"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.