The lady, who wore her name conspicuously engraved upon her ring, coloured and seemed disconcerted, and shortly after quitted the saloon.
"Come for a stroll as far as the Post Office," said Hil, as she saw Sal return with a letter in her hand.
"Are you gentlemen going to the Post Office?" she asked, sweetly.
"Yes, we're going to try our luck again."
"Would you mind taking this letter, and handing it in to the Telegraph Department. Here is a shilling to pay for it."
"I'll take the letter, my dear, with pleasure, but not the shilling," said Hil, patting the girl affectionately on the cheek.
"You'll see it's sent off at once, for it concerns a young lady whose mother is ill."
"I'll go as fast as I can carry it. Come on, Jack," answered Hil, leaving the saloon hurriedly, followed by May.
Outside, she turned to her companion, and asked:
"I think so, we'll see," and she tore the letter open hurriedly, as if the action hardly commended itself to her. Taking out the enclosure, she read:
"V. Wyckliffe, Royal Hotel, Toowoomba. Two men enquiring for you. Go to back country.--Sal."
"It's on the overland road to Sydney, about five hours' journey. Have you a guide?"
"Yes, here we are. Express leaves at 6.30."
"Good! Come, we will have to change our rig. He'll strike off for the back country, the wire shews that. We shall want moleskin trousers and rougher clothes."
"Why? Won't these do?" asked May, not liking the idea.
"Not for the bush, May. Of course, we will go in these and take the others with us in case of emergency. Come on, time is precious," and she led the way to an outfitter's.
The boys left the hotel for the purpose of consulting freely together outside. As they paced the street, Reg said:
"That certainly seems strange. W--k may stand for Wyck, and S--l for Sal, for that is the barmaid's name. If it is so, he is still in Brisbane."
"Yes, I suppose so," answered Hal, thoughtfully.
"Would it not be as well to question that girl about it?"
"Why, of course, of course. What are we thinking of?" and Hal turned back and once more entered the hotel.
"Do you know where Wyck is now, miss?" he asked in a familiar manner.
"No, I don't," answered she in a flurried way, blushing to the roots of her hair.