As if in answer to his unspoken wish, he heard footsteps approaching and, with a glad cry of welcome, he grasped the hands of Hal and Reg. They, in their turn, noticed his altered appearance, and asked if anything had happened.
"I called on her to-day, and was given to understand I was not wanted," he said in a sad voice.
"We'll fix that all right, Mr. Goodchild," said Hal in his hearty way. And then he told him all that had happened during their trip to Port Arthur.
"Do you think he was referring to May when he spoke of a young lady joining him?" asked Goody when Hal had finished.
"And what conclusion do you draw from that?"
"And you have no idea where he has gone now?"
"None, whatever. We called at the telegraph office and asked the shipping agent, but without result."
"I hope not," chimed in Reg, emphatically.
"I don't think you need fear that," said Hal with light cynicism. "Fellows of his stamp have nine lives. If he were a useful man in the world then I should despair."
"What do you intend doing now?" asked Goody, anxiously.
"We intend going to Eastella and bringing your daughter to reason," said Hal, with determination.
"I admire your perseverance, but I am afraid you will be doomed to disappointment, for she always had a will of her own, but I never knew how strong it was until now."
"Never fear, sir. So far we have succeeded and I have no doubt our success will continue."
"Well, if you have any friends here, I suggest you should go to them for a day or two."
"You don't mean to desert me?" asked the old man, with a perplexity almost comic.
"Not by any means, sir. But we intend to live at Eastella, and for many reasons it would be better for you not to go with us. If we left you alone, I am afraid you would fret and worry, so I thought if you had an old acquaintance who would cheer you up--"
"Now I understand. I have plenty. There's old Brown, for one--he and I were schoolfellows. I know he'll be glad to see me."
"That's right. Let us know where she lives. And now get ready and rely on us to wire to you when it's time to come back and open your arms to take your daughter back to your heart again, from which you will find she has never really been estranged."
That evening all three had left the "Orient"; Hal and Reg for Eastella, and Goody for his old friend's house at Broadmeadows.