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."
"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."
"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.
"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.
"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.
"All right. We'll be out in a few minutes."