"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.