"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, butstill, 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 thetime 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 grantedpratique, 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 theAdvertiser. I should feel much obliged if you would give a few particulars of your visit to the Colony."
"I belong to theRegister, 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 travellingincognito, 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 longyarn 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 theirown 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 arrangementsabout 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."
"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 hewill 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 theywere 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.
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 thebroad waters(!) of the Torrens, beneath its background of lofty blue mountains; and took the afternoon express to 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 aboutall you can boast of," said the man from Melbourne.
"And what have you got? Just open the window, and everybody will know.Smellbourneis 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 stayinghere?" 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 veryhurried 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 acab-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.
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 amongourbloated 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 heis 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. Wemean 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 goneaway 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 tochaps 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: