, my darling, I'm not + jealous, but I did not like the other part of it. What a hussey the + daughter must be! You say you are going to take her yachting, and + that's she's a proud sort. I guess she won't be so proud when she + comes back. You are a terror for girls, but I won't be jealous, as + I know you only love me. But be quick and come back. I forgot to + say that two fellows looking like toffs have been enquiring for + you, and from what I can learn they don't mean you any good. They + tried to pump Dick, and he sent you a wire, which you will have had + long ago. My dear boy, do be careful. I am rather busy, but your + little wife sends you hundreds of kisses. Good-bye, my own darling, + + "Your ever loving + "KITTY HARRIS." + +May read the letter through calmly, without a tremor in her voice. There +was a supercilious curl of contempt on her lips as she finished. She +gave vent to neither grief nor rage, for she was made of sterner stuff +than those of her sex who faint and give way under stress of +disappointment. A change had come over her whole being, one of those +subtle changes that a moment of crisis can produce. The fickle, +light-hearted girl had disappeared, the injured woman came to the front. +There is this peculiarity about Australian girls. Outsiders consider +them empty-headed and frivolous, for they have a light, lackadaisical +manner of spending their lives, but lying dormant beneath is a nature +with a purpose which once roused is relentless in its desire for +exacting satisfaction. May Goodchild was a typical daughter of her land. +She had given her heart honestly and wholly to the man she loved; she +found he had accepted it only to trifle with it and dishonour her. It +was enough. There was no trait in her nature to lead her to repine; it +was entirely controlled by a dominant desire to punish the traitor. Hal +could scarcely believe that this stern, resolute woman was the same +woe-begone inanimate girl he had interviewed. She examined the letter +carefully, noting its date and post-mark, and putting it into her +pocket, said: + +"I will keep this letter, Mr. Morris." + +"I do not want it," said Reg. "Pray please yourself." + +"I must apologise for my rudeness," she said, simply. "But you must +allow I should not be the woman I am if under the original circumstances +I had not defended the absent. Now all is changed; you have convinced me +of his duplicity, and gentlemen"--here she held out one hand +appealingly, and tears welled in her eyes--"an Australian girl thanks +you with her whole heart for saving what is her most precious +possession. By your help I have been able to free myself from a spell +that bound me hand and foot. You have opened my eyes, and believe me, +you will not find me ungrateful. Now, one more favour; will you kindly +send for my father at once." + +"We will wire at once," said Hal, leaving the room with his friend. + +They despatched the message, and started for a stroll in the open air. + +"Reg," said Hal, "you are improving. By what lucky chance did you get +hold of that letter?" + +"I am afraid it was hardly justifiable, but things were desperate," he +said. "You see, when you and the girl went upstairs, I felt that your +impetuous nature might have let you overlook the fact that we had no +proofs against Wyck, so I determined to lay hands on some of his +letters, and use them against him. By means of a little steaming I +opened three; two were invitations, the third, which you have heard +read, answered my requirements." + +"Then you knew its contents all the time?" + +"Of course, or I should not have presented it." + +"Well, it has done our business for us," said Hal, satisfied. + +"Yes, and Wyck has a dangerous customer to meet should he cross her path +again. Her nature is of different construction to my Amy's, for she has +strength and determination to shake herself free, and to turn the +strength of her love into bitter hatred, whereas my poor girl +succumbed." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +HOBART. + + +The next morning the boys had the satisfaction of seeing Goody and his +daughter off by the first train. Neither Hal nor Reg was present at +their reunion, and when they saw them together, they realized it was +complete. No two people felt more indebted to their benefactors than +this couple, and words failed them to express it. But their manner, +their faces and their attitude to each other showed what was in their +minds, though the only words that passed were a cordial, "Good-bye; God +bless you," from Goody, and a few heartfelt words of thanks from his +daughter. + +The boys held a long consultation as to their future movements, but were +unable to come to a more decisive conclusion than that they should wait +results. + +"Wyck," said Hal, "left in a small boat; he may be wrecked; he may be +blown out to sea; he may run for shelter into one of the neighbouring +bays on the East coast. We had better make arrangements with the +telegraph station to inform their officers that if any boat answering to +the description of Wyck's should turn up, we are to be informed of it +immediately. Meanwhile, we will stop here." + +Mrs. Eastwood had had a long conversation both with Goody and his +daughter, and this resulted in her holding a high opinion of the boys. +As she moved in the best society of the district she determined to make +their stay as enjoyable as possible. She procured them tickets for the +Mayor's ball, an annual affair of great moment. They acknowledged to the +full her kindly intentions, but explained to her why they avoided any +pleasure or society that might draw them away from the fulfilment of +their compact. A more practical objection was the fact that they had +brought no dress clothes with them, but seeing the good lady's +disappointment, Hal suggested that, as they should like to have a peep +at Hobart society, they might gaze down upon it from the gallery. + +This they did do, and Hal after taking the keenest interest in the +animated scene below him, and commenting on all the features of the +ball, was struck with remorse to find Reg sitting by his side with a +pained face. The memories the scene called up were too bitter, and it +was with a sense of relief when Hal got up hurriedly and left. + +"I'm sorry, old chap. I'm a brute," he said, when they were outside. + +"Don't talk like that," answered Reg. "You are one in ten thousand. +Where could one find another fellow such as you are, gifted with all +that makes life worth the living; ready to throw up everything to help a +chance stranger. It's I who am the brute, old fellow, to expect you to +be tied to the vow you made." + +"I don't like you to say that," said Hal. "I shall never regret having +met you, and I thank my stars we were thrown together, and that I am +able to help you." + +A silent hand-clasp was Reg's only answer, and as Hal gripped his in +return, both knew that the bond between them was stronger than ever. + +In reply to Mrs. Eastwood's enquiries, Hal said he found looking-on +most enjoyable, and agreed there was as nice a lot of good-looking girls +present as one could find. + +"Would you care to go to the Mayor's garden party this afternoon?" she +asked. + +"What, a garden party to-day, after dancing till three in the morning! +In England they would just be thinking of having breakfast," said +Morris, in surprise. + +"Ah, we do things differently in the colonies." + +"And a very good thing you do," was Reg's emphatic reply, as the +obliging lady left them together. + +"You seemed to find scrutinising those fair damsels an interesting +occupation last night, Hal," he observed to his friend. + +"So I did, my boy. You see, Tasmanian women have many points of +difference compared to those in the other colonies. Tasmania is only a +small island and the inhabitants, especially in the South, do not +trouble themselves much about business or anything that conduces to +worry. They pass their days in happy serenity so long as they have +enough to live upon. Being a very healthy country, the birth-rate is +enormous, considering the population. It is no uncommon thing to find +families of fifteen to twenty, all alive and well, girls, of course, +preponderating. Now, as Tasmania has no factories or important +industries, the boys when they grow up emigrate to other colonies to +make a livelihood; the girls remain behind, so the proportion of women +to men is about ten to one." + +"No wonder Wyck came on here," said Reg, grimly. + +"The Tasmanian girls," continued Hal, not deigning to notice the +interruption, "are noted for their beauty. Nearly all the beautiful +women in Melbourne and Sydney are Tasmanian born." + +"Well I cannot say I am much struck with their beauty. They have nice +complexions, but not beauty of form," objected Reg. + +"Wait a minute, I am coming to that. I always compare Tasmanian girls to +Tasmanian race-horses, though perhaps the former might not feel +flattered. They have here some of the finest studs in the colonies. +There are sires whose foals have won all the leading events of the +neighbouring colonies, but strange to say none of them can do anything +in their own country. It is only when they are sent to the training +stables in Melbourne and Sydney to be properly brought up that they turn +out well. So it is with the girls; they have to be finished off in +Melbourne and Sydney. Their rosy cheeks and fresh complexion are +retained, but their _gaucheries_ of manner and clumsiness of figure are +pruned away." + +"There's a deal in what you say, Hal, but I have a liking for this +little spot. Everything surrounding you is so peaceful; the scenery is +so beautiful that it is an island paradise." + +"Yes, it's a nice place to live in, if you have money to spend; +otherwise it is dull." + +"Like all pleasure resorts. But there is a delightful air of laziness +about it. Nobody seems in a hurry. It is such a contrast to the bustle +of Melbourne." + +"And such a harbour, eh?" + +"Yes, it's the finest I've ever seen." + +"If you ever get to Sydney you will see one better." + +"Here's a note from the telegraph office for you," said Mrs. Eastwood, +hurrying in. + +Hal opened it and read: + + "Sydney. + + "S.S. _Flora_, from Hobart, arrived to-day with Villiers Wyckliffe + and crew rescued from yacht totally wrecked. + + "Agents--T. S. W. Coy." + +"That's awkward. Sydney is a long way off and it gives him a good start. +What's the paper say, Reg?" + +"_Corrinna_ leaves Launceston for Sydney to-morrow at noon. Train +leaving here at 7 a.m., arrives there 11.30." + +"I'll wire Goody another copy of this telegram." + +"No bad news, I hope, gentlemen," asked Mrs. Eastwood, entering. + +"In one sense it is good, in another, unfortunate," said Hal, handing +her the telegram to read. + +"It's a pity he was not drowned," she answered, mercilessly, handing the +telegram back. "However, it will cost him a pretty penny, as Macpherson +valued his yacht very highly." + +"We shall leave by the first train to-morrow. I am now going to wire to +Mr. Goodchild." + +The next morning they were up betimes, and had considerable difficulty +in settling their account with Mrs. Eastwood. + +"I am sorry you treat your stay beneath my roof as a matter of +business," she complained, "You have repaid me twenty times over by what +you have done for the Goodchilds. They are my oldest friends, and I look +upon May as a daughter. You have made some good and true friends, who +will be heavily indebted to you until you give them one day an +opportunity of shewing some acknowledgment." + +"You are making too much, Mrs. Eastwood, of the service we have been +able 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 I +have not the slightest doubt that she'll assist me to be revenged." + +"Do you mean to follow Wyck up as we are doing?" asked Hal, laughing. + +"I can't say what I shall do until I see her." + +"Of course you will give us your address, so that we can keep you +informed if we accomplish anything." + +"'Grosvenor Hotel' will always find us." + +"I should like to know if we can be of any assistance to you before we +arrive, because we have our work to do, and goodness knows where Wyck +will be by the time we reach Sydney, and we may not see you again for +some time." + +"If I wanted anything ever so badly, I would not ask you for it, for you +have your own work cut out, and in doing that successfully you will +greatly please both me and my father." + +May evidently wishing to take an independent course, Hal did not trouble +her further. He felt the friendship now established between them was +likely to be a lasting one, for Australians never forget a kind action. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +SYDNEY. + + +At day-break the steamer entered that splendid harbour, second to none +in the world, and made for Port Jackson. The magnificent scenery and its +ever-varying vista of lovely views were unheeded by the boys in their +restlessness to get ashore and find traces of their quarry. As soon as +the boat was made fast, they hurried ashore with their baggage and +passed rapidly the sleepy inspection of a Customs' official. Hailing a +cab and directing the driver to Tattersall's Hotel, another surprise +awaited them, for, seated by the side of the driver, was the familiar +face of Terence O'Flynn. + +"Hallo, Terence. What are you doing here?" asked Hal, in astonishment. + +"Just over for a holiday, your honour," answered he, at the same time +giving an expressive wink, so Hal said no more but jumped in. + +Arriving at the hotel, Terence carried their baggage inside, followed +closely by Hal and Reg. + +"I was after following Dick over here, sir," he said, hurriedly. "Wyck +left for Brisbane two days ago. I wired to Hobart, but, having no reply, +so faith I reckoned you had left. I should like to have a talk beside +you, but sure I want to do another trip with my mate, I will come back +in a quarter-of-an-hour." + +On his return the three adjourned to a private room, and Terence told +his story. + +"'The devil' says I as I read about Wyck being picked up and landed at +Sydney. I had been keeping a sharp eye on Dick, and when I sees a boy +bring him a telegram I guessed something was in the wind, so when he put +a pal on his cab, I followed suit. We both came by the express, and I +took good care Dick should not spot me. When we arrived, he calls a cab, +as bold as brass, and sings out, 'Grosvenor Hotel.' I didn't follow him +there, but went to Moloney's house. That was Moloney's cab we were in, +for Jim and myself are old friends. Yer see, him and me was courting the +same----" + +"Never mind that, Terence. Go on. What did you do next?" + +"I just kept my eyes on them, and several times see them together, and +the day afore yesterday I see them going to the wharf, and Wyck goes +aboard one of the Queensland boats. Dick stayed till the boat left, +waved his hat like mad, and then went off to a pub and got awfully +tight. Next day he went back home by the train, and I would have gone +too, only Jim got me to stop for his baby's christening, as I was to be +godfather. I did stop yer honours, and we did christen that baby, both +inside and out. Jim and meself went on the spree, and a right good time +we had, so help me----" + +"Never mind that, Terence. Has Dick had any more soft lines since?" + +"No more that I know of, your honour." + +"Did he not have one to St. Kilda?" + +"Och, moi! I knew it: by jabers I did. Directly I heard it, I knew it," +shrieked Terence, excitedly, and he lay back, and went off into one of +his laughing fits. He rolled in his seat, and swayed to and fro, fairly +roaring with laughter. Hal and Reg looked on in quiet amusement, and +when Terence had subsided somewhat, Hal said, sternly: + +"Terence O'Flynn, when you have finished your laugh, you will, perhaps, +let us into the joke." + +"Beg pardon, your honours," jerked out Terence. "But it was a joke. Poor +old Dick," and off he started again. + +"Go on, Terence, have another try," said Reg. + +"No, no, but you know the joke. I know you did it, and ye did it well, +too." + +"If you will tell us what it was, we shall be able to judge," said Hal, +quietly, which sobered Terence. + +"I'll tell you, then. It was a couple of days after you'd left for +Tasmania, when Dick comes up to me and Joe Gardiner--that's another +cabby. He comes up smiling, in fact regular grinning, and flashes a +letter in front of us. 'See here, chaps,' says he, 'this is the sort of +game that pays. Darn your shilling fares, says I; this is my style.' The +letter was from some toff, 'cause it come from Menzie's Hotel. It asked +Dick to meet him at St. Kilda. 'See what it is to have a connection. +This 'ere chap was recommended to call on me, and I knows his game. I've +just got to get a good turn-out and drive down to the beach, call at +the pub and get a letter which will give me instructions where to meet +him. Then I picks up a flash gent with a little, innercent girl, and +they'll get into the cab. 'Straight home, cabby,' he'll cry, 'we've +missed the train.' That'll mean that I'm to go in the opposite direction +where there ain't no houses, and if I hear screamin' I never listens. +Then I get home about three; there's a big row, but I get a tenner for +the job.' 'Well, Dick,' says Joe, who is a good-hearted sort of chap, +'if I thought anything of that kind was going on in my cab, a hundred +wouldn't buy me, but I'd take the horse-whip to him.' 'Shure,' says I, +'I would put the blackguard in the sea, and drown him just.' 'Ha, ha,' +laughs Dick, 'it wouldn't do for us all to be so soft, else half of us +would starve. Now I'll just tell you chaps how I serve my customers. I +just go round to Wallace's and get the best turn-out he has, and I guess +we'll cut a dash.' Then he got in his cab and drove away. Neither me nor +Joe envied him his tenner. Next day Dick came up to the stand looking +terrible black. He cussed and swore, and looked as if he'd had a big +drop too much. 'Have a good time last night,' says I to him, civil +like. 'No, blast yer; go to--' he says. I never spoke no more, but after +a bit he comes up to me and says--'Terry, those beggars had me last +night; it was a put-up job.' 'Go on,' says I, 'the infernal scoundrels, +how did they do it?' He swore a terrible lot, and 'twixt his swears I +made out that he had hired a turn-out that cost him thirty bob, and +drove quietly to St. Kilda, smiling all the way. He waits till nearly +eleven, and refused two good fares, then goes to the Pier Hotel, and +asks if there is a letter for him. The barman hands him one, and he was +so pleased he called for drinks all round and spent about three bob that +way. Then he says good-night, goes to a lamp-post to read his letter, +which said something about swindlers being swindled, and policy being +the greatest honesty, or something like that. He was out till nearly +three, and never earned a bob. Joe had come up behind, and heard the +yarn, and we both let out a yell. Dick he swore awful, and jumped on his +cab and drove away. He got fined for being drunk on his cab that night. +And now it's all the joke on the ranks. 'Going St. Kilda, Dick'--'Any +more ten-pound jobs, Dick,' and he does get blooming wild." Here Terence +roared again, and this time the boys joined in. + +"Have another drink, Terence. You told that well," said Reg. + +"But it was your honours that did it, I know." + +"Yes, we did it, Terence," answered Hal, "Dick had us and we returned +the compliment, and here's a tenner for your trouble. Now you had better +go back to Melbourne by to-day's express and keep your eye on Dick. Our +address will be Brisbane." + +"Right, your honours. I'm off." + +"I have been looking through the "Herald," said Reg, when they were +alone, "and I find there are two companies trading between here and +Brisbane, the Howard Smith line and the A.U.S.N. Company; one has a boat +leaving to-day at twelve, the other at two." + +"That's good. We will have a look at the boats and see which we like +best, and as there is no time to be lost, let us start at once." + +The _Buninyong_, of the Howard Smith line, and the _Maranoa_, of the +rival company, were both examined, and the preference given to the +former. + +"Sydney seems a delightful place. I am almost loth to leave it so soon," +said Reg. + +"We'll have plenty of time when we have caught our man," said Hal. "I'll +now go to the Tasmanian Company's offices and hear all about the +rescue." + +There he learnt the captain's report, that he picked up Wyckliffe and +four men off a raft, about six hours from Hobart. The rescued reported +they had been capsized while trying to fetch Maria Island. + +At twelve o'clock the _Buninyong_, with a full passenger list including +the boys, sailed for Brisbane. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +THE GIRLS. + + +Had Reg and Hal not been in such a great hurry when they landed at +Sydney, they might have noticed a young lady not unlike May standing on +the wharf scanning the passengers very closely. When she caught sight of +the Goodchilds, she jumped on board and embraced both May and her +father. + +"I have had your wires, May, and all arrangements are made," she said, +with an air of decision. + +"Have you seen him, Hil?" + +"Yes, he went to Brisbane two days ago. We will follow him, May," she +answered, quietly; then, turning to Goody, said, "you will, of course, +stay at the 'Grosvenor', uncle." + +"Well, I don't know, Hilda. What is May going to do?" + +"I have my carriage here. You had better come with us and send your +luggage on to the hotel," said she, in her decisive way, as if she were +accustomed to help 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 agreeable, my dear. But we must tell dad what we intend +doing." + +"Not about the men's clothes." + +"No, that we will keep to ourselves. What fun it will be!" + +"Well, have you settled your plans?" asked Goody, as they entered the +drawing-room, which they found him pacing restlessly. + +"We leave for Brisbane to-day," said May. + +"So you are going to leave your old dad again," he asked, sorrowfully. + +"Yes, father, duty calls us and we must obey." + +"Uncle," said Hil, coming to him and taking his arm, caressingly. "Your +daughter was saved by two Australians from the clutches of one of +England's gentlemen. If you were young and strong it would be your duty +to avenge your daughter's wrongs; if you had a son the duty would fall +on her brother, but you are too old for work of that kind and +consequently the duty falls on her." + +"But, my dear girl, I--" + +"Stay, uncle, hear me out. She does not go alone, for I go with her. She +is my cousin, for her mother was my mother's sister, so we are of the +same blood, and our blood calls out for revenge." + +"Really, you are--" + +"We are going, yes; I'll tell you why. An Australian girl has been +wronged by an Englishman and, though we may be proud to count England as +our mother-country, we are not going to allow her sons to insult us with +impunity. We Australians are made of as good grit, and one day we shall +put Australia in its true place, when we have Australia for the +Australians." + +"Hear, hear, Hil! That's the true Australian sentiment." + +"My dear children, you are young and foolish and do not know what you +are talking of," said Goody, becoming annoyed. + +"Don't we," continued Hil, with imperturbable good-humour. "We leave +loyalty and bowing down to Her Most Gracious Majesty to you old people. +When our young generation grows strong enough to assert itself, you'll +see what you will see," and she touched a bell and ordered refreshments. + +"It's eleven o'clock now, Hil," said May. + +"Then we must be getting ready. You will go to the hotel, uncle, and we +will send you word how we are getting on." + +"Yes do, father," said May, throwing her arms round his neck. "Let me go +this time and then we will stay at home together, and never be parted +any more." + +"As you will, my dear," said he, giving in, with evident reluctance. + +"Now then, May," said Hil, when they had bidden the old man good-bye, "I +want you to tell me how you became mixed up with that fellow, for I must +confess I saw nothing striking in him." + +"I'll tell you all about it. My father and I started on our journey as +usual. When we were on deck, it came on to blow and we decided to go +below. I was going down the companion-way, dad following behind, when +he trod on my skirt, which gave me a sudden jerk, just at the same +moment that the ship lurched, and I lost my balance and fell. I had +noticed a young man waiting below for me to come down. He saw my danger +and, instead of falling on the floor, I fell into his arms. I came down +pretty heavily, for we both landed on the floor, I on the top. Several +men came to our assistance, and when I was getting up, I found a button +of his coat had become fixed in my hair. I had to lean over while he +released it, and in doing so my face came close to his, and, looking up, +I found him gazing at me in a curiously fixed way. Here the strange part +of it comes in. I found it difficult to take my eyes off him and, as he +gazed, I felt a peculiar sensation through me, and instantly realized he +was to be my fate. As I left with dad my brain seemed to be fixed on +him. I seemed to belong to him and, when he asked me to walk on deck +with him, I was literally powerless to refuse. The rest you know." + +"Did you see him in Tasmania?" asked Hil, thoughtfully. + +"Yes, twice. He came to our place unknown to dad. We were to have met +again on the following day, but he sent me a note, saying he was going +to Hobart, and he wished me to join him. I could not resist, so I went +two days later." + +"But what about the yacht?" + +"He mentioned in the letter his intention to go for a cruise, and that I +was to meet him at Port Arthur. I was preparing to get ready when Reg +and Hal--I mean Mr. Morris and Mr. Winter--came on the scene, and here I +am." + +"They are fine fellows, and they don't belie their looks," said Hil, +seriously. + +"Why, how do you know?" + +"I watched them closely as the boat was coming alongside the wharf. I +picked them out at once." + +"If they had waited we might have given them some information." + +"Let them find out, my dear. We'll shew them we are as good as they." + +"But what if they should find out and go by the same boat." + +"Then we will go by train. But come now and I will shew you our clothes, +besides we must have our hair cut short, so that we will be able to use +a wig when we resume our discarded sex." + +An hour was spent in arranging their trunks and getting all necessaries +together, and then they drove to the steam-boat offices and took a +double-berthed cabin in the names of Miss Walker and Miss Williams, +having previously found out that neither Hal nor Reg had booked berths. + +"I noticed, May," said Hil, nudging her and smiling maliciously, "that +you let slip their Christian names. Hal and Reg. They are very nice +names. Which do you like the better of the two?" + +"The names or the men?" queried May. + +"Say the men for argument's sake." + +"Well, I think I rather like Reg, although both are good fellows. I felt +for Reg though, awfully, when he told me his sad story." + +"And Hal?" + +"An awfully nice fellow and, I should say, very clever and a valuable +help to Reg, I should think. While Reg is all earnestness and +determination Hal seems to be quick at grasping situations and between +the two, to say nothing of ourselves, Wyck is likely to have a bad +time." + +"Be quick and let us get out of sight, for what would Society say if I +was discovered going on this errand? There are so many of the Mrs. +Grundy type who would be delighted to put it in print." + +"But, surely, you don't mind?" + +"No, my dear, I once taught Society a lesson it will not forget. I was +thinking of your father, he is propriety itself." + +"Quite right, Hil, we must not be seen and, as I think we have +everything now, we had better lose no time in getting on board." + +Thus Hil and May, whom we shall know for the future as "the girls" went +on board the _Maranoa_, and at two o'clock the good ship left the +harbour for Brisbane. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +HIL. + + +While the two steamers are ploughing their way to Brisbane, the one with +the boys, the other with the girls, on board, it will not be amiss if +the narrative pause for a moment for the purpose of presenting the +reader with an ampler picture of the singular personality of Hil. + +Hilda Mannahill was the daughter of the late Samuel Mannahill, who died +when she was ten years old. Three months later she lost her mother. Few +men were more respected and beloved than Sam Mannahill, as he was +familiarly called. He was a self-made man, who had landed in the colony +in the early days, and by dint of hard work and upright dealing had +become very wealthy. At his death he left behind him not only a vast +fortune, which is a comparatively common circumstance, but also an +honoured name, which is less so. After his wife's death the whole of +his wealth passed to his daughter, Hilda, who at the time of our story +was twenty-three years of age. Hilda would be best described as a jolly +girl with no humbug about her. Simple in tastes, unaffected in manner, +strikingly self-reliant, and as straight as a die in disposition, her +inherited strength of character had been fostered and fortified at the +expense of all the weaknesses of her sex, by the manner of her +upbringing. Yet, withal, she was purely womanly. In appearance she was +tall and fair, her figure slender but firmly-built; she was lissom in +all her movements and a general air of independence, in harmony with the +frankness of her speech and the directness of her gaze, hung around her. +She was a large-hearted girl and no one but her banker knew of the +thousands of pounds that were quietly distributed amongst the charities +of the city every year: a decided eccentricity, and most directly +opposed to the current method, which consists in having the name of the +donor published in the leading papers, to be cabled over to England and +brought at any cost under the notice of Her Majesty, in case there might +be a spare title going begging. Had she wanted a title she could have +had one, for it was well-known that a certain sprig of the nobility, +when on a visit to the colonies, had graciously decided to make her and +her fortune his own. "She is not much to look at, but her fortune is +good," he had said to his friend, the Governor, who was complaining that +he had given up his home and friends to spend five years penal servitude +amongst those ignorant Australian savages. A few days after, therefore, +the Honourable--it would be unfair to give his name--presented himself +to Hilda, and was about to offer her his hand and heart, when he was +stopped midway with the remark--"I am really very busy to-day. If it is +a situation on one of my stations that you want, I will be pleased to +mention your name to my manager, for I do not meddle with those matters +myself." It is not known if he ever consulted the manager. + +She now owned three large stations, besides city property and countless +investments. The management of all this she had taken into her own hands +on her coming of age. She then purchased Blue Gums, the handsome mansion +in which we have seen her, where she shocked and scandalised Society for +the moment by entertaining on her own account. Society salved its +conscience by holding aloof from her for a few weeks, then thought +better of it, and she was now one of the most prominent entertainers in +Sydney. At Government House she was not a frequent visitor, the foppery +and toadyism there were revolting to her. As she said, bluntly, "There's +too much hypocrisy there for me!" + +As a schoolgirl she was somewhat tom-boyish and a recognised leader in +the mild forms of mischief open to the limited capabilities of young +ladies' academies. Memories of an heroic pillow-fight, in which she +figured as a leader, still linger among her schoolfellows. But her +happiest times were the holidays spent in the rough enjoyments of +Australian station life. + +Life on a station is an interesting phase of colonial existence. There +are stations, of course, in these degenerate days, where a great deal of +style and vulgar "side" is put on; where the house-servants are in +livery; the dinner is served on silver plates, in empty mimicry of a +ducal mansion; where all travelling sprigs of nobility are welcomed by +the proprietor (who was probably a costermonger before his emigration) +to whom he is glad to introduce his daughter with the scarcely-veiled +recommendation that she has fifty thousand to carry in her hand to the +right man, provided he has good English blue blood in his veins and none +of the inferior colonial trickle. Fortunately for Hilda, she spent her +holidays on a typical Australian station, managed on Australian lines, +by an Australian owner, with Australian hands. Here she became an expert +horsewoman and her fearless nature had full play in its stirring daily +work, of which she always took her fair share. Her bosom friend and +fellow-conspirator at school was Susan Tyton, the daughter of old Tyton, +the owner of the station "Cattle Downs," and the two girls invariably +contrived to be there during the annual muster, in the work of which she +had been known to perform the duties of an experienced stockman. + +May had once listened, with vivid interest, to the following description +by an old stockrider of one of her feats. He said--"I can see old Tyton +now, coming out of the house, followed by the two girls, his daughter +and Miss Mannahill. 'Now then, girls, if you are ready,' says old Tyton: +and we bring them two of the horses. They have no ladies' saddles, no +pommels to hold on to, only just a man's saddle with one stirrup, and +it was a treat to see them spring into them and settle themselves down +and quietly wait orders. They used to dress in short habit and leggings. +The stockmen take one direction, and Tyton with his party take another, +at full gallop, a pace they keep up for a mile or more. There is a big +double in front of them and Tyton calls a halt, but the girls either do +not or will not hear and, tightening their reins and over--up--over! +they both fly the two high fences and calmly turn their horses' heads +and open the gates for the others. They meet old Tyton's severe look +with a smiling--'Don't be cross, we won't do it again. It was too +tempting.' The old chap is too proud of them to say more than warn them +not to take too much out of their horses. 'Gad!' adds the old fellow, +'I'd like some of them fashionable ladies who talk of their riding to +see you two.' After a couple of hours' riding, they come across some +black boys who have been keeping the cattle from going back to the +hills. They now know that the outside boundary is reached. Fastened on +each of their saddles is a stock whip, which each now takes off, and a +few preliminary cracks are given. Fancy your town girls cracking and +handling a whip sixteen feet long! After a short halt for a spell, Tyton +himself gallops along the ranks and orders all to push on. That is the +signal for a general shout, cracking of whips, barking of dogs, and +yells from the niggers: soon there is one vast crowd of living animals +in front of them. Now and then a refractory beast breaks away and rushes +the ranks, but the horses are on the alert, and they soon round him in, +for there is no tugging required--you merely stick to your pigskin. Hil +and Susy are doing their share along the line and are about four hundred +yards apart. Presently a small mob, led on by a huge black bull, charges +right between them, and, followed by others, dashes back towards the +mountains. The girls' horses are after them, but do not, as you may +suppose, attempt to head them. They are quite content to ride alongside +the leader, who, being in good forward condition, begins to blow. A +signal is given, and both girls take a fierce grip of their whips, and +make direct for the bull; he is nonplussed, seeing two horses coming in +opposite directions and gradually slackens down until he comes to a +stop, and there he stands pawing the ground, his tail erect, his eyes +glistening. Like a stroke of lightning two horses pass him, and before +he knows what's up he feels a couple of severe cuts across his head. +This is repeated, and very soon he is glad to be allowed to turn back +and go on peacefully. The girls meet and begin chatting on some outside +topic, without a comment on their smart work. Gradually they draw closer +to the ranks, and are once more in the line, having brought back the +deserters. The big paddock, where the yards are, now comes in sight. It +is recognised by some of the older cattle who have been in before, and +they pull up and sniff the air, which means danger ahead, and puts the +whole mob on the _qui vive_. This is about the most anxious time of +all--to get a leader who will go easily: but should he turn obstinate +they would rush the line, and the whole week's work would have to be +repeated. Besides, in a mob like that, numbering close on ten thousand, +hundreds would be either killed or seriously injured in their mad +career. All seemed to recognise the dangerous situation, and Tyton +begins to get anxious, especially as some of the leaders are snorting +and shewing fight. Now it happened that that black bull and his party +were one of the mobs nearest to the entrance; there was a clear run +before them direct, so without consulting any one, the girls galloped +into the mob, which separated before them, and got on to that bull +again. A couple of smacks were enough. He was only too anxious to get +out of their way, and made straight for the run, followed by his mob. +The others followed suit, and the whole mob were in the big paddock. +While this was going on, Tyton was a picture. He neither spoke nor +moved. 'They're mad. They'll ruin all. Why, they've started the mob, the +others are following. Oh, it's all right. Hurrah, we are saved! Hurrah, +boys! Hurrah!' This is taken up, and even the black boys join in." + +It was daring acts of this kind which had made Hilda the heroine of her +own and Cattle Downs stations. Many were the tales told by the station +hands of her feats of horsemanship and of the incorrigible buck-jumpers +she had tamed. Moreover, she could box any man on the station. There was +a certain amount of bush-romance attaching to her name, enough to have +made her a legendary figure had she lived in mediaeval times. And yet, +withal, she was a thorough girl of her century, educated and refined, +but endowed with a masculine strength and a rigid uprightness of +character. She was a genuine product of the land which gave her birth +and she shared with the fullest enthusiasm in the aspirations and ideals +of young Australia. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +BRISBANE. + + +True to her time, the _Maranoa_ reached Moreton Bay, and entered for the +mouth of the Brisbane river. Here the scenery was of an uncommon and +striking description, but as they neared the town the river dwindled to +a mere mud-hole, similar to that at Launceston. After some delay she was +made fast alongside the _Buninyong_, which had maintained, during its +voyage, the two hours' start it had had. Hilda had visited Brisbane +before, and knew her way about, so the girls had perfected all their +plans during the voyage, and on landing, immediately crossed over to the +Grand Hotel, and engaged a room. + +"We cannot say how long we shall stay, but should we go, our luggage can +remain here until we call or send for it," said Hil to the maid who +showed them their room, which they entered and locked the door. + +"Now then, May, we'll try on our new rig-out." + +"Shall we dress now?" + +"Rather--you try on that," answered Hil, as she drew from her +portmanteau a man's suit of tweed. + +Amid a good deal of laughter, they dressed themselves in their new garb. +Hil had neglected nothing, and had even provided two pairs of +specially-made corsets which enabled the waist to appear even with the +hips, instead of tapering. Loose flannel shirts, with collars attached, +obviated all differences of appearance about the bust. Padded boots, two +sizes too large for them, met the difficulty of small feet. + +"Now for the finishing touch," said Hil, as she fixed a small downy +moustache on May's upper lip and handed her a pair of eye-glasses. She +wore herself a similar appendage, somewhat heavier, and carefully +darkened her chin. The result was most satisfactory. Then producing two +long macintoshes, which completely enveloped their figures, and fixing +veils round the tweed caps they wore, they repacked their portmanteaus, +watched a favourable opportunity, and slipped out of the hotel and +proceeded to a quiet bye-street near the wharf. Here their macintoshes +and veils disappeared into the river, and two spick and span young +gentlemen emerged into the main thoroughfare again. The feeling was +peculiar at first, but as no one appeared to take particular notice of +them, they soon felt complete confidence in their disguise. + +"Let's get a smoke, Hil," said May, stopping at a tobacconist's, "it +will heighten the illusion." And quite in the regulation manner they +strolled along, puffing cigarettes. + +Their confidence became so great that they returned to the hotel and +enquired if two ladies had arrived. The porter answered in the +affirmative, but said they were out at that moment. 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 Telegraph +Department. Here is a shilling to pay for it." + +"I'll take the letter, my dear, with pleasure, but not the shilling," +said Hil, patting the girl affectionately on the cheek. + +"You'll see it's sent off at once, for it concerns a young lady whose +mother is ill." + +"I'll go as fast as I can carry it. Come on, Jack," answered Hil, +leaving the saloon hurriedly, followed by May. + +Outside, she turned to her companion, and asked: + +"Do you know what I have got here?" + +"Wyck's address." + +"I think so, we'll see," and she tore the letter open hurriedly, as if +the action hardly commended itself to her. Taking out the enclosure, she +read: + + "V. Wyckliffe, Royal Hotel, Toowoomba. Two men enquiring for you. + Go to back country.--Sal." + +"Where's Toowoomba, Hil?" + +"It's on the overland road to Sydney, about five hours' journey. Have +you a guide?" + +"Yes, here we are. Express leaves at 6.30." + +"Good! Come, we will have to change our rig. He'll strike off for the +back country, the wire shews that. We shall want moleskin trousers and +rougher clothes." + +"Why? Won't these do?" asked May, not liking the idea. + +"Not for the bush, May. Of course, we will go in these and take the +others with us in case of emergency. Come on, time is precious," and she +led the way to an outfitter's. + +The boys left the hotel for the purpose of consulting freely together +outside. As they paced the street, Reg said: + +"That certainly seems strange. W--k may stand for Wyck, and S--l for +Sal, for that is the barmaid's name. If it is so, he is still in +Brisbane." + +"Yes, I suppose so," answered Hal, thoughtfully. + +"Would it not be as well to question that girl about it?" + +"Why, of course, of course. What are we thinking of?" and Hal turned +back and once more entered the hotel. + +"Do you know where Wyck is now, miss?" he asked in a familiar manner. + +"No, I don't," answered she in a flurried way, blushing to the roots of +her hair. + +"Yes you do, miss," said Reg, laughing. "He is a friend of ours and we +want to see him badly." + +"I don't know who you mean," she answered, becoming very red and angry. +And the boys seeing there was no chance of finding out anything went out +again. + +As they passed the Post Office they called in on the chance of finding +something, and were gratified at having a telegram handed to them, which +read as follows: + + "Morris and Winter, Brisbane. Wyck at Toowoomba. Saw wire Dick. + Says going bush. Terence O'Flynn." + +"What's the guide say, Reg?" + +"Express 6.30. It's now 4.30." + +"What's he making for the bush for? He thinks he will escape us that +way. If he does he's mistaken, for he's tumbling right into my arms," +remarked Hal with a grim smile. + +"I must say he is a bit smarter than I gave him credit for," said Reg. + +"This is not a bad place, Reg, is it?" + +"No. It's a bit warm. What are the people like--same as down South?" + +"No, my boy. They are like the climate--warm--and they make it so if +anything displeases them. They are the most independent and democratic +lot in the colonies and, when the great smash comes, I shall be much +mistaken if the voice of Queensland is not the first to cry 'Australia +for the Australians.' But now to business. If we are going in for bush +work we must have a bush outfit, so come on," and they walked towards +the same outfitter's at which ten minutes previously the girls had +rigged themselves out. + +They were hardly out of sight of the Post Office when a hansom-cab drew +up at the door, and a young man, looking furtively round, hastily alit +and hurried into the office to enquire for letters. One was handed to +him with the letters O.H.M.S. upon it, which he opened, signed the +certificate enclosed and received from the savings-bank clerk a sum of +money in gold. Pocketing the money, he hurried into his cab and drove +away. The man was Villiers Wyckliffe, and there was anything but a +pleasant look on his face, for at heart he was an arrant coward. +"Confound those fellows," he muttered to himself, "they may get here at +any time. I had to come back here for money, but I'll go back to +Toowoomba again, as it is a handy place to make for the open country at +a moment's notice. Who in the deuce would have thought that a fellow +would make so much fuss over a girl as that fellow Morris is doing. He +and his friend mean mischief, for Dick told me of their carryings-on at +Melbourne. If they track me I'll shoot them down like the dogs they are. +If I could only get away I'd go back to England, for people are not so +particular there. Damn Australia, I say! I wish I had never seen it." +His face had grown black with anger, and falling back, he fell to +commiserating his lot. "There are so many pretty girls here," he +murmured. "And these confounded fellows are spoiling all my fun." Here +any further reflections were disturbed by his arrival at the "George." + +"Call for me in time to catch the 6.30 express," he shouted to the +cabby, as he hurried inside. + +"Let's come in here for a drink," said Hal, leading the way into the +saloon of the "George," some ten minutes later. + +Calling for drinks, they were surprised to see the two new chums that +they had noticed before, sitting there. + +"We meet again," whispered Hil to May. + +"Well, here's luck, old chap," said Hal to Reg. "I wonder how old Goody +and his daughter are getting on." + +A kick passed between the new chums, who sat as if they noticed nothing. + +"Yes, I wonder. She and her cousin are going on the detective business +as well, eh? That's a good joke; but she's a jolly girl," answered Reg. + +"I'd like to meet that cousin of hers," replied Hal. "From all accounts, +she is a bit of a star." + +"I think we ought to wire them that we have left Sydney. They'll be +wondering what has come to us." + +"Yes, I should like to let them know. To tell the truth, I thought they +wanted to join us, or something of that kind, and, much as I like women, +I could not stand that," said Hal, smiling. + +"It's time to go, old chap. Ta-ta, miss," and they left to get ready for +their journey. + +As soon as they were gone, the two new chums looked at each other and +burst out laughing. + +"So, you're a jolly girl, May!" + +"And you're a bit of a star." + +"Come, let's get ahead of them at any rate. We'll see if girls are so +much in the way, Mr. Hal. I consider it a gross piece of impertinence," +said Hil, leading the way with an air of injured dignity. + +"A nobbler of brandy please, miss, and let me have a flask too," said +Wyck, hurriedly entering the saloon, for his cab was waiting to take him +to the station. + +The 6.30 express started for Toowoomba, taking five people, divided into +three parties, each party quite unaware of the presence of the others. A +lady had shadowed the boys to the station, and seeing them enter the +train, left hastily for the Post Office, whence she despatched the +following telegram: + + Wyckliffe, Toowoomba. They left by to-night's express for + Toowoomba. Danger. Sal. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +TOOWOOMBA. + + +Toowoomba being the junction of the Western Line and the chief town on +the Darling Downs, the station was a larger one than ordinary. As the +express steamed in all was life and bustle, for the down-train had +arrived at the same time on the opposite side. Wyck having only a rug to +look after, and knowing the run of the place, jumped out directly the +train stopped and, calling a cab, drove to the Royal Hotel. Arriving +there, he looked at the rack, and saw two telegrams addressed to +himself, which he opened eagerly. + +"By Jove, they're here!" he said to himself, and to the barman he cried, +"Brandy!" + +"You'll take the same room, sir," said the barman, handing him the +drink, and wondering at his hurried manner. + +"Say, George, if anyone calls for me I am not in," said he, laying +half-a-crown in close proximity to George's hand. + +"I'm fly, governor," said that worthy, pocketing the half-crown. + +Wyck hurried upstairs to his room. Locking the door he sat down on the +bed to think matters over. His limbs were trembling with nervous +apprehension. Every step that passed his door made him start, and +several times he had recourse to his flask to calm himself. The liquor +had the desired effect, and lighting a cigar, he smoked on in silence. +The smoke grew less, the cigar went out, but still he was gazing into +space. A step passing his door woke him from his reverie. He took +another long pull at his brandy-flask and shaking himself together +walked to the looking-glass, and addressed his own image thus: + +"Now, Wyck, my boy, you'll have to get out of this, and there is only +one way of doing it, and that is to disguise yourself. Your moustache +must come off first," and he gave that handsome appendage an +affectionate farewell twist. "We must part, so here goes," and opening +his dressing-case he set to work, and five minutes later was a +clean-shaven man. Then he began to make elaborate preparations for his +character in the bush by ripping his trousers and blackening them here +and there. After a considerable amount of destruction had been done he +considered his disguise satisfactory, and prepared for bed. To guard +against over-sleeping himself he tied a string to the boots outside his +door, and fixed the other end round his wrist. Then, taking a final sip +from his flask, he jumped into bed and was soon fast asleep. He seemed +scarcely to have dropped off before he was dreaming that Morris had him +by the wrist and was sitting on his chest. + +"Mercy!" he gurgled, at the same time rising in bed and wrenching his +arm free, a process which brought forth the expression of a loud oath +from outside the door. + +"What's your game?" called out the owner of the voice, and Wyck woke +fully and remembered. Springing out of bed he called the boots into his +room. + +"What's your game, young fellow?" repeated that worthy. + +"I wanted you to wake me. Come, have a nip." + +"Don't mind if I do, boss." + +"What's your name?" + +"Bill Adams. Here's luck, boss." + +"Say, Bill, can you hold your tongue?" + +"All depends." + +"Here's a sovereign," said Wyck, handing him one. + +"I can hold it as tight as wax, boss." + +"Then listen. I got into a bit of a mess over a girl, and there are some +chaps after me. They came by the express last night, and if I'm here +they'll find me." + +"Then you'd better get out of here." + +"That's just what I want to do. How is it to be done? See I have shaved +my moustache and altered my clothes." + +"What did yer cut them for?" + +"I want to be a tramp." + +"Let me fix yer up. Just yer stay here," said Bill, disappearing to +return a few minutes later with a swag, which he laid on the floor and +opened. + +"Now then, just you put on these breeches, shirt and boots." + +Five minutes later Wyck did not recognise himself, as he looked in the +glass. + +"Now then, boss, if you're smart, there's a goods train leaves for the +West at six, you can catch that." + +"Will you take charge of these things?" asked Wyck, strapping up his +portmanteau, flurried with the success of his scheme. + +"Yes, I'll watch 'em for you." + +"Which way do I go?" + +"This way," said Bill, leading him to a back entrance, opening on a lane +leading to Ruthven Street. + +"Here's another for you, Bill, and if you look after my things I'll give +you a couple more when I come back," said Wyck, handing him another +sovereign. + +"Right you are, boss!" and as he closed the door upon him, a grin spread +over his face, and he said to himself: + +"Two yellow boys for old Joe's swag, eh? Wonder what old Joe'll say when +he comes to look for 'em?" + +Wyck reached the station safely, and asking how far the train went, was +told "Roma." + +"First, Rome," said he to the porter, without thinking. + +"Roma, you mean, boss. Besides there ain't no first class on a goods +train," said the porter, with a grin. + +"You know what I mean," replied Wyck, annoyed. + +"All right, here you are, boss," he answered, handing him a ticket, and +noting his white hands and the chink of gold in his pocket. + +"Hullo, mate! how far are you going?" asked a genuine tramp, as he +joined him in the van. + +"I beg your pardon," said Wyck, forgetting his character and disgusted +with the fellow's familiarity. + +"Hoity toity! here's a joke," said the old tramp, much to the porter's +amusement, as the train moved slowly off, bearing Wyck to the bush. + +The boys were not long in following Wyck out of their train, but as they +thought he might get in at Toowoomba they kept a close watch on all +passengers travelling North and South. Reg tipped the conductors of both +boudoir cars, in order to look through them, and when both trains +started again, they felt satisfied he must be still in Toowoomba, unless +he had left previous to their arrival. Off they went to the nearest +hotel, and engaged a double-bedded room, in which they locked +themselves. + +"What's the programme now, Hal?" said Reg. + +"If he's here we must nab him. When does the first train start +to-morrow?" + +"The guide says, 10.30 South, and 1.50 West." + +"We'd better get up early and go round the town. You can put on your rig +and appear as a stranger looking round, while I'll put on my bush rig +and go amongst the swaggies and loafers in the bars. They generally have +their eyes open and my idea is that our man will have got hold of one of +them for information," said Hal, pulling out his bush togs. + +"What shall I do, then?" + +"Just knock around and keep your eyes open. He may drive away. Of course +he may have got away by now, but it's our only chance." + +The next morning by half-past six both had left their room to commence +their search. Hal did not need any coaching in the manners or ways of a +bushman. He had seen too many of that fraternity during his travels. +With a slouch hat, a grisly beard, a crimson shirt, a clean pair of +moles with straps fastened below the knees, and a rough pair of boots, +he looked the typical bushman in search of work. His hands were stained +and looked sunburnt and dirty. He walked with a slow, long stride, first +into one public-house, then another, calling invariably for a quid of +tobacco in preference to liquor. He struck into conversation with +several of his own kidney, and interviewed boots and barmen, without +finding out anything of service to him, but still he kept on patiently +until he came to the "Royal," where he found an old man sweeping the +bar. + +"Good-day, boss," said the sweeper. + +"Good-day. Have a drink?" + +"Don't mind if I do have a pint," said he, readily. + +"I'll have rum," said Hal. + +After a little desultory conversation and the drinks had disappeared the +sweeper, whom the barman addressed as Bill, returned the compliment, and +put down a sovereign in payment. + +"Hallo, Bill, where did you make this?" called out the barman, +considerably astonished to find Bill with a sovereign in his +possession. + +"Never you mind. Give us a drink and have one yourself," he answered. + +The drinks were served and Bill received his change, but still the +barman seemed curious. + +"Where did you get it, Bill?" he asked again, coming from behind the +bar, which gave Hal an opportunity of getting rid of his rum. + +"Never mind," said Bill, huffily. "Can't a fellow have a sovereign +without you troubling yourself?" + +Hal now became decidedly interested, and ordered another round of +drinks, this time including the barman. The barman returned the +compliment, and Bill, having four pints of beer inside him, began to +talk volubly on his strong point--thoroughbreds. Still the barman seemed +to think he ought to have a share of that sovereign, and again plied +Bill with questions. + +"Tell us, Bill. Did you prig it?" + +"Prig it! You go to the devil. Come on, mate, let's have another drink," +and Bill began to show signs of intoxication. + +"Rather, Bill," answered Hal, pretending to be similarly affected. So +far, he had succeeded in throwing his liquor down a hole in the floor. + +The landlord now appeared on the scene and began to rate Bill for +neglecting his work. + +"I ain't a-going to chop your wood, I ain't; eh, mate? We ain't a-going +to chop wood." + +"No, that we ain't," said Hal, with a lurch. + +The barman stopped the retort rising to the landlord's lips by +whispering, "plenty of stuff," in his ear. Thereupon the latter asked +where Mr. Wyckliffe had gone. + +"Who?" said Bill. "He's No. 5, ain't he?" + +"Yes." + +"Well, he give me two bob, and went away early." + +"Where did he go to, Bill?" asked the barman. + +"Don't know, and don't care. Give us another drink." After which he +staggered away, followed by Hal, to the back, in the direction of the +stables. + +"I'm going to sleep," he said, entering a small house attached to the +coach-house, where a lot of bags were strewn about. + +Hal staggered after him, and noticed a portmanteau and a rug in the +corner. Bill tottered to a rude bunk, on which he fell, and was soon +fast asleep and snoring loudly. + +Hal hearing him mutter, leant over him and managed to make out the +following: + +"Get up--six o'clock train West--Go to 'ell--two yellow boys," from +which he drew his own deductions. Then he proceeded to examine the +portmanteau, which he found unlocked. He could hardly restrain his joy +when he found lying underneath the things Wyck's famous ebony stick. It +was beautifully mounted and polished and its numerous notches were +carefully cut. The temptation was too great to resist and Hal calmly +appropriated it, slipping it down the leg of his trousers, then he +staggered out of the yard down a lane towards the creek. When he was +well out of sight he carefully pulled off his old coat, and took from +the pocket a silk coat and pair of overalls. These were quickly donned, +the wig and beard disappeared, and he straightened himself out and +walked back through the yard into the street, looking like an ordinary +tradesman. + +Reg was waiting for him when he got back. + +"He left by this morning's train for West," said Hal. + +"I thought so. I enquired at the station, and they told me a goods train +ran twice a week at that hour, and one had gone this morning, but the +man who was on duty then had gone home." + +"What's the next train, Reg?" + +"1.50." + +"Well, we'll go by that. But, come here, I have something to show you," +said Hal, leading the way to their room, and producing the stick. + +"My God! the stick," cried Reg, and taking it in his hands, looked as if +he could have smashed it to a thousand pieces. + +Hal left him, thinking it was better for him to be alone with the bitter +reflections the sight of the stick had caused. + +When the girls left the train they did not go to a hotel, but to a +boarding-house near the station. Several rough-looking men were +loitering about the door and on the step sat a dirty, fat woman. + +"Good-evening, missus. Got any beds?" said Hil. + +"Yes, come in, gentlemen. What price do you want. I've got 'em from +sixpence to eighteen-pence." + +"Let's see the eighteenpennys, then." + +"This way," said she, leading them along a long passage. "Here you are, +a fine double-bed fit for a hemperor," and she flung open a door on +which "_Privit_" was marked. + +"Tell you what I'll do. Half-a-crown for the two of yer," said she. + +"All right, missus," said Hil, laying down her luggage. + +"No, it ain't all right. Not that I doubts you, but you'll have to sugar +up afore you touches it." + +"Here you are then," answered Hil, handing her the money. + +"Want anything to heat!" + +"No, thank you. Good-night." + +"Suppose you are new chums, ain't you?" + +"Yes. Good-night, we're going to bed." + +"Well, good-night!" she answered, disappearing reluctantly. + +"What a relief," said May, as she took off her large boots and divested +herself of her male attire. + +"How do you like being a man?" + +"Oh, it would be all right when you got used to it, I suppose, but I +must say it is a little awkward at first. I'm chafed all over." + +"I'm out of practice, too, but on the whole I consider we did very +well. I don't see that we can do much good by getting up early +to-morrow. The first train does not leave before half-past eleven." + +"I think eight o'clock time enough," said May, who was completely tired +out, although she would not give in. + +"Well, we'll have a well-earned rest," said Hil, turning in alongside +her friend. + +"Do you gentlemen want breakfast?" said a voice at the door, the next +morning. + +"What's the time?" + +"Past eight o'clock." + +"All right. We'll be out in a few minutes." + +When they appeared breakfast was in full swing, and a large proportion +of the men round the table wore the railway uniform. As they entered, +Hil heard one of them say: + +"He was the greatest card I ever saw in all my life." + +"Who's that, Joe?" asked another. + +"Why that cove as went by the six goods. He was wearing togs that did +not belong to him, and if I don't mistake he had old Bill Adams's hat +on." + +"What did he do, Joe?" + +"Do," said Joe, laughing. "He comes to the office in a fluster and says: +'First, Rome.' I says: 'There ain't no first Rome, Roma you mean.' 'You +know what I want,' says he, and when he took his change I noticed his +hands was snowy white: he had a ring on and I could hear the gold +chinking in his pocket." + +"What's his name?" asked the landlady. + +"I don't know, but I'm going up to the 'Royal' to enquire about Bill's +hat." + +The girls had listened greedily to all this, and after breakfast they +disguised themselves further by changing their wigs, in case they should +meet the boys, and went on to the "Royal" to hear the name of the +passenger to Roma. + +"We'll follow by the 1.50," said Hil, when her enquiries were answered. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +DALBY. + + +As the 1.50 train was preparing to start, four men stood round the +ticket-office. They were the boys and the girls. The former had chosen +clothes similar to those Hal had used with so much success, while the +latter assumed a dress that might be worn by anyone without being +conspicuous. + +There is no country in the world where it is more difficult to judge a +person by his dress than Australia. You may sit beside a rough, +vulgar-looking fellow, with an old cabbage-tree hat and a dirty pair of +moles, with all the appearance of a tramp; yet he may be a squatter, who +could write a cheque for twenty thousand. To a casual observer, the boys +would easily pass as shearers or men on the look-out for work, and the +girls would pass as easily for new chums. There were plenty of both +classes scattered over the country, and neither party was likely to +attract exceptional attention. + +"You can only book to Dalby," said the ticket-clerk. "There has been a +break-down beyond that point." + +"When?" asked Hal. + +"Last night. I fancy it is due to some of the shearers, who are out on +strike, so, if you are going for a job, you had better look out and join +the union." + +"We won't trouble them," answered Hal. "We are going for cattle," and he +took two second-class tickets for Dalby. + +"Two second, Dalby," said Hil, following close behind him. + +As the train started May laughed and said: + +"Wonder where the boys are now?" + +"Probably in Brisbane still. We ought to have returned good for evil, +and wired them where Wyck has gone; but I think they had better find out +for themselves, as they fancy themselves so much." + +"I wonder what our lady detectives are doing," said Reg to Hal, lighting +his pipe. + +"In bed, asleep, I suppose, dreaming of Wyck." + +"We ought to have wired them at Sydney, and given them a hint." + +"No, not at all. It would be ridiculous to think of women in this +country. But where's the stick, Reg?" + +"It's in my swag. I had to cut it in two, but I reckon now that we have +that, we shall soon have the owner, and when we do, God help him." + +"Yes, he'll stand in need of all the help he can get," said Hal, looking +musingly at Reg's resolute face. + +The railway station at Dalby presented an unusually animated appearance +on their arrival, for the word had been given that a large number of +non-union shearers were coming to take the place of those on strike, and +the latter had collected to give the newcomers a warm welcome. As soon +as the train stopped a crowd gathered round the carriage in which the +boys and the girls travelled. + +"Here they are," shouted a burly, red-headed fellow, who appeared to be +their leader. + +"What's your game, gentlemen?" asked Hal, boldly stepping out, followed +by Reg and the girls. + +"Are you the black-legs?" + +"What do you mean?" + +"Are you shearers?" + +"No, decidedly not. Why?" + +"Because we heard some black-legs were coming. That's all." + +Two of the passengers were injudicious enough to say they were shearers, +one of them calling out--"I'm a shearer, and I'm going to work, for I've +a wife and family to keep. D--n your unions." + +With a war-whoop the whole body, headed by the red-headed bully, made +for the two men, who, in spite of the presence of six constables, were +doomed to be knocked about severely, if not in danger of being killed, +when Hil, in an impulsive moment, rushed forward to their rescue. + +"Stand aside, you cowards," she called out, producing a revolver. "I +shoot the first man that touches them again." Then the crowd fell back +for a moment. + +"You dirty cowards," said Hal, coming forward with Reg. + +"Who the devil are you?" said the red-headed leader. + +"I'm a man, and I'll see fair play. What right have you to kick these +fellows?" + +"You're very plucky, all because your mate has got a shooting-iron." + +"I can use my fists, too," said Hil, putting up her revolver and +standing forward. + +"Here put up your hands," interposed Hal and, pushing Hil aside, gave +the fellow one from the shoulder that staggered him. + +"A fight, a fight," yelled the crowd. "Go it, stranger." + +Hal faced his man squarely and, watching his opportunity, landed him one +in the mouth that stretched him flat on his back. + +"Any more?" asked Reg, looking round, as if he would like his share. But +the crowd had had enough and, as the two men who had been the cause of +the row had taken advantage of the fight to slip out of the way, Hal and +Reg and the girls got away without further adventure. + +They found the town a very small one, which had once, like most inland +towns, been in a fairly prosperous condition so long as the railway kept +away from it; but the advent of the iron horse had caused it to fall, +like scores of similar towns, into a deserted condition. Luck favoured +the boys, for on calling at Condon's Hotel they got into conversation +with an old swag man. + +"Seen any strangers about to-day?" asked Hal. + +"What do you call strangers--men like yourself?" + +"Yes." + +"Well, I see one come with Joe Brown by the train this morning." + +"What sort of a looking fellow was he?" + +"He had old togs on, but didn't seem used to them." + +"Where is he now?" + +"Don't know. Last I see of him he was in a buggy." + +"What was he doing?" + +"Why, driving away, of course. Seemed in a blooming hurry, too, and +looked as if he was going a journey by the stuff he had aboard." + +"Where did he get the turn-out?" + +"Don't know; but this is awfully dry work, boss." + +"Sing out then: a pint, eh?" + +"Rather, boss." + +Ten minutes later, the boys were in conversation with the proprietor of +the livery stables, if they could be called such. + +"Well, all I know is that he paid me thirty pound down for the whole +turn-out, and I see him driving away with an old shearer, named Joe +Brown," said the owner, in answer to their questions. + +"Which direction did they take?" + +"Looked as if they were going to follow the river: in fact, they'll have +to, as water is scarce." + +"We want to overtake these fellows. Have you another trap?" + +"Not to sell. I've got a fine buggy and pair here. They could prick +spots off the others. I want a pound a-day for them." + +"Then hitch them up as fast as you like, and put a good stock of feed +in, while we go and get ready." + +"By George, this is good business," said the man to himself, as he +hastened away to get the horses ready. + +The boys hurried off to one of the stores, and purchased a stock of +provisions, a small tent, and some cooking utensils. An hour later, +they drove away in pursuit of the fugitives, following the road along +the creek. + +The girls had been unsuccessful in finding out anything. As they walked +along the street, they noticed a trap with two men in it drive out of a +yard. + +"I wonder where they are off to," said May. + +"Some squatter's turn-out, I suppose. Let's go to the yard they came out +of," answered Hil. + +"They've gone after a gent who started this morning," said the +proprietor, in answer to her enquiry. + +"Which way are they making?" + +"Along the river, I think." + +"I suppose you have not another trap and horses ready." + +"No, sir. I've only got the two, and one of them I sold this morning to +the first gent." + +"What's on there?" asked Hil, pointing to a crowd round some stockyards. + +"Auction, that's all." + +"Are they selling horses?" + +"Yes, some scrubbers, I think." + +"Come on, May. Let's have a look: we can do with a pair of +saddle-horses, for we must follow on horseback, or we shall never +overtake them." + +"I'm agreeable." + +"That's not a bad hack. Rather weak in the fore shoulder. Thirty bob, +eh?" "Well it's cheap at that," said Hil, examining the horse. "Now this +looks better. Come closer, I like the look of this one," and strolling +into the yard she opened the horse's mouth. + +"I'll give you a couple of notes," she said to the auctioneer. + +"Two pounds, two-ten, three, three-five, three-ten. It's gone. You've +got a bargain, young fellow. What name?" sang out the auctioneer. + +"Cash," said she, promptly planking down the money. + +Several other lots had been disposed of, but nothing seemed to suit Hil, +whose practised eye could pick out a blemish at a glance. + +"Now then, stand aside. Look out. Hallo there, look out," shouted +several of the runners-in, as they drove an untameable colt into the +yard. + +"Look out, young fellow. Come out," shouted the auctioneer to Hil, who +was quietly leaning against the post fixed in the centre of the ring. +"Look out," said he again, as the colt ran open-mouthed at her, but a +smack on the nose sent him back, and letting fly with his heels, just +missed her, as she stepped quietly on one side. + +"Now then," said the auctioneer, with a wink at the crowd, "the breeding +of this horse is well-known. What shall we say for her? A tenner? Well +then, a fiver." + +"Six," said Hil. + +"Six, six-ten, seven, seven. Gentlemen, is there no advance? Seven once, +seven twice. It's yours, young fellow. What name?" + +"Cash," answered Hil, calmly paying up. + +"And now, young fellow, that you have got him, might I ask what you are +going to do with him," said the auctioneer in a jocular manner, which +the crowd greeted with roars of laughter. + +"I'll ride him, I suppose," said Hil, quietly. + +"You're not the man," answered the auctioneer, emphatically. "I'll bet +you a fiver you're not game to ride him now." + +"It's a wager. Where's a saddle?" said she. + +"I'll find a saddle quick enough," said the auctioneer, smiling; then he +added to the crowd, "Gentlemen, we'll adjourn the sale till this +youngster mounts the colt." + +"Right you are! Two to one he don't stick," shouted an excited farmer by +the auctioneer's side. + +"I'll take it," said May, handing a fiver to the auctioneer, which the +farmer reluctantly covered. + +A saddle and bridle were brought and carefully examined by Hil. When she +had satisfied herself they were strong enough, the colt was driven into +a race, and after some delay the bridle was fixed on him. It was a +considerable time before the saddle could be got on and girthed to Hil's +satisfaction. Then the colt was led out. + +The excitement now was intense, more especially as the colt began to +lash out furiously, to buck and pig in his efforts to dislodge the +saddle, for although dozens had tried to ride him he had as yet come off +best, and was known as incurable to the country round. + +One man held the reins and tried to keep him still, as he danced about, +while Hil, with one hand gripping the colt's ear and the other on the +saddle, stood watching her chance. The instant the slightest weight was +put on the saddle, up went the horse in the air. Hil leaned heavily on +him several times, and then stood aside till the colt began to become +cunning and stood perfectly still the next time she leant upon the +saddle. Hil seeing her chance leapt into the saddle, grasped the reins, +and fixed her feet in the stirrup-irons in an instant. The colt was +looked upon as a champion bucker, and he deserved the honour, for rising +into the air with all four feet off the ground, he gave a twitch that +must have dislodged most riders, but Hil and the horse were one. After +bucking and pigging all he knew, without succeeding in upsetting his +rider, the wary animal tried a new dodge. He reared suddenly and fell +back, trying to crush his rider, but Hil was on the alert, for few knew +the ways of buck-jumpers more thoroughly and, as the horse came down, +she coolly stepped on one side, and was on his back again the instant he +had recovered himself. That was too much for the obstreperous animal; he +knew he was conquered and gave in to the inevitable, allowing himself to +be handled and put through his paces with suspicious docility. + +"I'll trouble you for the stakes," said May, pocketing fifteen pounds. + +"I want five from you, sir," said Hil. "Thank you. Now then, boys, if +you will come over to the pub we'll blue this fiver." + +They adjourned to the public-house and had drinks round. Hil, turning to +the auctioneer, said: + +"I'll tell you what it is, boss. I'd not take ten times what I gave for +him. Mark my word, you'll hear something of that colt some day." + +"Well, I don't mind losing my fiver at any rate, for you certainly have +earned it. That colt has been looked on as a terror to the +neighbourhood. Nobody would have him at a gift, and it was only because +you looked like a new chum that I ran him in." + +"I'm very glad you did. Can you fix us up with a couple of saddles and +bridles." + +"Certainly. Come on over here." + +Saddles and bridles were bought and put on their new purchases. Then the +girls rode their horses to the hotel stables, where they were putting +up. They groomed and fed them themselves, and went off to purchase a +stock of provisions and a small tent. These were all rolled in a blanket +and fixed to the front of each saddle; quart pots were slung at the +side, and they were at last ready to start. + +"I'll christen my colt Wyck," said Hil, as they turned in for the night. + +"And mine shall be Liffe," said May. + +Daylight the next morning saw them on the track of the two conveyances. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +CAMPING OUT. + + +When Hil mounted her colt the next morning, that fractious animal could +not resist having another set-to, just to convince himself that his +master was really on his back. Hil was quite agreeable and having +satisfied the creature on that point, she and May started at a brisk +canter along the road, following the wheel-tracks, which were still +clearly defined. Hil was not disappointed in either purchase, for both +horses settled down to their work admirably, and by eight o'clock they +considered they were twenty miles away from Dalby. They therefore pulled +up at Jimbour Creek, dismounted, hobbled their horses, and let them roam +for a feed, while they prepared breakfast. Both had excellent appetites +after their ride, and did full justice to the meal their own skill had +prepared. During the repast, they heard horses' hoofs approaching, and +shortly were joined by two young men of the bush type, probably +shearers. + +"Good-day, mates," called out one, as they came near. + +"Good-day to you," said May. "Have a cup of tea, the water's just +boiling." + +It sounded more like an invitation in a lady's boudoir than from the +bush, but putting them down as new chums, the pair dismounted and +accepted the offer. + +"Where are you young fellows making for?" asked one. + +"Going along the river. Did you come that way?" + +"Yes, we've come in from Condamine station." + +"See anything of a buggy along the road?" + +"Well, I'm blowed! Yes, we did. Why?" + +"We are trying to catch up to one," said Hil. + +"We camped alongside two fellows with a buggy last night, and they told +me they were after two other fellows, and now I suppose you fellows are +after them?" said the stranger, with a laugh. + +"Are there two buggies ahead?" + +"Yes, one is broken-down at Campbell Camp, and the other ought to be +there by this time. Are you policemen after them?" + +"No, not at all. They are friends. We have missed one another. That's +all." + +"Well, come along, matey," said the younger of the two to his companion. +"Good-day to you, and much obliged," and they mounted and disappeared. + +"Time to get on, Hil," said May. + +"Yes, I think so," and a few minutes later they were on the track of the +fugitives once more. + +The roads now became rough and hilly, and the travelling much slower. +About three o'clock they reached Campbell Camp crossing, and there they +found the buggy, broken-down as described. An old man was camped close +by, and seemed in possession of the turn-out, as he had the horses tied +up close at hand. + +"Had a smash?" asked Hil, greeting him. + +"Yes, axle bent," said he, coming towards them. + +"Seen anything of another buggy go by?" + +"Yes, one drove across to the station this morning, with two men in it. +They drove a pair of bay horses." + +"We may as well camp here for the night," said Hil, "the feed seems +pretty good, and water's scarce ahead they tell us." + +"Are you coves going to camp here?" asked the man. + +"Yes, we are thinking of doing so." + +"That's the style, it's a bit lonely here all day." + +"Who's trap is that?" + +"It belongs to a young chap going to Chinchilla. He's gone on ahead." + +"What sort of a fellow is he?" asked Hil. + +"A youngish chap. Seemed like as he was in trouble, for he sweared a lot +when we broke down." + +"What's your name?" + +"Joe Brown." + +"What time did he start from here?" + +"About eight o'clock this morning: but what do you want to know for?" + +"Oh! nothing, he's a friend of ours." + +"That's just what them other coves said who drove up in a buggy, only +they was more inquisitive." + +"Could they be the boys?" said Hil, turning to May. + +"No, impossible; and yet they may be, like us, in disguise for all we +know." + +"Which way did they go?" said she, turning to the man. + +"They went to Chinchilla after him." + +"Oh, well, I expect we shall catch up with them to-morrow. Come along, +May, let's get our tent rigged up." + +While they were fixing their tent, a hawker's van, drawn by four horses, +drove up. Beside the driver sat a man and a boy. Pulling up alongside +the creek, the driver walked towards Joe Brown. + +"Are you Joe Brown?" he called out in a loud voice. + +"Yes, that's me. What's up?" + +"Well, I met a young chap going to Chinchilla this morning, and he told +me to try and straighten the axle of his buggy, and take it back to +Dalby." + +"I've got no objection," said Joe, looking significantly at the other +man in the cart. + +"Then come and give us a hand to get my team out, and we'll set to work +at once," said the hawker, whose name was Abraham Abrahams. + +The girls having rigged their tent and seen to the horses, strolled down +to the hawker's trap, and volunteered their assistance. + +"Quite welcome, chaps," said Abrahams. + +"Come on, Tom, fly round now, you're going to sleep," said he to the man +with him, who was trying to unharness a horse, but did not know how to +set about it. + +"Let me help you," said Hil, pushing him aside and taking the harness +off. + +When everything was done to the satisfaction of the hawker, all hands +were directed to the buggy. While they were engaged on that two more +fellows appeared on the scene. They carried their swags on their +shoulders. + +"Hallo there! What's the game?" said one, as he came up to them. + +"A bit of a smash, that's all," answered Abrahams. "Now then, twist her +a bit more. Hang on, let's look now," he sang out, as he directed the +operations. + +"Yes, that'll do now," he added. "Let's get it back in its place before +dark, so we can have an early start." + +The axle replaced, all adjourned to their respective tents to prepare a +meal. The two latest arrivals chose a camping-ground some twenty yards +from that the girls had selected, and soon had a fire lit and their +billy boiling. + +When all had finished their meal Abrahams suggested they should make a +big fire and sit round it and spin yarns. The idea was readily taken up, +and a huge log was selected, round which a rope was fixed and harnessed +to one of the horses, when it was at once dragged into the required +position. Some light wood was gathered, and soon the log was well +ablaze, and they disposed themselves in a circle round it. Old Joe was +inclined to be a little bit selfish and directly the log was in +position, he took a seat on one end of it, and obstinately resisted all +efforts to dislodge him. Now it happened that that log had been the home +of a large swarm of the ants known as "green-heads." These, as most +campers-out know, can sting pretty sharply, and while Joe was disputing +his right to the seat, they were gradually being driven by the smoke to +the other end of the log. They found Joe's coat-tails an excellent +bridge, and swarmed up them. Presently Joe began to feel uncomfortable; +then he gave a jump, and finally yelled with agony, and starting up +began to fling his clothes off as quickly as possible. The girls found +it necessary to retire to their tent to fetch something they had +forgotten. + +"How very awkward if they had attacked us," said May. + +"Very," answered Hilda, laughing heartily at May's look of alarm. + +They gave Joe time to rid himself of the pests, and returned to the +fire. Nobody now disputed the right of ownership to the log, for it was +fairly alive with ants. Joe was sore all over and in a bad temper, until +some one offered to give him some whiskey to rub in his wounds. Joe +bargained he should drink it in preference, which he did and was soon +restored to good-humour. + +For the second time the five people who are on the search for one +another found themselves in each others' company and were unaware that +this was the case. The two men with swags were the boys. They had left +their trap in charge of a man camped half-a-mile down the creek, and +disguising themselves a second time, in order not to be recognized by +Joe, appeared as tramps. They had started for Chinchilla, but missed the +road and had not found out their error until they had gone some fourteen +miles out of their way, when they met a tramp who told them. Picking him +up, they returned to the creek, hoping Wyck might have come back for his +buggy. + +When Wyck's buggy broke down he was in a terrible rage, but he did not +take long to form fresh plans and, having told Joe enough to put him on +his guard, he went on his way, but not to Chinchilla. When the boys +drove up, he was hidden in a hollow log about twenty paces away, where +he could see and hear all that took place. Joe was up to snuff and sent +the boys on what he considered a wild-goose chase. When he had let the +boys get fairly out of sight Wyck walked along the road in the hope of +coming across a Jew hawker, whom a horseman had told him was travelling +that route. Nor was he disappointed, for Abrahams came in sight. A +five-pound note was exchanged, and Abrahams agreed to take him and his +buggy back to Dalby. Wyck then got up alongside the driver. Although he +was very uneasy, he had no idea his enemies were so close to him, +neither had Hil any conception who the man was she had shewn how to +unharness the horses. Wyck had palled up with Joe in the train, and +retained him to shew the way. Joe in return had improved Wyck's get-up, +so that he now looked quite the bushman, as he lounged by the fire. + +In the interval between the yarns all had been spinning, Wyck said to +Abrahams, with a wink: + +"Wonder how that poor devil is getting on?" + +"Which, that fellow who owned the trap?" + +"Yes. He'll never see Chinchilla to-night, if I'm not mistaken." + +"Where did you meet him?" asked Joe of Abrahams. + +"About two miles from here." + +"What was he like?" + +"Tall, dark, and about twenty-eight," put in Wyck. + +"That's my boss," said Joe, taking the cue. "I tried to persuade him +from going, but he would go." + +"Well, he asked me to take his buggy to Dalby for him, and I am going +to do it," said Abrahams. + +"Quite right!" said Wyck. + +Four people greedily took in this conversation, and made their plans +accordingly. As the fire died low, first one, and then another went to +their tents, and the camp was deserted. Wyck slept in the van with +Abrahams. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +FRED PHILAMORE. + + +When the following morning broke, the sky was dull and heavy and the +atmosphere close and oppressive. This did not seem to trouble the girls, +who packed up their swags, saddled their horses, and were away on the +road before the others were astir. + +The boys were the next to move, and their surprise was great when they +found their new chum neighbours had disappeared. + +"They're early risers, and no mistake," remarked Reg, rubbing his eyes. + +"Yes. I wonder which way they've gone. However, that's easily settled," +and he looked for hoof-marks, which he found, setting in the direction +of Chinchilla. But neither attached any importance to the matter. + +"We'd better make for the buggy," said Hal. And they shouldered their +swags and made for the river once more. + +Wyck, camped in Abrahams' van, found it difficult to sleep on account of +the owner's loud snoring. At day-break he lay looking out on the camp +through a crack in the cover. He saw the girls rise and depart, and the +boys follow them. Thinking it about time for them to be moving, he woke +Abrahams and went off to Joe's tent. + +"Now then, Joe," he called out at that worthy's tent. "Get up, and let's +get off to Dalby. I've had enough of the bush." + +"Hullo! where's the other coves?" asked Joe, in surprise, gazing round +the camp. + +"Gone long ago." + +"Which way did they go?" + +"Along the river, I expect." + +"Now then, boys, harness up. We must make Dalby to-night," said +Abrahams, appearing on the scene. + +"Do you know what time the train goes?" asked Wyck. + +"There's one early in the morning, I think," said Abrahams. + +"I must catch that." + +"I am just as anxious to get back as you are. I don't like the look of +the weather, and I should not be surprised if we had a big rain." + +"You're right there, boss," chimed in Joe. "I've been thinking the +same." + +After a hasty breakfast, they made a start and reached Dalby about seven +o'clock the same evening. On enquiry, Wyck found a train left at eight +and, making Abrahams a present of his turn-out, he left by that train, +feeling sure he had attracted no notice whatever. Before leaving, he +told Joe to wire him any news to "Grosvenor, Sydney," or "Gaiety, +Melbourne," under a false name; and Joe, who had lined his pocket +considerably during his acquaintanceship with his chum, promised to keep +a sharp look-out. + +When the girls left the camp, they followed the tracks of the hawker's +waggon, and after a couple of hours' ride pulled up at a water-hole for +breakfast. The road was very rough, and they did not reach the station +until late. The manager gave them a cordial welcome, considering they +were strangers, but could afford no information about anyone resembling +Wyck. As they naturally did not care to accept the hospitality offered +them, that of the single men's hut, they turned their horses and rode +some way back, till they found a good camping-place for the night. The +next day looked even more threatening than the day before, and large +drops of rain fell before they started. + +"I think we are in for a drenching, May," said Hil, looking anxiously +round. + +"So do I. Let's clear to Dalby as fast as we can." + +As they proceeded on their journey the rain fell steadily, and when they +reached Dalby, at a late hour, they were wet to the skin. They saw to +their horses, dried their clothes, and made themselves comfortable for +the night at the hotel. + +"If this keeps on much longer we shall have a flood," said the landlord +to them. + +Dalby presented a picturesque appearance the next morning, for the +Condamine was overflowing its banks and all the low-lying country was +flooded. As a wash-away seemed imminent, the railway people suspended +all traffic. Twelve inches was measured in twenty-four hours, and by the +evening of the second day the country for miles round was a sheet of +water. Many houses in Dalby were flooded, and several had been washed +away. + +The girls were now locked up, for boats were plying in the streets. The +delay made them very wild, but nothing could be done but wait. They were +lucky, however, in comparison with the fate that befel the boys. + +When the boys arrived at their camp, they found their man still asleep, +and waking him up they had a hasty breakfast and started on their +journey for Chinchilla. Dobbs, the tramp, said he knew a better road +than the one they were on, and they let him have his way. But Dobbs was +one of those gentlemen fond of experimenting at others' expense, as the +boys found out to their cost, for after hopelessly wandering Dobbs +acknowledged he was out of his reckoning. Fortune favoured them, +however, for they met a stockrider of the Nankin Run. + +"Chinchilla? Why you are out of it altogether," said he, in answer to +enquiries. "You are a long way from Dalby, too, and if you take my +advice you'll follow me, for it looks like rain. When it rains here, it +does so with a vengeance. We've had none for twelve months, and it looks +like a flood." + +The invitation was offered in a rough, genial way, and the boys were +only too glad to accept it. After an hour's drive they came to the +station. The boys had been puzzling themselves as to what position the +man held there, for he looked more like a shepherd than anything else, +in his greasy pants and shirt and dirty, old, cabbage-tree hat, but on +their arrival they found he was no less a person than the Honourable Mr. +Tomkins, owner, not only of that station, but many more. + +"Now then, boys, make yourselves quite at home. We don't live in style +here, for I don't like it. I get enough of that in the cities, for, take +my word for it, no tea tastes so well as that brewed in a billy," said +he. + +The next day the rain set in and, by Tomkins' advice, they did not +start, for all the creeks they would have had to cross were now swollen, +and on the following day they themselves were living on an island. + +"You see, I took the precaution to build my place on high ground. But we +shall be kept busy with visitors now," Tomkins said, as a huge snake +crossed the floor. + +Insects in great numbers and reptiles of the most venomous kind began +to make for the house as the waters rose, and all hands turned out to +build a wooden barrier round it, which was saturated with kerosene and +set on fire. This proved an effective barrier, but, nevertheless, they +were kept pretty busy, and their sleep was not of the most comfortable +kind. After six days of this kind of life, they were able to start on +their return journey, and once more arrived at Dalby. + +There had been numerous cases of drowning during the flood, and the +first one to come to their ears was that of a young fellow whose body +was found at Campbell Creek crossing, and who had been identified by Joe +Brown as a young man who had accompanied him from Toowoomba, named +Wyckliffe. + +Going to the Police Station to make enquiries, they found the facts as +stated. In addition to Joe Brown's identification, they had found a "W" +tattooed on his arm. The body had also, they said, been identified by +two young fellows who had left for Brisbane a day or two before. + +"Then we are to be cheated after all," said Reg, savagely. + +"Won't you forgive the fellow now?" asked Hal. + +"I can't, old fellow. I can't. I feel some satisfaction in having his +stick, though. However, Hal, we've done our duty, and he has met his +fate. God knows, he deserved it." + +They squared up their accounts, and took train direct to Sydney, with +the intention of hunting up the Goodchilds. + +When the police reported that the body had been identified by Joe Brown +and two other men they stated the literal fact. A stock-driver crossing +the creek had seen the body floating there with the face battered beyond +recognition. He had pulled it out of the water, and rode into town to +report to the police, who brought it in. Joe Brown was one of the first +to hear of the discovery, and a brilliant idea struck him that he might +make a good thing out of Wyck by reporting the body to be his. As soon +as the girls heard it they reluctantly went, too. There was a decided +resemblance in the build of the dead man to Wyck, but the features were +too bruised for them to be certain. However, Joe swore positively to the +tattoo on the arm, and that settled the matter, and the corpse was +buried as that of Villiers Wyckliffe, a young Englishman out to gain +colonial experience. + +The same evening the girls left for Brisbane, but not alone, for Hil was +taking the colt with her. Tom, the old groom at the hotel stables, had +taken a violent fancy to both horse and owner, that she decided to take +him with her to Sydney. At Brisbane they had to explain to him that his +master was a mistress, and they sailed without delay for Sydney, none +the worse for their experience, but feeling rather subdued at the tragic +disaster which had robbed them of the spoil after which they had +started. + +When Wyck arrived at Toowoomba the first person he looked out for was +Bill Adams, whom he found in the yard of the "Royal." + +"Hullo, boss, back again! I've got all your togs stowed away," said he, +as he led him to his room. + +"I had a small black stick," said Wyck to him, after he had inspected +the contents of his portmanteau. + +"That's all you had, governor," said Bill, with emphasis. And Wyck, +seeing it was useless to argue with him, had to accept the inevitable. + +"All my luck will desert me now," he said to himself, when he was +safely in a train bound for Sydney. "I've lost my fetish." + +At Tenterfield he bought a paper, and saw to his delight that heavy rain +had set in in the Western district, and that all the country was +flooded. + +"I hope those two bloodhounds may be drowned too," he said, as he lay +down to sleep. + +Nearing Sydney, the next morning, he heard the newsboy crying out +"_Herald_. Dreadful floods!" and jumping up, he bought a copy. Opening +it, he received a shock, for his eyes caught the broad head-lines: + + HEAVY FLOODS IN QUEENSLAND. + + 27 LIVES LOST. + + THOUSANDS OF STOCK DROWNED. + + TERRIBLE SCENES. + + DALBY COMPLETELY FLOODED. + + RAILWAY LINE WASHED AWAY. + +He eagerly read the detailed account of the flood from the beginning. + +"Hallo, what's this?" he cried, jumping up. "By Jove! I'm drowned! I'm +dead," and he read the paragraph again. + + "This afternoon a man rode in and reported that the body of a young + man was in the creek at Campbell Camp Crossing. The police were + informed, and they brought the corpse into the town, which was in a + terribly battered condition. It was immediately identified by a + shearer, named Brown, as the body of a young English gentleman, + named Villiers Wyckliffe, who was touring the back blocks and was + bound for Chinchilla station. The body was buried this morning." + +"Joe Brown, you are a brick. I'll drink your health," said Wyck, +producing the flask. Then he sat down and read the paragraph again, +scarcely believing his eyes. Fortunately he was alone in the +compartment; otherwise, fellow-passengers might have thought him mad. He +paced the car, whistled, and sang, and called out over and over again: + +"By Jove, I'm dead! Hurrah! Hurrah!" Then he sat down again and thought +it all out. At last he rose and unscrewing the cap of his flask, cried: + +"Fred Philamore, I drink your health. Villiers Wyckliffe is dead, and +Fred Philamore, a young English gentleman, out for colonial experience, +arrives in Sydney. What a good job I shaved. No one will recognize me +now; at least they won't when I've done. I always had a fancy for red +hair, and mine will dye beautifully. I'll make the acquaintance of Mr. +Morris and his amiable friend, Winter, and if I don't have some fun, +it's a caution. I'll make it warm for you, Reg Morris, before I'm done. +I'll teach dirty colonials to hunt an English gentleman. Fortunately I +know friends of the different Governors. Fred Philamore will have no +difficulty in getting into Society: an Englishman is a welcome change to +the colonials--at least they always say so. Hurrah, Wyck! Good old Wyck, +you're dead, and good old Fred Philamore stands in your shoes." + +With a lighter heart than he had known for many a day, Wyck stepped out +of the train at Sydney. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +BLUE GUMS. + + +"Why wasn't I born a boy, Hil? I never felt so comfortable before in my +life as when I wore trousers, and now we have to return to these +abominable petticoats." + +"You don't regret your sex half so much as I do, for I have been +regretting it ever since I was a child," answered Hil, giving her skirts +a vicious twitch. + +"Shall we go to Teasdale's this afternoon?" + +"No, don't. I hate garden-parties." + +"It's to be a very fashionable affair, and the Government House party +will be there." + +"That settles the matter then. We stay away," said Hil, decisively. + +When the girls returned to Sydney they found Goody still at the +"Grosvenor," seemingly quite happy. At first he had been feeble and +despondent, but he knew a large number of people, whose visits kept him +from brooding and, on his daughter's return, she found him quite a +Society man in his old-fashioned way. Hil asked him to come out to Blue +Gums, but he preferred the hotel, so both she and May left him there, +perfectly content. Hil found an accumulation of letters and invitations +waiting her arrival. Callers were numerous, who made curious enquiries +about their long absence, but their curiosity was unsatisfied, and it +was generally assumed that Hil had been on a visit to one of her +stations. + +"Two gentlemen are below, and wish to see you, miss," said the maid, +entering the room when the girls were engaged in bemoaning their lot. + +"Did they give their names?" + +"No. I asked, but they said it did not matter." + +"Shew them up." Then, turning to May, she said, "I don't mind betting +they're the boys." + +"Good-morning, Miss Goodchild," said both Hal and Reg, advancing to May. + +"Good-morning, gentlemen. This is my cousin." + +"Delighted to meet you," said Hil, shaking hands cordially. + +"We called at the 'Grosvenor' this morning, and Mr. Goodchild told us we +should find you here, so we took the liberty of coming over," said Hal. + +"No liberty, I assure you. A pleasure." + +"On both sides, I hope," said Reg. + +"We have only recently returned from Brisbane, and Mr. Goodchild told us +you, too, had been out of town." + +"Yes, we went for a trip. I hope you weren't inconvenienced by the +floods." + +"We were; very much. The mere mention of them makes me look round, +expecting to see a tribe of ants, or two or three snakes on the floor." + +"Do tell us about your adventures," said May. + +"When we left Brisbane we went on to Toowoomba and got on Wyck's tracks +and chased him out West as far as Dalby. From there we set off in a +buggy for Chinchilla, and we caught up his buggy, but found it had +broken down, and that there was no trace of Wyck. We suppose he lost his +way and was drowned in the creek, where his body was found." + +"How did you manage in the bush? Did you have to camp out?" asked Hil, +with an appearance of great interest, and gently touching May's foot. + +"Oh, of course, and it was great fun," and they both laughed. + +"Do tell us about it. I am so fond of hearing tales of the bush," said +May. + +"Well, when we reached the creek, we found an old fellow, named Brown, +in charge of the buggy, and from him we learnt that his boss, as he +called Wyck, had gone on to Chinchilla on foot, so we started after him, +but, losing our way, had to return to the creek. Now, it struck us that +Wyck might possibly return to his buggy during the night, so we camped +about half-a-mile away, and, leaving a man in charge of our trap, we +dressed up as swagmen and joined the party at the crossing, which had +now been increased by the arrival of two new chums and a hawker's van." + +"Tell them about the ants, Hal," said Reg. + +"Oh, yes. Joe and the hawker had a dispute as to who should have a seat +on the log used for the fire, but Joe had possession and determined to +stick to it, which he did until a swarm of green-heads climbed up his +back, and then he jumped up with a yell and flung off his clothes. Joe +frightened the new chums, for they cleared off to their tent." + +"What kind of fellows were these new chums?" asked Hil. + +"Oh, nothing out of the common. Very ladylike in appearance and +namby-pamby looking. I felt really sorry for them, but they ought never +to have left their ma's apron-strings." + +"Yes, I fancy this flood will send them back," said Reg, laughing. + +"How very interesting: but you have been spreading the story about +well," remarked Hil. + +"Why, what do you mean? I have never spoken to a soul about it. Have +you, Reg?" + +"Well, I heard the same tale, yesterday, about old Brown and the ants," +said Hil. + +"You did?" + +"Yes, and I fancy I can recognise you two in the story I heard, since +you say you came as tramps." + +"I don't understand," said Hal, looking at her in astonishment. + +"I'll tell it you as it was told to me, then. It appears Joe Brown +recognised in the two tramps the two men who had driven by in a buggy +and he passed it round the camp, and while you two were acting as tramps +everyone was laughing at you." + +"Miss Mannahill, where did you hear that?" called out Hal, +thunderstruck. + +"That's not all," continued Hil, imperturbably. "We heard about you in +Brisbane, and how you were good enough to discuss May and myself in a +public saloon." + +Hal looked at Reg in astonishment, and unable to say a word. + +"Can you deny saying that, from all accounts, that cousin of May +Goodchild's was a bit of a star?" asked Hil. + +"And that I was a jolly girl?" struck in May, both of them now laughing +heartily at the nonplussed appearance of the two men. + +"Excuse me, I--" said Hal, with an uncanny feeling that there was +witchcraft somewhere. + +"No, we won't. We want an apology." + +"For what?" said Reg, seriously. + +"For speaking ill of absent friends." + +"Did we speak ill?" + +"Yes, of those two new chums, who were--" + +"Not yourselves." + +"Certainly," said Hil, smiling. "And I am glad we seemed ladylike and I +hope you'll do us the justice to say we have got back to our ma's--or +the equivalent." + +"You two ladies were the new chums!" said Reg, not quite sure if he +heard aright. + +"Yes. How did we look?" + +"Splendid." + +"Oh, you traitors, but we'll forgive you," said Hil, ringing for +refreshments. + +The girls then told their adventures and were equally amused to find +they had all been at cross-purposes the whole time. It took the boys +some considerable time to get over their astonishment. + +"We went for a man, and returned with a horse," said Hil. + +"And we went for a man, and returned with a stick," added Hal. + +"Which stick? Not the famous one with all the notches cut on it?" asked +May. + +"The very same. There are several fresh notches added, and one of them +may refer to you." + +"Oh, let us see it. Where is it?" said Hil, excitedly. + +"I have it safe under lock and key," answered Reg. + +"You can scratch out my notch," said May, "for though I had a narrow +squeak, my heart is not quite broken, thanks to you two." + +"For one thing, I am glad it occurred," answered Hal. "It has given us +the pleasure of making your acquaintance." + +"New chums, eh?" + +"Now, that's not fair. But did that old fellow really recognise us?" + +"No, I don't know that he did. Certainly we did not. I only said so +because you were rather hard on us," answered Hil. + +"What are you gentlemen going to do now?" asked May. + +"We are going to have a holiday. I have done my duty, and my dear old +friend here has sacrificed all his time for me. We propose staying in +Sydney for a short while, and then taking another trip to Tasmania, as +the people there were so nice," answered Reg. + +"All Tasmanians are nice," put in May. + +"Don't fish, May," said Hil, chaffingly. + +"Present company always excepted," said May, unwarily. + +"Oh, that's worse than ever," retorted Hil, and all joined in the +laughter which followed. + +"Now, if you gentlemen are doing nothing to-day, we shall be very glad +of your company on our drive," said Hil. + +"We shall be delighted," said both together. + +"Then that's settled. Now let us go to lunch. Quite impromptu, you know, +billy and pannikins," she added, with a light laugh, as she led the way. + +And a happy quartette they made, these four young people, sensible to +the full of the enjoyments of life. Joke and anecdote were interchanged +with good-humoured _camaraderie_ and, if Mrs. Grundy was not present, +she ought to have been, only in the capacity of spectator, that she +might but learn how possible it is for youth of both sexes to meet +together in wholesome social enjoyment without the watchful eye of a +chaperon. After luncheon, the boys were invited to light their cigars, +the girls apologising for not joining in, because they had given up male +vices with male habiliments. + +"You must come and see Wyck," said Hilda, taking them to the stables. +"And here is old Tom. I don't know if you remember him at Dalby. I +brought him to look after Wyck, because they seem to understand each +other so well." + +"How's Wyck getting on, Tom?" she asked, as the old fellow came forward +and saluted. + +"Oh, he's doing well, miss. I've had him entered for the Sydney Cup, and +I doubt there won't be many to beat him," said Tom, proudly, as he led +the way to a loose box in which his favourite was kept. + +"Well, Wyck, old boy," said Hil, and the horse, hearing her voice, +turned round and put his head over the rail, and sniffed at her as if in +search of something. + +"Here you are," she 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. + +"We are going to the theatre to-night, Mr. Goodchild, and we came to see +if you would join us." + +"Well, Philamore and I had agreed--" + +"Oh, both of you join us, won't you?" + +Philamore having expressed himself as quite agreeable to the +arrangement, it was settled they should all go to the theatre. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + +MARJORIE WILLIAMSON. + + +Punctually to time, the girls arrived at the "Metropole," and, picking +up the boys, they drove on to the "Grosvenor" for Goody and his friend. +It was a tight squeeze to find seating room for all, but the Criterion +Theatre was not far away, and Hil laughingly insisted on taking all of +them. Thus, for the third time, the five chief characters of this +veracious history were in each other's company, though on this occasion +four were known to each other, and the fifth a stranger, but knowing +well himself in whose company he was. They were comfortably settled in +their box as the curtain rose, and all eyes were turned to the stage in +eager anticipation of the appearance of the actress who had been so much +talked about. When she did appear, two of the party gave a start; Reg in +wonder where he had seen the face before, and Wyck in astonishment, for +the familiar face and voice recalled old memories. + +"I have seen that face somewhere before," said Reg to Hil, "but I can't +think where. The programme styles her 'Mrs. Montague,' but that does not +give me a clue." + +"You may have seen her in London," she suggested. + +"Wasn't her name Marjorie Williamson?" whispered Mr. Philamore, as he +laid aside the opera-glasses through which he had been gazing intensely. + +"That's she; the very same. By Jove, I am glad," added Reg, excitedly. + +"Hush," said Hal, for Reg had raised his voice, and unpleasant glances +were cast in the direction of their box. + +During the first act, Reg remained so engrossed in his thoughts that he +left the play unheeded. He was only roused from his reverie by the +vociferous applause that brought the actress twice before the curtain. +Her success was now assured, much to his delight. + +The boys, accompanied by Goody and Philamore, left for the saloon during +the interval and the girls found themselves alone. + +"What do you think of him?" asked Hil. + +"I can't say. I don't like red hair," answered May. + +"He can't help that. I thought him rather pleasant." + +"How strange that Reg should recognise this lady." + +"And Mr. Philamore knows her too. He said her name was Marjorie +Williamson." + +"Marjorie Williamson! Why, that is the girl he told me about. She was +one of Wyck's victims," said May, in surprise. + +"They're coming back," said Hil, as the gentlemen entered the box. + +"Too bad of us to go and leave you," observed Philamore, with a smile. + +"Oh, we don't mind." + +"Did you know Miss Williamson in London?" asked Hil of him. + +"Slightly. As much as one knows the leading stars," he replied. + +"Was she a star there?" + +"Yes, she was rather successful, but I believe she got into some trouble +and had to retire, contrary to the general rule, for it usually adds to +their celebrity." + +"What trouble?" asked May, curiously. + +"That's more than I can tell. You see we never notice these things in +England, they are every-day occurrences. I don't think I should have +recognised her but for her voice," answered Philamore, indifferently. + +"Where did you meet your friend, Mr. Goodchild?" asked Reg, when they +stood outside the box. + +"At the hotel. He only arrived from England a few days ago. He seems a +very pleasant young fellow and is well connected at home, knows the +Governor, and moves in good society." + +"I don't care about him," said Hal. "I have taken an unreasonable +dislike to him. I have a certain repellent feeling when he speaks to +me." + +"It's strange he should know Marjorie Williamson, too," said Reg. + +"Oh, I suppose everybody about town, who sees an actress on the stage, +thinks himself entitled to claim acquaintance with her." + +"Yes, I suppose so. I must call on her. I wonder where she is staying." + +"No idea, but we can soon find out," and walking to one of the +attendants, came back and said: "Petty's Hotel." + +"Why that's close to the "Grosvenor." We will call to-morrow. I shall be +awfully glad to see her again." + +"And she'll be glad to see you, old chap, I should think." + +At the close of the performance, the boys saw the girls to their +carriage and, promising to call on the following day, bade Goody and his +friend good-night, and walked to their hotel. + +The boys strolled along in silence, and each guessed that the same thing +occupied their thoughts. At last, Hal said: + +"Look here, Reg, ever since I had that dream in which I saw Wyck and +Dick laughing over our failure, I cannot forgive myself for not stopping +at Toowoomba, and seeing Bill Adams, and making sure that Wyck is dead, +for we have only old Brown's word for it, and he is the kind of fellow +that would do anything for money. How do we know his death was not a +put-up job?" + +"Quite right, Hal, I think we ought to settle that point at once. If +Wyck is dead, his clothes will still be at Toowoomba; if he is alive, +he will have called for his stick, and we must find him." + +"The express leaves at eight to-morrow morning. You can make an excuse +for me to the girls, but let's keep the business to ourselves until it +is settled," said Hal. + +"You'll wire if you hear anything?" + +"Of course. I don't think I shall, but at any rate we'll settle the +question, and have done with it." + +The next morning Hal left for Toowoomba, and at mid-day Reg called at +Petty's Hotel, and sent in his card to Mrs. Montague. He was at once +shown in and met with a hearty reception. + +"Mr. Morris," said she, "you see I have fulfilled my promise." + +"Yes, and I don't know of anything which has delighted me more. I was +there last night, and never enjoyed a play more." + +"I saw you. You were in a box with two ladies and two gentlemen." + +"Yes, they were my friends." + +Here a gentleman entered the room, and to Reg's surprise Marjorie ran to +him and said: + +"Arthur, this is Mr. Morris." + +"Morris!" said he. "What! the real Morris? My dear sir, I am delighted +to see you." + +"That's my husband," said she, in answer to his look of enquiry, then +added in a sad voice, "poor old Jones died a month before my leaving, he +sent a short message to you,--it was: 'Tell Mr. Morris that he made me +happy.' Poor old chap!" + +"I am heartily glad to see that Mrs. Montague took my advice. It would +have been a thousand pities had she buried her talent because of a +scoundrel." + +"Have you came across him yet, Mr. Morris?" + +"No, not yet," said Reg, slowly, "for months I have been on his tracks, +and the other day he was reported to be drowned, but I can hardly +believe it, so my friend has gone off to find out the truth." + +"Who was that red-haired gentleman in your box?" + +"His name is Philamore, he knows you." + +"Philamore? I don't remember the name, but there was something in his +face which seemed familiar." + +"Fancy, my dear, only fancy," said Mr. Montague. "But you, Mr. Morris, +you will join us at lunch. I want to drink your health, for it is to you +I owe my meeting with my wife." + +Reg was persuaded to stay, but he did so reluctantly, as he had half +promised to lunch at Blue Gums. + +"Will you let me introduce my lady friends to you?" he asked. + +"I should be most happy to meet any friends of yours," she answered, +smiling. + +"You'll find them true Australian girls, and I venture to say you will +be good friends." + +"Well, I shall be at home all this afternoon." + +"If I can, then, I'll bring them to you," said Reg, taking his leave, +and setting out at once for Blue Gums. His arrival alone caused some +enquiries. + +"Where's Mr. Winter?" asked Hil. + +"He's gone to Toowoomba." + +"Toowoomba! What for?" + +"Well, to tell the truth, we are not satisfied that Wyck is really dead, +and Hal has gone to enquire at the hotel he stopped at and interview +Bill Adams; but mind, to anyone else, he has gone to Albury for a couple +of days." + +"I see," said Hil. + +"Do you know," asked May, "that Mr. Philamore has lately been in +Queensland?" + +"No. Is that so?" + +"Well he started telling us a story about camp-life, and suddenly +stopped and, though we both tried to persuade him to continue, he would +not." + +"And what do you make of that?" + +"Nothing, except it seemed curious, considering he has only just come +out from England." + +"I have just left Mrs. Montague. Will you ladies go and call on her? She +expressed a wish to make your acquaintance." + +"When?" + +"Well, she's at home this afternoon." + +"We'd go if we only had an escort." + +"Won't I do, Miss Goodchild?" + +"If you will honour us," she said, with a mock curtsey. + +"And we will both go and put on our brand-new dresses in honour of the +occasion," said Hil, following May from the room. + +Reg sat down and fell into a brown study. His lost Amy held the first +place in his thoughts, but unconsciously of late he had found the form +of May Goodchild, not usurping the image of his dead love, but appearing +as it were by her side. He did not know whether to take himself to task +for want of loyalty, but in the midst of his cogitations he was +interrupted by the return of the ladies, costumed in the latest fashion. + +"Understand," said Hil, as they walked out to the carriage, "You are to +be our chaperon, and keep us in order." + +"Trust me, I'll sing out if I see any lapse," he answered, laughing. + +Mrs. Montague and the girls became fast friends from the outset, and +when Reg and her husband left for a smoke they became quite +confidential. She told them all her experiences and how Reg had come to +her rescue. + +"You see, here I am with a husband who worships me; a successful career; +my sisters at school and well cared-for, and wherever I go I am so well +received; and all this I owe to Mr. Morris." + +"Yes, he is a fine fellow, and had it not been for him I should not have +been here to-day," said May, telling her tale of rescue by the boys. + +The girls enjoyed their visit, and had extracted from Mrs. Montague a +promise to make Blue Gums her home for the remainder of her stay. As +the carriage was taking them down Pitt Street, Reg started in surprise +as his eye caught sight of a man crossing the street. + +"Joe Brown!" he cried. "That's him for a certainty, in spite of his +store clothes. If you'll excuse me I'll follow him. I'll keep you +informed," he added, as the carriage was stopped, and he raised his hat. + +Hastily hurrying in the direction taken by Joe Brown, Reg soon caught +sight of him again. He shadowed him to Market Street, where he entered +one of those cheap restaurants, at which one can get a bed or a +three-course meal for sixpence. Reg sauntered about for fully an hour +before he re-appeared. At last his patience was rewarded. Brown +appeared, and walked in the direction of George Street, and halted at +the corner of a cross-street, and waited as if expecting someone. +Presently a hansom pulled up and Joe stepped in and sat down by the side +of another man, and the cab drove rapidly away. + +"The plot thickens," said Reg to himself. "Now, what the devil has he to +do with Joe?" and he called a cab and had himself driven to Blue Gums. + +"Well, did you see him?" asked Hil, eagerly. + +"Yes, and who do you think picked him up in a cab?" + +"Mr. Philamore?" + +"Yes, but how did you guess that?" said Reg, in surprise. + +"I'll tell you what it is. I fancy that red-headed gentleman either +knows something, or is not exactly what he professes to be." + +"We'll wait until we hear from Hal, before doing anything further," said +Reg. + +"Yes, it would be just as well. But you will stay for dinner, as Mr. +Goodchild and some Tasmanian friends are coming to-night." + +Reg did not refuse, needless to say. On his return to his hotel he found +two telegrams and a letter waiting for him. Opening one of the +telegrams, he read: + + "Toowoomba. Wyck called here day before flood. Left for + Sydney.--Hal." + +The other read: + + "Albany, W.A. Self and wife arrive Adelaide Monday. Wire + address.--Whyte." + +The letter contained a cheque for L150, with the photo of Mr. and Mrs. +Montague enclosed, on the back of which was written:--"May God bless and +prosper Reginald Morris is the earnest prayer of the originals!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + +FOILED. + + +Reg passed a restless night, turned himself out of bed early, and went +for a stroll in the Domain before breakfast. He was ill at ease and full +of self-reproach, for it seemed to him he had neglected his oath. He had +given himself up to the pleasure of the hour, while Wyck was still at +large. He blamed himself for believing rumours and not satisfying +himself of their truth, and altogether worked himself into a miserable +frame of mind. + +After a hasty breakfast, he hurried round to the "Grosvenor," and asked +for Goody, and shewed him the telegram. + +"That's funny, very funny," said Goody. + +"Is that friend of yours here still?" asked Reg. + +"No, he has gone to stay at Government House for a few days. He shewed +me a most pressing invitation." + +"When was this, Mr. Goodchild?" + +"Last night. He told me he knew a lot of the Governor's friends, and +that the Governor had asked him almost as a favour to go, as he +complained of being bored." + +"Did he tell you this?" + +"Yes, he seemed to sympathise with his friend." + +"Poor devils, how badly we treat them," said Reg, with mock +commiseration. + +"Now I don't agree with you there, Mr. Morris. I think we treat the +Governors right royally;" said Goody, mistaking his tone. + +"You try to do so in your straightforward, honest way, and such are the +thanks you get for it. But good-bye for the present, I have some work to +do." + +Reg hurried away to Blue Gums where he produced the telegram, which the +girls read with surprise. All agreed that nothing could be done until +Hal returned. + +"You'll keep your appointment with Mrs. Montague," said Reg, rising to +go: "but you must excuse me. I want to look round." + +"After Philamore?" asked Hil. + +"He's staying at Government House." + +"What!" + +"So your father told me this morning." + +"Then he can't be Wyck," said Hil, emphatically. + +Meeting Hal on the arrival of his train, they drove together to their +hotel, to take up the thread of their abandoned plans. Hal told his +story: + +"On my arrival, I went to the 'Royal' and saw Bill, who, of course, said +he knew nothing; but when I threatened to arrest him on a warrant he +changed his tone. He told me Wyck had called for his things on the day +before the flood, and then started for Sydney. Bill said he had +complained about the loss of a black stick, of which he knew nothing. I +wired to you, and caught the next train back." + +"I expect Mr. and Mrs. Whyte. 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, I can't say he does not deserve it," she added, stopped from +further remark by Reg's determined face. + +"Well, it is understood that we all meet this afternoon at Government +House," said Hal. "We will now adjourn the meeting." + +Hil and May had already refused the invitations to the party, but a +private note despatched to the Secretary had the desired effect, as that +gentleman held a very high opinion of Hil and her fortune. + +Government House is a palatial residence, and situated in the midst of +lovely gardens. It was the height of the season, and a large number of +people were assembled in the grounds, including a good proportion of +mammas, each with a bevy of daughters. At the appointed time Hil's +carriage drove into the grounds, followed by a cab, and the occupants of +both were set down to be presented to His Excellency, who stood with a +forced, dignified smile on his face, and bowed to each visitor with the +accurate regularity of a machine. Close observers only would notice that +the smile was supercilious and the bow perfunctory. Both the girls and +boys, as a matter of form, passed before him and then wandered together +round the grounds. They did not wander far before they came across the +bishop's son, who was paying elaborate attention to the daughter of a +squatter who could count his sheep by millions. With ill-concealed +satisfaction, her fond mother watched her daughter's flirtation with one +of England's nobility, as she supposed him to be. Further on, they met +their man, evidently in the full swing of enjoyment. He was talking to a +young English lady with whom he was seated under a spreading eucalyptus, +and satirising colonial manners. The lady herself was on the look-out +for a colonial millionaire and often sighed to herself over the +disagreeable necessity that the millions could not be obtained without +the millionaire. + +Seats had been placed on both sides of the tree, and Philamore and his +companion were quite unaware that the seat at their back was occupied, +until the former was startled by hearing a familiar voice say: + +"It's Wyck for a certainty. We shall have to waylay him." + +"It's a matter of time, Mr. Morris. Do not distress yourself so much. +We'll catch him before long." + +Peering round, he saw May and Reg were the speakers, and a longing to +get out of the way seized him. He took the earliest opportunity of +excusing himself and calling a cab drove rapidly into the town, to the +same restaurant into which Reg had seen Joe disappear. He sent a boy in +to ask for Mr. Brown. + +"Come and get up," he called out as Brown appeared. "You must get ready +at once, Brown, and do it to-night, for I am off by the express. They +have found me out. But, mind, no murder." + +"Oh, no, just bruise and lame 'em a bit, eh!" + +"Exactly, and don't let them catch sight of your face if you can help +it." + +"I understand, boss." + +"Now you can get out. Here's a tenner to go on with and I'll send you +another when I hear the job is done." + +"All right, boss," said Brown, as he got down. + +"Address George Thompson, P.O., Melbourne," shouted Philamore to him. + +"Ay, ay. Good-night." + +Philamore drove to the Imperial Hotel, and wrote a note to His +Excellency, saying he had been called away to Brisbane on important +business and promising to call on his return. The remainder of the time +left to him he devoted to preparations, and when the Melbourne train +left Sydney it carried an elderly man with grey hair. + +Both the boys and the girls left the garden-party early, and on the +return of the former to their hotel, they found that a young woman had +been enquiring for Mr. Morris and had promised to call again. While they +were speculating as to whom this new visitor could be the lady herself +appeared. She had a sad tale to tell. She had been employed as barmaid +at a hotel, and had met Wyck and fallen in love with him, and after +arranging to be married, he had thrown her over. + +"But why do you come to us?" asked Reg. + +"I heard you were after him for a similar thing," she said, bursting +into tears. + +"And where did you hear that?" said Hal. + +"Well, my friend the housemaid at the 'Metropole' heard you talking +about Wyck, and she told me." + +"What do you want us to do." + +"I don't know, sir, but I thought you would like to know that he has +made an appointment with another girl in the 'Domain' at eight +to-night." + +"Where's he to meet her?" + +"I'll show you, sir." + +"Look here, my girl," said the astute Hal, "you are not telling me the +truth." + +"What do you mean, sir?" she asked, indignantly. + +"Do you mind pulling the bell, Reg?" + +"What for, Hal?" + +"To send the waiter for a policeman. He will investigate this lady's +statement." + +"Oh, don't do that, sir." + +"Will you tell us who sent you here then?" said Hal. + +"You'll not touch me if I do." + +"Not if you tell the truth." + +"Well, there were going to be several men behind the bushes, where I was +to take you, and they were going to thrash you." + +"Who sent you here?" + +"Mr. Brown gave me ten shillings to come." + +"If you take my advice, you won't have anything more to do with Mr. +Brown. Now you can go," and Hal dismissed her. + +"A very clumsy plot indeed, Mr. Wyckliffe, very clumsy! You must be +losing your wit," said Hal, smiling. + +The next morning, Reg amused himself by reading the sarcastic account in +the _Bulletin_, of the doings at Government House, which were served up +in the spicy style of that journal, and to his astonishment the account +wound up with the astounding statement that Mr. Philamore had left for +Brisbane. + +As Hal read the paragraph aloud, he looked at Reg whose face seemed to +contract with rage, he caught Hal's glance, and then both turned away in +silence to engage in their own thoughts. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + +PREPARATIONS. + + +When Wyck, or Fred Philamore, left Sydney, he did so without leaving a +trace behind him, for Joe Brown had returned to Queensland, after +sending a detailed account of how the boys had been caught, and had +received a tremendous thrashing. Wyck was overjoyed, and had sent him +his other tenner. Now his intention was to get to England without delay, +but as no boat was starting for a week, and feeling secure in his +disguise, he gave himself up to enjoyment in Melbourne, and, becoming +bolder every day, allowed the boat to start without him. The boys had +visited Adelaide and Melbourne, and scoured the county, but could find +no trace of the fugitive, and as Mr. and Mrs. Whyte had now arrived, +they had gone to Tasmania with them and the girls for a short stay at +Goodchilds'. They had only been there two days when Hal received the +following telegram: + + "Melbourne, Come over. Quick.--Terence O'Flynn." + +They at once started for Melbourne, where Terence met them and gave them +an account of his proceedings. + +"You see, gents, ever since I last saw you I have been keeping a sharp +look-out on both Dick and the 'Gaiety,' but I never see any one at all +like our man. On Tuesday I was on my cab as usual and Dick was in the +same rank, when I see an elderly gent, clean-shaved, and with rather +grey hair, wearing a bell-topper--a regular howling toff he +looked--stroll along the rank, 'Cab, sir,' says I, but he shook his head +and walked on. Seemed as if he was in thought, for when he came to the +end of the street he came back again, and beckoning to Dick, got in his +cab, and drove off. I didn't take much notice of that, but I did notice +that Dick didn't come back until nearly twelve, and when he did he +seemed pleased with hisself. Next day morning I was passing the +'Gaiety,' when I'm blowed if I didn't see Dick's cab a-waiting outside, +so I drives down a lane a bit and watches, and sure that elderly gent +comes out again with one of the young ladies, and drives away. When Dick +comes back to the stand that night, I says to him--'Got another soft +line, Dick'--'Yes,' he says, 'but he's going away soon!' Well, I tried +all I knew, but Dick he was fly, and as this chap seemed to carry on +just like Wyck, I thought it would do no harm to send for you." + +"He's got grey hair you say, Terence?" asked Hal. + +"Yes, but he don't look old, and I know he's a toff, too." + +"It's worth risking, Reg. Let's make all preparations in case it is, for +we do not intend to let him slip again." + +"What shall we do first?" + +"We want a furnished house, Terence." + +"Sure you can get hundreds of 'em, sir." + +"Do you know of one close handy?" + +"I saw one in Nicholson Street only yesterday, for I drove a gent to +look at it, but he said the rent was too much." + +"How much was it, Terence?" + +"Two pounds ten a week." + +"Let's go and have a look at it." + +Calling a cab they drove up Collins Street to Nicholson Street, and +half-an-hour later they had the receipt for two weeks' rent of an +eight-roomed house. + +"The next thing for you to do, Terence, is to swell up a bit," said Hal. + +"What do you mean--put my Sunday togs on?" + +"Yes, that's the idea. How long will it take you?" + +"About an hour, sir." + +"Then go and do it, and meet me at 'Menzie's,' in an hour's time. Here's +a sovereign to go on with." + +The boys then drove to "Menzie's," engaged a room and locked themselves +in. + +"The only way we can satisfy ourselves as to his identity is by means of +that stick." + +"The stick! How are you going to do it? I cannot part with it on any +account," said Reg, grasping it firmly, as if in fear that it would +vanish altogether; he had had it made so that it could be put together +in one, or taken apart. + +"My idea is to send Terence to the 'Gaiety' at a time when this man is +there, and carry the stick openly in his hand." + +"What then?" + +"Why, if he really is Wyck, he is almost certain to shew some interest +in the stick." + +"Yes?" + +"Well, that will put Terence on his guard, and he can tell him some yarn +about it, and make an appointment with him at our house." + +"What then?" + +"Then you can make use of your die, my boy." + +"It's a glorious idea, but I don't like parting with the stick. Having +it by me is a great source of satisfaction to me." + +"We can trust Terence. He's no fool, and knows well enough what success +will mean to him." + +"How about the doctor?" + +"I wired young Aveling to come over with Goody and the girls. The boat's +due at mid-day to-morrow. Come on down now, Terence ought to be here." + +"Then I am to bring the stick with me?" + +"Yes, certainly, old chap. It's our only chance." + +They found Terence below, rigged out in his Sunday best, and looking +very smart. The stick was handed to him, with full instructions how to +act, and what to say, should the gentleman recognise the stick. + +"You can depend on me, gentlemen," said Terence. + +"Be off now, Terence, and don't drink anything strong. Stick to light +stuff, and report to us directly you have seen him." + +"Right you are, your honour, and be jabers, if he's the man, we'll see +him at 345, Nicholson Street," said Terence as he left. + +About nine o'clock Terence called at their hotel, in a very excited +state, and quite out of breath. + +"It's Wyck, it's Wyck," he said, sinking down on a chair and wiping his +forehead. They gave him time to recover his breath, and then he told +them his story. + +"When I left your honour," he said, "I went to the 'Gaiety,' but he was +not there, so I waited on the other side of the road, as I didn't want +Dick to see me togged up. Just about seven, I see Dick's cab drive up, +and out jumps the old gentleman. When Dick had driven off again, I +followed him into the saloon. There he was, larking with Miss Harris, +but I took no notice of him at all. 'A glass of lager,' says I, +throwing down a sovereign carelessly, like as if I was a toff, and as I +counted the change I put the stick on the counter. The old gent he gives +a start directly he sees it, and he looks quite hard at me, but I took +no notice and called for a smoke. Well, I lights up, says good-night, +and was just off, when he calls out--'Have another drink with me?' + +"'I don't mind,' says I. + +"'That's a curious sort of stick,' says he, pointing to it. + +"'Yes,' says I. + +"'Had it long,' says he. + +"'Some months now,' says I. + +"'What's them notches on it for?' says he. + +"'I don't know. It don't belong to me.' + +"'Whose is it then?' asks he, getting interested. + +"'Oh,' says I, 'there's quite a history belonging to that stick.' + +"'What sort of a history?' + +"'Well,' says I, 'it's like this. My sister, she was staying at +Toowoomba up Queeensland way; she's the sister of the landlady at the +'Royal.' Well, one day a new chum named Wyckliffe came there to stop. +She told me he seemed a decent sort, but he left early for out West the +next morning, and he never came back, poor fellow! for he was +drowned--so the papers say. Any rate, he left some old clothes at the +'Royal,' and this stick was found amongst them, and she keeps it, for +she said he was such a nice fellow.' + +"'But it's yours now,' says he. + +"'No such luck,' says I. 'She don't know I have it out, else there'd be +a row.' + +"'I'll tell you what I'll do,' he says, 'I knew the chap as owned this +stick, and I'll give you ten bob for it.' + +"'You won't,' says I, 'nor ten pound neither.' + +"'Why?' says he, surprised. + +"'I'm living in her house,' says I, 'and if she knew I was taking +liberties with her goods I'd get the run.' + +"'Would she sell it?' he asks. + +"'There'd be no harm in asking her,' I says, 'if it's worth anything to +you.' + +"'It is for old acquaintance sake. Where does she live?' + +"'At 345 Nicholson Street,' says I. + +"'What time is best to see her?' says he. + +"'About four in the afternoon.' + +"'Tell your sister I'll call at four to-morrow,' says he. + +"We had another drink and he wished me good afternoon, and I ran all the +way down here," said Terence, evidently immensely pleased with himself. + +"You have done well, Terence," said Hal, and Reg shook him warmly by the +hand. + +"Look here, Terence, we shall want a lady to take the part of your +sister to-morrow and receive him. Do you know of a respectable girl who +would do it?" + +"Well, that all depends. What would she have to do?" + +"Nothing more than to receive him." + +"Well, I think I know of a lady that will suit. She _is_ my sister. She +is a nurse, but is not doing anything now." + +"A nurse. That's the very person we want," said Hal, quite pleased at +the way things were going. + +"She'll come, I suppose, Terence?" asked Reg. + +"Yes, sir. She'll do anything I tell her," answered Terence, proudly. + +"Then you can tell your sister to call at the house at ten to-morrow, +and we'll meet you there to arrange matters," said Hal. + +"Right you are, your honours. I reckon he won't get away this time," +said Terence, leaving them together. + +The following morning the boys took possession of their house and +planned out details. Terence duly brought his sister, who, they were +surprised to find, was an extremely good-looking Irish girl, quite ready +to do all she was told, without asking any questions. + +Hal drilled her instructions into her thoroughly, and then they both set +out for the wharf, and met the _Pateena_, which arrived with all their +friends on board, including Dr. Aveling, a friend of Goodchild's. + +Hil was briefly informed of all that had been done, and the boys hurried +back to Nicholson Street, taking the doctor with them. + +"Now, doctor," said Reg, "just look at this die and see if it is fit for +the job." + +"Yes, it will do very well," he replied, examining the edges. + +"We want you to have all your tools ready, for though Reg will do the +deed, you will see that the wounds are properly dressed, won't you?" + +"Certainly, I have brought all that is necessary, and, provided you are +sure of your man, I am ready to help you." + +"Rest assured we won't brand the wrong man," said Hal, who was as cool +as a cucumber. + +"There's a cab pulling up at the door," said Reg, excitedly. He had +scarcely spoken when there was a loud knock at the door. + +Miss O'Flynn opened the door, and the visitor entered. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX. + +EAR-MARKED. + + +The room into which the gentleman was shewn was in the centre of the +house, and was furnished as a sitting-room. Miss O'Flynn followed him in +and closed the door, which was immediately locked on the outside. A +second door which led into another apartment, was screened by a heavy +curtain. The door it hid was kept ajar, so that the people interested, +who were waiting in the room, could hear all that passed. The first +thing that caught the visitor's eye was the notched stick lying on the +table, which he eagerly picked up. + +"Ah, here we are, miss. Yes, this is the very stick," he said, as he +examined it carefully. + +"The poor fellow who owned it was drowned, I believe," said Miss +O'Flynn. + +"I want this stick as a memento of him," answered the gentleman, +sweetly. + +"But I can't part with it on any account." + +"I'll give you five pounds for it, though it is not worth a penny." + +"No, sir, I cannot sell it. My brother knew that." + +"Where is your brother?" + +"He's in the town." + +"And are you all alone in this large house?" asked he, with an +insinuating smile. + +"Yes, why?" + +"Oh, nothing. But really, miss, you must let me have this stick. You +must. You must, I say you must," and he came close to her and stared her +straight in the face. + +"Ah, you will then. I can have it," said he, picking up his hat and the +stick. "Now, good-bye." + +"Miss O'Flynn, will you leave the room?" said a voice behind him that +made him start round as he was making his way to the door. + +He paused thunderstruck, as his eyes rested on Reg's pale face with its +look of fierce determination. + +"Villiers Wyckliffe we meet at last." + +The silence in the room was profound, broken only by the fall of Wyck's +hat on the floor, as his trembling fingers lost their power of grasp. + +"Morris!" he gasped. + +"Yes, I am Reg Morris." + +At this announcement Wyck's first idea was flight, and he made for the +door. + +"Don't trouble yourself, the door is locked. There is no escape for you +now," said Reg, sternly. + +Wyck watched his adversary for a moment. Then he came forward, smiling, +and said, "My dear Morris, I was most sorry to hear of your trouble. +Believe me, I beg your pardon, sincerely, for any wrong I did you." + +"Stand aside, you scoundrel. You killed the girl I had loved for years. +You made it your sport to break our hearts. Your chosen device is a +broken heart. See I have provided you with an excellent reproduction of +it, and, in order that you may carry it with you wherever you go, that +it may always be in evidence, I am going to brand your charming device +on both your ears." + +The relentless, menacing tone chilled him and sapped his self-control. +At heart Wyck was a coward, but he was a calculating villain as well. +His lips quivered and his face paled. His voice shook as he whined: + +"Mercy, Morris. Mercy! I'll forfeit anything, I'll do anything you like, +to make amends. I never meant--" + +"But I do mean it, you grovelling coward. And if you take my advice +you'll submit, for it has to be done." + +Again the cold, cruel tone made him shiver, but the bully in Wyck's +nature reasserted itself as he shouted: + +"You won't. You won't, for I'll shoot you, you hound," and he levelled a +revolver he had taken from his pocket at Reg's head. + +Reg laughed a hard, unnatural laugh, as he sprang forward and, knocking +his arm up, planted a blow well between his eyes. The bullet lodged +harmlessly in the ceiling and Wyck lay in a heap on the floor. + +"Come, doctor," cried Reg, as between them they hauled the struggling +man to a sofa. Reg smothered his cries, and a few minutes later he was +under chloroform. Reg's stern determination acted like a spell on his +assistants and swiftly all the accessories for the operation were +brought. A small block was placed under each ear; Reg firmly held the +die upon the piece of flesh, and with a single blow from a mallet calmly +branded the device on each ear. Then he handed his victim over to the +doctor to dress the wounds and, giving a deep sigh, sank into a chair, +and buried his face in his hands. A wave of relief that his task was +accomplished, that his oath was fulfilled, passed over him. Pity for his +victim he had none, only satisfaction that an act of stern, pitiless +justice had been done. When the doctor had finished his bandaging Reg +straightened himself. + +"We'd better keep him a week here to give the wounds a chance to heal," +said Hal. + +"Yes, it would be as well to do so," said the doctor. "When the bleeding +stops I will dress them so that they heal quickly." + +"I wonder what he'll do now," said Reg. + +"Probably give us in charge," laughed Hal. + +"Let him do so, I'm agreeable. At any rate we will stop in Melbourne to +give him a chance." + +Terence and his sister were left in charge with full instructions, and +the boys left for their hotel, where they found all their friends +awaiting them. + +"Father, I've kept my word," said Reg, taking Whyte's hand. + +"Amen," said the old man. + +"Kiss me," said Mrs. Whyte, coming to him with tears in her eyes. + +"And shake hands with us," said Hil and May. + +Goody also came forward and gave him a hearty hand-clasp. + +"I thank you all," said Reg, much affected. "But here is the man to whom +the success is due. He offered his services to me, a complete stranger, +and all these months he has been my constant companion. Hal, old boy, +give me your hand." + +"I only helped a friend in need," answered Hal. + +"As any Australian would do," said the doctor. + +The girls and Goody took to the Whytes at once. Goody and old Whyte had +many opinions and pursuits in common, while the girls openly called Mrs. +Whyte, mother. Amy's death had left its mark on both the old people, and +the Mia-Mia had become intolerable to them, so that when an opportunity +occurred of selling it they accepted it eagerly. Whyte had had enough of +England. It held only one small spot sacred and dear to him, which was +Amy's grave. + +That evening Reg was seized with a fit of melancholy. Now that his +revenge was accomplished the inevitable reaction had come. In spite of +his conviction that he had done his duty, still his conscience pricked +him for wilfully maiming a fellow-creature. He had separated himself +from the others and was brooding sadly in the twilight when he was +roused by the touch of a small hand being laid on his. + +"Don't fret, Mr. Morris," said May, in her gentle, sympathetic way. +"Think how you have saved others now from the fate you saved me from." + +"You make too much of it, Miss Goodchild." + +"No, I can never do that," she answered, simply. + +"Ah, here you are. We've been looking for you everywhere," called out +Mrs. Whyte, coming upon them. + +"I've been trying to console Mr. Morris, mother," said May. + +"And she has succeeded, for now I am quite over it," said Reg, lightly. + +"Mr. Winter suggested going to the theatre to see that friend of yours." + +"That's a splendid idea. We'll go." + +They were fortunate enough to get a box, and gave themselves up to an +evening's enjoyment. Between the acts Hal and Reg sent their names round +to Mrs. Montague, and were immediately received. + +"Shake hands, Mrs. Montague," said Reg. + +"He's branded," said Hal. + +"Who, Wyck?" asked the lady, surprised, and both nodded an assent. + +"Well, he has deserved his fate," she said, with a little sigh. "And now +you will let him go." The completion of the revenge awed her. + +"Will you and Mr. Montague join us at our hotel this evening?" asked +Hal. + +"Where are you staying?" + +"At 'Menzie's.'" + +"Why, I am there, too. Certainly we will, with pleasure. But there is my +call. Good-bye till then." + +Later on, the doctor returned and gave a favourable report of his +patient. He said Terence had had a good deal of trouble to keep him +quiet. But though he was sullen and restless no serious consequences had +arisen, and he could be removed in two days' time. + +They had a gay supper-party that night, and two days later a cab was +sent to 345, Nicholson Street, and Wyck, with his head bandaged, was +released to go whithersoever he would. + +"Where to?" asked the cabby. + +"To Dr. Moloney's," said he, having heard of that gentleman's name. + +"I want you to examine my ears," he said, when he found himself in the +doctor's consulting room. + +"What's the matter?" replied the doctor, removing the bandages. "Phew +"--he whistled, when he saw the damage. + +"What is it, doctor?" + +"You're branded for life. Who did it?" and the doctor passed him a +hand-mirror to see for himself. + +The sight that met Wyck's eyes nearly made him faint with rage and +terror. + +"Who did it?" asked the doctor, again. + +Then Wyck told him the story, at least his own version of it, and in +such a manner that the doctor's indignation was at once aroused. + +"Come down to the Police Station and I will go with you. It's horrible +that such a thing should be allowed. You must punish these ruffians." + +The doctor drove him to the nearest Police Station and shewed the +branding to the Inspector, who was thunderstruck at the sight and would +scarcely believe the details told him by Wyck. + +"Will you issue warrants?" asked the doctor. + +"No, we can't do that. You must charge them with inflicting grievous +bodily harm and we must issue an information." + +"Where are these men now?" + +"I have no idea. They kept me prisoner for three days and I daresay are +far away by this time," answered Wyck. + +The Inspector took down full particulars, to be forwarded to the +detective department with instructions to wire details all over the +Colonies without delay. + +The Melbourne Press is as enterprising as that of other cities, and +scarcely an hour had gone by since Wyck laid the information, when the +news-boys were shouting, "Terrible assault on a gentleman. Ear-marked on +both ears." The boys bought both the _Herald_ and the _Standard_, and +read the following paragraph: + + ASSAULT ON A GENTLEMAN. + + At a quarter to five this evening a gentleman named Villiers + Wyckliffe, accompanied by Dr. Moloney, called at the police-station + and reported himself as being the victim of a terrible assault by + which he will be marked for life. It appears from particulars to + hand, which are very meagre, that two men named Morris and Winter + have followed him for some months in order to be revenged for some + fancied wrong. They decoyed him into a house and committed the + assault complained of. We learn that information has been sworn, + and the matter is in the hands of the detectives. + +"Shall we call for the warrants, Hal?" asked Reg, playfully. + +"No; let's give the detectives a chance." + +At dinner they discussed their probable arrest, but no detectives +appeared, so quite unconcerned they went off to a theatre with their +friends. + +The following morning both the _Age_ and the _Argus_ had each long +columns referring to the assault. Both had interviewed Wyck, and that +gentleman had glorified himself and posed as the martyr of a horrible +conspiracy. The affair became the sensation of the day. Telegrams were +sent the length and breadth of the Colonies; ships' passenger-lists were +examined, and no trace of the fugitives from justice--so the papers +called them--could be discovered. On the next afternoon, the boys called +on the Inspector, sent up their cards and coolly asked for the warrants. +The Inspector's face was a study when he was told where they had been +staying. They were then formally served with the informations. + +Each newspaper vied with the other in giving their readers as many +particulars, real or imagined, as possible and the boys were besieged +with reporters. The public were informed that the charge was not denied, +and that the accused considered their action fully justified. Details +were given of the curious type of ear-mark, which was stated to be Mr. +Wyckliffe's device. The Sydney correspondent telegraphed the surprise +felt in the highest circles, and the indignation expressed at the +dastardly act, as Mr. Wyckliffe was well-known there. The Brisbane +correspondent sent all that could be gleaned from their Dalby and +Toowoomba agents, and the romance and the excitement grew in equal +proportions. Later editions reported that the eminent Q.C., Mr. Qurves, +had been retained for the prosecution, and that Dr. Haddon had +undertaken the defence. + +Next day the case was called in a crowded court, but the defendants +asked for, and obtained, a remand of a week to allow witnesses to be +brought. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX. + +THE TRIAL. + + +At length, the day of the celebrated trial of Wyckliffe _v._ Morris and +Winter dawned. Never since the days of the trial of Ned Kelly had +popular excitement been so keen. The newspapers were full of the case. +It was the absorbing topic throughout the colonies, and the conjectures +as to the result were numerous. + +The Melbourne Law Courts are housed in a huge building, which cost +hundreds of thousands of pounds, and is acknowledged to be the largest +in the Colonies. But it was not in this palatial building that the great +case was tried, but as is usually the way in a dilapidated, stuffy, +little police-court, with dingy walls, bad ventilation, and greasy +seats. + +Long before the commencement of the trial, large crowds had gathered +round the doors, not one tenth of whom could have found seats in the +miserable building, that would scarcely hold two hundred people. The +boys had secured passes for their friends to the gallery. + +The bench was overcrowded with gentlemen who could tag J.P. on to their +names. This is usual when an exciting case, particularly a breach of +promise case, is on. At ordinary times great difficulty is experienced +in getting anyone to attend. + +When the Court was duly opened the Inspector read out the charge against +Reginald Morris and Allen Winter, for inflicting grievous bodily harm +and endangering the life of Villiers Wyckliffe. + +"How do you plead--Guilty or Not Guilty?" asked the Clerk of the Court. + +"Not Guilty," said Reg. + +"Not Guilty," said Hal. + +"I appear to prosecute, your worship," said Mr. Qurves, rising. + +"And I for the defendants," said Dr. Haddon. + +Wyck sat by his counsel's side. His head was wrapped in bandages and the +expression of his face was forlorn and miserable. The boys were +permitted to sit at their counsel's side and both appeared quite +contented and serene. + +The celebrated counsel, Mr. Qurves, noisily arranged his papers, rose +and opened the case in the blustering manner for which he was famous. + +"The case I have to present to your worship I think I may characterise +as unprecedented in the annals of Australian history. It is monstrous +that such a savage act of reprisal should have been conceived in the +midst of the enlightened civilisation of our day. It is typical of a +period of savagery and barbarism, and I venture to assert that even were +we living under such barbaric conditions, when human life was held +cheaply, an act so atrocious as this would not be allowed to go +unpunished. That the prisoners--" + +"I object to my clients being called prisoners," interposed Dr. Haddon. + +"I bow to my learned friend. I will say defendants--for that they will +be prisoners soon will be clearly demonstrated, so the objection hardly +matters. That the defendants are hardened to crime and wickedness their +callous manner makes apparent to all of us. To view with in-difference +the grave charge of disfiguring a man in such a manner that his life is +ruined stamps them at once as murderers in intent, if not in deed. I +shall have little difficulty in shewing your worship that the crime was +premeditated, and that the defendants were literally thirsting to avenge +themselves in this bloodthirsty manner. I shall shew the Court that the +defendant Morris set himself to avenge a wrong--or rather what his +warped imagination considered a wrong--and, coward that he was, thinking +that man to man would be an unequal match he sought an accomplice in the +man by his side. Both of them hounded my client down, tracked him over +the whole country--and what for, think you? For his blood--and yet both +have the presumption to sit there with smiling faces and to ask you to +believe they have done an heroic deed." + +Mr. Qurves was practised in the art of rousing his audience to +indignation, and he paused to let the full effect of his outburst sink +into the hearts of his hearers. + +"These are the outlines, your worship. I will now go into details. +Villiers Wyckliffe, my client, is the only son of the late Seymour +Wyckcliffe, the eminent banker, whose name is known throughout the +civilised world. On the death of his father, Mr. Wyckliffe, being +disinclined for a business life, converted the bank into a company and +retired. Now, given a young man of prepossessing appearance, of good +birth and standing, with ample means, does it not stand to reason that, +in a city like London, a young man of this description would have more +temptations thrown in his way than a more ordinary individual? +Furthermore, he was always a great favourite with the gentler sex, and +perhaps that fact alone was sufficient to rouse the ire of jealous +individuals, a fair specimen of whom we have before us in the defendant +Morris. Now, my client was introduced to a young lady at a ball, at the +lady's own request, and they sat out one dance together. The lady +proving to be very interested in him, and shewing a tendency to +monopolise his attention, time passed, so that instead of one dance +being missed, two were. The lady in question had merely remarked that as +she was engaged to her betrothed for the next dance, it did not matter +missing it. Also, in the course of the conversation, she mentioned, in a +manner that could not be misconstrued, that she would be walking on the +following day in the Park. Naturally, my client announced his intention +of being there too. They met, and for several days continued to meet, +just previous to the day the plaintiff had decided to start on his trip +to Australia. On his arrival here telegrams informed him that he was +being pursued. My client was surprised, but subsequently obtained the +information that the girl had fallen in love with him and broken off +with her betrothed, the defendant Morris. Now, I ask the Court if it is +surprising that a girl should do that? One has only to compare the two +men--even though you now see my client at a disadvantage--to perceive +how natural, how much a matter of common sense and how inevitable it was +that she should do so. Now, this commonplace matter was the cause of the +assault." + +We need not follow the learned counsel as he detailed the history of the +meeting with Winter, the pursuit from one colony to another, the theft +of the notched stick, and the ultimate capture of Wyck. With brutal +directness and sarcasm he laid bare a diabolical plot until the audience +was roused almost to a pitch of frenzy: but when he closed as follows +the frenzy became almost uncontrollable. + +"When these ruffians seized and drugged my client and gave play to their +barbarous instincts by maiming him for life, one is tempted to ask why +they did not further indulge their brutal propensities by roasting the +flesh they cut away. I am sorry to say that both these men are +Australians, and I ask again, can such things be tolerated in the +country of sunshine and gladness, of freedom and justice? In another +country we know Judge Lynch would preside at their trial. And we here +shall shew these two that such an atrocity will not be permitted here +solely because a girl has shewn one man that she can like him better +than another, with whom she has become entangled. I will now call Mr. +Wyckliffe." + +As Mr. Qurves sat down he was gratified to find his blustering eloquence +had had the result desired. Applause broke out in all corners of the +Court; in vain the criers shouted for order, but their voices were +drowned. "Let's lynch 'em," shouted some ardent spirits at the back. The +row only subsided when the magistrate gave orders for the Court to be +cleared. The boys looked quietly at each other, and held a whispered +consultation with their counsel, but they remained as calm and collected +as before, and the girls followed their example of quiet confidence. + +Wyck entered the box with an air of bravado, and gave full particulars +in support of his counsel's opening, in answer to the questions put to +him. When Mr. Qurves had finished, Dr. Haddon rose in a quiet way, +glanced slowly round the Court, and, turning to Wyck, asked: + +"You know, of course, you are on your oath?" + +"Certainly." + +"You were a member of the Detlij Club before you left London?" + +Wyck started in surprise, but answered, "I was." + +"One of the objects of the Club was to enable jilted men to avenge +themselves, I believe?" + +"I believe so." + +"They give a gold badge every year to the member who can boast of having +destroyed the happiness of the most ladies?" + +"Yes." + +"You were awarded that badge last year?" + +"I was." + +"This is your stick, I believe?" + +"It was, before it was stolen." + +"Did you cut those notches in it?" + +"No." + +"Who did?" + +"I don't know." + +"Will you swear that you did not produce this stick at the Detlij Club +and assert that each notch represented a broken heart?" + +"I did not." + +"Then what did you get the badge for?" + +"I don't know." This in a sulky tone. + +"Had you a friend of the name of Thomas Thomas?" + +"Yes." + +"You are aware he confessed everything to Morris?" + +"No!" excitedly. + +"Well then, I can tell you he did." + +"It's a lie." + +"Your crest was a broken heart, I believe?" + +"It was." + +"Why did you choose that?" + +"To please myself." + +"You know, of course, that you are branded with your own device?" + +"Yes." + +"Now, with reference to this stick; do you still swear that you never +produced it at the Detlij Club?" + +"I do." + +"Then what would you say if I brought forward a member of the Club to +prove it?" + +"That he's a liar." + +"I have nothing more to ask, your worship," said Dr. Haddon, resuming +his seat. + +Dick Burton and several minor witnesses were called to complete the case +for the prosecution, and the Court adjourned for luncheon. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI. + +THE VERDICT. + + +The Court was, if possible, more crowded than ever when the case was +resumed. The atmosphere was oppressive in the extreme, and the attention +of everyone was strained to the utmost when Dr. Haddon rose to open the +defence. + +"May it please your worship. This case has been described by my learned +friend as unprecedented in the annals of Australian history. I have no +doubt that such is the case, but I sincerely hope from this day onward +it may become a common occurrence." + +The effect of this opening was electrical and caused a sensation in the +Court. The Justices whispered portentously among themselves, in doubt +whether the counsel should not be pulled up short. + +"I repeat my words," continued the advocate. "I hope it will become a +common occurrence, and furthermore I venture to say that there is not an +Australian present in this building who will not agree with me when he +has heard the evidence. Now the plaintiff, Villiers Wyckliffe, has +informed us through his counsel that he lived the life of an English +gentleman. The only comment I make on that is to say that his class will +need all the help Heaven can give them, for I shall prove their +representative to be a villain of the deepest dye. He has acknowledged +his connection with the Detlij Club, an infamous institution which is +the expression of the depravity, the callousness, the cynicism, the +degradation of English Society. He acknowledged also that he was the +owner of this stick, and, in spite of his denial, I shall have little +difficulty in proving to the satisfaction of the Court that the notches +were placed there by his own hand, and that each notch represented was +airily described as a broken heart. When I mention to your worship that +the notches are fifty in number it will give some indication of the +plaintiffs character." + +Dr. Haddon had struck the right key-note, and everyone in Court hung +upon his words. The silence was profound, and each listener's eager +attention grew in intensity as he proceeded to detail the peculiar power +of fascination--snake-like, he called it--possessed by the plaintiff. +Without any assistance from turgid rhetoric, or indignant denunciation, +he depicted it in a manner so simple, yet so direct, that his audience +shivered in response. Then, with consummate art, he played upon their +sensibilities by picturing the simple homeliness of Amy Johnson's happy +family circle, on to the fervour of Reg's devotion, the complete +happiness of the young couple up to their disunion under the diabolical +arts of Wyckliffe. Gently, but still with a power that swayed them in +their own despite, he wrung their sympathies from them with a pathetic +recital of Amy's death, showed the blank in the happy home, and roused +them to a pitch of enthusiasm over his client's oath of vengeance. + +"I have witnesses from England," he continued, "who will speak to his +dastardly gallantries there. I have girls from all parts of +Australia"--here a constable whispered in his ear. "This constable tells +me, your worship, that he has some difficulty in keeping the witnesses +I have just alluded to under control. They have expressed a unanimous +wish to have an interview with the plaintiff." + +The suggestion of Wyckliffe being handed over to the tender mercies of +his Australian victims seemed to tickle the audience and a faint ripple +of laughter went round the crowded Court. Wyck, who had been growing +more and more fidgetty, here held an excited conversation with his +counsel, who rose and said: + +"Your worship, my client complains of feeling unwell. May we adjourn?" + +"I object to an adjournment," said Dr. Haddon, promptly. + +"Then my client instructs me to withdraw the case, as he does not wish +to carry the matter further." + +"What's that?" said the Chairman, in surprise. + +"Well, your worship, if you will allow me to explain," said Mr. Qurves, +in his impressive way, "I should like to say that I have never given up +a case with greater pleasure than I do this one, for I am an Australian +born and I consider the defendants acted like men, and I wish publicly +to apologise for anything I have said to their discredit. I consider +them an honour to our country." + +"Hear, hear. Hurrah!" burst from all sides. + +"Silence!" cried the crier, but he cried in vain. + +When silence was in some measure restored, the Chairman remarked: + +"If Mr. Wyckliffe wishes to withdraw from the prosecution there is +nothing left for the Bench but to dismiss the case. The defendants have +undoubtedly broken the law, which we are here to administer, but though +we are magistrates, our sympathy is for the Australians, and I cannot +help saying that I am glad that our duty demands from us nothing that +will prevent them from quitting the Court." + +Ringing cheers here broke out from all quarters, which no one wished to +check. Even members of the Bench were seen to join in the applause. The +Inspector, fearing Wyck might be roughly handled, got him away quietly +and sent him off in a cab to his hotel. + +Enthusiasm ran high, and the boys had considerable difficulty in leaving +the Court. At last they got safely into a cab, but even then the crowd +refused to leave them unmolested, and the horse was removed and they +were dragged in triumph to their hotel. + +That evening, the young Australians gave a big banquet at the Town Hall, +at which they were the honoured guests. Toasts and complimentary +speeches followed one another in rapid succession. Australians love +their country, but they love the honour of their women above all. + +Everywhere the boys were feted and made much of, and it was a relief to +them when they were able to accompany the girls and Mr. and Mrs. Whyte +to Tasmania for a lengthy stay at Goodchild's. Here they rested till Reg +had recovered his melancholy, till the memory of Wyck and his infamy had +become like an evil dream, and life seemed again to offer him a share in +its joys, and the future held out the prospect of many happy days to +come. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII. + +CONCLUSION. + + +The following is a cutting from the _Bulletin_: + + SEQUELS TO THE GREAT CASE OF WYCKLIFFE v. MORRIS AND WINTER. + + PHASE I.--Yesterday was a red letter day in Melbourne, for it + witnessed the double wedding of the heroes of the great case of + Wyckliffe v. Morris and Winter to two of the wealthiest and most + charming of Australian heiresses. Having successfully, and to the + admiration of their countrymen, vindicated the honour of Australia + on the person of its English traducer, Mr. Allen Winter and Mr. + Reginald Morris have now proceeded to demonstrate to Englishmen in + general, (and we may add to our own countrymen also), how possible + it is for an Australian heiress to ally herself with an Australian + husband. From to-day, Miss Hilda Mannahill, a daughter of whom + Australia is proud, reappears as Mrs. Allen Winter; and Miss May + Goodchild, the daughter of Mr. Goodchild, of Tasmania, reappears as + Mrs. Reginald Morris. A fashionable crowd packed Scott's Church, + where the ceremony was performed; and a larger and less + fashionable, but more enthusiastic, crowd lined the streets and + greeted both brides and bridegrooms with the heartiest cheers. With + one voice Australia wishes them health and happiness. + + PHASE II.--Have you ever seen a whipped hound trailing along with + its tail between its legs? How furtively it gazes out of the corner + of one eye. With what anxious trepidation it endeavours to hide + itself behind the flimsiest obstacles! What an air of dilapidation + and misery it bears! How piteously it whines if you deign to notice + it, as if it said, "It wasn't me, but the ugly bull-dog round the + corner!" Passengers by the s.s. _Paramatta_, which left Adelaide + yesterday, were reminded of the aptness of this simile to one of + their number, who was leaving for England. He was a young man, with + a pale, emaciated face, a hang-dog expression, and having both ears + closely bandaged. His name is Villiers Wyckliffe, and he will be + able to tell England what he thinks of Australia, and on his person + he will bear, till his dying day, the mark of Australia's Revenge. + + + LATEST EDITION. + + SYDNEY CUP. + + Mrs. Allen Winter's "Wyck" won by two lengths. + + + + +FINIS. + + + + +APPENDIX. + + +AUTHORS' NOTE. + + +The authors would like it to be distinctly understood that the following +is an opinion formed by a young Australian, a keen observer who has +traversed the greater portion of the Colonies, mixed freely with all +classes, and attended meetings, at times presided over by eminent +politicians, at others by working men. The opinion given is an +unprejudiced one for which he alone is responsible. He is not connected +with any society whatsoever, nor has he any interest in one; and the +authors trust that their readers will treat it accordingly. + + + + +AUSTRALIAN GOVERNORS. + +PAST--PRESENT--FUTURE. + +LIST 1894. + + _Colony_. _Salary_. + + VICTORIA L10,000 + NEW SOUTH WALES 7,000 + SOUTH AUSTRALIA 5,000 + QUEENSLAND 5,000 + WESTERN AUSTRALIA 4,000 + NEW ZEALAND 5,000 + TASMANIA 3,500 + + L39,500 + + + + +DEFINITION. + +An Australian Governor is a gentleman, usually a nobleman, who, without +having any special qualifications, is sent out by the Crown to represent +the interests of Great Britain and to safeguard the bond that links the +Colony to its Mother Country. His position is virtually an anomaly and +he himself, a mere figure-head. + + + + +FROM A GENERAL POINT OF VIEW. + +Governors may be divided into two classes, as follows:-- + + 1.--Those who possess an income, and accept the position with the + intention of living a life of pleasure. + + 2.--Those who are hard pressed, and accept with the idea of + recruiting and saving money. + +Herein is embodied the chief elements which will determine whether a +Governor is to become popular or unpopular, for no matter how excellent +his qualifications may be if he is poor his chances of becoming popular +are reduced to a minimum. + +The indispensable conditions for an Australian Governor in Australian +eyes are as follows:-- + +He must be a titled nobleman of really ancient and distinguished family, +for the Australian Society folks "dearly love a lord." + +He must possess a large private income and be prepared to spend it in +addition to his salary. + +He must be an ardent sportsman and _bon viveur_, and yet be on terms of +sympathy with the Anti-Gambling Society and the Tee-total Party. + +He must entertain right royally. + +He must have no strong political opinions or, if he has, he must keep +them to himself. + +He should be able to make a humorous, graceful and good-natured speech, +neither biassed nor erudite, on any subject that may come prominently +forward. + +He must lay aside all aristocratic "airs," and be prepared to shake +every caller's hand at levees, etc. + +Lastly, but by no means least in importance, he must possess a wife of +an amiable disposition, who will mix on cordial terms with the ladies, +condescend to "talk chiffons" and even scandal when required; and one, +who in addition to being a perfect hostess, must hold herself ever ready +to be at the beck and call of the general public to lay foundation +stones, open bazaars and perform the hundred-and-one similar social +functions. + +These qualifications are not severe, and many men going out for a life +of pleasure would find little difficulty in fulfilling them. The +stumbling-block to most aspirants would be in the two first clauses, for +one need only glance over the peerage to find to his astonishment how +few really representatives of ancient families are possessed of good +incomes. The large incomes are enjoyed by the self-made men who have +been raised to the peerage of late years, but though Australians would +object to a poor man, they would not have a wealthy, self-made man, +however celebrated he might be, at any price; for the Colonies are great +respecters of, and believers in, blue blood, as they possess an +abundance of the commoner quality already. + +Lord Carrington stands supreme in the annals of Australian history as +the most popular Governor who has ever visited her shores. Since he +holds a position so unique it may be as well to examine the means to +which he owed his success. They lie in a nut-shell. He realised his +position as a figure-head. He knew he would be called upon to lavish +hospitality on a grand scale, and to confine himself to the exercise of +social qualities only. He made his plans accordingly. + +His predecessor, an old and well-tried diplomatist, had failed through +interference, and he profited by the experience. A week after his +arrival he could count his admirers by the score, and a few months later +the Colony from end to end sang his praises. And what a glorious time +the Society folk had! what delightful garden-parties, entertainments, +and picnics! No gathering was complete without the genial Lord and his +Lady, and they, recognising the situation, were always ready and willing +to put in an attendance at every function, at all of which they +invariably received a loyal and hearty welcome. In the council-room his +Lordship was equally ready to act up to the ideal. When his Ministers +attended to discuss politics he yawned, languidly--so gracefully, +indeed, that the "Carrington yawn" became the rage in Sydney--he would +put the papers aside in his genial way, bid them do anything they +pleased, and order refreshments of the most enticing nature, and +politics would be forgotten. Undoubtedly among their many estimable +qualities the greatest lay in the interest both took in the welfare of +the poor; and when the day of their departure came, there was as genuine +a display of grief on the part of the poverty-stricken, who had been the +recipient of their bounty, as from those in higher places who had +revelled in their hospitality. + +Sir Henry Loch, as Governor of Victoria, rivalled Lord Carrington very +closely in popularity. He might be taken as an exception to the rule, +for, although not a lord, he showed himself to be such an excellent +diplomatist, and capable of giving such sensible advice, that his +opinion was always sought by his Ministers on matters of importance. +Even these qualities in a man would not always ensure his success, for, +were he too eager to give his advice, he might be classed as an +interferer; but, as previously mentioned, Sir Henry was an excellent +diplomatist. At the same time he had the good fortune to have in his +wife one of the most amiable and genial hostesses that ever presided +over a Government House in the Colonies. + +How readily a Governor may become unpopular may be illustrated in the +case of one within the last ten years, who received a most cordial +welcome and flattering reception, the whole Colony turning out to do him +honour. His lady, however, the following day turned the tide against +him, by summoning a meeting of all the local business people and +delivering a very pathetic lecture on domestic economy. The following +day Society received the appalling news that no balls, receptions, or +parties were to be expected, as they came out with the intention of +economising, having to keep up a second establishment in England. This +occurred strangely enough in by far the most hospitable and +pleasure-loving of the Australasian Colonies. Needless to say, it did +not take many months before they were given to understand what was +expected from a Governor. They fell in gracefully with the hint given +them, and towards the end of their term became fairly popular. + +Upon the Governors of to-day little more than a few passing remarks need +be made, as no one of them can rank as a really popular Governor. + +Lord Kintore cannot by any means be considered a success. Certainly he +was not rich when he accepted the position, but he was fortunate in +being put in the way of "a good thing," by some of those gentlemen, +eager for social distinction, with whom the Colonies swarm. The good +thing came off, and he became richer to the extent of some thirty +thousand--but his advisers are still waiting for titles. His popularity +was not increased by that expensive trip of his across Australia, for +although he may have figured as a hero in England, by no means did he do +so in Australia, for he travelled _en prince_, with his medical adviser +and every other personal and material luxury provided at the expense of +the Colony. Lady Kintore could never feel at home in the Colonies and +openly showed her preference for English life and ways, preferring +rather to entertain English Royalty and nobility than the "common +Australians." Consequently, Government House in Adelaide has been voted +a distinct failure since she became its hostess. The Premier of South +Australia has announced that the Governor's salary will in future be +reduced by two thousand pounds; his reasons are obvious. The other +Colonies will follow suit for a certainty, so the halcyon days of an +Australian Governor may fairly be said to be over. + +In Lord Hopetoun we have a young and inexperienced man. He is popular +among a certain class, but, taking him all round, he can neither be +regarded as a success nor a failure; but he has a few exceptionally good +traits of character, by which he will be remembered long after his time +has expired. + +Sir Robert Duff, the recently-appointed Governor of New South Wales, has +on more than one occasion offended the Colonials and, judging by the way +he is spoken of in the Press, his term of office is not likely to be a +happy one, nor will it tend to strengthen the existing bond. + +The Press of Australia may generally be regarded as very enthusiastic in +its support of the Governors, and, considering the weight and influence +it carries and exercises, it is well that this is so. The only +exception to the rule is the _Sydney Bulletin_, a paper with a large +circulation, which it owes to its outspoken opinions and clever +caricatures of all the leading men and incidents of the day. It carries +considerable influence with it, more especially in the democratic +circles, throughout all the Colonies. Most of the Governors that have +held office in Australia will, no doubt, have unpleasant recollections +of its satire. + +Every Colony has her leading dailies, and they, taken as a whole, may be +termed loyal supporters of Great Britain and her Sovereign. + +The reasons that may be assigned are many. + +In the first place, they have to meet the wishes of their subscribers +and, undoubtedly, the majority of the more important have strictly loyal +opinions, and both have become used to the groove in which they have +been running for so many years, probably dating back to the days when +the right of free speech was not so permissible as it now is. + +Then again, the Press seemed to think it their duty to accept with +acclamation any representative sent out by the Crown, no matter whether +he was suitable for the position or not, but this has to a great extent +become altered, thanks to Queensland, the most outspoken and independent +of all the Colonies, when her able Premier put down his foot and said +that he should be consulted before an appointment was ratified. Even +then some of the older journals reproved Queensland for her audacity, +but fortunately they were in the minority and had to give way. + +Of course, no Governor however dull he might be, would be so injudicious +as to offend the Press, for he would not increase the popularity of his +stay, nor would he tend to strengthen the connecting link; consequently +the chief officers of the Press enjoy many privileges not known to the +outside world; but that's diplomacy. + +There are times, however, when the Governors may, either from want of +knowledge or from other reasons, overstep the limits of their duty. The +Press will then in leading articles gently point out the error of their +ways, and offer sensible advice on the subject; if the offender be wise +he will withdraw, unconditionally, and then all will be well; but should +he persevere in his antagonism he will receive a severe slating. This +of course is only referring to extra-ordinary cases, as the Governors as +a rule are allowed a wide scope in which to humour their whims. + +From the foregoing it will be seen that, taken from a general point of +view, the duties of the Governors are merely to preside, entertain right +royally and to be good fellows; for this the Colonies are prepared to +pay handsome salaries and bow down to her Majesty's representatives, +professing their apparent sincerest loyalty to the Crown. + + + + +FROM A YOUNG AUSTRALIAN POINT OF VIEW. + + +Within the last few years there has been a strong feeling of democracy +growing in Australia. It can be traced to two great sources. Firstly, to +the fact that the young Australians have grown tired of the continual +display of so-called loyalty, and secondly, to the great struggles that +have taken place between capital and labour; and although neither party +recognises each other's policy these are so similar in the main points +that they will be taken collectively, including that of a third and +weaker party, who, although also of the same mind, do not recognise +either of the former. + +Scores of societies and parties are to be found scattered over the +length and breadth of the Colonies. They are to be found in the handsome +chambers of the City Clubs, presided over by some of the leading men of +the day, and they are to be found in the white-washed parlour of the +bush public-house, with a rough labouring, yet perhaps a deep-thinking, +man at their head, coupled with occasional assistance perhaps of a +delegate from some Union or the Labour representative in Parliament for +that district. At the present time they are disunited for reasons of +their own, and in many cases they would feel insulted at the very idea +of their names being coupled together: consequently, each works on what +it considers its own lines, which it naturally believes to be the +correct ones; but one day Great Britain will make another blunder--which +judging from past events cannot be considered altogether an +impossibility--and the Young Australians, feeling themselves strong +enough in numbers, will rise and assert their opinion or in other words +will take objection; the result will be that publicity will be given to +their opinions and arguments, and then for the first time the other +societies and parties will recognise how closely their policies agree, +and they will naturally extend their sympathy towards them; this will +give the Young Australians confidence and they will take a more +determined stand, with the result that the outside bodies will proffer +their assistance and will act as tributaries feeding a running stream; +with others joining in from other quarters this small insignificant +stream will gradually swell, and the result will be a vast river of +party feeling with so strong a current and such immense volume that to +try and divert its course would be useless. Considering that the present +labour parties, who are democrats almost to a man, hold the balance of +power in all the principal Parliaments some idea might be formed of the +power that Young Australians would hold when they had asserted +themselves. + +Now, supposing such a body had been formed, what would their policy be? + +The first on the list would be the appointment of their leaders by +ballot, this over, the more important step would be taken on true +democratic lines to secure their permanency; consequently the first item +of importance would be the guarding against social distinctions in the +shape of knighthoods emanating from Great Britain. This might seem of +trivial importance to such a body, as it might be argued that men of +their opinions would not be the ones to have the refusal of such +distinctions, and yet it would be so, for one has only to look at +every-day life in Australia and to watch what is going on, to be +convinced of the importance of the precautions. + +Knighthoods and social distinctions may well be looked on as a curse in +Australia, and it's only the Crown's advisers that really know what a +trump card they hold in having an abundant supply always on hand ready +to be distributed at the slightest notice. Should it enter the minds of +any reader that this casts a reflection on the holders of such +distinctions let it be instantly dismissed, for there are gentlemen of +the first water holding titles, to whom every right thinking person will +admit their claim to the highest distinction the Crown could bestow on +them, for they have helped to build up the Empire and make it what it +now is, and are men whose consciences would allow them to assert that in +accepting the same they only did their duty; but it's not of this class +that anything need be said, it is those who are daily practising +hypocrisy and appearing as philanthropists by bestowing munificent gifts +on institutions, or are agreeable to sell their opinions with the hope +of securing the coveted honours. Take away the titles granted to +politicians, and very few will remain, and as politics has long since +been acknowledged the cheapest way to become knighted, the competition +has become very keen, with the result that influential men with strong +Republican opinions, are offered and accept a title, thereby selling +themselves. There are men who once were acknowledged to be as firm as a +rock in their sentiments, wavering as the coveted curse is dangled in +front of their nose. Intrigues and conspiracies are carried on between +themselves, and the whole political career of many an honest man has +been blasted by his ambition to have a handle to his name. + +There is another class who try to work the oracle through the Governors, +but that has not proved a success. + +Then come the philanthropists, one of whom barely escaped taking his +title into penal servitude lately, and another of whom, on securing the +title, at once came to England and settled down as an English nobleman, +giving strict orders for his estates to be managed in the most +economical way, in order that he might be able to live as a gentleman in +England; he has been successful and is now related to titled families of +the class with which England abounds, for ever on the alert to make the +acquaintance of millionaires' daughters. That this class of people +should be titled is what disgusts the Young Australians, especially when +they have so many good citizens, men who have introduced capital, +started industries and manufactories and have assisted to build up the +commercial trade with the world; these are passed over and not noticed, +for the simple reason that their names do not appear in print twice a +day, but they are true men and are thought none the less of. Much as the +many worthy recipients are admired, there is yet a class that are held +to be far superior, and they are those who, on being pressed to accept +the honours, refused, preferring to keep their opinions unfettered; they +are the men Young Australians admire, and are prepared to follow. + +"Cut the painter" might be suggested by some weak and injudicious member +of about the calibre of that novelist who made use of the same +expression in his report of his reception in the Colonies. This, +however, would be negatived immediately, as it would be entirely in +opposition to what their policy would be. + +The next question, undoubtedly, would be the appointment of Governors, +and a motion proposing the abolition of English Governors would be +brought forward and received with such enthusiasm that it would quickly +be recognised as a point of vital importance and interest. + +On looking at the definition of a Governor it is seen that his position +is an anomaly and he himself a figure-head, his duty being to strengthen +the link that connects the Colony to Great Britain, This definition as +before mentioned, may be allowable from a general point of view, but +never from the Young Australians' point of view, for they recognise that +these gentlemen of pleasure cost the Colonies L39,500 a year in +salaries, and another L20,000 may be added for incidental expenses, +interest, etc., making, roughly speaking L60,000 a year, or nearly +sufficient to pay the interest on a three per cent. loan of two +millions. It would be argued in the first place that the sixty thousand +was simply thrown away, and in the second that the time had arrived when +men of ability took the places of the figure-heads. + +The English Governor is sent out to strengthen the existing bond, or in +other words to preach loyalty. "God save the Queen" is his text, his +motto and his password. If he attends a public function, "God save the +Queen" is conspicuous on the walls; if he replies to a toast he will +make frequent reference to the estimable qualities of Her Majesty. If he +walks or drives down the street, the street bands and barrel-organs play +"God save the Queen"; if he attends or promises to attend a theatrical +performance, nothing is done until his arrival, even if it be an hour +late, then everybody in the house is expected to rise, and take off +their hats, when the orchestra greets him with "God save the Queen." If +he attends a dinner, "God save the Queen" is inscribed on the menu +between each of the courses, and is supposed to be partaken of; if he +visits a school the children will have been practising for months, at +home, in the street, in school and everywhere, "God save the Queen"; if +he attends a football match or any athletic sports, he is the centre of +attraction, all in the grand stands rise while the band plays "God save +the Queen." These are a few instances that have become law in Australia, +and the song or tune has just about the same effect on the Young +Australians as a worn-out, threadbare music-hall song would have on a +first-night audience; and yet there are plenty of people to be found who +will acknowledge that it's the prettiest tune they ever heard, and with +a "God bless the dear old lady," they are arguing the next instant with +themselves that it must come, it's only a matter of waiting, another +thousand or two judiciously expended will do it. To keep the tune of +"God save the Queen" fresh in the Australian's ears costs sixty thousand +a year. + +One of the greatest surprises an Australian has on his arrival in +England is the comparative lack, of loyal display. There, the Queen's +birthday is taken no more notice of than if it were a commoner's, the +Prince of Wales's less, even the papers make very slight mention of the +fact. Britons dearly love their ruler and are always ready to obey when +called on, but, they do not make any attempt to impress it upon every +one that visits their shores, and by so doing command respect. As for +Earls and Lords they are spoken of as my milkman, Lord So-and-So, or my +fruiterer or butcher, the Earl of So-and-So, or my dressmaker the +Countess of So-and-So, as they are rapidly becoming mixed up in trade. + +To return to the loyal subjects of Australia, what does loyalty mean? +Ask for a truthful statement and nine out of ten will reply, +"self-interest." This is why Young Australians object, for, taken as a +whole they do not trouble about Society and its ways; they are open, +candid and, above all, they despise hypocrisy. So, instead of the +Governor strengthening the existing bond, he is weakening it, looking at +it from a general point of view, and this fact is regretted by the Young +Australians, for, although they will always be ready and willing to show +their highest respect and admiration for both Her Majesty and her +dominions, and wish, if anything, to strengthen the bond, yet they will +not recognise figure-heads when they have men of ability among +themselves, willing and capable to govern the Colony at a third of the +expense. Young Australians are loyal, although they may have their own +peculiar way of showing their loyalty. + +Supposing the English Governors were to be withdrawn, it might be asked +what would the connecting link be which would still bind the Colonies to +Great Britain. That might be answered in a very practical way. If Great +Britain wishes to be represented in the Colonies, let her send out men +of commercial and business ability as Ambassadors, paying them +sufficient to be able to entertain right royally; that would have the +desired effect. But why should it be necessary for Great Britain to be +represented at all, for there is not the slightest fear of Australia +attempting to cut the leading strings, but, on the other hand, it would +be so beneficial to the Colonies and all concerned, that the act would +be so appreciated as to make the bond stronger than ever. Such +arrangements as the Australian Squadron now in force might be improved +upon and continued, and many more that would undoubtedly suggest +themselves to the interests of both parties. + +There can be no doubt that at its first intimation the candidature for a +Local Governorship would bring forth many aspirants for the honour, but, +fortunately for Australia, every Colony has men who stand head and +shoulders above their fellows, that when a minute examination of the +necessary qualifications was held there would be no difficulty in +selecting the proper man for the position. + +In order to point out the contrast between the Local and English +Governors, let us consider the action of each at an imaginary meeting +called to discuss the most important phase in Australian history, viz: +Federation. + +The present system will be dealt with first. + +As the Governors of to-day are recognised only as figure-heads, they +would not be invited to attend, consequently the whole onus of the +undertaking would fall on the Premiers and their Parliamentary +colleagues. + +Every Parliament may be divided into three distinct classes, the +Government, the Opposition, and the Labour Party, consequently the +leaders of all three parties would be required to assist in the +movement. They might fairly be said to represent the Colony, but would +it be likely that the Opposition, who have perhaps lately been thrown +out of power, would assist their opponents to complete what is to be the +most important step in Australian history? No, most decidedly not, for +they would recognise that the party in power would take the sole credit +for having brought it about. Shewing how eager the Premiers of the +Colonies are to personally bring about that most important step, it may +be mentioned that the last three Premiers of New South Wales have each +made overtures to the other Colonies, and yet were they to meet in +convention their opinions would be divided, with the result that +Federation would be just as far off as ever it was, and under the +existing regime it will never be brought to a head. + +Now, supposing that a Local Governor was at the head of the Colony how +different things would be, for he would have no political or party +feelings, he would be the friend of all, and were a convention to be +called, he, a man of ability and integrity, with his whole interests in +the Colony, would meet men of the same calibre from the other Colonies; +he would be accompanied by his able ministers and leaders of the +different parties; all party strife would be put aside, for on his +shoulders would fall the credit of such an undertaking, and the parties, +glad to choose a medium by which their opponents would not succeed over +them, would gladly consent to the intervening party, consequently this +policy would be unanimous, and the long-talked of Federation +accomplished. + +English Governors are a direct stumbling-block to Federation, and before +any convention is held, steps should be taken for the removal of the +obstacles. + +Had Australia been self-governed, or even had the Governors been shrewd +business men, there is a great possibility that that great financial +crisis, which nearly crippled Australia and by which millions were lost, +might have been avoided. This may seem a rash statement, and yet when +the facts are considered there undoubtedly does seem to have been a +possible probability. + +It is well known that the crisis did not come suddenly, for never had +there been so much warning and time given in which to prepare for an +impending catastrophe. For months and months dark and heavy clouds were +hanging over financial circles, threatening to burst at any moment. +Depositors were in a fever of excitement, they held their deposit +receipts in their hands ready to withdraw at the first alarm, their +excitement stood on the balance, ready to burst forth or to be smoothed +down into confidence by a judicious action of some responsible parties +had it been forthcoming, but, alas, the Commercial Bank of Australia was +allowed to suspend payment and the panic burst forth in every direction +and no amount of work could cool the excited crowds. + +The Commercial Bank, with its numerous branches, had been doing an +extensive business, and was a prominent member of the Associated Banks, +which was formed with the idea of assisting each other. When the +Directors of the Bank saw how matters stood they approached the +association in a half-hearted way and received a half-hearted answer, +and the result was disaster. + +Now, supposing that one of the Governors had been a keen, shrewd man of +business, and a man who could look far ahead of him, and supposing that +he could have forgotten that he was a mere figure-head, he would have +stepped forward and said, "The Commercial Bank shall not close its +doors." With such an affirmation, had he approached the Government of +the Colony and, through them hastily summoned the leaders of the other +Colonies, there is no doubt but that an arrangement would have been +arrived at, by which the crisis could have at least been suspended for +a sufficient time to either allow the bank to unload some of its more +pressing liabilities or to realise on its assets, and thereby, +sufficient time would have been gained for some arrangements to be +entered into with the British depositors and investors, who no doubt +would only have been too agreeable to assist. + +Worse crises than the Australian have been avoided, to wit, Baring +Brothers, but certainly this is only an individual opinion. + +In conclusion, the Young Australian, trusting that he has not +overstepped the boundary in the expressions of his opinions, and that no +personalities will be taken, heartily wishes the Young Australians every +success. It will be from Colonies such as Queensland and South Australia +that steps will be first expected to be taken, for Queensland has +already shown her cards and that clever South Australian Premier is +going a step farther, and when South Australia has her +Lieutenant-Governor in power she will show the other Colonies the +immense advantages to be derived therefrom, and they will very soon +follow in her footsteps, for men of his calibre are not to be had so +readily in Great Britain. + + + + +END OF APPENDIX. + + + + +Transcriber's Note + +Page 009 'badge was to to held.' changed to 'badge was to be held.' + +Page 317 'back to the the "Grosvenor.' changed to + 'back to the "Grosvenor."' + +Page 346 'made so thatit' changed to 'made so that it' + +Page 349 'Toowoomba up Queeensland' changed to + "Toowoomba up Queensland' + +All instances of 's. s.' standardised to the more frequently +occurring 's.s.' + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Australia Revenged, by Boomerang + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AUSTRALIA REVENGED *** + +***** This file should be named 29315.txt or 29315.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/9/3/1/29315/ + +Produced by Nick Wall and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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