"That's true. In Melbourne, old man, everything must go with a rush," answered Hal, as the cab pulled up at the entrance to a tremendous building, some eight stories high.
"Yes, as far as appearances go. It's run on temperance principles, at a heavy loss every year."
"There's his face on the wall there, somewhere. He's in gaol now, went with the land-boom when it bust."
"That's why they put his bust up," laughed Reg, dodging the portmanteau that was flung at him for his atrocious pun.
They booked their rooms on the advance system at the office, and started for a stroll round the streets of this marvellous city.
"By Jove, Hal," said Reg, pointing to a tall building known as a sky-scraper; "thirteen stories high. Is the man who built that doing a term too?"
"No he was too smart. He sold out and got knighted."
"Knighted for building a place like that?"
"Well you see he gave a big cheque to charity, and got it that way."
"Rather. One man built a university, and was given a handle to his name. England loves to encourage that sort of thing. But now to business. I noticed that girl at the Palace eye us pretty closely."
"We had better enquire, and see if we can hear of anything."
"Do you keep a record of all visitors staying here?" asked Hal of the young lady at the booking office.
"Yes, sir. What name are you enquiring for?"
"A friend of mine named Wyckliffe. Ah, I see you know him"--for he noticed the lady give a start of surprise.
"There was a gentleman of that name here, but he has gone to Adelaide," she answered, in rather a tremulous voice.
"Oh! it doesn't matter. He asked me to enquire for him, if I came to Melbourne. We have just arrived from Sydney."
"What a shame," said she, quite recovered. "He was expecting some friends, and said he was going to Adelaide to meet them."
"If you should hear from him, you might say Mr. Thompson was asking for him," said Hal, carelessly.
"That all depends how we like the place," said Hal, as he left, followed by Reg.
"That girl is in it. I'll swear she knows where he is.--Query, how are we to get it out of her?"
"Where did those gentlemen come from?" asked the lady, of the porter.
"Certain, miss, for I noticed the ticket on their luggage."
"I fancy they will have to look for him," she said to herself, smiling grimly.