"He ain't far away, quite close handy; but what do you want to know for?" asked d.i.c.k, 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 d.i.c.k, 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, d.i.c.k."

d.i.c.k 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 d.i.c.k.

"I'll pay it you, but it's a swindle, and you know it, but, mark my words, d.i.c.k, 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 d.i.c.k, 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, d.i.c.k. I intend to swindle the swindler," he added, as he handed Reg the letter he had written, as follows:

"Dear d.i.c.k Burton,

"A chum of mine recommends you as being the very man I want to a.s.sist 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 d.i.c.k 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 d.i.c.k first to the Telegraph office, then to the Gaiety, and out to the c.u.mberland, 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 d.i.c.k and Terence there, they pa.s.sed on. As a young urchin calling out "Monthly Guide" pa.s.sed 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 gla.s.s 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 pa.s.senger 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.