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diff --git a/27061-h/27061-h.htm b/27061-h/27061-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..113721b --- /dev/null +++ b/27061-h/27061-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,12493 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Rider of Waroona, by Firth Scott + </title><style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; +} + +p { + margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; +} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; +} + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; +} + +.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; +} /* page numbers */ + + +.blockquot { + margin-left: 5%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + +.center {text-align: center;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + + +// --> +/* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Rider of Waroona, by Firth Scott + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Rider of Waroona + +Author: Firth Scott + +Release Date: October 27, 2008 [EBook #27061] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE RIDER OF WAROONA *** + + + + +Produced by Nick Wall and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + +<h1>The Rider of Waroona</h1> + +<h2>By</h2> +<h2>Firth Scott</h2> + +<div class="center">Author of<br /> +"The Track of Midnight," "The Last Lemurian," +"Romance of Polar Exploration," etc.</div> +<p> <br /> </p> +<div class="center">London<br /> +John Long, Limited <br /> +Norris Street, Haymarket <br /> <br /> +<i>All rights reserved</i></div> +<p><br /></p> + +<div class="center"><i>First Published in 1912</i></div> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>SOME PRESS OPINIONS OF THE AUTHOR'S WORKS</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>Daily Chronicle:</i>—"Mr. Scott knows the colonial, +native born, to the bones and the marrow."</p> + +<p><i>Westminster Gazette:</i>—"To say that each of them +is a gem is not saying too much."</p> + +<p><i>Globe:</i>—"Mr. Firth Scott writes a straightforward, +vigorous style, and has a keen eye for effective +incident."</p> + +<p><i>World:</i>—"Deserves grateful recognition by lovers +of tales well told."</p> + +<p><i>Scotsman:</i>—"Characteristically Australian."</p> + +<p><i>Morning Post:</i>—"The story of Australian settlement +is of enthralling interest."</p> + +<p><i>Saturday Review:</i>—"This interesting and instructive +book is very pleasant reading."</p> + +<p><i>Literary World:</i>—"Mr. Firth Scott's stories are, +alternately imbued with rare glamour and realism. +In either atmosphere he is entertaining, and in both +convincing."</p> + +<div class="center"><i>AT ALL LIBRARIES AND BOOKSELLERS</i></div></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Table of Contents"> + + +<tr><td align='right'>I</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Crotchety Dudgeon</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_I">9</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>II</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Riddle</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_II">21</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>III</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Disappeared</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_III">34</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>IV</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Durham's Surmise</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">44</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>V</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Mrs. Burke's Presentiment</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_V">58</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VI</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Face at the Window</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">79</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VII</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Snared</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">93</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VIII</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Note that Failed</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">103</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>IX</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Dudgeon's Hospitality</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">118</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>X</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">"Fooled"</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_X">133</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XI</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Mrs. Burke's Rebuff</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">156</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XII</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">As Through a Mist</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">173</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIII</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Revenge is Sweet</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">191</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIV</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Last Straw</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">211</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XV</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Rider's Scorn</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">227</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVI</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Love's Conquest</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">244</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVII</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Dudgeon Proposes</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">265</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVIII</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Unmasked</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">286</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIX</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Ashes of Silence</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">307</a></td></tr> + +</table></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<h3>CROTCHETY DUDGEON</h3> + + +<p>In an old, rackety, single-horse buggy, a vehicle +which, to judge by the antiquity of its build and +appearance and the rattle of its loose worn bolts, +might have done duty since the days of the first +pioneers, Dudgeon drove from his homestead to the +bank.</p> + +<p>He was a man who never discarded any article +of use or clothing until it was hopelessly beyond +repair. With a huge fortune stowed away in gilt-edged +securities and metropolitan house property, +he grudged even a coat of paint for the vehicle he +had driven for nearly forty years. The local wheelwright +had long since declined to attempt to repair +it, so the old man fell back on fencing-wire and his +own skill whenever the final collapse seemed imminent.</p> + +<p>There was a legend circulating among the older +residents of the district as to the reason for his +peculiarities. To the younger generation it was +merely an out-of-date story, for young Australia<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> +has scant heed for everything which does not come +within his own personal range of experience or +knowledge. But the legend, as extant, gave some +significance to the seemingly unreasonable actions +of the eccentric old man.</p> + +<p>In the early days, when railways were not and the +land was open and free for the bold young bloods to +conquer, Dudgeon had come out from the coastal +cities of the south. He had health and strength, and +a heart which knew not fear; but whatever of wealth +he had had was left in the hands of gambling sharks +in the cities whence he came. He arrived at the +township on foot, a rare occurrence in those days +when no man journeyed half a mile except in the +saddle. But the fact that he had walked "looking +for work," as he said, drew so much attention to +him that offers were made from all sides to hire his +services. He accepted the best, and went to Waroona +Downs with the then owner, one Henry Lambton, +who, with his wife and daughter, resided at the +house beyond the range.</p> + +<p>Another was there also, a young man about +Dudgeon's age, an Irishman named O'Guire, a +dashing, reckless fellow who made up in sharpness +of wit and trickery what he lacked in moral stability +and scruples. Indirectly, he was the pivot on +which the course of Dudgeon's life turned from the +normal.</p> + +<p>The direct cause was Kitty Lambton.</p> + +<p>In a community where men predominate, every +woman ranks as a belle; but throughout Waroona +and the districts for hundreds of miles round, Kitty<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> +was queen, acknowledged even by her sister rivals. +Before her charms young Dudgeon fell prostrate in +adoration, and she, jealous of her sway over all +with whom she came in contact, trifled and philandered +with him until neither earth nor heaven +held anything more adorable for him than herself. +He was her slave, devoting himself to her with such +abandon that her vanity was gratified to the extent +of influencing her, when others began to remark +upon the manly attractions of her admirer, to allow +him the privilege of believing that she would marry +him.</p> + +<p>But she was only trifling with him, callously and +not too gently, for the edification of herself and her +real lover, O'Guire. The truth leaked out when one +day O'Guire vanished from the district and with +him vanished Kitty.</p> + +<p>Thereafter Dudgeon was a changed man. Filled +with an insensate belief that Lambton and his wife +were mainly, if not entirely, responsible for an ill +which brought them almost as much suffering as it +brought him, he went from the place, hugging schemes +of deep vengeance to his breast. It was in the days +of the early gold finds, and Fortune showered on +Dudgeon her compensation for the injury of Love. +All that came to him he took and treasured, until +he had enough for his purpose. Then he returned to +Waroona, and set about exacting the full measure +of his revenge upon the Lambtons.</p> + +<p>He drove them from Waroona Downs, following +them from the district when they went, following +them until he found them living with Kitty and her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> +husband in one of the southern cities, struggling +fiercely for a bare existence. The slings and arrows +of misfortune had not brought out the better side +of O'Guire's nature and, at the time Dudgeon pounced +down upon them, he had only just emerged from +prison. Detail was lacking in the current legend +as to what immediately happened thereafter, for +when Dudgeon came back to Waroona Downs he +was silent on the subject, and only rumours filtered +through of Lambton and his wife going down, each +heart-broken, to a pauper's grave, while O'Guire +and his wife barely eluded the final act of vengeance +by escaping over sea.</p> + +<p>Under Dudgeon's ownership Waroona Downs +flourished, and later he acquired the largest station +in the district. The success he enjoyed at Waroona +Downs followed him. His ownership of Taloona alone +made him the richest man in the community.</p> + +<p>But no amount of money could bring back to him +the nature which had been his before the bitterness +of betrayal changed him to a misanthropical cynic. +His hatred of women was not appeased by the +revenge he had on the Lambtons and O'Guires. He +would not employ a woman; he would not employ +a man who was married; he would not tolerate the +presence of a woman on any of his properties. However +valuable a man might be to him as an employee, +instant dismissal was inevitable directly that man +announced his intention of marrying.</p> + +<p>In one instance the effect of this rule recoiled almost +entirely on his own head, but that did not deter +Dudgeon from adhering to it.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span></p> + +<p>He employed a man, first as overseer, then as +manager, and finally as confidential factotum. Unknown +to him, Dudgeon set numberless traps and +pitfalls to test his reliability, and when, on every +occasion, the man came through the tests unscathed, +he received so much consideration from the taciturn +old misanthrope, that he was currently regarded in +the light of the heir to the Dudgeon millions.</p> + +<p>Perhaps something of the current belief crept +into his own mind, for there came a time when he +cast his eyes upon the sister of a neighbour and, +braving the risk of Dudgeon's anger, sought her +hand in marriage. Unfortunately for him she +accepted him, and the news, travelling apace, reached +the ears of Dudgeon before the happy lover had a +chance to impart it personally. The old man rode +direct to the station.</p> + +<p>"I'll have no women folk on my property," he +blurted out as soon as he was face to face with his +factotum. "Nor any man who has dealings with +them. Clear out."</p> + +<p>It was vain to argue. All appeals to years of +bygone service, all reference to business transactions +then pending which would be jeopardised by the +removal of the man who had the negotiations in +hand, were curtly brushed aside. Dudgeon had +spoken, and no power on earth would change him +from his purpose. The would-be Benedick had +chosen, and by that choice he had to abide.</p> + +<p>From that arose a quarrel with the bank, for the +sudden dismissal led to an important transaction +failing for the want of a simple act. The bank officials,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> +knowing the man with whom they were dealing +waited for the instructions which never came. Had +they acted without them he would probably have +repudiated their action, but as they did not act, +he blamed them for his loss, accused them of dishonesty +and removed his account, vowing never +to have dealings with them again if he could avoid +it, and always putting them to the greatest inconvenience +when he was compelled to deal with or +through them.</p> + +<p>Now, by an irony of fate, he was forced to have +dealings with them again, dealings which he resented +for more reasons than his antagonism to the institution, +and dealings, moreover, which he was prepared +to leave no stone unturned to bring to +naught.</p> + +<p>He had placed Waroona Downs in the hands of +Gale, the local auctioneer, for sale. The one condition +he had imposed was that the purchaser +should be a resident of the district, a condition he +had considered ample to prevent the property passing +into the possession of one of the opposite—and +hated—sex. Yet that condition had failed. A +purchaser had been found, a purchaser for whom the +bank was acting, and a purchaser who, while being +a resident in the district, was also a woman.</p> + +<p>Dudgeon—"Crotchety Dudgeon" as he was termed +by his neighbours, who, despite his wealth, usually +regarded him as being of no account in the general +scheme of Nature—had done his best to repudiate +the bargain; had blustered and fumed, threatening +actions and penalties against all and sundry, but in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> +vain. The bank officials were polite, listening to +all he had to say in silence and only speaking in +cold, precise, formal phrases to reiterate the intention +of the purchaser to hold to her bargain, and the +readiness of the bank to complete, on her behalf, the +transaction.</p> + +<p>He refused to meet or see her, but he could not +help hearing of her, and what he heard only served +to stimulate his resentment, for her name, Nora +Burke, recalled memories of his Irish rival O'Guire, +while the bitterness of his surrender to the charms of +Kitty Lambton was revived when he understood that +Mrs. Burke also belonged to the fascinating type of +woman.</p> + +<p>She had, he learned, the coal-black hair of the +Western Irish, and grey-blue eyes which flickered +and flashed behind thick dark lashes. What her +other features were he did not hear, for her wealth +of hair and the charm of her eyes carried all before +them. But, as a matter of fact, no other feature +was conspicuously beautiful, and it was difficult to +realise where the charm of her face rested until the +full force of the dark-lashed eyes was recognised. +Within them lay the secret of the power she +wielded.</p> + +<p>Although not above the average height, a graceful +and well-proportioned figure gave the impression of a +greater stature. One of the most accomplished horsewomen +who ever sat a side-saddle, her appearance +on horseback would alone have sufficed, in a community +like Waroona, to have won for her the admiration +and homage of the public. But there were yet<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> +other reasons for the popularity she acquired within +an hour of her arrival.</p> + +<p>Forty miles from a railway, the township was the +centre of a district divided into a series of sheep +stations. When the season came for shearing the +wool and despatching it to the markets in the cities +on the coast hundreds of miles away, the population +was fairly respectable in point of numbers, though +with the riff-raff which formed the army of camp +followers moving in the track of the shearers and +teamsters, respectability was not otherwise manifest. +But at other periods of the year, there were few men +and fewer women scattered over the area marked on the +map as Waroona, and including as many square miles +as some English counties possess acres. Wherefore +the arrival of any new-comer was an event; but when +that new-comer was a woman, and one, moreover, +of the many personal charms and accomplishments +of Mrs. Burke, it was inevitable that her advent +should form the subject of something more than +passing interest.</p> + +<p>Her frank manner of speech also helped her, +for there is nothing more objectionable to the +average Colonial than the person who is reserved +on the subject of his or her private and personal +concerns.</p> + +<p>There was no such reserve with Mrs. Burke. +She had not been twenty-four hours in Waroona +before it was known that she was a young widow +left with a stepson to bring up and educate on the +rents from an impoverished Irish estate. Year by +year it became more and more difficult, she said, to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> +collect those rents from tenants to whom politics +were more attractive than commercial obligations. +Therefore, when a chance occurred for her to sell the +estate, she did not hesitate to entertain it. But, in +order that her stepson might still derive as much +benefit as possible from the wreck of his ancestors' +wealth, she determined, before selling, to seek +in Australia a new heritage for the last of the +Burkes.</p> + +<p>Waroona Downs was suggested to her as the very +place to suit her, and Gale at once offered it to her. +The negotiations were rapidly completed, and the +community was collectively rejoicing at the good +fortune of having so desirable an acquisition as the +handsome Irishwoman added to it when a miniature +thunder-bolt fell in the form of the emphatic refusal +of the owner to sell the property to a woman.</p> + +<p>Following the advice of her many friends and +admirers, Mrs. Burke took up her residence at the +place so that she might claim the nine points of the +law possession is said to give, while she handed to +the bank the deeds of her Irish property, and +against them the bank agreed to complete the +purchase.</p> + +<p>Popular opinion was entirely with the young widow, +and popular opinion was strong enough to force +Dudgeon back to the last resource. This was a +demand that the purchase price of the station should +be paid in gold.</p> + +<p>The price was twenty-five thousand pounds and, +as Dudgeon well knew, there was not such a quantity +of coin to be found in the district, where it was the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> +almost invariable practice to pay everything by cheque +or order. He had preferred his demand formally; +had waited for a reply that the bank was prepared +to meet it and, as no such reply had reached him, +was about to declare the matter at an end.</p> + +<p>He drew up at the bank. Eustace, the manager, +was speaking to his assistant as the old man entered.</p> + +<p>"I've come for the money," he said abruptly, and +stood by the counter, holding out his gnarled, bony +hands.</p> + +<p>"You mean the purchase money for Waroona +Downs, Mr. Dudgeon?" Eustace replied suavely. +"You are rather early, are you not?"</p> + +<p>"I gave you notice three days ago. You'll pay over +or the deal's off. Which is it?"</p> + +<p>Harding, the assistant, passed a document to +Eustace.</p> + +<p>"These are the terms of the sale, Mr. Dudgeon," +Eustace said in the same smooth tone. "The completion +of the purchase is to be performed one month +from the date on which the agreement to buy was +made. Mrs. Burke agreed on the 20th of last month. +To-day is the 17th. She has therefore three days +before you can make your final demand."</p> + +<p>Dudgeon grabbed the document and read it +through. The wording was as Eustace had said. He +had played his card too soon.</p> + +<p>"I'll beat you yet," he cried as he flung the paper +across the counter. "No matter what it costs, I'll +never have a woman owning one of my properties. +You're a lot of scheming scoundrels, but I'll beat +you yet."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span></p> + +<p>He bounced out and flogged his horse to a gallop +as he drove away.</p> + +<p>"If the head office had sent off the gold at once +when I wired, it would have been here by now," +Eustace said to his assistant.</p> + +<p>"Then everyone would have known it was here, +and there is no saying what might have happened," +Harding jestingly answered. "Anyway, it is due +to-night."</p> + +<p>Later, when the bank had closed for the day, +a light waggon drew up at the door with a couple of +men in it.</p> + +<p>"We've some books and boxes of stationery for +you from the Wyalla branch," one of the men +called out as Eustace opened the door and looked +out.</p> + +<p>A bushman slouching past with his roll of blankets +slung across his back, glanced round at the waggon +and continued his way to the hotel. Eustace and +Harding both helped to carry the bundles and boxes +into the bank. When they were all inside Eustace +turned to the men.</p> + +<p>"You'll have some dinner with us before you go +back?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Can't, old chap. Head office orders. Don't +know what sort of people the general manager +thinks you've got in this part, but the strictest +secrecy in everything were our instructions, so Ted +and I are teamsters and nothing but teamsters till +we get back to our own branch. So long, old chap."</p> + +<p>"It does seem a lot of rot," Harding remarked +when the waggon was away again.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You haven't been here long enough to know old +Dudgeon, Harding. Let us get the gold into the safe—we'll +put it in the reserve recess. I only hope the +old man comes in again to-morrow morning, so that +we can pay it over and get clear of it and his business."</p> + +<p>But the next day passed without any sign of +Dudgeon, and after a last look round to see that all +was right Eustace and Harding bade one another +good night with the hope that on the morrow Dudgeon +would come for his gold, though there was still another +day before he could legally demand it.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<h3>THE RIDDLE</h3> + + +<p>At five minutes to ten the following morning Eustace +awakened to find the sunlight streaming into his +room, the bank in absolute silence, and his head so +light and dizzy he could scarcely stand when he sprang +out of bed.</p> + +<p>He glanced at the alarm clock on the mantelpiece. +The alarm was set for six, the hour at which Eustace +almost invariably awakened. He had no recollection +of hearing it ring that morning, yet only a touch was +required to show that it had gone off at the proper +time.</p> + +<p>His wife still lay in deepest slumber.</p> + +<p>"Jess! Jess!" he cried, as he shook her. "Wake +up, Jess! It's nearly ten o'clock. Wake up! +Wake up!"</p> + +<p>She stirred heavily, uneasily, drowsily.</p> + +<p>"Wake up! Wake up!" he repeated. "Look +what time it is."</p> + +<p>She sat up with a gasp, pressing her hands to her +head.</p> + +<p>"Oh, what is it?" she exclaimed. "My head! +How it throbs!"</p> + +<p>"It's nearly ten o'clock," Eustace cried. "I don't<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> +hear anyone moving. The bank must be open in five +minutes."</p> + +<p>He hurried across the landing to his assistant's +room and unceremoniously opened the door.</p> + +<p>His assistant was in bed in a heavy sleep.</p> + +<p>"Harding! Fred! Wake up, man! Do you know +what time it is?" he said, as he grabbed the sleeper's +arm and shook him so vigorously that he pulled him +half out of bed.</p> + +<p>Sleepily Harding's eyelids lifted to reveal glazed +and lack-lustre eyes.</p> + +<p>"What's up?" he mumbled. "What's the matter +now?"</p> + +<p>"Look at the time," Eustace cried excitedly.</p> + +<p>Harding pushed his hand under his pillow, raised +himself on his arm and flung the pillow over.</p> + +<p>"Where's my watch?" he exclaimed. "Where +has it gone?"</p> + +<p>"Don't you hear me say it is nearly ten o'clock? +What on earth do you mean by sleeping to this hour +when the bank ought to be open?"</p> + +<p>Harding blinked at his pyjama-clad manager.</p> + +<p>"You don't seem to have been up so very long," he +grumbled. "But where's my jolly watch gone? +I'll swear I put it under my pillow last night. Are +you having a joke? Have you hidden it?"</p> + +<p>"I have not touched your watch. I tell you it's +ten o'clock and the bank——"</p> + +<p>"Then someone has stolen it," Harding exclaimed +as he sat up.</p> + +<p>The pupils of Eustace's eyes contracted to pinpoints. +With an inarticulate cry he dashed from the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> +room and rushed to the stairs. He heard his wife call +from the servant's room but paid no heed to the +words.</p> + +<p>Down the stairs he plunged, springing across the +passage to the door leading from the residential +portion of the building to the banking chamber.</p> + +<p>The door was locked.</p> + +<p>"Thank God!" he exclaimed. "I was afraid it +had been broken into."</p> + +<p>He ran upstairs again, meeting his wife at the top.</p> + +<p>"I can't wake that girl, Charlie. What shall I +do?" she said.</p> + +<p>"Shy cold water over her," he answered abruptly +as he went on to his room, where he seized his clothes +and fumbled nervously for his keys.</p> + +<p>They were in the pocket where he always kept them.</p> + +<p>The discovery reassured him. Whatever else had +happened, the bank was safe, for without the keys +no one would be able to get at the cash. It was +curious how everyone in the house had overslept +themselves, but that was a detail to be unravelled +subsequently. For the moment he must race into +his clothes and be downstairs in time to have the +bank's doors open to the public by ten.</p> + +<p>He was nearly dressed when Mrs. Eustace returned +to the room.</p> + +<p>"Charlie, whatever has happened? Bessie can +hardly stand. She's exactly as if she had been +drinking."</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't bother me about Bessie," he said +petulantly. "It's ten o'clock, and the bank is not +open."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span></p> + +<p>He pushed past her and sped down the stairs. +Despite his efforts to recover his confidence, his hand +still trembled as he unlocked the door leading to the +bank and entered the office.</p> + +<p>One quick glance round set his mind at ease. The +place was in the same state of neatness and order +as when he and Harding locked up the night before.</p> + +<p>He crossed to the street door, unlocked and unbolted +it and pulled it open. As he did so, Harding came in +through the private entrance.</p> + +<p>"I say, Eustace, hang it, what have you done with +that watch?" he asked. "It's not in my room. +Where have you put it?"</p> + +<p>"I have not seen your watch. Make haste and +get the safes open and the books out. Look at the +time," Eustace replied sharply.</p> + +<p>The keys of the big safe, or strong-room, as they +termed it, were kept in a smaller one, to which +there were two keys, Eustace and Harding each +holding one. The last vestige of fear passed from +Eustace's mind as the keys of the strong-room were +found lying in their usual place. He sighed with +relief as Harding picked them up, unlocked the heavy +door and, swinging the handles, threw the strong-room +open.</p> + +<p>The tray on which the cash had been placed after +balancing the previous evening was in a small upper +compartment resting on the books. It was the usual +practice for Harding to remove it and hand it over +to Eustace, who checked the contents while the books +and documents necessary for the day's work were +being arranged.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span></p> + +<p>But Eustace was too impatient to wait for the +ordinary methods. As Harding pushed back the safe +doors and bent down to remove the keys, he reached +over him and caught hold of the tray.</p> + +<p>Instead of being heavy, as it should have been with +all the gold, silver and copper coins, it came away +in his hands light—and empty!</p> + +<p>His face went livid. He reeled back against the +counter, letting the tray fall to the floor.</p> + +<p>"Gone!" he cried. "The money's gone!"</p> + +<p>Harding started up and stood staring, first at +Eustace, then at the tray lying on the floor.</p> + +<p>"Gone?" he echoed. "Gone? How can it have +gone?"</p> + +<p>"It has—the tray is empty," Eustace gasped in +reply.</p> + +<p>Harding looked from the tray to the open safe. +His glance rested on the drawer where the bank-notes +were kept. He took hold of the handle and pulled +the drawer out.</p> + +<p>It was empty.</p> + +<p>In an inner recess, guarded by second-locked doors, +the gold reserve was kept. The night before the +bags of gold had filled it to the doors.</p> + +<p>Harding tried the handles. They held. The locks +had not been forced.</p> + +<p>"Have you the keys of the reserve?" he asked.</p> + +<p>With shaking hands Eustace produced them and +stood watching, as the doors were unlocked and swung +open.</p> + +<p>The recess was as empty as the cash tray.</p> + +<p>Dumbfounded, Harding turned to Eustace who,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> +with his face ashen, stared blankly at the empty +recess. Then a wild light leapt in his eyes and he +seized the handle of a drawer in the counter where a +loaded revolver was kept lest at any moment an +attempt was made to rob the bank during office hours.</p> + +<p>Harding sprang to his side and gripped his arm.</p> + +<p>"Not that," he cried hoarsely. "Hang it, man, +pull yourself together. Think of your wife!"</p> + +<p>"It's ruin—ruin for me. Better finish it," Eustace +muttered.</p> + +<p>Holding him back with one hand, Harding pulled +the drawer open with the other to take the revolver +away. But the drawer was also empty.</p> + +<p>"That has gone as well," he cried, letting go his +hold of Eustace as he stooped to peer into the drawer.</p> + +<p>Eustace sank into a chair and buried his face in his +hands.</p> + +<p>"Oh, this is terrible—terrible," he moaned. +"Terrible, terrible."</p> + +<p>The door leading to the house was flung open and +Mrs. Eustace faced them.</p> + +<p>"Charlie!" she exclaimed. "My rings and +jewellery have vanished. The cases are all empty. +I am certain—why, what is the matter?" she broke +off to ask as she caught sight of her husband.</p> + +<p>She glanced from him to Harding.</p> + +<p>"What has happened?" she said wonderingly, +as she advanced further into the office.</p> + +<p>Opposite the open doors of the strong-room she +saw the empty cash tray lying on the floor, the note +drawer pulled out, the vacant space of the reserve +recess.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Charlie!"</p> + +<p>Her voice went to a shriek as the truth flashed upon +her.</p> + +<p>She rushed past Harding and flung herself on her +knees beside her husband, her arms around him, her +face upturned to his.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Charlie, Charlie! Whatever are we to do?" +she cried.</p> + +<p>"Shall I go over to the police-station? We had +better report it at once," Harding said quietly.</p> + +<p>Eustace raised his wife from her kneeling position.</p> + +<p>"You must not come in here now, Jess," he said. +"Go and learn, as nearly as you can, what has been +taken from the house. Harding and I must send +word to the head office."</p> + +<p>He led her from the room and closed the door after +her.</p> + +<p>"We shall have to use the code, I suppose," +Harding said, as he returned. "If you will read out +the words, I will write them."</p> + +<p>Eustace sank into his chair again and sat staring +blankly in front of him.</p> + +<p>"Come, come, old chap," Harding exclaimed, as +he laid his hand on his manager's shoulder. "Don't +give way. There's a mystery in all this. We shall +want all our wits to clear it up as it is; don't make +it worse."</p> + +<p>Eustace raised his head.</p> + +<p>"But who can have done it, Harding? Who +can have done it? Every place locked up and yet +the money has gone! No one knew all that gold +was here."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You and I knew it."</p> + +<p>"My God! You don't mean——" Eustace cried +as he sprang out of his chair. "You don't——"</p> + +<p>"Steady, old man, steady. Keep your head. +There's nothing to be gained by getting excited. +You and I knew it was here and someone at the head +office knew, as well as the fellows at Wyalla. Some +word may have leaked out while it was on the road. +There's no saying off-hand; what we've got to do +is to keep cool and go slow if we're to clear ourselves. +I'm as much concerned in this matter as you are."</p> + +<p>Eustace shook his head.</p> + +<p>"No, Harding. I'm manager, and all the responsibility +is on my shoulders. Whatever comes to +light, I'm ruined. The bank will fire me out directly +they hear of it—and this was my first branch +too."</p> + +<p>"I would not look at it like that," Harding replied. +"No game is lost till it's won. I'll send Brennan +over as I pass the station. He may be able to throw +some light on it. Come. Let us draft the report +for the head office."</p> + +<p>But Eustace was too unnerved to render any +assistance, and it was Harding who, single-handed, +drafted and coded a brief message reporting what +had been discovered. Not until this message was +handed to him did Eustace move.</p> + +<p>"That's my death warrant," he said gloomily +as he signed it.</p> + +<p>Harding took the message and left the office. The +township boasted only one street, the bank being at +one end, the post office at the other. Midway<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> +between the two was the police-station, where the +one constable responsible for the maintenance of +law and order within the district resided.</p> + +<p>"Get over to the bank, will you, Brennan?" +Harding said as he entered the station. "You'll +have your hands full this time. There's been a +robbery during the night, and all the cash cleared +out."</p> + +<p>"What's that, Mr. Harding? The bank robbed? +You don't mean it!"</p> + +<p>"Go and ask Eustace; he'll give you all the +details. It's floored him. Hurry over, there's a good +chap. I'm on my way to the post office to wire to +the head office; I can't stay now."</p> + +<p>Ten minutes later the news was known from one +end of the township to the other, and was travelling +in every direction through the bush to the outlying +stations and selections.</p> + +<p>The farther it travelled the more astounding it +became, and yet the form in which Brennan telegraphed +it to his Inspector showed it to be sufficiently +startling and mysterious.</p> + +<p>When the reports had been wired away, Eustace +recalled an incident he had forgotten in the excitement +of the initial discovery.</p> + +<p>During the evening, soon after sunset, a stranger +called at the bank. He came to the private entrance +where he was seen by Eustace, who described him +as a well-built man of medium height, with sandy +hair and beard and, by appearance, an ordinary +bushman. He said he had come in from a distant +station with a cheque he wanted to cash, but as the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> +bank was closed for the day, Eustace told him he +would have to come again in the morning. He had +gone, mounting his horse and riding away in the +direction of the hotel where stockmen usually +congregated.</p> + +<p>Brennan went to the hotel in search of him, but +no one knew anything about him there, nor had anyone +else seen him either in or out of the township.</p> + +<p>"But he must have been seen," Eustace exclaimed +impatiently, when Brennan returned to the bank +with the news. "He must have been seen. He could +not have vanished."</p> + +<p>"Did anyone else see him besides you when he +called?" Brennan asked.</p> + +<p>"No, I was passing the front door at the moment +he came. No one else saw him, so far as I know. +But he must have been seen in the township. He +must have gone to the hotel."</p> + +<p>They were standing in the bank office, Brennan on +one side of the counter, Harding and Eustace on the +other.</p> + +<p>"You didn't see him?" Brennan asked, looking at +Harding.</p> + +<p>"No, I didn't see him," Harding answered.</p> + +<p>"But you heard me speak to someone—I came +into the dining-room and told you it was a man who +wanted a cheque cashed," Eustace exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"That's right," Harding said quietly, "I was going +to say so when you interrupted me."</p> + +<p>There was a hum of voices outside and half a dozen +men came into the office—Allnut, the largest storekeeper +in the town; Soden, the hotelkeeper; Gale,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> +the local auctioneer; Johnson, the postmaster, and +two men who were strangers.</p> + +<p>"Here, Soden," Eustace cried, as soon as he caught +sight of the hotelkeeper. "Do you mean to say +that the man I told Brennan about never came to +your house last night?"</p> + +<p>Soden, a slow-witted, heavy-built man, shook +his head.</p> + +<p>"Not a sign of him, Mr. Eustace," he answered. +"But these two men came in just now. They've +got something to say," he added, turning to +Brennan.</p> + +<p>One of the two men stepped forward.</p> + +<p>"We didn't think much of it in a general way," he +said, "leastways not until we heard at the pub +about the robbery. You see, me and my mate camped +last night about five miles out on the road. As near +as we can say, it was somewhere about midnight +when Bill—my mate," he added as he waved his +hand towards his companion, "looked out of the +tent. 'Hullo, Jim,' he says, 'what's this? Here, +come and look, quick.' You see, from where our +camp was we could get a view half a mile down the +road. Well, when I looked out I saw, coming along +the road at racing speed, a pair-horse buggy with +two men in it. The chap who was driving had the +horses at full gallop as they passed the camp, but +it wasn't him so much that I noticed as the horses. +You see, they were both white—white as milk. +The moon was up and they showed real pretty."</p> + +<p>"White?" Brennan exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"White as milk," the man replied. "That's what<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> +made Bill call out. We didn't know there was a white +horse in the whole of Waroona, let alone two of them."</p> + +<p>"Was that on the main road?" Brennan asked.</p> + +<p>"On the main road—just about five miles out."</p> + +<p>"I know every horse in the district, and there's +not a white one among them," Gale said.</p> + +<p>"These were white—white as milk," the man +repeated. "It was what made us look."</p> + +<p>"If the horses were galloping the tracks would +still show in the road," Gale said to Brennan. "Shall +I ride out and have a look?"</p> + +<p>"If you've got a buggy, me and my mate will +come too and show them to you," Jim exclaimed +resentfully.</p> + +<p>"That would be better," Brennan said.</p> + +<p>"Come along then," Gale exclaimed, and left the +bank with the two men.</p> + +<p>As soon as they were gone Brennan turned to +Johnson.</p> + +<p>"Two white horses can't go far in this district +without being noticed. Will you wire round to the +different telegraph offices and ask if anything of the +kind has been seen or heard of?"</p> + +<p>"They cannot have gone more than a hundred +miles since midnight, can they?" Johnson asked.</p> + +<p>"A hundred? No, not fifty," Allnut exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"Well, we'll say a hundred. I'll wire to every +telegraph office within a hundred miles. I'll send or +bring you word within half an hour."</p> + +<p>"Supposing there is any truth in the yarn," Soden +remarked slowly, "how is it going to help? I +brought the men along, not because I believed their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> +yarn, but because it seemed to me they might know +more about the robbery than they would care to have +known."</p> + +<p>"There's no harm in sending off those telegrams, +anyway. I'll get away and put them through," +Johnson said as he went to the door.</p> + +<p>He stood for a moment looking out along the road.</p> + +<p>"I fancy that's Mrs. Burke coming," he called +back over his shoulder to Eustace.</p> + +<p>Soden, Allnut, and Brennan, at the mention of the +name, moved towards the door, and Harding came +round the counter to join them.</p> + +<p>"You had better see her, Harding," Eustace said +under his breath. "Tell her everything will be all +right so far as she is concerned. We cannot say more +until we hear from head office."</p> + +<p>The other three men were already out on the footpath +in front of the bank entrance. Eustace slipped +into the little ante-room that served as the manager's +private office, as the sound of a vehicle pulling up +outside the bank reached him.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<h3>DISAPPEARED</h3> + + +<p>"Oh, never mind," Mrs. Burke exclaimed as Brennan +went to the horse's head and took hold of the reins. +"Sure I'm only stopping for a moment—I won't get +out. It's just to see Mr. Eustace I've come."</p> + +<p>The men on the footpath looked at one another +and then at her.</p> + +<p>In the doorway Harding stood hesitating whether +to go out or to wait until Mrs. Burke alighted from +the buggy.</p> + +<p>"You've heard the news, haven't you?" Allnut +asked as he stepped to her side. "Ill news travels +apace, they say. Hasn't word got out as far as the +Downs?"</p> + +<p>Mrs. Burke turned the full battery of her dark-fringed +eyes on the storekeeper.</p> + +<p>"News? What news?" she exclaimed. "I've +only just come in. Has anything happened?"</p> + +<p>She glanced at Harding where he stood in the +doorway.</p> + +<p>"To Mr. Eustace? Nothing has happened to Mr. +Eustace, has there?" she added, as she leaned +towards Allnut.</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't know," he replied in an uncertain<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> +voice. "It affects him more or less, I suppose, +seeing he is the manager. The bank has been robbed, +you know."</p> + +<p>It was well Brennan was at the horse's head, for +the shriek with which Mrs. Burke greeted the information +was heard at the post office the other end +of the town and made the horse plunge and rear. +Although Brennan managed to hold it from bolting, +it forced the buggy back on the footpath and almost +turned it over. But Mrs. Burke was out long before +then, for with a bound she sprang from the vehicle, +sending Allnut staggering as she blundered against +him in her rush for the bank.</p> + +<p>Harding, having heard Allnut's words, stepped +forward to meet her.</p> + +<p>"You need not be alarmed, Mrs. Burke," he said, +as she dashed up. "So far as you are concerned——"</p> + +<p>"Where's that villain? Where's that wretch? +He's stolen my deeds! I know it, I know it! I'm +ruined! Brennan, come and arrest him."</p> + +<p>Her words, shouted at the top of her voice, rang +through the place and out on the roadway, where +Brennan was still struggling with her rearing horse, +and Soden and Allnut stood by as sympathetic +onlookers.</p> + +<p>"If you will come in, the manager will explain the +matter to you," Harding said.</p> + +<p>"Don't talk to me about explaining," she shouted +in answer. "Where are my deeds? Where are the +deeds of my Irish property? If you've stolen +them——"</p> + +<p>"Pray speak quietly, Mrs. Burke," Harding said.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> +"There are others who can hear you, and the +bank——"</p> + +<p>"Others? Others hear me? I'll let them hear +me. I want them to hear me. I've nothing to hide, +and I'll not shelter any scoundrel who will rob and +cheat a lonely widow. Maybe others will not stand +by and see an unfortunate poor weak woman robbed +and swindled——"</p> + +<p>"If you will come inside, Mrs. Burke——"</p> + +<p>"I'll not come inside. I want my deeds back. +I'll have nothing more to do with your wretched bank. +Sure I'm distracted. Have you those deeds?"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Eustace," Harding began, when she flung +round and leaped away from the door.</p> + +<p>"Brennan!" she cried. "Brennan! Come here, +Brennan. They've robbed me of my deeds, the deeds +of my Irish property. They insisted I should leave +them here, and now they tell me they're stolen. Who's +stolen them if it isn't that scoundrel in there? Come +and arrest him. Come and help me recover my +just rights."</p> + +<p>She shouted out the words despite the fact that +Brennan was still careering round in the roadway +trying to pacify her plunging horse.</p> + +<p>Harding glanced over his shoulder towards +Eustace's room as she left the doorway. He saw +Eustace slip from the room and make for the door +leading into the private portion of the house. At the +door he turned.</p> + +<p>"Get her to come in here," he said impatiently.</p> + +<p>As he was speaking Mrs. Burke flounced round +again and caught sight of him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, there you are," she cried, as she stepped +inside. "Now, what have you to say?"</p> + +<p>Eustace closed the door after him as she was +speaking.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Burke rushed out again into the road.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Allnut! Mr. Soden! I can trust you. Will +you stay here and see that villain does not slip +out and escape? He's gone into the house. I'll go +to the front door."</p> + +<p>She ran towards the private entrance, but stopped +opposite Brennan, who had at last succeeded in +getting the horse under control.</p> + +<p>"They've robbed me, Brennan," she cried. "I +left all the deeds of my Irish property with them. +They've stolen them and say the place has been +broken into as a blind. I don't believe it. It's +Eustace. I never believed in him. Sure, if it hadn't +been for Mr. Gale I'd never have listened to him. +But now what am I to do? Where's Mr. Gale? +Why isn't he here to help me? Why don't you tell +him to come at once?"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Gale has gone along the road with two men +we want to know something about, Mrs. Burke. +He'll return shortly. You had better see Mr. Eustace. +It's only money which has been taken, I believe. +Mr. Eustace will be able to tell you all about it."</p> + +<p>"But he is trying to escape," she said in a whisper. +"I saw him go out of the other door. He'll get away. +Come and arrest him."</p> + +<p>"Never fear," Brennan answered, as he smiled. +"I'll see he doesn't get away. I'll watch here till +you come out."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Will you please come this way, Mrs. Burke? +Mr. Eustace is waiting to see you," Harding called +out from the bank entrance.</p> + +<p>"I'll go," she said to Brennan. "But mind! +I rely on you—thank God your father and mother +were Irish even if you were born out here."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Eustace asks if you will mind going into the +dining-room," Harding said.</p> + +<p>She shot a resentful glance at him as she swept by +and passed through into the house. Eustace met +her and led her into the dining-room, closing +the door after him. As Harding shut the door +leading from the bank, Johnson, the postmaster, +came in.</p> + +<p>"Here is a message just come through—I brought +it down at once as I thought you'd be anxious," he +said.</p> + +<p>"Half a minute," Harding said, as he took the +telegram. "Eustace is seeing Mrs. Burke in the +house. I'll take it to him in case there is a reply."</p> + +<p>He went through to the dining-room, knocked at +the door and opened it. Mrs. Burke, her eyes flashing +and her cheeks flushed, was standing facing Eustace, +who sat by the table with his head resting on his +hand.</p> + +<p>"Here's a telegram—Johnson is waiting to see if +there is any reply," Harding said, as he held out the +message.</p> + +<p>Eustace took the telegram mechanically, opened +and read it and handed it, open, to Harding.</p> + +<p>"Read it," he said. "There's no answer. I'll join +you presently."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span></p> + +<p>Harding left the room, glancing at the message as +he crossed the passage. It required no answer, as +Eustace had said. It was very brief.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Inspector Wallace will take charge."</p></div> + +<p>Harding whistled. Wallace was the senior inspector +of the service, and his special faculty was the unravelling +of tangled accounts and the detection of +defaulting managers and cashiers. Leaving the +ordinary inspection of branches to his juniors, Wallace +only journeyed from the head office to take charge +when grave suspicions were entertained as to the +integrity of a branch staff. The telegram was tantamount +to an intimation that the authorities of the +bank did not regard the robbery as the work of an +outsider.</p> + +<p>As he re-entered the office, Brennan was standing +at the entrance with Johnson.</p> + +<p>"No answer," Harding said quietly, and Johnson +nodded and went off. Brennan turned and crossed +to the counter.</p> + +<p>"Is Mr. Eustace about?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"He is talking to Mrs. Burke in the dining-room. +She's rather excited, and he took her in there because +she would shout so. He'll be back in a few minutes, +unless you want to tell him something particularly +at once," Harding answered.</p> + +<p>Brennan glanced at a telegram he held in his +hand.</p> + +<p>"It will do when he comes out," he answered +slowly. "Have you had any word?" he added, as +he leant over the counter.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span></p> + +<p>"The head office wires that Inspector Wallace—our +bank inspector, that is, not one of your police +inspectors—is coming up."</p> + +<p>"Is that all?"</p> + +<p>Harding gave a short laugh.</p> + +<p>"All? It's quite enough, Brennan. Between +you and me it means that Eustace and I are suspected—one +of us or both."</p> + +<p>"Yes, that's right," Brennan said quietly. "One +or both."</p> + +<p>As he spoke he held out a message for Harding to +read.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Keep manager under close surveillance till I +arrive.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Durham.</span>"</p></div> + +<p>"You know who Durham is?" Brennan asked.</p> + +<p>"Never heard of him," Harding answered.</p> + +<p>"He's the finest man who ever put on a uniform," +Brennan exclaimed. "He is the sub-inspector in +charge of this district—he's only been appointed a +couple of months. I reckon it's only a temporary +thing for him, just until there's room to make him an +inspector. It's a good thing for your bank he is +coming up. If anyone on earth can unravel a mystery, +my sub-inspector is the man. He won't be long before +he has the matter cleared up."</p> + +<p>"If he can get to the bottom of this business, I'll +agree with you," Harding replied. "But I don't +think very much of his first idea; I don't think he is +right if he suspects Eustace. When do you expect him?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I should say he will be here some time during +the day. He wired from Wyalla, and I expect he'll +ride across country—it will be quicker than waiting +for a train at the junction. Ah, there's Mr. Gale back," +he exclaimed, as a buggy drove past the bank. "If +you'll let me know when Mr. Eustace is free, I'll +just step out and hear what he has discovered about +the yarn the men told us."</p> + +<p>"All right. I'll call you as soon as Eustace +comes in," Harding said, and Brennan left the +office.</p> + +<p>Soon after he had gone Harding heard the dining-room +door open and Mrs. Burke's voice ring through +the house.</p> + +<p>"I don't believe a word of it. It's false; it's +untrue. It's all a blind. I'll see whether there is not +justice in the land for an unfortunate widow robbed +of her all."</p> + +<p>Then the door was slammed and the front door +opened and slammed also.</p> + +<p>Harding sat waiting for Eustace to come back to +the office. He heard Mrs. Burke's voice sounding +shrill outside, but not clear enough for him to distinguish +what she was saying. Then the buggy started +and drove rapidly away.</p> + +<p>A gentle tap came at the door leading to +the house, and Mrs. Eustace opened it and looked +in.</p> + +<p>"Has that dreadful woman gone?" she asked in an +agitated voice. "Is Charlie here?"</p> + +<p>Harding rose and went over to her.</p> + +<p>"No. He has not come back yet. He is in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> +the dining-room. Shall I tell him you want +him?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, perhaps it will be better to leave him alone +till he comes out. Did you hear what she said? She +has been making such a scene in there. Poor Charlie, +as if he had not enough to worry him as it is, without +her saying such terrible things."</p> + +<p>Brennan, with Gale and Johnson, appeared at +the entrance, and Mrs. Eustace went back into the +house, closing the door after her.</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Burke has gone," Brennan said, as he came +over to the counter. "Is Mr. Eustace in the office?"</p> + +<p>"He has not come out of the dining-room yet. +Shall I tell him?" Harding replied.</p> + +<p>"I'll go through," Brennan said.</p> + +<p>Harding opened the door and stood holding it, +with Gale and Johnson behind him, as Brennan went +to the dining-room door and knocked.</p> + +<p>Receiving no answer, he opened the door.</p> + +<p>"There is no one in there," he called out.</p> + +<p>With one accord the three moved forward. Brennan +was half-way across the room when they reached +the door. He went to the window and looked at the +fastening.</p> + +<p>"He did not get out this way," he cried. "He +must be in the house somewhere."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Eustace appeared on the stairs, and came +down.</p> + +<p>"Where is your husband, Mrs. Eustace?" Brennan +exclaimed directly he saw her.</p> + +<p>"He was in there—isn't he in there now?" she +said, as she passed into the room.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span></p> + +<p>"He is not here, Mrs. Eustace, though Mrs. Burke +left him here when she came out a few minutes ago. +Where is he?"</p> + +<p>With widely open eyes Mrs. Eustace stared from +one to the other.</p> + +<p>"Oh, what is it?" she cried. "What is it? Tell +me—is it——"</p> + +<p>For a moment she stood with her eyes fixed on +Brennan.</p> + +<p>"Oh, my God!" she cried as she flung up her arms +and fell headlong to the floor.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<h3>DURHAMS'S SURMISE</h3> + + +<p>Eustace had disappeared as completely and mysteriously +as the gold which had been in his keeping.</p> + +<p>Every corner of the building from the roof to the +basement was examined. Even the cupboards were +inspected and the made-up beds pulled to pieces, +lest he should have succeeded in secreting himself +amongst the jam-pots or inside the covering of a +pillow; but no trace of him could be found.</p> + +<p>His hats hung on their accustomed pegs, so that +if he had gone from the house he must have gone bareheaded. +But the question which none could answer +was how he had managed to go from the house at all.</p> + +<p>At the time Mrs. Burke left the dining-room, +Brennan was standing talking to Gale and Johnson +in front of the private entrance. In the office Harding +was waiting for his manager to come from the house. +Thus two out of the three ordinary means of exit +could not have been used without Eustace being +seen. The third was the back door opening from +the scullery, which, in turn, opened from the kitchen. +Bessie was in the kitchen when the slamming of the +dining-room door announced the departure of Mrs. +Burke.</p> + +<p>Both she and her mistress were insistent that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> +Eustace did not pass through the kitchen. Each +told the same story when interrogated. As soon as +the signal of Mrs. Burke's departure was heard, +Mrs. Eustace went to the door leading from the +kitchen to the passage and stood waiting for her +husband to appear. When he did not do so, she went +to the door of the office, knocked, and asked Harding +if Eustace were there. She maintained that the door +of the dining-room had not been opened after Mrs. +Burke flounced out. Harding, who was listening +in the office, also maintained it had not been +opened.</p> + +<p>The mystery of Eustace's disappearance was still +agitating everyone when Sub-Inspector Durham rode +up to the bank. Listening, without comment, to all +Brennan had to report, he went through the premises +with Harding and Brennan, saying nothing till he +came to the back door.</p> + +<p>Situated as it was, with only the bush behind and +beyond it, the bank was thus free from being overlooked. +A block of ground at the back was surrounded +by a three-rail fence, but the cultivation was +limited, a score of fowls occupying the far end and +the remainder of the area consisting of a grass patch +and a few indigenous shrubs left when the ground +was fenced in from the bush.</p> + +<p>Standing there, he waved his arm comprehensively +towards the unoccupied land at the side and back +of the building.</p> + +<p>"Once outside, who was to see him clamber over +that fence and make for the shelter of the bush?" +he asked. "While you were loitering at the front<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> +door, Brennan, your man was walking out at the +back."</p> + +<p>Brennan gnawed his moustache in chagrin.</p> + +<p>"But—how did he get out of the dining-room?" +Harding exclaimed.</p> + +<p>Durham turned slowly and looked steadily into +Harding's eyes.</p> + +<p>"He walked out, Mr. Harding, walked out through +the door."</p> + +<p>"The door was shut."</p> + +<p>"When you saw it. It was probably closed as +noiselessly as it was opened—his wife saw to that. +Then, as soon as he had slipped out this way, she +came to your office and threw dust in your eyes by +asking where her husband was. Just the sort of +thing a woman would do. What did he do with his +keys—the bank keys, I mean?"</p> + +<p>"He had them with him."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, Mr. Harding. They would be no further +use to him. He must have left them behind him. +We shall find them somewhere. Let me have a look +at the safes which were robbed."</p> + +<p>"Shall I send off a description of the man to the +police in the neighbourhood, sir?" Brennan asked.</p> + +<p>"Did you not do so at once?" Durham asked, +swinging round sharply.</p> + +<p>"I was preparing it when you arrived, sir."</p> + +<p>"We will look at the safes," Durham said.</p> + +<p>Harding had pushed-to the doors of the big safe +As he pulled them open Durham pointed.</p> + +<p>"What keys are those?" he asked.</p> + +<p>In the lock of the reserve recess the keys Eustace<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> +gave Harding in the morning were still hanging. +Harding took them out.</p> + +<p>"They are the manager's keys," he said. "In the +excitement of the discovery that all the gold had gone, +I must have forgotten to return them. I had no idea +they were here when you asked me what Eustace +had done with the keys. I entirely forgot them."</p> + +<p>"But he did not, Mr. Harding. Do you know where +he kept his private papers?"</p> + +<p>"That was his private office," Harding replied, +pointing to the little ante-room.</p> + +<p>"When do you expect the relieving officer to +arrive?"</p> + +<p>"I can hardly say. He may come by train to the +junction, in which case he should be here about noon +to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"Then you will be in charge until he arrives?"</p> + +<p>"I have telegraphed to the head office reporting +that Eustace has disappeared and asking for instructions. +Until they come, of course, I am in charge."</p> + +<p>"Then you will come with me while I examine his +desk, though I do not suppose it contains anything +but official papers—now. In the meantime, Brennan, +send away your description to all the neighbouring +police-stations and also to head-quarters for general +distribution. When you have done that you can come +back here. I shall be waiting for you."</p> + +<p>He followed Harding into the little room.</p> + +<p>"You had better go through the papers, Mr. +Harding. They will probably all relate to the bank's +business. I only want to see those which do not."</p> + +<p>"It was in this drawer he kept his own papers,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> +Harding said, as he touched the knob of one of the +side drawers.</p> + +<p>"Is it locked?"</p> + +<p>"No," Harding replied, as he pulled it out. "But +it is empty," he added.</p> + +<p>"Quite so," Durham replied in an unconcerned +voice. "As I expected."</p> + +<p>Harding stared at him in perplexity.</p> + +<p>"But—but——" he stammered. "I don't understand +it. I cannot—I cannot believe it of him."</p> + +<p>Durham stood silent.</p> + +<p>"Only a madman would have done such a thing, +and Eustace is no more mad than I am," Harding +added.</p> + +<p>Still Durham said nothing.</p> + +<p>"But if he had done such a thing, why did he +remain here? Why not get away at the same time +as he got the gold away? Surely——"</p> + +<p>"Would you mind looking through the remainder +of the drawers?" Durham interrupted.</p> + +<p>Harding opened them one after the other, examined +the papers they contained, and replaced them +without making any further remark. The search was +unavailing so far as private papers were concerned—all +were connected with the bank. As Harding +examined them, Durham stood beside the table +without a word or a glance at the papers. When the +last drawer had been opened, gone through, and +closed, Harding turned to him.</p> + +<p>"There is nothing here except what concerns the +bank," he said.</p> + +<p>"You are sure he kept all his own papers here?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Quite sure. The first drawer I opened was full of +them yesterday. He had it out after the bank closed +last night when I came in to give him the cash +balance."</p> + +<p>"I will see Mrs. Eustace," Durham said shortly. +"In the interests of the bank I should like you to be +present. Will you ask her to come in here?"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps she would rather see you in the house."</p> + +<p>"As she pleases—if you will ask her."</p> + +<p>Harding found her sitting disconsolately in the +dining-room and gave her Durham's message.</p> + +<p>"Very well, I'll see him—here—if you stay."</p> + +<p>She spoke without moving her eyes.</p> + +<p>"I will be here," he said as he left the room to call +Durham.</p> + +<p>In the office he found a telegram had just arrived. +It was an answer to his wire to the head office.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Close office. Do all to assist the police. Wallace +should arrive noon to-morrow."</p></div> + +<p>He handed the message to Durham, who just +glanced at it.</p> + +<p>"Is she coming in here or not?" Durham +asked.</p> + +<p>"She is in the dining-room, and will see you there," +Harding answered.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Eustace was standing staring out of the +window when they entered the room.</p> + +<p>"I can tell you nothing. I know nothing more +than I have already said," she exclaimed as she +turned to meet them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span></p> + +<p>"If you will kindly answer my questions I will be +obliged," Durham replied. "Can you tell me where +your husband kept his private papers?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, in his office—that is, as a rule."</p> + +<p>"And when he did not keep them there, where +were they?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, he always kept them there, but sometimes +he had some in his pocket. Last night——"</p> + +<p>"Yes? Last night——?" Durham said as she +stopped.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's nothing. Merely that he had some papers +in his pocket and discovered they were there when he +was upstairs."</p> + +<p>"Do you know what he did with them?"</p> + +<p>"Of course I do. He left them on the dressing-table. +They are there now."</p> + +<p>"Will you show them to me?"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Harding, will you take him upstairs? The +papers are by the looking-glass."</p> + +<p>Durham followed Harding upstairs without a +word. On the dressing-table a small packet of folded +documents was pushed half under the mirror. Durham +picked them up and glanced at them.</p> + +<p>"Thank you," he said. "Now we will go down +again."</p> + +<p>"These are the papers you referred to?" he asked, +as soon as they were in the dining-room.</p> + +<p>"Yes," Mrs. Eustace answered.</p> + +<p>Durham laid them on the table in front of him.</p> + +<p>"Can you tell me anything about your husband's +private affairs?" he asked, looking steadily at +her.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I don't quite understand what you mean," she +replied slowly.</p> + +<p>"In regard to his mining speculations."</p> + +<p>Harding saw the momentary start, quickly recovered, +that she gave at the question.</p> + +<p>"Do you know he speculated?"</p> + +<p>She sat silent with averted face.</p> + +<p>"Do you know he speculated both in shares and +horse-racing?"</p> + +<p>Still there was no reply, and Durham added, +"Speculated and lost—heavily?"</p> + +<p>"Not heavily," she exclaimed, flashing round upon +him. "He did not lose heavily. He may have——"</p> + +<p>She checked her words suddenly, closing her lips +and turning her face away.</p> + +<p>"Will you please finish your sentence, Mrs. +Eustace?"</p> + +<p>"He may have lost—sometimes; but he won as +well. He had those shares—they may yet bring him +in a fortune," she said, pointing to the papers on the +table.</p> + +<p>"Do you know if there was ever any official reference +to his speculations?"</p> + +<p>Harding could barely hear the words as, with bowed +head, Mrs. Eustace replied.</p> + +<p>"I did not quite catch your answer," Durham +said quietly.</p> + +<p>"I said yes, there was—once."</p> + +<p>"Did he tell you what was said?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know," she said after a few moments' +silence. "You had better ask the bank. I don't +know anything about it."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Perhaps you know why your husband was appointed +to this branch?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know anything about it," she replied +in a low tone.</p> + +<p>"It may save time if I tell you at once, Mrs. +Eustace, that the general manager of the bank has +put me in possession of all information regarding +your husband—you will not improve the situation +by denying what I know you thoroughly understand."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Eustace looked up and met a glance which gave +her the uncomfortable sensation of being looked +through and through. She lowered her eyes more +quickly than she had raised them, paled and then +flushed blood-red.</p> + +<p>"Your husband did not escape through the +kitchen," Durham said in his even tone of +voice.</p> + +<p>"I have already said so," Mrs. Eustace replied, +scarcely above a whisper.</p> + +<p>"He left this room by the window."</p> + +<p>The blood left her cheeks as she started. Harding +saw her hands clasp tightly.</p> + +<p>"And you secured the window on the inside after +he had gone."</p> + +<p>"No!"</p> + +<p>The monosyllable escaped her lips like the yap of a +dog at bay.</p> + +<p>"You secured the window on the inside after he +had gone," Durham repeated in cold, unruffled +tones.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Eustace sprang to her feet and faced him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It's a lie," she cried. "The room was empty +when I came to it."</p> + +<p>"The room was empty, quite so. And the window +was open. You closed and secured it."</p> + +<p>"I tell you I did not."</p> + +<p>"You have already said that you only stood at the +kitchen door until you went to the office to ask +whether your husband was there. Now you say the +room was empty when you came to it. Which statement +do you expect me to believe?"</p> + +<p>"I don't care what you believe," she cried. "You +have no right to ask me these questions. I will not +answer you. Mr. Harding, I appeal to you. If you +have no regard for the honour of an absent friend, +at least you might protect the wife of your friend +from insult."</p> + +<p>Durham's eyes never wavered as he watched +her.</p> + +<p>"No insult is offered or intended, Mrs. Eustace," +he said quietly. "Mr. Harding, in the interests of +the bank, as well as in the interests of your husband, +is desirous, as we all are, of knowing the truth. I +will ask you one more question: Where were you +when Mrs. Burke left the dining-room and crossed +the passage to the front door?"</p> + +<p>Mrs. Eustace, with close-set lips, stood defiantly +silent.</p> + +<p>"Will you answer that question?" Durham +said.</p> + +<p>"No, I will not. I will tolerate this no longer."</p> + +<p>With a quick, angry gesture she turned to the +door.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span></p> + +<p>Durham was on his feet and in front of her before +she could take two steps.</p> + +<p>"Until I have seen your servant, Mrs. Eustace, +you will remain here," he said. "Will you kindly +come with me, Mr. Harding?"</p> + +<p>He held the door open while Harding passed out, +following him without another word.</p> + +<p>But there was little to be ascertained from Bessie +more than she had already told. She heard the door +slam and her mistress go to the kitchen door, but +whether she went on to the dining-room or not, Bessie +"didn't notice."</p> + +<p>"Could you see out of the window at the time?" +Durham asked.</p> + +<p>"No, sir, I was in the scullery washing up," the +girl replied.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Eustace, much to Harding's surprise, was still +in the dining-room on their return. The papers +Durham had placed on the table were untouched.</p> + +<p>"I am sorry to have had to detain you, Mrs. +Eustace. For the present I have nothing further to +ask you. These papers you had better take—I have +no doubt they were left for you."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean—left for me?" she exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"A woman of your quick intelligence, Mrs. Eustace, +scarcely needs to be told," he answered, adding, as he +turned to Harding, "I would like a few moments with +you in the office."</p> + +<p>In the little ante-room that Eustace had used as his +private office, Durham turned the searchlight of his +questions upon Harding.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Have you known Mr. Eustace for very +long?"</p> + +<p>"I have only known him personally since I came +to this branch a few weeks ago."</p> + +<p>"Did you apply to be sent here?"</p> + +<p>"No. I knew nothing about it until I received +instructions to come."</p> + +<p>"Did you know Mrs. Eustace before you came +here?"</p> + +<p>"Not as Mrs. Eustace."</p> + +<p>"You knew her before she was married?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Well?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Am I right in saying that you knew her very +well?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I did know her very well."</p> + +<p>"Don't think I am attempting to pry into your +private affairs, Mr. Harding. In a case of this kind, +the clues that lead to the unravelling of the mystery +often lie on the surface in some trifling circumstance +that seemingly has nothing whatever to do with the +main question. You have already realised, I take +it, that we are concerned with something quite distinct +from the ordinary class of crime. Perhaps you have +not had sufficient experience with the criminal class +to recognise what was apparent to me from the +beginning, that in this matter we are following the +work of one who is a master of his craft."</p> + +<p>"So far as that goes, I am absolutely dazed," +Harding exclaimed. "The more I hear, the more +hopelessly confused I grow."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I am not surprised. You are following the work +of someone who is, I am quite satisfied, no ordinary +criminal, but one of the most astute, clever and +unscrupulous individuals who ever adopted dishonesty +as a profession. If I ask you questions which +appear to you to be irrelevant and possibly impertinent, +will you give me credit for being +actuated only by my sense of duty, and answer +those questions as fully and as accurately as you +can?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly," Harding replied.</p> + +<p>"Thank you. Now, will you tell me this—Were +you ever engaged to Mrs. Eustace before she married +her present husband?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Did she break it off, or did you?"</p> + +<p>"She—she married."</p> + +<p>"She married Eustace, while she was practically +engaged to you?"</p> + +<p>"While she was actually engaged to me."</p> + +<p>"Then he must have known of your existence?"</p> + +<p>"I assume so, but—well, nothing was ever said +about it between us. I will tell you exactly what +happened. The letters I had written to her, the +presents I had given her, and her engagement ring, +were returned to me in a packet through the post +with a piece of wedding-cake. Until I came here +and met her, I did not know to whom she was married. +Whether Eustace knew we had once been engaged I +do not know. I never referred to it."</p> + +<p>"You never knew that, in applying for an assistant, +he named you personally to the general manager<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> +of the bank and gave as a reason a long-standing +friendship?"</p> + +<p>The look of astonishment which showed on Harding's +face was sufficient answer.</p> + +<p>"Yet it is what happened—I have the information +from your general manager."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V</h2> + +<h3>MRS. BURKE'S PRESENTIMENT</h3> + + +<p>Waroona Downs was fifteen miles from Waroona +township by the road, and ten as the crow flies, the +intrusion of a rocky and precipitous range making it +impossible to take the shorter and more direct route. +One had perforce to use the road, and the road turned +and twisted where the level plains were broken +by the range, passing, at one stage, through a narrow +gorge hemmed in by steep, rock-strewn heights, +on which a growth of stunted gums flourished +sufficiently to hide the jagged boulders from the road +below.</p> + +<p>Half-way through the gorge a stream, having its +source in a series of springs hidden among the tumbled +rocks, swept across the track in a shallow ford. The +road dipped to it on both sides, the constant flow +of water having stripped away the soil and left a +barrier of naked rock which dammed back the stream +to form a wide pool sheltered among the hills and +fringed by a more luxurious growth of vegetation +than clothed the heights above.</p> + +<p>The last gleam of the setting sun shed a ruddy +tinge on the topmost branches of the trees as Durham +reached where the road dipped to the stream. The +subdued light in the pass made the distances elusive<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> +and turned the shadows into subtle mysteries of +purpling greys. The air was full of the scent from +the thickly growing vegetation, but, save for the +rippling swish of the water trickling across the track, +the silence was unbroken.</p> + +<p>Durham reined in his horse and sat loosely in his +saddle as his glance swept over the tangled masses of +undergrowth, the tumbled boulders peeping here +and there from amid the shadows, the precipitous +sides of the pass, and the broken ruggedness of the +ground beyond. But it was not an appreciation +of the picturesque, nor a recognition of the poetry in +landscape which held him. He saw in the place only +such a spot as the men concerned in the robbery of +the bank would select for hiding their booty. Within +that maze of rock and tree and mountain, how many +nooks there must be to serve the purpose.</p> + +<p>Had he been occupied only with the matter of the +robbery, he would have started there and then to +satisfy himself whether his surmise was correct, +and whether the missing thousands were not lying +perhaps a few yards away, hidden among the undergrowth +and boulders. But there was more than +the robbery in his mind; it was not alone to make +inquiries on the subject that he had ridden away +on a journey Brennan could have accomplished +equally well. There was a much more personal note +in the affair.</p> + +<p>Durham was in love, and with a woman he had +only met once, and of whom he knew nothing more +than her name.</p> + +<p>Travelling one day by coach, he had, for a fellow-<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span>passenger, +a woman. A dozen signs showed him +that she was a new arrival in the country, unused +to colonial ways, unversed in colonial methods. +It was natural for him, at such places as they stopped +for meals, to extend to her a share of the attention +his official position secured for him. It was also +natural for him to drift into conversation with +her.</p> + +<p>The companion of his coaching experience was +named Burke—Nora Burke—she had told him. +Nora Burke was one of the victims of the bank +robbery, and, apparently, the last person who had +had anything to say to the vanished bank manager. +It was more to ascertain whether the heroine of +the coach journey were the same as the owner of +Waroona Downs, than to learn what Eustace had or +had not said, that Durham determined to ride out to +the station.</p> + +<p>Even as his glance wandered over the picturesque +scene before him, he was impatient to press on—five +miles had yet to be covered before he reached Waroona +Downs. He pulled the bridle with a jerk and rode +steadily until he was clear of the range. Then he +put his horse at a gallop and kept the pace till he +saw the gleam of a light from the window of a house +set back from the road. In the dusk he could not +make out all the detail of the place, but Brennan +told him the homestead was the first house he would +come to after clearing the range.</p> + +<p>He swung on to the side track leading to the house. +As he came up to it he saw the figure of a woman +silhouetted against the light.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Is this Mrs. Burke's?" he called out.</p> + +<p>"And if it is, what might you want?"</p> + +<p>His heart leaped as he heard the answer—despite +the sharp ring, sharp almost to harshness, he recognised +the voice. It was that of the companion of his +coach journey.</p> + +<p>A low verandah, about three feet from the ground, +ran along the front of the house. It was on the +verandah the woman stood. Durham sprang from +the saddle, slipped his bridle over a post, and stepped +up the short flight of stairs.</p> + +<p>The woman had drawn back into the shadow beyond +the window. As he advanced, the light from +the lamp within fell upon him, revealing to her the +uniform he wore.</p> + +<p>With a soft, melodious laugh she came forward.</p> + +<p>"Why didn't you say you were a trooper?" she +said. "I thought——"</p> + +<p>"I am Sub-Inspector Durham," he said quickly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, indeed," she replied.</p> + +<p>She met his glance without a suggestion of recognition +in her own.</p> + +<p>"I have ridden out to ask you one or two questions +in regard to the robbery at the bank, of which I +understand you have heard," he said.</p> + +<p>"Ask me questions? And pray what have I to do +with the robbery, save that I am an unfortunate +victim of the dishonesty of men you and the rest of +the police ought to be chasing at this very moment? +Ask me questions? It's me who has need to ask +them of you. Where are my stolen papers? +Where——"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span></p> + +<p>"If you will give me your assistance by answering +the few questions I wish to ask you, I have no doubt +that your papers, and all the rest of the stolen +property, will very soon be recovered," Durham +said. "I understand you saw Mr. Eustace this +forenoon. Will you tell me——"</p> + +<p>"Ask Mr. Eustace himself," she retorted. "He +can tell you what I said."</p> + +<p>She stood in front of him, with her hands hanging +down hidden in the folds of her dress.</p> + +<p>"I will not detain you long. I have been travelling +since early to-day and have to ride back to the township +to-night."</p> + +<p>"Travelling all day? Sure you must be tired!" +she exclaimed. "Come inside and rest—this affair +has so upset me I'm forgetting that Irish hospitality +ought to be the first rule for Irish folk wherever they +may happen to be. Come in, come in."</p> + +<p>She led the way into the room where the lamp was +burning. As she stepped in through the long open +window Durham saw she was carrying a heavy revolver +in the half-hidden hand.</p> + +<p>"You were evidently prepared for emergencies," +he said.</p> + +<p>She laughed as she laid the weapon on the +table.</p> + +<p>"After what happened to-day, Mr. Durham, I'm +all nerves. When I heard you riding to the house I +was frightened lest it should be some more of the +scoundrels coming to see what else they could rob +from me. You see, I'm all alone here except for +poor old Patsy Malone—he's just a poor half-witted<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> +fool who was with my husband and my husband's +father before him, and he thinks, poor old creature, +that wherever I go he has to go too. I had to bring him +out here with me to save the scandal he would have +made. Sure, he's harmless enough anywhere, but what +could he do if some of those thieving scoundrels rode +up here and robbed me of the last few papers and +things those bank rascals have not yet had the chance +of stealing? But sit down, Mr. Durham, sit down. +I'll tell the old fool to get you some tea—a cup won't +harm you after your long ride. And maybe you'll +take just a bit of something? You'll be hungry."</p> + +<p>She was out of the room before Durham could +answer, but he heard her calling for her ancient +retainer and giving him instructions with the same +volubility that she had shown when speaking to +him.</p> + +<p>"It won't be a minute, Mr. Durham. Luckily the +fire was still in, for Patsy was only finished washing +the dishes scarcely five minutes ago. And what is +the news from the township? Have they caught +the robbers yet? Or do you think they have very +far to look for them if they really want the man +who did it? Now there's a foolish thing for me to +say! I forgot. Of course, it's yourself that has come +up to catch him. You'll forgive me, Mr. Durham, +but I can assure you I never had so great a shock +to my nerves as I had to-day. What's to become of +me now that all those documents are gone? You see, +when I came away my solicitor in Dublin—you see, +he was my husband's solicitor and his father's solicitor +before him, so, as you may judge, he is an old man,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> +though not so old as old Patsy out there—but, as I +was saying, he said——"</p> + +<p>She commenced speaking as she entered the room, +continued as she walked to the table and sat down, +and appeared to Durham as though she were going +on indefinitely.</p> + +<p>"Will you pardon me one moment," he said. "I +left my horse at——"</p> + +<p>"Of course, of course," she cried, starting up. +"Sure the poor beast will be tired, too, and +hungry. Wait, wait, Mr. Durham, I'll send old +Patsy——"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, don't trouble. I'll just take the saddle +off and turn him into the yard. It's Brennan's +horse and had a feed before we started."</p> + +<p>He was out on the verandah before she could +leave the room.</p> + +<p>When he returned, Mrs. Burke was watching a +bent and decrepit-looking old man laying the cloth. +He gave a furtive glance at Durham as he entered the +room.</p> + +<p>"Go on with your work, Patsy, go on, and don't +dawdle. Don't I tell you Mr. Durham is both tired +and hungry? Never mind looking at folk. Go on +now."</p> + +<p>Patsy mumbled an inaudible reply as he stooped +over the table.</p> + +<p>"You must bear with him, Mr. Durham," she said +as soon as the old man had left the room. "He's +been so long with the Burke family he feels he's +entitled to know everyone who comes into the place. +You see what a fragile old creature he is—and he's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> +all I've got in the place if some of those scoundrels +come and attack us."</p> + +<p>She jumped out of her seat and paced from one +end of the room to the other.</p> + +<p>"Sure I was a fool," she exclaimed. "I ought to +have asked Brennan to come out. He's half Irish, +leastways he's Irish born in Australia, and he'd +have understood."</p> + +<p>"I don't think you need be afraid, Mrs. Burke," +Durham said quietly. "You're not likely to be +troubled."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you don't know. You're a great strong man +and able to fight a dozen maybe. But a lonely woman—haven't +they got my papers, and won't they think +that there's a lot more in the house and money too, +maybe, and jewels? And what is there to keep +them from robbing the place and burning it down +over our heads, with only that poor old fool out +there and a poor weak woman like myself to +face?"</p> + +<p>He looked at her as she paced to and fro, her handsome +figure moving with the grace of a Delilah +and her wonderful eyes flashing a greater eloquence +than her tongue, as her glance from time to time +caught his.</p> + +<p>"You need not be afraid," he repeated. "Those +responsible for the robbery of the bank will not be +anxious to appear anywhere in public for some time."</p> + +<p>She stood in the centre of the room where the full +glare of the lamp fell upon her.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't know," she said, "I don't know. +I would not trust them. Besides——"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Besides what?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I was thinking that nobody knows who +they are for certain, and what difference would it +make to them, or to any of us, if they rode down +the main street of Waroona under the very noses of +yourself and all the troopers in Australia?"</p> + +<p>"That is scarcely likely, Mrs. Burke."</p> + +<p>"I don't know," she repeated. "You don't know +who they are, or you would have them inside the +walls of the lock-up. Now tell me, have you any +idea?"</p> + +<p>"I cannot tell you that, Mrs. Burke. What I can +tell you is to put out of your mind entirely any fear +that they will pay you a visit."</p> + +<p>She shook her head and resumed her walk to and +fro.</p> + +<p>"Suppose they come?" she exclaimed, halting +at the table opposite to him. "Suppose they come +at dead of night? I might be murdered in my bed +while I was asleep and only know it when I woke up +to find myself killed."</p> + +<p>Durham laughed.</p> + +<p>"It's true, and you know it, Mr. Durham. Sure +I never was so shaken and nervous as I am to-night! +Could you send Brennan out when you return to the +township?"</p> + +<p>"I am afraid that is impossible," he said.</p> + +<p>"But why? Sure the fellow has nothing to do +but sleep, and he may as well sleep here as in his +own quarters."</p> + +<p>"He is on duty to-night."</p> + +<p>"On duty? Now that the bank's robbed, I sup<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span>pose +he's guarding it? The horse is stolen, so you +lock the door of the empty stable, Mr. Durham; but +where there's a chance of another horse being stolen +you let it look after itself as best it may. And that's +what you call doing your duty and earning the money +we poor unfortunate taxpayers have to provide for +you!"</p> + +<p>"I am afraid I cannot discuss that matter with +you, Mrs. Burke," he said coldly.</p> + +<p>"No!" she retorted hotly. "No, you can't. All +you can do is to put the only constable in the place +to guard an empty bank——"</p> + +<p>"There is a reason why Brennan should remain in +the township to-night. It is therefore quite impossible +for him to come out here—as well as being unnecessary."</p> + +<p>She flounced round and resumed her rapid striding +until old Patsy appeared with the tea.</p> + +<p>"Make haste, now, Patsy, make haste!" she +exclaimed. "Sure you are the slowest old fool +ever set on the earth to delay and keep people +waiting."</p> + +<p>The old man, mumbling to himself, set the meal +and left the room.</p> + +<p>"Now, Mr. Durham, just make yourself at home +with such scant hospitality as I can show you. If it +was in Ireland, sure I'd give you a meal worth the +eating, but here, with me not knowing whether I'm +to own this place or not, and without a soul about +it save useless old Patsy to do a hand's turn, you'll +understand it's only a poor pot-luck sort of spread +at the best I can offer. But such as it is, it is offered<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> +with a free heart, though you are going to leave me +to be murdered by the scoundrels whenever they like +to come."</p> + +<p>"You will laugh at your fears to-morrow," Durham +said as he drew up to the table.</p> + +<p>"They are not fears, Mr. Durham. You don't +know; you're not Irish, and so don't understand, +but Brennan would. It's not fear. It's what we +term presentiment. Not all the Irish have it, but +only some of them. It's my misfortune to be one of +them. I have it. Sure I was tortured the whole of +last night, what with anxiety and sleeplessness and +worry, and all through that wretched bank affair. +It was presentiment. I tried to laugh myself out of +it, but as soon as I got into the township this very +morning, what did I hear? Of course, you know. +Well, now I have just the same feeling that to-night +there's to be more dirty work by those thieving +scoundrels, and it's here they're coming this time, +here—and I'm to be left to their mercy, just one poor +weak, defenceless woman and an old half-witted fool +of a man. It makes me just——"</p> + +<p>She left her sentence uncompleted as she turned +away, with a break in her voice, and stood by the +open window leading out on to the verandah. As +Durham glanced at her he saw her shoulders heave +and her hands convulsively clasp.</p> + +<p>Through the chill of her forgetfulness the love impulse +surged.</p> + +<p>"If you are really so distressed about the matter," +he said quickly, "if you really fear you will be attacked +to-night, I will stay here till the morning."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span></p> + +<p>With a magnificent gesture she faced round from +the window and came swiftly towards him, her eyes +sparkling, her lips wreathed in a happy smile.</p> + +<p>"Oh, what a weight of care you have taken from +my mind!" she cried. "I can rest now in peace and +comfort without thinking that every moment may be +my last on earth."</p> + +<p>"But if they come they may kill me. What +then?" Durham asked, with a smile which had more +than amusement in it.</p> + +<p>She flashed her brilliant glance at him, raising her +eyes quickly to his and drooping them slowly behind +the shelter of the dark, heavy lashes.</p> + +<p>"No," she said softly. "You are too brave a man—they +will not dare to come while you are here."</p> + +<p>"And so your presentiment passes into thin air?" +he said.</p> + +<p>"It's relieved," she said. "Maybe I'm too timid—that +affair has upset me so much. Now tell me, +do you really think you know who the thieves +are?"</p> + +<p>She sat down at the table opposite to him and +leaned her chin on her hands, her loose sleeves falling +away from her arms and revealing, to the best advantage, +their rounded whiteness. Into her eyes there +came the flicker of a challenge, the sparkle of mischief +which gave a new character to her face, a +different expression to all he had hitherto seen. There +was flippant raillery in her voice as she repeated her +question.</p> + +<p>"Do you really think you will find out who the +thieves are?" she exclaimed.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span></p> + +<p>"One I already know," he replied, fixing his eyes +on her as his square jaws set firm in his effort to refrain +from allowing his features to relax into the smile +which was hovering so near.</p> + +<p>For a moment the lines round her eyes hardened, +and the sparkle became a flash before it melted again +as a rippling laugh came from her lips.</p> + +<p>"How terribly stern you look!" she cried in a +mocking voice. "Do you ever think of anything but +your work, Mr. Durham?"</p> + +<p>"Not when I have anything at all difficult on +hand," he replied.</p> + +<p>"Then this does puzzle you?"</p> + +<p>"It has its difficulties; but, for all that, it is a +problem I shall solve."</p> + +<p>Again the rippling laugh rang through the +room.</p> + +<p>"Why, of course! Was there ever a case the +police had in hand where they did not have a clue +at the very beginning?"</p> + +<p>"Several," he answered. "A clever, resourceful +criminal, Mrs. Burke, always has the advantage. +Where they fail ultimately is in becoming too sure +of themselves and too forgetful of the network of +snares laid to entrap them and always waiting to +trip them."</p> + +<p>"I suppose that is so," she said slowly. "I suppose +that is so. Poor things—I can't help pitying +them, Mr. Durham. One never knows what lies behind +their wickedness—what it was which first sent +them rolling down the slope that ends—often—on the +gallows."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span></p> + +<p>She shuddered as she spoke, averting her face from +him.</p> + +<p>"This is a dismal subject," he exclaimed. "Let +us change it. Will you answer the questions I want +to ask you about the bank affair?"</p> + +<p>"Ask them. Oh! ask the wretched things and +let me get it over. Sure I begin to hate the mention +of it," she exclaimed as she shrugged her shoulders +impatiently.</p> + +<p>Without apparently heeding her objection, he asked +her to say whether anyone was in the passage as she +passed from the dining-room to the entrance of the +bank.</p> + +<p>"Of course there was. Didn't I tell Brennan at +once?" she said.</p> + +<p>"Who was it?"</p> + +<p>"His wife."</p> + +<p>"Brennan's?"</p> + +<p>"Brennan's! No! The bank manager's; she +was just outside the door—listening, I'll be +bound."</p> + +<p>"You are sure of that?"</p> + +<p>"Sure that she was listening? Well, isn't she a +woman? What else would she be doing?"</p> + +<p>"That is all I want to ask you," he said +quietly.</p> + +<p>She looked at him wonderingly.</p> + +<p>"All?" she asked. "You rode out from +Waroona merely to ask me that bit of a +question?"</p> + +<p>He nodded.</p> + +<p>"Well, then," she exclaimed, "if that's how<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> +you're going to catch the thieves it's good-bye to +my papers."</p> + +<p>The eyes which met his told of anger and indignation.</p> + +<p>"You expected a rigid cross-examination?" he +asked, with a smile.</p> + +<p>"I expected questions which would have some +bearing on the affair," she retorted.</p> + +<p>"Your experience in this sort of thing is somewhat +limited, Mrs. Burke. A tangled skein is unravelled +by following a mere thread, not by tearing +at the entire mass. I have hold of a thread, and I +am following it."</p> + +<p>"And where will it lead you?"</p> + +<p>"Where? It does not matter where so long as +the tangle is made straight."</p> + +<p>"While my papers and my——"</p> + +<p>"You need not be uneasy," he interrupted. +"They are just as safe as though you held them in +your hand."</p> + +<p>"Safe for those who stole them," she retorted, +with a short, satirical laugh.</p> + +<p>"Safe for you," he answered. "You have not +been long enough in the country to realise how complete +a system of detection we have here. I have +never felt more certain of securing both the culprits +and the stolen property than I am in this +case."</p> + +<p>Again she gave a short, satirical laugh.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes," she said. "Of course. You know +exactly where the thieves are and where they have +hidden what was taken and also where they are<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> +hiding. You can put your hands on them whenever +you like. One does not need to come to Australia +to hear that sort of romance, Mr. Durham; I +hoped rather that one would not hear it in +Australia, but you police are as capable at +blundering and bungling and bluffing here as +elsewhere."</p> + +<p>"I am neither bungling nor bluffing," he answered +quietly.</p> + +<p>"You are doing both," she replied warmly. +"What are you doing here now? Why have you +come bothering me with ridiculous questions? +What can I tell you more than the bank people +themselves? Or is it that you think I am the thief? +Why don't you say at once you suspect me—old +Patsy and myself? Sure it would be in keeping +with the rest of it—wasting your time and mine by +coming out to ask who was in the passage when I +left the dining-room! What has that to do with my +loss? Do you think I care whether Mrs. Eustace +heard what I told her husband? I'd say it to her +face if she likes, just as I said it to his. I told him +he ought to be arrested, and I say so to you. I'd +arrest him and his wife and his assistant and his +servant—everyone in the place if I had my +way."</p> + +<p>He was watching the light flashing in her eyes, +watching and admiring. The full rich tones of her voice +vibrated with the heat of her words, her bosom rose +and fell as in her indignation wave after wave of +expression swept across her face, each one intensifying +the charm she had for him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I suppose you include me in your list of suspects," +she blurted out as he did not speak. "Why don't +you say so at once? Your questions certainly +suggest it."</p> + +<p>"Do they?" he asked, with a smile which irritated +her.</p> + +<p>"Yes, they do. What else do they suggest? It +would be quite in keeping with the rest of the business—you +riding out here to ask me pointless questions +while the people most likely to have been concerned +in the robbery are left alone. They are known, I +suppose you will say, where I am a stranger, someone +you have never seen before——"</p> + +<p>"You are wrong," he interrupted, still smiling; +"I have seen you before."</p> + +<p>Her eyes concentrated on his with keen intensity.</p> + +<p>"When? Where?" she asked sharply.</p> + +<p>"We were fellow-passengers by a coach four or +five months back. You have forgotten me, but I"—now +that the personal note had been struck, the +note he wished so much to sound and yet shrank +from, he was almost carried away by it; by an effort +he checked himself, and instead of telling her all +that the meeting had meant for him, he added, +"I rarely forget a face when I have once seen +it."</p> + +<p>She flashed a swift glance at him, reading in +his eyes, in his face, in his attitude, the confirmation +of what she knew from the tone of his +voice.</p> + +<p>"But you—you do not—remember me," he said<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> +slowly as she did not reply. He saw the glance, +saw the fleeting questioning light in her eyes, +and with the fatuity bred of love-blindness, misread +it.</p> + +<p>"I do remember—distinctly," she answered softly. +"I recognised you as you came on to the verandah. +I thought it was you who had forgotten—or did not +wish to remember."</p> + +<p>As she spoke the last words softly, demurely, +she raised her eyes to his and looked steadily +at him with no sign on her face of her recent +indignation.</p> + +<p>"I not wish to remember? I not wish to remember +you?" he exclaimed in a ringing tone. +"Why—it was because I have never ceased to remember +that I came here to-night. Your name was +mentioned at Waroona—it was the only clue you +gave me when we parted, the only clue I had to follow +when I tried to find you, tried to trace you every day +since then. I have never ceased to seek for you, +never ceased to think of you, nor to remember the +day I met you. Had you not been here to-night, +had I found it was someone else with a similar name, +I should not have forgotten you—I shall never do +that—never."</p> + +<p>She sat back in her chair, her eyes downcast, a +slight frown puckering her brows. He saw the +frown as she spoke and it checked his words, but he +continued to watch her steadily, noting the graceful, +yet seemingly unstudied way in which the wavy +mass of her luxuriant hair was coiled on her head, the +clear whiteness of her skin, the heavy fringe of her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> +drooping lashes. Even as he watched she raised her +eyes to his.</p> + +<p>For one brief moment she allowed them to rest, +filled with an earnestness and depth of softness that +made his pulses leap again.</p> + +<p>Impulsively he stretched out his hand to her +across the table.</p> + +<p>She lowered her glance, and a faint smile flickered +round her lips.</p> + +<p>"I must away," she said softly, as she arose. +"You will need a good night's rest after your long +and wearying ride."</p> + +<p>He pushed away his chair, as he started abruptly +to his feet. The warmth of his impulse went +cold.</p> + +<p>"I shall start with the dawn or before it," he said, +keeping his eyes averted from the glamour of her +face. "I have a riding-cloak. I will take this +hammock-chair on to the verandah. Don't let me +disturb you."</p> + +<p>"But you cannot go in the morning without a +bite," she replied.</p> + +<p>"I shall require nothing," he said brusquely. "I +shall be away before you are awake. I am merely +staying to set your mind at rest on the question +of the house being visited and robbed. Don't let me +disturb you—or detain you."</p> + +<p>She bent her head slowly and gracefully.</p> + +<p>"As you will," she replied in a gentle voice. +"Good night, Mr. Durham."</p> + +<p>Without waiting for a reply she turned and went +from the room, closing the door quietly after her.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span></p> + +<p>He stood where she had left him, staring fixedly +at the closed door.</p> + +<p>"I was a fool to come, a greater fool to speak," he +muttered savagely. "What satisfaction is there in +knowing who she is, when——"</p> + +<p>He swung round petulantly, diving his hand into +his pocket for a pipe. When it was filled and lighted, +he dragged his chair out on to the verandah, lowered +the lamp flame to a glimmer, pushed-to the window, +and lay back in the chair, blowing furious clouds of +smoke out upon the night and staring, with unseeing +eyes, into the dark.</p> + +<p>But always before him there floated the vision +of the speaking grey-blue eyes looking at him from +the shelter of their dark-fringed lashes; always +in his brain he heard the gentle melody of her voice +as she had last spoken to him, and always there +came to taunt and goad him the jarring memory of +the half-mocking way in which she had pushed back +upon himself the frank revelation he had made. But +though it jarred, it had no power to lessen the +fascination she exercised over him. Despite her rebuff, +despite the seeming hopelessness of his infatuation, +it held him. The more he tried to force it back, +the stronger it grew; the greater, the more +beautiful and more lovable did Mrs. Burke appear +to be.</p> + +<p>The jarring note passed from his memory. Under +the soothing quiet of the night and the stillness of +the bush, looming dark and mysterious against the +sky, scarcely less sombre with only the light of the +stars to illumine it, his fancy was filled with the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> +image he had carried in his mind for so many months. +The weariness of an arduous day added its softening +influence, and he drifted out upon the sea of dreams +and thence into a deep slumber, while yet his pipe was +unfinished.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<h3>THE FACE AT THE WINDOW</h3> + + +<p>While Harding sat talking to Brennan in the office, +Bessie came to him with a note.</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Eustace asked me to give you this, sir," +the girl said, as she handed it to him at the door.</p> + +<p>He tore open the envelope. A single sheet of paper +was enclosed, on which was written, "For the sake +of the bygone days, come to me."</p> + +<p>"Where is Mrs. Eustace?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"She's in her room, Mr. Harding, in her little +sitting-room."</p> + +<p>It was one of the rooms where he had never been, a +tiny chamber at the far end of the passage which she +had made into a boudoir. Once he had seen into it +through the open door, seen the daintiness with which +it was decorated, a daintiness redolent of her as he +had known her in the days when, for him, the world +held no other woman.</p> + +<p>And she had chosen this as the place where they +should meet!</p> + +<p>He knocked at the door, and heard her voice +answer, bidding him to come in. She was sitting in +a cane lounge-chair, listless, pale, and weary-eyed.</p> + +<p>As he entered she gave him one swift glance and +then looked away.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Do you wish to see me, Mrs. Eustace?" he asked +in a cold, formal voice.</p> + +<p>She did not reply at once, but sat with her head +bowed and her hands loosely clasped in her lap.</p> + +<p>"If you will say what you wish to as quickly as +you can, I shall be obliged," he said. "Brennan is +in the office, and I have some matters to arrange +with him."</p> + +<p>Her head was raised slowly, steadily, until her face +was turned full towards him.</p> + +<p>"Will you please arrange them first?" she replied. +"I want to say something which may take +some time, and I—I would not inconvenience the +bank."</p> + +<p>"I would rather hear what you have to say first, +Mrs. Eustace."</p> + +<p>She shook her head.</p> + +<p>"It is not a matter I can sum up in a few brief +sentences," she replied. "If you cannot arrange +things with Brennan and then come to me here, pray +forget I mentioned anything about it."</p> + +<p>He moved uneasily as she averted her face and sat +back in her chair.</p> + +<p>"I will see what I can do," he said shortly, and +left the room.</p> + +<p>When he returned to the office he found Brennan +talking to Bessie, who had brought him some supper +and a couple of blankets with which to make a bed +on the floor. Brennan nodded towards them as +Bessie disappeared.</p> + +<p>"You know the idea of my being here at all, don't +you?" he asked.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span></p> + +<p>"To tell you the truth, I don't," Harding replied.</p> + +<p>"The Sub-Inspector fancies someone may try +to get back to learn what he can about our doings. +You know who will most likely be asked, and so +you see what it means when, as soon as I am here, +and before I say a word about staying, these things +are brought in. As if there is likely to be any sleep +for me with the chance of the Sub-Inspector riding +up any hour and catching me off duty. But it shows +what's in the wind, doesn't it?"</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Eustace has asked me to discuss something +with her," Harding said quietly. "She knows you +are here to-night."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, Mr. Harding. She knows that, I've no +doubt, but how did she or the girl know I was to be +on duty here all the night? Don't you see? Supposing +the Sub-Inspector is right, and a certain person +we know wants to hear all that had happened since +he went away, is he likely to come while I am here? +It is not difficult to put a lighted lamp in a window, +or to leave a blind pulled up or drawn down, is it? +Anything of the kind is enough to give him a warning +that the coast is clear or that there is danger ahead."</p> + +<p>"Oh, but we can easily stop that," Harding exclaimed. +"We can easily prevent any signal being +used."</p> + +<p>"If you know what the signal is," Brennan said. +"But if you don't know, what are you to do?"</p> + +<p>"We shall have to watch."</p> + +<p>"That's it, we shall have to watch and take care +nobody knows it," Brennan replied in a low tone. +"Have you a revolver?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No. The one we kept in the bank was stolen from +the drawer with the money."</p> + +<p>"Then slip this into your pocket," Brennan said, +as he passed a bright nickel-plated "bull-dog" to +Harding. "It's loaded in all the chambers and has a +snap trigger; but it's no good for a long shot, though +it makes as much noise as a service carbine. Don't +hesitate to use it if anything happens—the noise will +let me know, and there's no danger of hitting anyone +with it unless you are a better shot than I am."</p> + +<p>"But where are you going?"</p> + +<p>Brennan jerked his head towards the door.</p> + +<p>"You see me off the premises and then tell the girl +to fetch those blankets away again. After that, +keep your eyes open and rest assured that as soon as +you let off the barker I've given you, I shall not be +far off. If there is any arrangement such as I have +suggested, my going now will put them off their +guard and our gentleman will get the signal to make +his call as expected. Bringing in those blankets has +given the game away—to me it shows just what is in +the wind."</p> + +<p>When he had seen Brennan off the premises, Harding +told Bessie to remove the blankets from the +office, and returned to the little room.</p> + +<p>The door was ajar when he reached it, but there +was no answer to his rap. He pushed it open and +entered. Mrs. Eustace was not there.</p> + +<p>He turned, and came face to face with her as he +stood in the doorway, though he had not heard her +approach.</p> + +<p>"I did not hear you coming," he exclaimed.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No, I am wearing light shoes," she answered. +"But won't you sit down? Have you made all your +arrangements? I don't want to begin to say what I +wish if you will have to go away before I have +finished."</p> + +<p>"There is nothing to call me away now. Brennan +has gone," he said, as he took the chair she indicated.</p> + +<p>"Before I begin, I must ask you to forgive me for +mentioning the subject at all," she said slowly.</p> + +<p>She sat facing him and, up to that moment, had +kept her eyes fixed on him; but as she ceased speaking +she glanced aside until her head was bowed as it +had been previously. He took advantage of the +opportunity to give one quick look round. The +chair in which he sat was so placed that the profile +of the person occupying it was thrown by the light +of the lamp directly upon the window-blind. The +window faced the bush at the back of the bank.</p> + +<p>He moved his chair until his shadow fell on the wall, +but then the lamp was between her and himself, +and he could not watch her face.</p> + +<p>"I will take this chair," he said shortly, as he +stepped to the one where she had been sitting when +he first came to the room. From it he commanded +not only a complete view of her, but also out of the +window, for the blind, pulled down to the full extent, +was slightly askew, and left a space between it and +the window-pane. Through that space he could +see across the yard to the fence running round the +allotment, and beyond it to the dark line of the bush, +rendered the darker at the moment by the soft sheen +of the rising moon showing above it.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span></p> + +<p>A silence followed his movement, a silence during +which she fidgeted uneasily and impatiently.</p> + +<p>"You do not answer," she said presently. "Shall +I go on?"</p> + +<p>"I am waiting for you to do so," he replied.</p> + +<p>"You will forgive me for mentioning this subject?"</p> + +<p>"You have not mentioned any subject yet, Mrs. +Eustace. I don't know what it is you wish to talk +about."</p> + +<p>"I am afraid it is very distasteful to you. I am +not surprised if it is, but—if you knew everything in +connection with it, you might think differently. +That is why I want to tell you."</p> + +<p>"Yes," he said indifferently, as she paused.</p> + +<p>"You do not want to speak of it," she said again. +"But I must explain—I ought to have done so +directly you came up here. I want to explain my +conduct to you when I returned your——"</p> + +<p>"There is no need," he interrupted her. "That +matter was at an end at once. There is no benefit +to be gained by attempting to revive it."</p> + +<p>"I do not seek to revive it," she retorted, colouring +at his words. "Surely if I wish to set straight what +I know is not straight, I am not seeking to revive it? +I wish to make one thing clear to you. You have +not known Charlie as long as I have. Neither do you +know him as well as I do. In the face of the accusations +made by that police inspector anything may be +said or suspected."</p> + +<p>He did not reply, and she went on.</p> + +<p>"You, hearing Charlie painted in the blackest +colours, are not likely to raise any protest either to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> +yourself or to anyone else. You will rather believe all +ill of him and will most likely impute things to him he +never did. One thing I do not want blamed on to +him. Those letters and things which were sent back +to you, I sent—I sent them entirely myself—Charlie +did not send them—I sent them."</p> + +<p>She looked up at him quickly and then away as +though she feared to meet his eyes.</p> + +<p>"Is that all you wished to tell me?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"I wished to tell you—all about it. I do not want +you to blame Charlie. It was not his fault—nothing +was his fault. I was a silly, flighty girl and fancied +myself in love with everyone, whereas, really, I never +cared at all, not until I met him. I don't want you +to think he was to blame, because, if you do, you may +want to be revenged on him, and now you have this +opportunity you may take it. If you believe me and +realise he had nothing whatever to do with my +changing my mind, more than to come into my life, +as he did, then you may sympathise with him in his +present trouble and save him all you can."</p> + +<p>She did not attempt to look at him again as she +spoke. He leaned back in his chair and turned his +glance away from her, away to the space between the +window and the blind. The first glint of the moon +was stealing over the dark line of the bush and +spreading over the open country between it and the +line of fence. He could see, indistinctly, what seemed +to be a heavy shadow moving slowly away from the +trees.</p> + +<p>"It is a subject on which I would rather say +nothing, Mrs. Eustace," he said presently, without<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> +removing his eyes from the window. "If you wish to +speak about it, and you think it will ease your mind +in any way, I will listen to all you wish to say. +But do not expect me to reply to you. Do not +expect me to express any opinion. I do not wish to +appear harsh, but I must tell you that so far as I am +concerned, the curtain was rung down upon the last +act of my romance when my letters were returned—was +rung down to remain down for ever."</p> + +<p>"I was afraid it would be a distasteful subject to +you," she said; "but I must talk about it—I must. +I have wanted to tell you for so long—I wanted to +write to you and explain after the things were sent +off, but—but it was so difficult. I felt how horrible +it was of me, how horrible and how mean, never to +say one word, but just throw everything in your face +after—after all you had done for me. I deserve to +suffer what I am going through now—I deserve +everything. It was so contemptible of me to allow +myself to be—to do what I did," she added quickly, +and he felt rather than saw the way she glanced at +him, for he was still staring out through the narrow +opening between the window and the blind, away +at the curious dark shadowy patch which was slowly +moving further and further away from the line of +thickly growing trees.</p> + +<p>"Won't you say one word? Not even that you +forgive me?"</p> + +<p>Her voice was soft and gentle—the voice he +remembered having heard so often in the bygone +days—the days for whose sake she had appealed to +him to come to her. He leaned forward in his chair,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> +staring through the little slit of space between the +blind and the window, intent upon distinguishing +what it was he saw, resenting what he believed to be +her efforts to beguile him.</p> + +<p>"Do you hate me so much?"</p> + +<p>Scarcely above a whisper the words reached him, +a whisper with tears in it, and his heart shrank at +the sound. He turned quickly towards her.</p> + +<p>She started impulsively to her feet and held out her +hands to him.</p> + +<p>"Fred!" she exclaimed.</p> + +<p>He sat unmoved, for the shadow in the distance was +growing more and more distinct, and the suspicion +with which he regarded her drove away every particle +of commiseration, and made him blind to the emotion +welling up in her eyes, hostile to the pathos in her +voice.</p> + +<p>She clasped her hands and let them drop limply in +front of her as she sank into her chair again.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I am so lonely, so lonely," she murmured, +"I don't know what to do. If you would only help +me. I know I behaved horribly to you, vilely; but +surely—surely you have some pity for me in my +misfortune. I have no one to turn to—no one—no +one. If you would only help me to understand—if +you would only talk the matter over with me, it +would be some relief."</p> + +<p>"There can be no benefit in talking over what has +passed—the best thing is to forget it ever happened. +That is what I have striven to do. If you returned +my letters of your own free will, you were merely +exercising a right to which you were perfectly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> +entitled. You preferred Eustace to me, that is +all."</p> + +<p>"All?" she echoed in a tone of amazement. +"All? Is that what you thought? Is that what you +think?"</p> + +<p>"What else can I think?" he retorted. "If you +chose for yourself——"</p> + +<p>She sprang up and faced him with widely opened, +gleaming eyes.</p> + +<p>"I did not," she cried. "I did not. There! Now +you know. It was a——"</p> + +<p>She stopped abruptly, staring with eyes so full of +entreaty that he looked away from her lest the +emotion roused by her words, by her attitude and her +eyes, carried him away at a moment when he required +above all things complete self-control. To avoid her +eyes he turned once more to the window—the moving +shadow had grown clearer—it had split in twain, +and he could distinctly see the forms of two horsemen +riding swiftly towards the bank.</p> + +<p>The sight sent a chill through him; he recoiled +from the woman whose pleading a moment before +had thrilled him, recoiled from her as from some +reptile. While she was appealing to him, pleading +with him, the man she was expecting—whom she +was even ready to vilify in order to throw dust in the +eyes of the one who was a menace to him—was coming +in response, probably, to a signal given by the clear, +lamp-lit window-blind.</p> + +<p>He faced her where she stood, his eyes hard and +cold, his mouth set stern.</p> + +<p>"I prefer not to hear anything further on the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> +subject," he said in a measured tone. "It is a subject +which does not now concern me."</p> + +<p>"Fred!"</p> + +<p>Despite his anger, despite the resentment the +spectacle of those two riders had roused within him, +the anguish in her voice cut him. Her eyes, fixed on +his, were filled with intense sorrow, her face went +ashen.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Fred! I——"</p> + +<p>She swayed as she stood, staggered, and sank into +the chair between the lamp and the window, flinging +her arms out over the table and burying her head +upon them as she gave vent to a fit of sobbing. +But as she moved, her shadow swept across the +blind.</p> + +<p>He looked out again upon the moonlit scene—the +horsemen had passed from the field of vision. +He leaned forward to get a wider view, but there +was no further sign of them—it was as though the +shadow passing across the blind had been a danger +signal on which they had acted immediately it was +given.</p> + +<p>He wondered whether Brennan had seen them, +whether he was also on the look out or was waiting +hidden somewhere until he heard the warning shot. +Harding was to fire in the event of anything happening. +Ought he to fire now? Ought he to give the +alarm or wait, lest the sound of the shot warned +the two horsemen as well as alarmed Brennan?</p> + +<p>Leaning forward, with his attention riveted as he +gazed through the narrow slit, he scarcely noticed +that Mrs. Eustace had ceased to sob—the sudden<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> +appearance of her head, in shadow, upon the blind, +made him start to his feet.</p> + +<p>"Put out that lamp," he exclaimed, but before she +could move he was past her and had blown out the +flame.</p> + +<p>"Fred! What is it?" she asked in an agitated +whisper.</p> + +<p>"Silence," he said fiercely, as he crept back to the +window and stooped to peer into the night.</p> + +<p>Along the fence which formed the boundary of the +bank's ground, the fence Durham had pointed out as +the one over which Eustace must have made his +escape, he saw the figure of a man stealthily creeping.</p> + +<p>He thrust his hand into the pocket where he had +slipped the revolver Brennan had given him.</p> + +<p>"Fred! Fred! What do you see?" he heard +Mrs. Eustace whisper, and in the dim obscurity he +saw her come to his side.</p> + +<p>"Quiet," he said harshly.</p> + +<p>Both her hands, trembling, touched his arm.</p> + +<p>"Tell me," she whispered; "I will be brave. Who +is it you see?"</p> + +<p>The thin streak of moonlight falling through the +narrow space between the blind and the window +glinted on the bright barrel of the revolver, as he +drew it from his pocket.</p> + +<p>She fell on her knees beside him, her arms flung +round him, her voice in his ear.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Fred—no, not that! Is it Charlie? Oh, +don't—don't——"</p> + +<p>He pushed her back roughly, his eyes straining +to catch another glimpse of the creeping figure<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> +which had gone out of sight as he raised his revolver +ready to fire.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, no! Don't shoot him! Don't, Fred, +don't! He——"</p> + +<p>Her words ended in a shriek, for even as she spoke +there appeared outside the window, showing clear +with the moonlight falling full upon it, the face of a +yellow-bearded man. Harding wrested himself free +from her clinging arms, leapt to the window, and tore +the blind away.</p> + +<p>The form of the man, running swiftly, was disappearing +amongst the bushes.</p> + +<p>Heedless of the glass in front of him, of the +terrified woman at his knees, Harding raised his +revolver and fired.</p> + +<p>As the shivered glass crashed to the ground, the +report of other shots, fired in rapid succession, came +from outside, and across the patch of grass, firing +as he ran, Brennan dashed after the runaway.</p> + +<p>Harding scrambled through the broken window +and ran after him.</p> + +<p>From behind the clustering shrubs which formed +a screen in front of the chicken-run, there came the +sound of horses galloping. Brennan stopped as he +heard it. When Harding caught up to him, he was +rapidly reloading his revolver.</p> + +<p>"He's slipped us," he cried. "The sub-inspector +has my horse, and ordered me not to leave the bank +till he came back. And there's that scoundrel riding +away from under our noses!"</p> + +<p>"Did you see him?" Harding exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"See him? Wasn't I crawling on him round the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> +house when she screamed out to him, and you fired? +Another two minutes and I had him, yellow beard +and all. Now we know who the man was who called +at the bank to cash a cheque after hours. Anyhow, +I'll have the woman safe before she can do any more +mischief. I'll arrest her right away, and the girl as +well. They're both in the game, if you ask me."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<h3>SNARED</h3> + + +<p>Durham awakened with a sense of oppression.</p> + +<p>For the moment he could not recall where he was. +It seemed as though some sound had disturbed him, +yet before he opened his eyes he realised the utter +silence which reigned.</p> + +<p>It was the silence which brought back to him where +he was. He had fallen asleep as he lay in the hammock +chair on the verandah at Waroona Downs.</p> + +<p>In his half-awakened state he made an effort to sit +up. But he could not move—arms, legs, body were +held as though in paralysis. He could only open his +eyes.</p> + +<p>Before him, in the faint light shed by the down-turned +lamp, he saw the figure of a man, leaning +slightly forward, clad in the attire of an ordinary +bushman—an unbuttoned jacket hanging loosely +open over a cotton shirt; tweed trousers secured +at the waist by a narrow strap; travel-stained +leggings and heavy boots with well-worn spurs +dangling at the heels. The head was covered by a +soft felt hat pulled forward, shading the upper part +of the face, while the lower was hidden by a thick +growth of yellow beard. The hair, where it showed +under the hat, was fair almost to whiteness and close-<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span>cropped. +Eyebrows and lashes of the same light +hue gave a sinister expression to the eyes.</p> + +<p>Durham recognised him at once as the man +Eustace had declared called at the bank after office +hours.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Burke's presentiment had come true! The +men from whom he had so lightly offered to protect +her had stolen upon him while he slept.</p> + +<p>With a frantic plunge he strove to break free, at the +same moment opening his mouth to shout a warning. +But even as his lips parted, a hand came from behind +him and placed a soft muffling substance over his +mouth.</p> + +<p>"Tie it—tight," the man in front said in a low +whisper.</p> + +<p>Durham felt the passing of a thong round and +round his head. He tried to raise his legs to kick the +floor of the verandah, but they were too securely +fastened to the sides of the chair. He could move +neither hand nor foot. He was as helpless as though +he were dead.</p> + +<p>The man with the yellow beard bent nearer.</p> + +<p>"We'll see you again—later," he whispered. +"That's a good horse you were riding—Government +property, I think, it was. Well, it has changed +owners."</p> + +<p>He moved noiselessly away and Durham was left +alone. Bracing his muscles, he strained at the cords +which bound him, trying to writhe himself free. +The chair creaked. In a moment the man with the +yellow beard was back.</p> + +<p>"If you wriggle for a year you won't get free," he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> +said in a harsh whisper. "But I tell you what +you will get; that's a crack on the head to keep you +quiet. Do you hear? You lay still, or there'll be +an ugly bump on your skull."</p> + +<p>He stepped out of sight, and Durham heard the +window he had pulled-to quietly pushed open. +A rage of mingled anger and jealousy swept over +him. Regardless of the threat, he plunged and +struggled till the veins in his head were bursting, +and he smothered as the muffler over his mouth +worked up and covered his nostrils.</p> + +<p>Suddenly a sound cut through the night which +sent his blood cold.</p> + +<p>From within the house there came the wild, +terrified shriek of a woman. A hoarse shout blended +with it, and then the report of a revolver-shot echoed +through the place.</p> + +<p>For a few minutes there was silence, deathly, +nerve-destroying silence. Durham, trembling with +mortification, strained his ears to catch some further +sound.</p> + +<p>Two shots in quick succession rang out, followed +by a rush of scuffling feet, and on the air there came +the thud of galloping horses' hoofs.</p> + +<p>"They're off, Patsy! The rifle, quick! Quick! +Oh, you old fool, be quick! They'll be too +far!"</p> + +<p>Durham heard the words screamed in a high +shrill voice. Thereafter he could only hear the +hum of voices dimly.</p> + +<p>Presently they came clearer.</p> + +<p>"I tell you only two got away, three horses and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> +two men. I saw them. The other's somewhere. +Sure I hope I put a bullet through him, and I believed +him when he said he was a police inspector. Oh, +what a country to come to. To think that the +dirty—oh, look out, Patsy! Look out, you old +fool!"</p> + +<p>The noise of a shot rang through Durham's head as +though a pistol had been fired close to his ear. He +saw a splinter fly from the verandah post as the bullet +glanced off.</p> + +<p>"I've hit him! I've hit him! See if he's dead, +Patsy. Don't be frightened. I tell you I'll cover +him if he moves."</p> + +<p>The light spread clear as the lamp was turned up, +and Durham heard the slow-moving footsteps of the +old man approaching.</p> + +<p>"Bedad! It's all tied up he is!"</p> + +<p>Quick footsteps came, and as Durham turned his +eyes he saw, looking down at him, with her hair +flying loose, her cheeks white, and her eyes wild with +excitement, Nora Burke.</p> + +<p>"What has happened? What does it mean?" +she said slowly. "Patsy, get a knife and—no, let +me."</p> + +<p>She reached and caught hold of the cord tied round +Durham's legs.</p> + +<p>"Get a knife, Patsy. It is too tight to untie."</p> + +<p>Obedient, the old man brought her the table-knife +Durham had used at his supper, and with it she cut +through some of the cords.</p> + +<p>"Can you move now? Oh, it's a gag they put on +you!" she exclaimed, as she leaned over him and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> +cut the thong which held the muffler so securely +across his mouth.</p> + +<p>"Free my arm, and give me the knife," he +said, as soon as he could speak. "I will cut +quicker."</p> + +<p>She placed the knife in his hand when she had +slipped the cord twined round his arm. He could +scarcely close his fingers on it, so stiff had they +become, and he fumbled clumsily before he had cut +himself free. Then he rose to his feet and stood +unsteadily.</p> + +<p>Patsy had vanished; Mrs. Burke watched him +from the shadow at the side of the window.</p> + +<p>"You saw them?" he exclaimed. "It was you +who fired?"</p> + +<p>Before she could answer his eye caught sight of +something white lying by the chair. He stooped +and picked it up. It was what had been used +to muffle his cries, and he saw it was a handkerchief.</p> + +<p>Instinctively he opened it out, stepped into the +full glare of the light and ran his eyes along the +edge. At one corner a name, boldly written, showed +clear.</p> + +<p>"Charles N. Eustace."</p> + +<p>He could not repress an exclamation as he read the +name.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" she cried, as she came over to +him.</p> + +<p>She gripped his arm as she also read the name.</p> + +<p>"Eustace!" she cried. "Eustace—then it was +he who——"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span></p> + +<p>She stopped abruptly, staring at him.</p> + +<p>"Did you recognise him?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"It was dark—I only saw them against the sky. +They had their backs to me as they rode off. I mean +it was Eustace who robbed the bank."</p> + +<p>"When did you come to that conclusion?"</p> + +<p>"I said so at first—I told Brennan. Why did you +not arrest him? I told Brennan to go in and arrest +him when I left, before you arrived."</p> + +<p>"Brennan went to do so, Mrs. Burke."</p> + +<p>"Then—how could Eustace be here to-night if +Brennan arrested him?"</p> + +<p>"Brennan did not arrest him. By the time he +reached the dining-room at the bank it was empty. +Eustace had disappeared. This handkerchief is the +first token of him that has come to light since you +saw him."</p> + +<p>"Disappeared?"</p> + +<p>Her eyes opened to their utmost as she uttered the +word. It was as though she could speak nothing +more, for she stood staring, her clasped hands +pressed to her bosom, her dishevelled hair flowing +in great masses and framing her face with its dark +folds.</p> + +<p>"Disappeared—until to-night," he said. "This +handkerchief completes the chain of circumstances +which points to Eustace as the person mainly concerned +in the robbery."</p> + +<p>"How sad, oh, how sad, for his poor wife," she +exclaimed. "Why is it, Mr. Durham, that the +woman always has to suffer while the man goes +free?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span></p> + +<p>"The man will not go free. There is a net spread +for him he cannot possibly escape. Tell me, which +way did they ride?"</p> + +<p>"You are not going after them? You must not +do that—you must not face that risk."</p> + +<p>"Risk is the pastime of my life, Mrs. Burke. But +in this there is no risk. I shall follow their tracks +until I find where they are hiding."</p> + +<p>"No, no! You must not go. They will hear you +coming; they will see you and then—think! You, +who have only just escaped them! What mercy +would they show?"</p> + +<p>"The mercy I would show them," he answered +fiercely. "They have stolen the revolver from my +belt. Will you lend me the one you have?"</p> + +<p>"It is the only one I have. What shall I do if they +come back and I am without it?"</p> + +<p>"Then I must go without."</p> + +<p>He moved away, but before he had gone two steps +she was at his side, her hand on his arm, her face +turned appealingly to him.</p> + +<p>"No, you must not! Mr. Durham, I ask you. +Don't go. You may be throwing your life away. +They may come back. Don't leave me alone in the +place. Don't, please don't. For my sake, for my sake, +stay till it is light."</p> + +<p>Gently he took her hand in his and lifted it from +his arm.</p> + +<p>"You who have been so brave to-night, would +not have me show cowardice," he said softly. "These +scoundrels must not remain at large a moment +longer than we can help. There is more now at stake<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> +than the bank's money—I shall not rest till they +are captured, for only then shall I feel you are safe."</p> + +<p>"But you must not go now."</p> + +<p>Her disengaged hand was laid gently, caressingly, +on his shoulders; her face, showing white amid the +tumbled mass of her tresses, was close to his, so close +he could feel the faint fanning of her breath and catch +the subtle perfume from her hair. The fingers of the +hand he held gripped his in a clinging, lingering clasp; +the hand on his shoulder pressed firmer; she leaned +against him.</p> + +<p>"You must not go—you must not—for my sake," +she murmured.</p> + +<p>The head drooped till the tumbled tresses met the +caressing hand; one pale cheek was so close to his +he had but to bend his head to touch it with his lips. +His arm slipped round her, drawing her soft, yielding +form yet closer to him, and over him there swept a +wave of emotion which in another moment had +carried him away upon its crest, away from duty, +away from the prosaic material world, away from +everything but the woman he held.</p> + +<p>"You must not say that," he said hoarsely. +"You must not. You are the last who should try +to turn me from my duty."</p> + +<p>"Oh, but I cannot—I cannot let you go—it may +be to your death. Wait till day comes," she answered. +"There are horses in the paddock. Patsy +can fetch you one. If you go now you will only +wander aimlessly in the dark while they may turn +upon you, if they do not get farther and farther away. +Stay till the dawn."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It will not be dawn for many hours."</p> + +<p>"Why, what time do you think it is? It is nearly +four."</p> + +<p>Nearly four! Then he had slept right through the +night so soundly that on waking he thought he had +only dozed.</p> + +<p>"You will not go? Tell me you will not go?" she +whispered, and he felt her hands touch him lightly.</p> + +<p>He drew back, fearful lest her fascination again +overmastered him.</p> + +<p>"Show me which way they went," he said +brusquely, as he walked to the steps leading down +from the verandah.</p> + +<p>As he reached them he turned. Mrs. Burke had +drawn back into the shadow beyond the open +window.</p> + +<p>"Will you show me which way they went?" he +repeated.</p> + +<p>He saw her hide her face in her hands, and the +sound of a choked sob came to him. In a moment he +was at her side.</p> + +<p>She shrank to the wall as he approached, raising +her head and shaking back the loose locks which +streamed across her face.</p> + +<p>"Go!" she exclaimed. "Go! Leave me! What +am I that you should care? Only a poor, weak, +sad, and lonely woman. Forget——"</p> + +<p>"Do not say that," he answered quickly, his voice +vibrating with passion. "You—you do not know—I +would give my life——"</p> + +<p>"I will not give you cause to say I kept you from +your duty, Mr. Durham," she went on. "Forget<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> +my weakness. I promise you it shall never occur +again."</p> + +<p>She slipped past him and stood for a moment +at the window, just long enough to flash one look of +resentment at him before she passed into the room +and extinguished the lamp.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<h3>THE NOTE THAT FAILED</h3> + + +<p>When Durham, having walked in from Waroona +Downs, arrived at the bank, he found the township +in a state of excitement bordering on panic.</p> + +<p>The noise of the firing during the night had brought +everyone who was awake at the time rushing to the +scene. Men had mounted their horses and raced +away in the direction the fugitives were supposed to +have taken, returning hours afterwards with the +information that no trace of them could be discovered, +beyond the prints of their horses' hoofs, here and +there, right up to the line of rocky rises which formed +the commencement of the range.</p> + +<p>Durham brushed aside the volley of questions +directed at him as to how it came about that he had +returned on foot. Passing into the bank he asked +Harding to come with him into the manager's office, +and told Brennan to clear everyone else out of the +building.</p> + +<p>As soon as he had heard Harding's account of what +had happened, he produced the handkerchief bearing +Eustace's name.</p> + +<p>"Can you identify that?" he asked. "It is +marked, but I want to know if you can recognise it +apart from the name it bears?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It is like the handkerchiefs I use," Harding +answered, as he pulled one out of his pocket. +"Eustace and I ordered some to be sent up, and we +divided them, taking half each."</p> + +<p>"Did you mark them?"</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Eustace did that for us. Is the name on +this?"</p> + +<p>He turned it round until he saw the name.</p> + +<p>"Yes, that is one of Eustace's," he said.</p> + +<p>"What time do you think it was when you saw +that man's face at the window?" Durham inquired.</p> + +<p>"Between half-past nine and ten—nearer ten +probably."</p> + +<p>"Was the face familiar?"</p> + +<p>"It was, but I cannot recall where I have seen it +before. It struck me as being a familiar face disguised. +It was not Eustace's."</p> + +<p>"You feel sure of that?"</p> + +<p>"I'm quite sure. I wish you had been here to have +seen it."</p> + +<p>"I did see it."</p> + +<p>"But you were at Waroona Downs."</p> + +<p>"So I was. It was there I saw it. That man and +his companion stuck the house up. I was asleep on +the verandah and they must have crept on me, for +when I awakened I was bound hand and foot. The +man you describe was standing in front of me. When +I attempted to shout to warn Mrs. Burke, a handkerchief +was pressed over my mouth and tied by +someone who kept behind me. That is the handkerchief +which was used. Who would you say +tied it?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I should suspect Eustace, of course; or do you +think the man with the beard was Eustace?"</p> + +<p>Durham shook his head.</p> + +<p>"No," he said. "The description I have of +Eustace does not agree at all with the build and +general appearance of that man. If Eustace were +there at the time he must have kept behind me. Is +Mrs. Burke a woman who talks much?"</p> + +<p>"Talks? She does nothing else. She tells everyone +everything."</p> + +<p>"Then it is no use my trying to keep this episode +of the handkerchief quiet?"</p> + +<p>"Not if she knows anything about it. She will tell +everyone about it directly she comes to the township."</p> + +<p>"Oh, she knows about it. She is a plucky woman. +She drove them off, firing at them; then she discovered +me on the verandah and nearly shot me +into the bargain. When I was set free this handkerchief +was on the verandah and she saw it as soon as +I picked it up."</p> + +<p>"Then everyone in the township will hear about +it," Harding said. "She is to come in this afternoon +to meet Mr. Wallace."</p> + +<p>"When is he due?"</p> + +<p>"About noon he ought to be here."</p> + +<p>"Then I'll ride out and meet him," Durham said +shortly. "Is there anyone in particular who was +with the crowd last night to whom I can go for +further information?"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Gale was one."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I'll see him," Durham said, and left the bank, +finding Gale in the street discussing the latest +raid with half a dozen other men of the town. +He left them at once and came over to the sub-inspector.</p> + +<p>"Look here, it's no use wasting more time," he +exclaimed warmly. "We all say there is only one +thing to be done if those scoundrels are to be caught. +We must scour the ranges. I'll volunteer and so will +everyone else in the place. The only hope is to +ride them down."</p> + +<p>"Quite useless," Durham replied curtly.</p> + +<p>"It's the only course to adopt," Gale retorted. +"We're all bushmen here and know what's the proper +thing to do. You can't apply town methods to bush-rangers, +you know. You may be the smartest man in +the force at catching city burglars and spielers, +but you are out of your element in the bush. +There's only one thing to be done—track them +down."</p> + +<p>"How many are there?"</p> + +<p>"Well, two for certain—probably more."</p> + +<p>"Probably more—exactly. And most probably +one or other of the remainder is in the town acting as +a spy for the others. If that is so, what will happen +when you set out in force? Everyone would volunteer, +as you say, and one of the number would give +warning of what was being done. What chance would +there be then of making a capture? You tried last +night. What was the result?"</p> + +<p>"We found their tracks."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Then why didn't you follow them?"</p> + +<p>"Because with the crowd riding all over the +ground we lost them, and——"</p> + +<p>"Just so," Durham interrupted. "It is what +would happen again if your suggestion were carried +out. This is a one man's job, Mr. Gale. Directly I +want assistance I will come to you, but in the meantime +I must ask you to keep your fellow-townsmen +from interfering."</p> + +<p>He went on to the police-station, leaving Gale to +convey his refusal of assistance to the men who were +keen on taking the matter into their own hands. The +refusal was received with open resentment and the +group moved towards the station to argue the +matter out with the sub-inspector, but before they +reached it Durham rode out of the yard and set +his horse to a gallop along the road leading to the +railway.</p> + +<p>"It's all right, boys, he's got a clue," one of the +men exclaimed scornfully. "He's going to catch them +at the junction!"</p> + +<p>"Give him a cheer for luck," another cried, and the +ironical shout reached Durham as he galloped. But +he paid no heed to it, riding on steadily till he was +away from the town and some miles along the road +when he saw, coming towards him, a pair-horse buggy +accompanied by a couple of mounted troopers. As +they came nearer he recognised Wallace in the buggy. +The troopers drew to the side of the track as he reined +in beside the vehicle.</p> + +<p>"Come back along the road a bit," he exclaimed,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> +as he got off his horse and gave the bridle to one of the +troopers.</p> + +<p>"Why are these troopers with you?" he asked +when he and Wallace had walked out of +hearing.</p> + +<p>"I have close on thirty thousand pounds in the +buggy. I have had to bring with me not only +sufficient funds to enable the bank to carry on its +ordinary business, but a further twenty-five thousand +in gold to carry through the purchase of Waroona +Downs from Mr. Dudgeon."</p> + +<p>"Why is it necessary for all this gold to be used? +I did not care to ask Mr. Harding, but if it is not a +bank secret——"</p> + +<p>"Oh, it is no secret," Wallace exclaimed. "Mr. +Dudgeon had a quarrel with the bank some time +since, and, in addition to giving himself a great deal +of unnecessary trouble, he delights in making everything +we have to do with him as unpleasant and +difficult as possible. Any payments we have to make +to him have to be made in gold. He is legally entitled +to demand it, and he avails himself of his right to the +utmost. That is why I have had to push through +with the amount so as to be able to complete Mrs. +Burke's purchase to-day. As we were not anxious to +lose another twenty-five thousand, we obtained an +escort from head-quarters, but I fancy the men have +to return to-night."</p> + +<p>"Eustace would know this second amount would +have to be sent up?"</p> + +<p>"Of course he would."</p> + +<p>"And the presence of your escort would announce<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> +to him or his spies, assuming that he is concerned in +the robbery, that you have it with you?"</p> + +<p>"Naturally; but the risk was more than the +general manager would allow for me to travel with +it unless I had police protection."</p> + +<p>"You expect to pay it out this afternoon?"</p> + +<p>"I anticipate Dudgeon will be at the bank clamouring +for it, under threat of crying off the sale, by the +time I get there. The first thing I shall most probably +do is to pay it over."</p> + +<p>"So that it will soon be out of the bank, and the +bank's interest in it will have ceased."</p> + +<p>"Exactly," Wallace replied. "Mr. Dudgeon, who +refuses to act through the bank, will have the +pleasure of providing his own strong-room for its +safe keeping."</p> + +<p>"Eustace would know that too?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly."</p> + +<p>"Then you will have to send one or both of those +troopers with Mr. Dudgeon; otherwise he will be +robbed to-night. It would certainly be the last thing +necessary to identify Eustace with the robbery at the +bank, but there is already enough to prove that, to +my mind. Your duty ceases when you have handed +this sum over, but there mine begins."</p> + +<p>"I intend to suggest to Mr. Dudgeon the advisability +of his having police protection while the gold is +in his possession, in view of what has already occurred. +But I am quite sure that the suggestion will be +treated with contempt."</p> + +<p>"Tell me where Mr. Dudgeon lives."</p> + +<p>"He has another station on the opposite side of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> +the township to Waroona Downs, about ten miles +out. He wants to sell that, too, and I don't mind +saying we all hope he will soon find a purchaser."</p> + +<p>"How many men has he there?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, he sold off all his stock from both places and +discharged his hands some months ago. He might +have a couple of men about the place, but not any +more, I should say."</p> + +<p>"Well, try and persuade him to take the escort. +If he will not, send the men out to the station to-night. +I shall probably be there by the time they arrive, but +you need not mention this to them. Give the impression, +if you can, that I am on my way to Wyalla, +and don't be surprised if I take you unawares any time +between this and noon to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"I'm never surprised at anything you do, Durham," +Wallace retorted grimly. "We're quite satisfied the +money will be recovered if head-quarters leave you +alone."</p> + +<p>"I hope so—I can't say more," Durham said.</p> + +<p>"But I can," Wallace continued. "It's in confidence, +of course, but the directors have decided that +in the event of your recovering this money they will +present you with five thousand. I don't suppose that +will make you work any harder, but it may interest +you to know it."</p> + +<p>Durham rode at a slower pace when he had parted +with Wallace than when he came out of the township. +The news that a fifth of the missing money +would be his when he recovered it gave him a far +greater incentive than Wallace anticipated. With +five thousand pounds behind him he knew his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> +prospects of winning the woman who had fascinated +him would be much greater than if he had only his +official salary as a financial backing to his suit. +Further, if he succeeded in recovering the gold he +would also recover the stolen documents. He had +little doubt but what he would be able to woo her +successfully, were he able to return to her the papers +which had been stolen and go to her with his freshly +won laurels of victory.</p> + +<p>A mile down the road he turned his horse into the +bush and rode straight for the range which rose +between the township and Waroona Downs. Skirting +the flanking spurs, he followed on until he caught +sight of the tracks left by the horsemen who had +ridden after the fugitives the night before. In their +haste and lack of system, he saw how they had +crossed and recrossed the marks left by the riders +they were chasing. He walked his horse to and fro +until he came upon the tracks of the two horses +showing clear beyond the jumbled confusion of hoof-prints +the amateur trackers had made.</p> + +<p>The two had ridden direct to the range. As he +followed the track, bending down in his saddle to +note the marks, he laughed aloud. The men were +the veriest fools at bush-craft. There were instances +by the dozen which revealed to him the fact that +neither had had any experience in tracking, and so +had failed to avail themselves of the chances the +ground they had ridden over offered to render their +track difficult to follow. Where the ground was soft, +they had not swerved to avoid it, but had left the +prints of their horses' hoofs showing so clearly that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> +to the skilled bushman it was as an open book he +could read as he rode. Where low-growing shrubs +stood in their way they had crashed through, sometimes +setting their horses to jump what should have +been ridden round. Everywhere the same thing was +manifest. The riders were not bushmen; they were +in a great hurry; they were in country with which +they were not acquainted, and were hastening +towards some landmark that would bring them to +a locality where they would be more at their ease.</p> + +<p>As he followed the track, he sat back in his saddle. +There was no need to study the ground when he +could see the hoof-prints showing right ahead. So +it was that he saw what those other riders had failed +to distinguish in the half light of the moon. There +was a sudden dip in the surface, a shallow depression +sloping down to a little stream. Riding, as they must +have been riding, at a full gallop, it was a trap for an +unsteady horse and one of the horses was unsteady, +for it had propped at the brow of the slope, slipped, +and come down on its knees, pitching its rider clear +over its head.</p> + +<p>The spot where he fell was still distinguishable by +the bent and broken herbage and his heels had +scored the ground as he scrambled to his feet, caught +his horse, and hastily remounted. He had been in a +great hurry and so had his companion, for there was +no break in the tracks of the second horse—the other +man had ridden on without a moment's halt, had +ridden past his fallen companion and left him to do +the best he could for himself. All this was plain at +one glance. Again Durham laughed aloud at the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> +folly of the pair, as he reined in his horse and sprang +from the saddle.</p> + +<p>In his fall the fugitive rider had dropped something. +It lay white on the ground just beyond the mark he +had made in falling. Durham picked it up—a closed, +unaddressed envelope bearing the bank's impress on +the flap.</p> + +<p>He tore it open. Inside was a sheet of paper with +the bank's heading, but undated.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"No one saw me go, and I am safe now where they +will never find me. Stay there till you hear from me +again. A friend will bring you word. Ask no +questions, but send your answer as directed. You +must do everything as arranged, or all is lost. Whatever +you do, don't leave till I send you word. I am +safe till the storm blows over.—C."</p></div> + +<p>As Durham read the words, written in pencil and +obviously in haste, he was satisfied that his suspicion +not only of Eustace, but of Mrs. Eustace, was correct. +The man with the yellow beard whom he himself had +seen, was possibly the "friend," through whom +communication was to be maintained between +husband and wife. He and Eustace had evidently +ridden in during the evening with the intention of +advising Mrs. Eustace of the successful flight of her +husband. Hesitating to approach the bank, until +he was certain the way was clear, Eustace had +given the note to his companion to deliver. Harding's +vision of the face at the window completed the +picture. The man had crept up to the window of the +room where it was probably arranged Mrs. Eustace<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> +was to wait. So long as any other person who might +have been in the room occupied the chair Mrs. +Eustace placed, the shadow on the blind would warn +the visitor that the coast was not clear. It was due +to the fact that Harding had noticed the shadow and +had moved to another chair that the man had so +nearly been captured.</p> + +<p>What had followed was equally clear to Durham's +mind.</p> + +<p>Directly he found he was discovered the man had +run to his horse and, together with his companion, +had galloped off, too quickly to allow him either to +explain how he had failed to deliver the message or +to hand it back to Eustace. It was most probably +he who had come down with his horse at the edge of +the depression, by which time the letter would have +passed completely from his mind and so he would +not notice its loss. Under the circumstances it was +very unlikely he would tell the truth to his companion, +but would rather leave Eustace under the impression +that the letter had been put where Mrs. Eustace +would find it. Sooner or later, therefore, Eustace +would make another attempt to communicate with +his wife. If he were not captured otherwise there +would be every hope of securing him by keeping a +close watch upon her.</p> + +<p>With the letter in his pocket Durham remounted +his horse and continued to follow the track. It led +him into the broken country which formed the outlying +spurs of the range, and continued along a narrow +depression lying between two ridges. The trees grew<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> +closer together in the shelter of the little valley, and +the track turned at right angles and continued up +the side of one of the ridges.</p> + +<p>The surface became more rocky and Durham had +to watch closely for the hoof-prints as he gradually +ascended to the top. For a time the track ran along +the summit and then turned down the other slope, +following the course of what, in the rainy season, +would be a small rivulet. This again turned where it +met the bed of a larger stream and Durham set his +horse at a canter as he saw, distinct as a road, the +marks left by the runaways right along the bed of the +stream.</p> + +<p>As he went he worked out the direction in which he +was travelling; the stream he was following was +evidently one which fed the watercourse crossing the +road in the range. It turned and twisted in and out +small flanking spurs, down the sides of which +other streams had cut narrow scars, now as dry +as the stream-bed along which he was riding, +but which, in the time of the rains, would be +roaring little torrents adding their quota to +that great pool dammed back by the mountain +road.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the creek took a sharp turn round a jutting +bluff, and as he passed beyond it he reined in his +horse. Scarce twenty yards in front was a sheet of +water, its surface, without a ripple, reflecting the +tree-clad slopes that encompassed it. In the sand of +the stream-bed the track was so strong it might have +been made only a few hours ago.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span></p> + +<p>He rode warily to the water's edge. The pool +stretched on both sides away into the hills, but it was +not that which made him rein in his horse and sit +motionless.</p> + +<p>Along the margin of the pool there was a strip of +sandy soil. It extended to the right and to the left +of the creek-mouth. Upon it the marks both of +wheels and hoof-prints showed.</p> + +<p>The tracks he had been following swung sharp +to the right; the wheel-marks came from the +left, crossed the creek-bed and continued to the +right.</p> + +<p>His first impulse was to spur his horse along the +track to the right, see where it led, and then return +along it to the left, but the twenty-five thousand +pounds to be paid to Dudgeon would be at the mercy +of the marauders, if, as Wallace anticipated, the old +man refused police protection.</p> + +<p>Great as the temptation was to learn where the +track led and whence it came, Durham set his face +against it.</p> + +<p>He had stumbled on a clue, but the following it up +was not for that day. Later he would return and +complete his discovery. For the present he must +leave it.</p> + +<p>There was a long ride before him if he were to +reach Dudgeon's homestead at Taloona by sunset. +That Eustace was one of the two men concerned in +the robbery of the bank he had now no doubt. The +question he had to consider was who the other man +was. At the back of his mind there was a lurking +suspicion that the owner of Taloona might possess<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> +information on the subject if he could be induced or +inveigled to reveal it.</p> + +<p>He glanced regretfully in the direction the tracks +led. He would have preferred to follow them to the +end, but after all he might get nearer the solution of +the problem by a visit to Taloona.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX</h2> + +<h3>DUDGEON'S HOSPITALITY</h3> + + +<p>Within half an hour of Wallace's arrival at the bank +Dudgeon drove up.</p> + +<p>He scrambled out of his rackety old buggy and +stamped into the place, passing direct into the little +room Eustace had used as a private office, where, +by the chance of circumstances, he came face to face +with Mrs. Burke.</p> + +<p>His keen, grey, hawk-like eyes flashed an envenomed +look at her, and were met by a glance not +one whit less steadfast. For a moment he stood, his +shaggy white brows meeting in a scowl as he found +himself confronted by one who even to his distorted +vision possessed a charm of face and figure such +as he had not seen since the days of Kitty +Lambton.</p> + +<p>Something in the eyes which met his touched a +chord of memory long suppressed. So Kitty had +looked when he met her for the first time after her +flight with O'Guire; so she had looked the last time +he had seen her when she had pleaded for mercy to +her dying parents and he had taunted her and mocked +her till she turned and left him with curses as deep-voiced +as any he himself could have uttered.</p> + +<p>"This is Mrs. Burke, the purchaser of Waroona<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> +Downs, Mr. Dudgeon," he heard, and faced round +on the speaker, turning his back upon her.</p> + +<p>"Who are you?" he blurted out.</p> + +<p>"I am the officer in charge of the bank for the +time being," Wallace replied suavely.</p> + +<p>"Where's Eustace? He's the only man I know +in the matter."</p> + +<p>"He is not here at present, Mr. Dudgeon. But +that need not concern you. I assume you have +come to complete the sale of——"</p> + +<p>"I only know Eustace. I'm prepared to deal +with him—I don't know you and don't want +to."</p> + +<p>"Unfortunately Mr. Eustace cannot be present. +But I am in his place. I arrived from the head office +this morning with the gold you demand as payment +for the sale of Waroona Downs. You may have +noticed it as you came in—the bags are on the counter +in charge of the police escort."</p> + +<p>"But where's Eustace? That's what I want to +know."</p> + +<p>He looked from Wallace to Harding savagely.</p> + +<p>"If you are prepared to sign the transfer, Mr. +Dudgeon, we can proceed with the business," Wallace +replied. "Mrs. Burke is waiting."</p> + +<p>Dudgeon glanced at her covertly.</p> + +<p>She was standing, as she stood throughout the +subsequent proceedings, a silent spectator, irritating +him by the mere fact that she was so absolutely +impassive. When the time came for her to sign the +formal documents which made Waroona Downs hers, +Wallace placed a chair at the table; but she ignored<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> +it, bending down gracefully as she signed her name in +beautifully flowing characters.</p> + +<p>Old Dudgeon's hands, knotted and stiff with +many a day's toil, were not familiar with the pen. +As he laboured with the coarse, splodgy strokes +which ranked as his signature, the sight of the delicate +curves of the letters she had made fanned the flame +of his wrath still higher. He also stood to sign, not +because she had done so, but because he scorned to +use a chair which belonged to his enemies. When +he drew back from the table he saw how she had been +standing almost behind him, looking over his shoulder +as he wrote. A smile which he read as a sign of +derision was on her lips and in her eyes.</p> + +<p>He kicked the chair viciously towards her.</p> + +<p>"Why don't you sit down, woman?" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"Because I prefer to stand—man," she replied.</p> + +<p>It was the first time he had heard her voice, and he +started at the sound, wincing as, with one quick, +furtive glance, he met her eyes again.</p> + +<p>"Is that all you want?" he asked Wallace +abruptly.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Mr. Dudgeon, that is all. Will you +take the gold with you, or leave it for safety in the +bank?"</p> + +<p>"Leave it at the bank, eh?" he sneered. "No, +thank you, Mr. Wallace, I trust you as far as I trust +your bank, and you know how far that is without my +telling you."</p> + +<p>"Very good, Mr. Dudgeon. Will you watch it +while it is being carried to your buggy? There are<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> +two troopers here who have acted as my escort from +the head office. If you care to take them with you +as a protection——"</p> + +<p>"I want neither you nor your troopers," Dudgeon +snarled. "I can take care of myself and my money, +too, without anyone's help."</p> + +<p>He watched, with undisguised suspicion, while the +counted piles of sovereigns were replaced in the bags, +while the bags were carried away and stacked in the +rackety old vehicle. Then, when the tally was complete, +he walked out of the bank, climbed into the +buggy, gathered up the reins and drove away without +a word or a glance for anyone.</p> + +<p>The bitterness of defeat was rankling in him, the +defeat of his lifelong determination that never, +while he was on the earth to prevent it, should a +woman live where his faith in the sex had been +wrecked. It was bitter to think how he had been +foiled after all by a woman, but still more so when +the woman was of such a type as the one who had outwitted +him. It was a new experience for him to be +beaten at his own game, still a newer experience to +find himself remembering the one by whom he was +beaten as he was remembering the woman whose +voice, despite his surly antagonism, rang in his ears +with a melody which was as the song of a syren. +Each time he had measured swords with her she +had triumphed—just as, in the far-off days, Kitty +Lambton had triumphed.</p> + +<p>Kitty Lambton!</p> + +<p>He pulled himself up short as the name passed +through his mind. Why should he recall her now<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> +as Kitty Lambton when she had ceased to be that +the day she left Waroona Downs with O'Guire? +Why should this resolute woman recall her as Kitty +Lambton and not as Kitty O'Guire?</p> + +<p>As he drove along the lonely bush track which +led to Taloona, his mind drifted across the years +to the time when first he had come to the district, +to the time when Kitty Lambton stood for him +for all that was noble and generous and pure in life; +when he was content to work the livelong day with a +light heart and happy mind, satisfied with the reward +of her presence when his day's work was done. +For a mile or so of the journey he strove to nurse his +resentment against this clear-eyed woman whose +raven black hair was in such absolute contrast to the +flaxen locks of the vanished Kitty, but whose voice +had caused the intrusion of these bygone memories +into his waking thoughts. But gradually, unconsciously, +the long-suppressed recollections of the girl +who had charmed his youthful fancies took possession +of him.</p> + +<p>Hitherto, whenever he had remembered her, it +was with bitterness and anger; but now his mind +was as free from anger as though the cause for it +had never existed. It was the time when Kitty +was the charmer which had come to him, the time +when the gnawing anguish of betrayal was unknown, +and slowly there obtruded itself upon him a dim, +shadowy, speculating wonder as to all which might +have been had she never changed for him from the +charmer to the betrayer.</p> + +<p>But he was not used to introspective analysis, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> +the efforts to grapple with the subtleties of his own +subconscious memories brought a tendency to his +mind to lose the clear-cut edge of a fact in a blur of +misty vision. No longer did the memory of Nora +Burke irritate him. Had he associated her with +Kitty the betrayer, the irritation would never have +passed; but as it was Kitty the charmer her voice +brought to him, he drifted, in the sere and yellow +age, down the stream of fantasy upon which he had +turned his back in scorn when the blood of youth +ran in his veins.</p> + +<p>For miles the road slipped by unnoticed and unheeded +as the old horse stumbled on at his own pace, +unguided by the hand that held the reins. The breath +of life had sought to fan the withered soul, but only +one small spark, deep-smothered by the dead mass +of loveless years, smouldered weakly where the record +of a long life filled with human sympathy should +have blazed in answer. The gold for which he had +striven lay forgotten at his feet; the hate which he +had nurtured passed, a vapid filmy shade, as the +withered soul shrank shivering, chilled at the void +the one poor spark revealed.</p> + +<p>The sight of his solitary hut, glowing in the warm +mellow light of the evening sun, broke in upon a +reverie so deep he could never recall all that it had +contained.</p> + +<p>A horse hitched to one of the verandah posts, against +which a man in uniform was leaning, brought him +back to the world of reality with a shock. The hawk-like +eyes gleamed as suspicion flashed through his +brain. Had Wallace, despite his refusal, sent the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> +troopers after him? The whip-lash fell viciously +across the horse's back and the old rackety buggy +rattled as Dudgeon finished his drive at a canter.</p> + +<p>"Well, what do you want?" he cried, as he pulled +up opposite his door.</p> + +<p>Durham glanced from the stern, hard face of the +man to the pile of money-bags clustered round his +feet on the floor of the buggy, and over which he +had not even taken the trouble to throw a rug.</p> + +<p>"I am a sub-inspector of police—Durham is my +name——"</p> + +<p>"Durham?" the old man exclaimed. "Are you +the man who rode down Parker, the cattle thief, +when he was making off with a mob of imported +prize stock?"</p> + +<p>"I arrested Parker—a couple of years ago."</p> + +<p>Dudgeon leant forward and held out his hand.</p> + +<p>"I'm proud to meet you, my lad. That mob of +cattle belonged to me. You saved me a few thousands +over that job of yours. I'm much obliged to you. I +hoped to meet you some day so as to thank +you."</p> + +<p>"I don't remember your name in the case," +Durham said.</p> + +<p>"No, my lad, there was no need for me to appear. +It was a Government affair to prosecute Parker. +Why should I pay money away for the Government? +Look at the anxiety and loss of time I had to put up +with. Nobody offered to make that good."</p> + +<p>"But you got your cattle?"</p> + +<p>"Well, they <i>were</i> mine—I paid for them. But +that's all right. I'm much obliged to you for the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> +trouble you took to catch the scoundrel—ten years +I think he got? He ought to have been hanged. +I'd have hanged him if I had been the judge. What +are you after now? After more cattle-stealers?"</p> + +<p>"Not this time. I'm on my way to Waroona; +but I've been travelling all day and my horse is a bit +knocked up. Can I turn him into one of your +paddocks for the night?"</p> + +<p>"Grass is worth money these times," the old man +said slowly. "I suppose the Government will pay +me for the use of the paddock, won't they?"</p> + +<p>"You can demand it, of course, if you care to," +Durham replied.</p> + +<p>"And where are you going to camp? You'll want +a feed, I suppose?"</p> + +<p>"I reckoned I could get one here."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you can get one here all right. There's no +luxury about the place. I'm a poor man and just +carry enough stores to keep me going. There's only +me about the place now, so you'll have to do your +own cooking; but you'll find it as comfortable +as any bush pub, and cheaper, for there's no drink +to be had, and half a crown for your supper and bed +won't hurt you. You can take it or leave it—I'm +not particular."</p> + +<p>He climbed out of the buggy and began unharnessing +the horse.</p> + +<p>"You have heard of the robbery at the bank, I +suppose, Mr. Dudgeon?" Durham asked.</p> + +<p>"Heard of what?"</p> + +<p>He stood up with his hand still on the buckle he +was unfastening.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span></p> + +<p>"The robbery at the bank. I thought everyone +in the district had heard of it."</p> + +<p>The old man remained without moving, his eyes +fixed on Durham.</p> + +<p>"Haven't heard a word. What's the yarn?"</p> + +<p>"The bank was robbed yesterday—all the money +taken, including the gold which had been sent up to +pay you for Waroona Downs. Soon after the robbery, +Eustace, the manager, disappeared."</p> + +<p>"Then who's Wallace?"</p> + +<p>"He is one of the officials from the head office."</p> + +<p>"But he had the money ready to pay me. How +could that be if——"</p> + +<p>"He arrived with it to-day—he was expected +about noon, I believe."</p> + +<p>Dudgeon let go the buckle and took two slow, +deliberate steps nearer Durham.</p> + +<p>"Brought it with him?" he exclaimed. "And +only arrived about noon?"</p> + +<p>"About that, I believe," Durham replied.</p> + +<p>The old man snatched the hat from his head and +flung it on the ground.</p> + +<p>"Sold! by God! Sold!" he yelled. "If I'd +been there before that chap arrived, I'd have beaten +them—they couldn't have paid, and I'd have cried +off the deal. Why didn't you come and tell me +earlier? What's the good of your coming here +now?"</p> + +<p>"Don't you think it rather risky to drive through +the bush with a pile of money like that in your buggy +while those bank robbers are still at liberty?" +Durham said quietly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span></p> + +<p>Dudgeon stood back and looked at him quizzically.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you're on it too, are you? That's your +game, is it? Well, see here, my lad, anyone who can +take this money without my knowing it is welcome +to it. Do you understand?"</p> + +<p>He resumed his work of unharnessing the horse, +leading it away, as soon as it was clear of the shafts, +to a lean-to shed at the side of the hut where he +hung up the harness and turned the horse free.</p> + +<p>"Well, how about that half-crown? Are you +going to stay, or aren't you? Government won't +pay that, you know. You find your own tucker, my +lad."</p> + +<p>"I wish to stay here to-night," Durham answered.</p> + +<p>"Then chuck over the cash."</p> + +<p>It was obvious that if Durham wished to stay, he +would have to pay, so without further demur he +passed over the amount Dudgeon demanded for his +supper and bed.</p> + +<p>"Now we start fair," the old man said, as he put +the money in his pocket. "I'm under no obligation +to you and you're under no obligation to me. That +is what I call trading square."</p> + +<p>He unlocked the door and flung it open.</p> + +<p>"You'll find some cold meat and bread on the +shelf, and there's tea in the canister over the fire-place. +You'll have to fetch what water you want +from the tank."</p> + +<p>As Durham entered the hut, Dudgeon went to the +buggy and lifted one of the bags of gold in his arms, +carrying it inside.</p> + +<p>The hut was a small and unpretentious structure.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> +The door opened directly into the living-room, to +which there was only one small window looking +out on the verandah. A second door led into a small +kitchen, off which opened another small room used by +Dudgeon for sleeping.</p> + +<p>With the bag of gold in his arms he stood in the +doorway.</p> + +<p>"You'll have to sleep on that stretcher over there," +he said, nodding to a rough framework of untrimmed +saplings with a length of coarse canvas fastened +across. "You won't be cold. Keep a good fire on. +You'll find an axe in the harness shed if you want to +get any wood."</p> + +<p>He passed on through the second door and Durham +set about lighting the fire. As he did so, Dudgeon +made journeys to and fro, coming from the back of +the hut empty-handed and returning from the buggy +with a bag of gold in his arms until he had carried all +the twenty-five thousand pounds in. By that time +the fire was alight, and Durham went out to turn his +horse loose. He returned by way of the harness shed, +took the axe and went to the back of the hut to cut +some wood for the night. As he turned the corner, +he saw old Dudgeon with a spade in his hand, entering +the hut by the back door.</p> + +<p>"Ah, that's good," the old man exclaimed, when +Durham entered the living-room with an armful of +cut wood. "That'll last the night through. I see +you made the tea, so I had mine as I was wanting +a feed. You'll have to boil some more water—there +was only enough for one in the first lot you +made."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I made that tea for myself, Mr. Dudgeon," +Durham exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"Well, make some more. There's plenty of water +in the tank—I won't charge you any more for using +the can twice, though every time it's put on the fire +means so much less life for it."</p> + +<p>Durham swung round in heat.</p> + +<p>"You're the meanest man on the face of the +earth," he cried.</p> + +<p>Dudgeon looked at him with his shaggy brows +almost obscuring the cold, hawk-like eyes.</p> + +<p>"If you hadn't paid me for your grub and a +camp, I'd turn you out of the place," he snarled. +"You've no more gratitude for kindness than a black +fellow."</p> + +<p>Durham bit back the angry retort which rose to +his lips. Little wonder the bank people were so +indifferent to the old man's safety; little wonder no +one had troubled to bring him news of the incident +which formed the main item of gossip from end to +end of the district. If this was the way he treated a +visitor who paid, and paid dearly, for his board and +bed, how, Durham asked himself, would he treat an +ordinary guest?</p> + +<p>But he held his peace, refilled the can with water +and set it to boil, Dudgeon sitting in the one chair +the room contained, as he stolidly cut a pipeful of +tobacco.</p> + +<p>When the water boiled, Durham made a second +brew of tea and took his seat on a stool which was by +the table. He helped himself to bread and meat and +commenced his meal, but never a word did Dudgeon<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> +speak. He sat placidly smoking, his eyes on the +smouldering embers of the fire, without as much as a +glance in the direction of his visitor.</p> + +<p>The sun went down and the interior of the hut +grew gloomy.</p> + +<p>"Haven't you a lamp?" Durham asked. "I +cannot see what I am eating."</p> + +<p>"Make the fire up—that's good enough for me," +Dudgeon replied without raising his head.</p> + +<p>On the shelf over the fire-place Durham had +noticed a kerosene lamp, a cheap, rickety article with +a clear-glass bowl half-full of oil. He rose from +the stool, reached for the lamp, put it on the table +and lit it.</p> + +<p>"Here, that oil costs money," Dudgeon snarled as +he looked round. "Half a crown won't cover +luxuries—you'll pass over another bob if you're going +to waste my oil."</p> + +<p>Durham resumed his seat without heeding.</p> + +<p>"Do you hear?" Dudgeon exclaimed. "If you +ain't going to pay, you ain't going——"</p> + +<p>He stood up as he spoke, stood up and took a step +towards the table with one hand outstretched to lift +away the lamp.</p> + +<p>Durham, looking round as he moved, saw his +eyes suddenly open wide and stare fixedly at the +door.</p> + +<p>At the same moment a voice rang through the +room.</p> + +<p>"Hands up, or you're dead men!"</p> + +<p>Springing to his feet Durham faced towards the +door.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span></p> + +<p>Standing in it were two figures, one the yellow-bearded +man he had seen at Waroona Downs, the +other a man of slighter build whose face was entirely +concealed by a handkerchief hanging from under his +hat and gathered in at the throat, with two holes +burned for the eyes. Each man held a revolver, the +masked man covering Durham, the bearded man +covering Dudgeon.</p> + +<p>"Hands up!"</p> + +<p>There was the sharp ring in the voice which +betokens the strain of a deadly determination. The +eyes which glanced along the sights of the levelled +weapon, aimed direct at Durham's head, were +merciless and hard. Unless they were the last words +he was ever to hear, Durham realised there was only +one course open. He raised his hands above his head. +A side glance showed him Dudgeon standing with his +arms up.</p> + +<p>"Turn your back, and put your hands behind you," +he heard the bearded man say, and Dudgeon shuffled +round.</p> + +<p>A double click followed, a familiar sound to +Durham—the click of snapping handcuffs.</p> + +<p>"Now, Mr. Detective, it's your turn," he heard the +man say. "Put your hands behind you."</p> + +<p>The eyes behind the mask wandered for an instant +from their aim to glance at the shackled Dudgeon.</p> + +<p>On that instant Durham acted.</p> + +<p>Straight at the face of the man beside him he hit, +and as his clenched fist came in contact with the +bearded face, he ducked.</p> + +<p>A shrill cry came from the man he had struck,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> +almost simultaneously with the report of a revolver-shot.</p> + +<p>Durham heard a scream of pain from Dudgeon, but +before he could know more there was a crashing blow +on his head, and he fell senseless to the floor.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X</h2> + +<h3>"FOOLED"</h3> + + +<p>In the dining-room of the bank Wallace, Harding, +and Mrs. Eustace sat.</p> + +<p>"I have no alternative," Wallace said. "My +instructions are peremptory on the subject. If, after +investigation, I considered the suspicion against +your husband as well founded, I was to request you +to leave the bank premises without delay."</p> + +<p>"You believe my husband stole that money?"</p> + +<p>"I believe your husband stole that money, Mrs. +Eustace."</p> + +<p>"You may live to change your opinion, Mr. +Wallace. My husband is as innocent as I am. He +has acted precipitately, I admit, and more than +foolishly in going away as he has done; but that +does not prove him guilty."</p> + +<p>"I am afraid I cannot discuss the question with +you," Wallace replied evenly. "I can only carry +out my instructions. I have told you what they are, +and what my opinion is. I am sorry to inconvenience +you, but I have no alternative."</p> + +<p>"Do you wish me to leave at once?"</p> + +<p>"Scarcely to-night; but I must ask you to get +away as soon as you can."</p> + +<p>For a space there was silence.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I would like to speak to Mr. Harding, if you don't +mind," she said presently.</p> + +<p>"Then I will leave you, for I have been steadily +travelling all last night and to-day till I arrived here, +and shall be glad to get to bed," Wallace answered. +"Any arrangement you can make, Harding, to +assist Mrs. Eustace, I shall be pleased to hear about. +You will quite understand, Mrs. Eustace, that in +asking you to vacate the premises the bank is merely +actuated by ordinary considerations and is in no +way acting vindictively or harshly."</p> + +<p>She inclined her head slightly in response, but +otherwise made no sign as Wallace left the room.</p> + +<p>For some time after he had gone she remained +silent, Harding waiting for her to speak. Raising her +head, she looked him steadily in the face.</p> + +<p>"I suppose I ought to call you Mr. Harding now," +she began, "but I can't, Fred, I can't."</p> + +<p>"As you wish," he said.</p> + +<p>There came another silence, the woman unable +to trust herself to continue, the man fearing to +begin.</p> + +<p>"How life mocks one," she said, half to herself. +"Surely it is punishment enough that I should have +to turn to you in my distress, humiliating enough +even to satisfy your desire for retribution. I do +not blame you, Fred. I deserve it all. I treated you +vilely."</p> + +<p>"Is there any necessity to refer to that now?" he +asked. "I told you the curtain had been rung down +for ever upon that. I have no wish either to punish +or humiliate you. I don't think that I have given<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> +you reason to believe that I do. If you think there +has been any reason, I can only say you are mistaken."</p> + +<p>She started impulsively to her feet and stood in +front of him, holding her hands to him.</p> + +<p>"Fred, I must say it. I cannot bear this longer. +It may make you hate me—detest and despise me, +but I must say it. If you had only shown resentment +or anger or spite for the way in which I treated you, +it would not have been so hard to bear. Oh, don't +you see? Don't you understand? Oh, isn't there +one scrap of pity left in you for me? I was trapped +into marriage, Fred. I never loved him, never, +never! He—oh, have some pity on me, Fred, some +pity."</p> + +<p>She sank into a chair and buried her face on her +arms on the table as she gave way to a storm of +weeping.</p> + +<p>To the man it was agony to see her, anguish to +hear her, more bitter after the confession she had +made and while the grip of suspicion still held him. +Scarcely knowing what he did, he stepped to her side +and laid his hand gently upon her head.</p> + +<p>"I have pity, more than pity for you, Jess," he +whispered. "Don't think——" He caught his +breath to check the quiver in his voice, and so +remembered. "I beg your pardon—Mrs. Eustace I +should have said," he added as he drew back.</p> + +<p>With hands close clenched behind him he stood. +The love he fancied he had stifled had burst through +the restraint he had placed upon it; the injury she +had inflicted upon him, the wrong she had done, the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> +cause for resentment she had given him were alike +forgotten. The lingering suspicion alone prevented +him from taking her in his arms to soothe and +comfort her in her distress. Fighting against himself +he stood silent, and the woman, aching for someone +on whom to lean, shivered.</p> + +<p>"What am I to do?" she moaned. "What am I +to do?"</p> + +<p>He, thinking only of her, took the words to refer +to her present difficulty.</p> + +<p>"I think it would be better if you went away," he +said gently. "I do not think it will be easier for +you to bear if you are here when—should anything +else come to light."</p> + +<p>"You mean if—if he is arrested?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>She lifted up her head and turned a tear-stained +face towards him.</p> + +<p>"Have they found him? Have they? Is that +why—why I am asked to leave the house?"</p> + +<p>"No, Mrs. Eustace. A new manager will be +appointed, and the house is wanted for him."</p> + +<p>"But I will not leave Waroona," she exclaimed, +as she stood up. "I dare not leave it—till I know. +If he—suppose he did do it—and wants to find me?"</p> + +<p>"I should advise you to go right away," Harding +said, still speaking gently. "You will do no good +by remaining here where everybody knows what has +happened, whereas if you go away you will be able +to put all the worry of it away from you."</p> + +<p>"I will not go."</p> + +<p>She spoke with a fierce emphasis, the more pro<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span>nounced +because she felt that the course he suggested +was the one she ought to follow, and resenting it +because, by following it, she would pass out of his +sight, and perchance out of his life for all time.</p> + +<p>"I can only advise you," he said. "The new +manager may be here in a day or two, and the bank +will——"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm not going to stay in this house," she +interrupted. "I will be out of here to-morrow; +but I will not leave Waroona."</p> + +<p>"You will make a mistake if you do not, I think, +but it is for you to decide."</p> + +<p>She sat down again, clasping and unclasping her +hands in her lap.</p> + +<p>"If I go—will you—will you write to me?"</p> + +<p>"No, I cannot do that," he answered at once.</p> + +<p>"May I—write to you?"</p> + +<p>"I should be sorry if you did."</p> + +<p>She raised her eyes and again looked at him +steadily in silence, looked until he turned away.</p> + +<p>"How hard you make it, how hard!" she said at +length. "How am I to know what is happening if I +go away? I am sure you are expecting his arrest. +Why did those two troopers go off so mysteriously +this afternoon? They did not go to the railway. +I watched them from upstairs. They rode the other +way."</p> + +<p>He did not reply.</p> + +<p>"Will you answer me this one question? Do you +believe I know he is the thief?"</p> + +<p>"If there is anything that I can do to help or assist +you in your present difficulty, Mrs. Eustace, I shall<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> +be only too pleased to do it. But I cannot discuss the +robbery with you."</p> + +<p>For the first time there was a tone of sternness in his +voice.</p> + +<p>"Then I take it that you do," she said. "I only +want to tell you this. I still do not believe he did +it. I know he is—he is not as you are. I have tried +to shield this from you. I did not want you to know—then. +Now I have told you. I did not know he +was going to run away. I did not know he had gone +until Brennan came to arrest him. But I can understand +why he went. He knew the bank would +suspect him at once, knew that there was a black +record against him. It was cowardly of him, cowardly +to leave me here alone. But he has gone, and I do +not think I shall ever hear from him or see him +again. That is why I want to remain here. If I +go away, I may never know; if I am here, I shall be +able to find out. But don't think that I know +either that he intended to run away or where he has +gone. At least have that much faith in me."</p> + +<p>"I did think so," he said quickly. "Now I do +not."</p> + +<p>"Thank you," she said softly. "I know how +difficult it is for you to say even that. You cannot +discuss the matter, but—don't think harder of me, +Fred, than you can help."</p> + +<p>She turned quickly and hurried from the room. +She had scarcely closed the door when she reopened +it.</p> + +<p>"Constable Brennan is asking for you," she said. +"Will you go in?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span></p> + +<p>She pushed the door wide open and Brennan came +forward.</p> + +<p>"Is Mr. Wallace here?" he asked, as soon as he +had seen the door close.</p> + +<p>"He has gone to bed—he is rather tired out after +his journey. Is it anything particular?"</p> + +<p>"One of the troopers has just ridden back. When +they reached Taloona they found the place on fire. +The sub-inspector was outside with his head smashed, +and Mr. Dudgeon, with a bullet through him and his +hands handcuffed behind his back, lying on the floor +of the hut. They saw the glare of the fire through +the trees and only galloped up just in time to get the +old man out. He's in a bad way, Conlon said, and +so is the sub-inspector."</p> + +<p>"Wait till I tell Mr. Wallace," Harding exclaimed, +as he rushed from the room.</p> + +<p>Outside in the passage, Mrs. Eustace faced him.</p> + +<p>"Fred, what is it? I heard—who is killed?"</p> + +<p>"Nobody, I hope. I'll be back in a moment."</p> + +<p>He dashed up to Wallace's room and hammered +at the door.</p> + +<p>"Hullo, what's the matter now?" Wallace cried, +as he answered the knock.</p> + +<p>"Come down to the dining-room. Brennan is +there. One of the troopers has come back. Taloona +is burnt and both Dudgeon and Durham injured."</p> + +<p>When they reached the dining-room they found +Mrs. Eustace with Brennan.</p> + +<p>"I can be of use. I know how to nurse. I've +learned how to give first aid. Let me go out and +attend to them till the doctor comes. He is twenty<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> +miles away, and they may bleed to death before he +can get there. I've got some bandages. I'll fetch +them," Mrs. Eustace was saying.</p> + +<p>She turned as Wallace and Harding entered.</p> + +<p>"Tell them, Brennan, while I get the things," she +added as she ran out and upstairs.</p> + +<p>"It's wicked to think of her wasted on a scoundrel +like that," Brennan exclaimed. "You heard what +she said, sir? I know she's the only one in the +township who understands what to do till the doctor +comes. We've sent a man off for him, and they're +getting a party together to go out and fetch the +sub-inspector and the old man in. She's offered to +go too. It may save their lives, for, from what +Conlon said, they're badly hurt, both of them."</p> + +<p>"Has the gold gone?" Wallace asked.</p> + +<p>"I reckon so, though there's no saying until we +hear what has happened. But it looks like a bad +case of sticking the place up and trying to murder the +inmates. Hullo, there's Mr. Gale calling. He's +got his buggy. There's a seat to spare if either of +you like to go."</p> + +<p>"You'd be of more use than I should, Harding," +Wallace said.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I'll go," the younger man replied.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Eustace came running into the room, her +arms full of bottles and bandages.</p> + +<p>"I haven't stopped to sort them out—I'll take all +I've got," she exclaimed breathlessly.</p> + +<p>"I will put them in the buggy while you get a +cloak. I am coming with you," Harding said, as he +took the articles from her and carried them out to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> +Gale's buggy, which was drawn up outside the +bank.</p> + +<p>"You had better bring them here; it's quieter +and more roomy than any other place in the town," +Wallace said to Brennan when they were alone.</p> + +<p>"If they can stand the journey," Brennan said +under his breath. "I've told Conlon to ride back +and let us know; I'll have to stay here."</p> + +<p>"Then I'll tell Harding."</p> + +<p>He reached the front door as Harding was returning, +after having packed the things Mrs. Eustace had given +him in the buggy. At the same moment Mrs. Eustace +tripped down the stairs and ran across the hall.</p> + +<p>"You had better bring them here," he began +when she turned quickly towards him.</p> + +<p>"Bring them here? Mr. Wallace, do you want to +kill them? If they are badly injured it would be +fatal to move them this distance. I will send word +back at once, but if the doctor comes before you hear, +send him on. Now, I'm ready."</p> + +<p>She went out with Harding at her side.</p> + +<p>"I am so glad to have you with me," she said +softly. "It is good of you to come."</p> + +<p>He helped her into the buggy without speaking, +though the clinging touch of her hand thrilled him. +He had known her as a light-hearted girl, full of +frolicsome impulses and mischievous tricks, and had +loved her with a passion that kept her ever before +him. He had seen her when that love-lit image had +been veiled by the gloom of seeming disillusion. +He had seen her striving to sacrifice herself in order to +shield the man who had blighted her life, and he had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> +seen her as a man loves best to see the woman he +reveres, throw aside the conventional reserve for +him to learn the innermost secret of her heart. +But never had he seen her as she appeared to him +at that moment and later, when they arrived at the +scene of the outrage, cool, clear-headed, capable, +thinking only of the sufferings of others, cheering +them with tactful sympathy, tending them with +gentle care, the while her own soul was down-weighted +with care and sorrow.</p> + +<p>Throughout the ten-mile drive little was said, +each one of the three instinctively refraining from all +reference to the subject which was uppermost in +their minds, and failing to maintain even a desultory +conversation on more commonplace topics. Gale +drove his pair at a hand gallop all the way till the +road swerved from the straight and through the dim +mystery of the starlit bush an angry red glow showed +among the trees.</p> + +<p>The last of the homestead, now an irregular heap +of smouldering ashes over which stray lambent flames +flickered and danced, served to shed sufficient light +to show where two still figures lay under the shelter of +Dudgeon's rackety old buggy, thrown over on its +side. The trooper's horse, tethered to a tree, pawed +the ground impatiently as it champed its bit, while +its master, with a carbine on his arm, paced slowly +to and fro. As the galloping pair swung into sight +he faced round sharply and brought his carbine +to the ready, till he recognised Harding.</p> + +<p>"Are you the doctor? You're badly wanted," he +exclaimed as Gale reined up beside him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Quick. Help me out," Mrs. Eustace said as +Harding leaped to the ground. She ran lightly over +to the two figures. Through the rough bandage the +troopers had tied round Durham's head a red stain +was spreading. Dudgeon lay with glittering eyes +staring vacantly. His right leg was bandaged, but +more than a stain showed upon it.</p> + +<p>She knelt down beside the old man, and as with +deft, quick fingers she untied the bandage, she looked +up at Harding.</p> + +<p>"Bring me that packet of cotton-wool, the little +leather case, all the bandages, and the bottle with the +red label, at once. Tell the trooper to fetch the +others."</p> + +<p>By the time he returned she had the handkerchief +the trooper had bound round the old man's leg +loosened.</p> + +<p>"Open the case and give me the scissors," she said +without a trace of excitement or nervousness in her +voice.</p> + +<p>She slipped a rent in the trouser and held the +edges back, revealing a punctured wound out of +which a red stream gushed. In a moment she had a +wad of cotton-wool rolled and moistened it from the +bottle with the red label, placing it with a firm light +touch on the wound.</p> + +<p>"While I hold this, cut the trouser leg right +down," she said, and Harding, his own nerves +steadied by the calmness of hers, did as she +bid.</p> + +<p>The trooper came over with the rest of the articles, +and while she watched what Harding was doing she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> +told him, quietly, how to prepare a lotion and bring +it to her.</p> + +<p>Gale came over as soon as he had secured his +horses.</p> + +<p>"Will you go down to the men's huts and see if +there is a bunk where we can put him?" she said, +looking quickly at Gale.</p> + +<p>"Why didn't you think of that?" Gale exclaimed +as he glanced at the trooper. "You ought to have +taken them there at once."</p> + +<p>"You had better go too," she added to the trooper. +"Bring something back with you, a door or a table +or anything that will do to carry him on."</p> + +<p>Left alone with Harding, she never ceased until +she had the wound stanched, cleansed, and properly +bound up.</p> + +<p>"There is brandy in that flask, Fred. Mix about a +tablespoonful in three times as much water."</p> + +<p>He brought her the stuff in a pannikin, believing it +was for herself.</p> + +<p>"Raise his head gently," she said, and slowly +poured the mixture between the old man's nerveless +lips.</p> + +<p>Without a pause she turned to Durham and had +the ugly wound on his scalp laid bare. Snipping the +hair away from it, she lightly touched the bruised +skin surrounding the jagged cut.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid the skull is fractured—I hope the +doctor will soon be here," she whispered, as she +busied herself with the cotton-wool and red-labelled +bottle.</p> + +<p>By the time she had Durham's head bandaged,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> +Gale and the trooper returned, carrying the door +from one of the huts.</p> + +<p>"There are two huts with a single bunk in each, +and one with four," Gale said.</p> + +<p>"Use the two with the single bunks," she said. +"When are the others coming from the township?"</p> + +<p>"They're coming along the road now," the trooper +answered.</p> + +<p>"Run and see if they have any blankets with them. +If not, send someone back at once for some."</p> + +<p>But there was more than blankets in the buggy +that came up at breakneck speed. By the veriest +chance the doctor had been within a mile or so of +Waroona and had come away at once, bringing +with him such articles as he knew would be wanted. +He hastened over to the two wounded men just as +Dudgeon gave utterance to the first sound he had +made since the troopers had dragged him out of the +burning homestead.</p> + +<p>The doctor bent over him, rapidly examining the +bandage round the leg. He stood up and turned to +Durham.</p> + +<p>"Who put on those bandages?" he asked sharply, +as he looked up.</p> + +<p>"I did, doctor. I plugged the bullet-hole with an +iodoform wad and stopped the bleeding. I put a +pad on Mr. Durham's wound, but I fancy his skull +is injured."</p> + +<p>"Where were you going to send them?"</p> + +<p>"There are two single-bunk huts at the men's +quarters. I was going to have them taken there +on that door until you came."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We will take them there at once."</p> + +<p>Under his directions the two were lifted and carried +away to the huts and made as comfortable as was +possible in the rough timber bunks. With Mrs. +Eustace and Harding to assist him, he found and +removed the bullet from the old man's leg and +quickly operated on Durham.</p> + +<p>"I don't know what they would say in some of the +swagger hospitals, if they were asked to trepan a +man's skull under these conditions," he said as the +operation was finished. "But he'll pull through, and +thank you, as the old man will when he knows, for +saving his life. Aren't you Mrs. Eustace?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," she answered.</p> + +<p>"I hardly had time to notice who you were before. +You're a brave woman. For your sake I hope your +husband gets away."</p> + +<p>The blood surged to her face, and then left it pallid. +The shadow of her sorrow had been forgotten during +the strenuous moments she had gone through; the +tactless remark brought it back upon her with cruel +emphasis. She turned aside and slipped through +the door at the back of the hut while the doctor, +oblivious to his blunder, went out at the other.</p> + +<p>Harding was about to follow her, when one of the +troopers appeared at the door through which the +doctor had gone. He held a letter in his hand.</p> + +<p>"I found this where the lady knelt when she tied +up the sub-inspector's head—I fancy it's either hers +or yours."</p> + +<p>On the flap of the envelope Harding saw the bank's +impress.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It probably is hers," he answered as he took it. +"I will give it to her at once."</p> + +<p>There was no sign of her as he passed out of the +little door at the back of the hut and, believing she +had gone round to the other, he turned to go back +when, in a limp and dishevelled heap, he saw her +lying on the ground against the wall of the hut.</p> + +<p>Her upturned face was white and drawn as he +stooped over her.</p> + +<p>"Jess!" he whispered. "Jess! Are you ill?"</p> + +<p>She made no response, and he placed his arms +gently round her and lifted her till she lay in his +clasp, her head drooped on his shoulder.</p> + +<p>The movement revived her sufficiently for her to +know what was happening.</p> + +<p>A long-drawn sigh escaped her lips and she essayed +to stand alone.</p> + +<p>"No, Jess, no. Lean on me. You must get back +home and rest. You have overdone it," he whispered.</p> + +<p>"Fred! You!"</p> + +<p>The arms that had hung lifeless wreathed round +his neck, the head that had dropped on his shoulder +nestled close and the white face upturned.</p> + +<p>"Oh, take me away, Fred, take me away from +this horror—anywhere, anywhere, so that I may be +with you."</p> + +<p>"Hush, Jess, hush. You must not talk like that," +he whispered, the strength of the grip with which +he held her and the soft tremor of his voice giving her +the lie to his words.</p> + +<p>"Darling, I must," she answered. "Give me +freedom from the misery that man has brought<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> +into my life. Oh, you do not know what it has been +and is still. You heard what the doctor said."</p> + +<p>She shuddered as she recalled the words.</p> + +<p>"The tactless fool," he muttered, resentment +rising against the man who had not hesitated to +add another twelve hours' work to an already arduous +day when the call of suffering reached him.</p> + +<p>"No, he only said what others think. I know, +Fred. I can feel it. Mr. Gale was the same. They +all are."</p> + +<p>"You must not think that—you must not," he +said. "And you must not stay in Waroona. You +must go away."</p> + +<p>Her arms held tighter.</p> + +<p>"I will never go, never, while you remain. Don't +despise me, Fred, don't think ill of me. I know what +I am saying. I am on the edge of a precipice. If I +go over, I go down, down, down, an outcast, and a—a——"</p> + +<p>"Don't," he whispered hoarsely. "Don't talk +like that."</p> + +<p>"Who would care?" she added bitterly, "even +if I did?"</p> + +<p>It was no longer merely support that his encircling +arms gave her as they strained her to him.</p> + +<p>"It would break my heart," he whispered simply. +"I am one who would care."</p> + +<p>Unconsciously he bent his head, unconsciously +she raised hers, until their lips met, and in one passionate +embrace the intervening years since they +had been heart to heart before passed as a dream, +and only did they know that despite all the barriers<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> +which had been raised between them they were bound +by a tie beyond the reach of custom, circumstance, or +force.</p> + +<p>With that knowledge uplifting and upholding them, +they drew apart.</p> + +<p>"You must go and rest now, Jess. You have +need of all your strength to face what lies before +you," he said gently.</p> + +<p>"I don't mind what it is—now," she answered.</p> + +<p>"Then I will go and ask Gale to drive you back. +I will give you all the news when I return in the +morning."</p> + +<p>"Are you staying?" Gale exclaimed directly he +saw him. "I've harnessed up, so if you and Mrs. +Eustace——"</p> + +<p>"I'm staying, but she will come back with you—the +experience has been rather trying for her."</p> + +<p>"Trying?" Gale exclaimed. "She's the noblest +woman I've ever met. I don't care what's the truth +about the bank affair, but there's not a man in +Waroona who won't reverence that woman when he +hears what she has done to-night."</p> + +<p>"I'll tell her you are ready," Harding answered.</p> + +<p>"Where is she? Down at the huts? I'll drive +down for her."</p> + +<p>She was standing talking to the doctor when +Harding returned.</p> + +<p>"I'm more anxious about the old man," the doctor +was saying as Harding came up. "He'll want very +careful nursing, so if you could undertake it, you'll +lift a weight off my shoulders."</p> + +<p>"I will be ready to come out to-morrow if you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> +want me," she answered. "Send word by Mr. +Harding when he comes in—he is going to stay here +to-night. You will bring me word, won't you?" she +added, turning to Harding. "Is Mr. Gale driving +back?"</p> + +<p>"He is coming now to pick you up—here he is," +Harding replied as Gale's buggy and pair swung +into sight.</p> + +<p>He helped her in and wrapped a rug round her.</p> + +<p>"Don't be late in the morning—I shall be anxious +to hear if the doctor wants me," she said as Gale +turned his horses and drove off.</p> + +<p>"She's a splendid woman that," the doctor said +as he stood looking after the buggy disappearing +in the dusk. "Pity she's tied to such a rat as that +chap Eustace. I suppose you know him?"</p> + +<p>"I am in the bank," Harding answered.</p> + +<p>"Oh, are you? Then perhaps I've put my foot +in it?"</p> + +<p>"I don't think so."</p> + +<p>"Have you known him long?"</p> + +<p>"Eustace? No, only since I've been in the +branch—about three weeks."</p> + +<p>"I should have judged you had known her for +years."</p> + +<p>"I have, but I have only known her husband since +I have been here."</p> + +<p>"Knew her before she was married?"</p> + +<p>"That is so."</p> + +<p>"Then tell me, why did she want to marry that +rat? I've only seen him once, but that was more +than enough. Smoke! Women are regular conun<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span>drums. +There's that one, as true and big-hearted a +creature as ever breathed—look at the pluck she +showed to-night—and yet she goes and throws herself +away on a miserable crawler who can't even +respect the trust his employers placed in him. What +does it mean to her? Just think of it—the wife of +a common thief, worse than a common thief to my +mind. What'll become of her? He'll be caught +and sent to gaol for years. What's she going to do +then? It's a pity someone doesn't shoot him—it +would save her from degradation."</p> + +<p>The buggy had vanished in the dusk. He turned +to his companion. The dim light from the hut fell +full on Harding's face. The doctor whistled.</p> + +<p>"Hope I haven't said too much, old chap. I forgot. +If you've known her for years—well, you know what +I mean, don't you? I must get in to my patient. +You'll look after the old man? I've given him a +draught that'll keep him asleep. But call me if you +want me."</p> + +<p>He went into the next hut where Durham lay. +Harding stood where he left him, staring away into +the night, in the direction the buggy had gone. The +click-clock of the trotting horses came in a gradually +diminishing clearness, beating time to the refrain +which was running in his mind, the refrain of the +doctor's words.</p> + +<p>If Eustace were captured there was little doubt +what the sequence would be. A long sentence and +his wife branded with the stain of his guilt. Better +if he were dead—better if he were killed, rather than +that destiny should overtake her.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span></p> + +<p>Harding's jaw set firm as his teeth gritted.</p> + +<p>The memory of her white, drawn face as he saw her +lying on the ground outside the hut; the memory +of her desolate wail for him to take her away from +the horror of her surroundings; the memory of +her patient care of the two injured men, injured, +perhaps, by the "rat" who had ruined her life and +his; the memory of her as he had first known her, +jostled one another in his brain.</p> + +<p>Better, a thousand times better, if Eustace were +dead.</p> + +<p>The doctor, looking out of the next hut, saw him +still standing staring into the night.</p> + +<p>"How's the old man? Restless?" he asked as +he came over.</p> + +<p>The voice brought Harding back from the clouds—the +thunder-clouds, towards which he was drifting.</p> + +<p>"I'm just going in," he answered.</p> + +<p>The doctor followed him to the door. Dudgeon +lay breathing peacefully in a deep sleep.</p> + +<p>"You can roll up in that blanket and make yourself +as comfortable as possible—I don't think he'll awaken +till the morning," the doctor said in a low tone when +he had crossed to the bunk where Dudgeon lay and +looked at him. "I must get back to my man."</p> + +<p>He went out of the hut without waiting for a reply +and Harding made no attempt to follow him, but +spread the blanket on the floor and lay down upon it.</p> + +<p>Until that moment he had entirely forgotten the +letter the trooper had given him. As he lay back it +suddenly recurred to him. He sat up and put his +hand in his pocket to make sure it was still there.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> +As he did so the old man stirred, and Harding waited +to see whether he was going to wake.</p> + +<p>He remained with his hand in his pocket until +Dudgeon's breathing showed he was again soundly +asleep. Then, momentarily forgetful of the reason +why he was holding the letter, he drew it out, took it +from the envelope, and opened it.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"No one saw me go, and I am now safe where they +will never find me. Stay there till you hear from me +again. A friend will bring you word. Ask no +questions, but send your answer as directed. You +must do everything as arranged, or all is lost. Whatever +you do, don't leave till I send you word. I am +safe till the storm blows over.—C."</p></div> + +<p>The writing was only too familiar, even without +the peculiarly formed initial which was Eustace's +particular sign.</p> + +<p>He sat like one paralysed, his eyes reading and rereading +the words which changed to mockery all the +revived faith in her. His brain grew numb. Like +a man upon whose head an unexpected blow had +fallen, he was only half conscious of what had +happened. Even as he read and re-read the letter he +failed to gather all that it meant, all that it revealed. +The very simplicity of the situation stunned him.</p> + +<p>Then through the darkness of his mind there came, +in one lurid flash, clear as a streak of lightning in the +night, the full significance of it.</p> + +<p>Eustace, having made his escape, had sent the +message to her!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span></p> + +<p>The scene in her boudoir the night before; the +vision of the horsemen coming from the range; the +face of the man with the yellow beard at the window, +all passed before him. While he and Brennan were +dashing across the yard, she or Bessie had found the +note.</p> + +<p>So it had come into her possession, and it must +have been in her possession while she was talking to +him after Wallace told her she must leave the bank; +must have been in her possession while she drove +with him to Taloona, and, for aught she knew, was +in her possession when he found her lying senseless +outside the hut.</p> + +<p>He sprang to his feet, crushing the damning sheet +in his hand.</p> + +<p>While she clung to him, and he held her in all the +fervour of his re-awakened love, she must have +believed the message he had read was still in her +keeping.</p> + +<p>The sordid duplicity, the rank treachery of it +seared and scorched.</p> + +<p>Forgetful of the sleeping man whom he was there +to watch, forgetful of everything save the bitterness +of his betrayal, he paced the floor with rapid, raging +steps.</p> + +<p>He had been fooled, heartlessly, callously fooled. +The bitterest thoughts he had ever had of her were +all too gentle in the face of this final revelation. She +was false to her finger-tips, a syren in cunning, a +viper in venom.</p> + +<p>At the door of the hut he stopped to stand staring +out into the dark in the direction whither she had gone.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span></p> + +<p>The last echo of the click-clock of Gale's trotting +horses had died away; the bush lay mysterious and +motionless under the silent veil of night; no sound +came to him save the heavy breathing of the wounded +man asleep in the hut; but through his brain, +with the deadening monotony of numbing drumbeats, +there throbbed the mocking, taunting words, +"Fooled! Fooled! Fooled!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI</h2> + +<h3>MRS. BURKE'S REBUFF</h3> + + +<p>When Harding returned to the bank the next +morning, he presented such a careworn appearance +that Wallace was genuinely concerned.</p> + +<p>"Hullo," he exclaimed, "you look as if you had +had enough of acting night-nurse to wounded men. +It has been too much for you, my lad."</p> + +<p>"It has been an anxious night," Harding replied. +"At first both were fairly well, but towards morning +old Mr. Dudgeon became very bad. You have heard +all about the affair, I suppose?"</p> + +<p>"I have had a visit from Mr. Gale. There was +only one thing he could talk about. You will +guess what that was. The heroism of Mrs. +Eustace."</p> + +<p>A cloud came over Harding's face at the mention +of her name.</p> + +<p>"I have a message for her from the doctor. She +offered to return to-day if he wanted her help. He +asked me to let her know how bad the old man had +been, and is, and say he would be glad if she could +go out at once. I've had no sleep all night and am +fairly tired out. If you don't mind, I'll go and have +a few hours' rest."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Why, of course, my lad, I'll manage the office by +myself all right. Go and get all the sleep you can. +You have earned it."</p> + +<p>"Will you let her know what the doctor said?"</p> + +<p>"I'll send word to Mr. Gale—I've no doubt he'll +let her know," Wallace said with a short laugh.</p> + +<p>"But isn't she here?"</p> + +<p>"No. Gale said the place was in darkness when +they passed and rather than disturb me she went on to +the hotel, where they put her up. Very considerate +of her, I must admit. She seems to have made the +most of her time on the drive back with Gale, for he +knew all about her having to leave the bank premises, +and told me he had secured a vacant cottage there is +in the township for her. But don't waste time talking, +my lad. You look worn out. Go and get to +bed for a few hours. I'll see she has the doctor's +message."</p> + +<p>Harding went to his room with heavy steps. He +locked the door and sat down, took the crumpled +letter out of his pocket and read it through +again.</p> + +<p>Then, sitting on the side of the bed with the letter +in his hand, he stared at it as he asked himself once +more the question which had been haunting him since +the first rush of indignation passed.</p> + +<p>What should he do with it?</p> + +<p>Had the letter come into his possession the night +of the scene in the boudoir, he would have had no +hesitation. But much had happened since then. He +had learned what he believed was the truth about<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> +the Eustace marriage; he had learned that the love +he had treasured so dearly was still his. It was the +latter which made it so hard for him to know what +course to follow.</p> + +<p>A doubt had come into his mind, a doubt which +operated in her favour. To hand the note over to +the police was to admit he had no faith left in her, +and he had faith. He could not bring himself to +regard her as being so absolutely conscienceless as +the circumstances suggested. Rather did he lean +towards the idea that, after all, despite the evidence +of the facts as they stood, she was innocent. And +on that point he wanted to be sure rather than +sorry.</p> + +<p>The opinion of another would be a help to him in +coming to the right conclusion, but to whom could +he turn?</p> + +<p>He dare not consult Wallace, who was already +prejudiced against her; Brennan was out of the +question. There was only one other—Durham—and +he was out of reach, and would be so for some time +to come.</p> + +<p>So the matter came back to where it started, +and Harding, urged one way by his love and +another by his reason, ultimately adopted a middle +course.</p> + +<p>He determined to confront her with the letter, and +tear the mask of hypocrisy from her face—if one +were there—at the first opportunity. For the present +the letter should be placed where no one but himself +could find it.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span></p> + +<p>Taking off his coat, he cut through the seam of the +lining, placed the letter inside, stitched it to the +lining and resewed the seam.</p> + +<p>"I will not condemn her unheard," he said. "She +shall have the chance of defending herself to me +before I denounce her. But, if this is true, then God +help her—and me too."</p> + +<p>He flung himself on the bed. He was too tired +to worry further. The irksome question was +shelved—for the moment there was peace, and +before that moment passed Harding was sound +asleep.</p> + +<p>Before he awakened, Mrs. Eustace visited the bank, +received the doctor's message and went on her way to +Taloona.</p> + +<p>She came with Gale.</p> + +<p>"Has Mr. Harding returned yet?" she asked, +before Wallace could speak. "He was to bring me +word whether the doctor wanted me to help to-day."</p> + +<p>"He came in about half an hour ago, utterly worn +out. I have sent him to bed for a few hours," +Wallace replied. "He left a message for you—old +Mr. Dudgeon is very bad, and the doctor sent word +that if you could go out at once it would be a great +help to him."</p> + +<p>"Of course I'll go," she exclaimed. "Mr. Gale, +you offered to drive me if I were wanted. Will you +go for the buggy while I get some things together to +take with me?"</p> + +<p>She turned to Wallace when Gale had left the office.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I suppose you have no objection to my going +upstairs?"</p> + +<p>"None whatever," he answered.</p> + +<p>"I will get what things I want. The others can be +taken away later to the cottage I am renting. I will +give Mr. Gale a list, as he very kindly offered to +see to the removal if I had to go out to Taloona +again."</p> + +<p>He held the door open while she passed into the +residence portion of the building, and closed it after +her. He was not a lady's man, even under the best of +circumstances; with the conviction that Eustace +was the culprit, not only in the bank robbery, +but also in the outrage at Taloona, he wished to +have as little to say to her as possible. The sooner +she was out of the place the better he would be +pleased.</p> + +<p>As he returned to his work, which, at the moment, +was a lengthy report he was preparing for despatch +to the head office in condemnation of Eustace, she +went through to the kitchen, where she found +Bessie.</p> + +<p>"I am leaving the bank to-day, Bessie, and all my +things are going away. I have taken Smart's cottage +and am going to live there. Although I engaged you, +if you think you will do better for yourself by staying +here, don't let me prevent you."</p> + +<p>"Stay on here, Mrs. Eustace? What, after +you've gone? No, ma'am, no! If you don't want +me any longer, there may be someone else in +Waroona who does, but if this is the only place<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> +where I can stay, I'm off to Wyalla," Bessie +exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"I would not like them to think I took you away, +Bessie."</p> + +<p>"I'm not the Bank's servant; I'm yours. Shall I +help you get the furniture ready now?"</p> + +<p>"No, not just at once. I am going out to Taloona +to help the doctor nurse Mr. Dudgeon. I only want +to take enough with me for a few days. Mr. Gale +will arrange for removing the rest, but I would like +you to see they are all taken."</p> + +<p>"I'll see that they're taken, and go with them, too, +Mrs. Eustace. I don't want to stay in a place where +everything I do is spied on and made bad of. Let +me come and help you now."</p> + +<p>By the time they had packed a small box, Gale +drove up in front of the bank.</p> + +<p>"I'll take this down," Bessie exclaimed. "It's not +heavy."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Eustace followed her out of the room.</p> + +<p>At the door she stopped. On the other side of the +landing was Harding's room. She glanced at the +closed door.</p> + +<p>Stepping over to it, she tapped. There was no +response. She turned the handle; the door was +locked.</p> + +<p>She did not want to go without a word for him. +She opened her bag to see if she had a scrap of paper +or a card on which she could scribble a line. As she +did so, Bessie came up the stairs to ask if there was +anything else she could do.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No, that is all, Bessie. You might tell Mr. +Harding I have gone. He is asleep at present."</p> + +<p>Bessie sniffed, with her nose in the air, as she +followed her mistress down the stairs. Tell Mr. +Harding? Tell the man who was, in Bessie's mind, +the person solely responsible for the indignity placed +upon her and Mrs. Eustace of being locked in their +own rooms by Constable Brennan! All the message +he would ever receive through her would do him +good, she told herself.</p> + +<p>In the office Wallace heard the buggy drive away +and caught a glimpse of it as it passed the door. Mrs. +Eustace was sitting beside Gale, looking up at him +and smiling.</p> + +<p>The sound of another vehicle driving up to the door +interrupted him. He looked up from his work as Mrs. +Burke came into the office.</p> + +<p>"Good morning, Mr. Wallace," she exclaimed, +"I've looked in as I was passing, to inquire what is +the latest news about the scoundrels. Have they +got them yet? Is there any word of my +papers?"</p> + +<p>"Have you not heard? Has no one——"</p> + +<p>"Heard? Heard what? Heavens about us, man, +you're not going to tell me my papers have been +destroyed?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, I'm not going to tell you that, Mrs. +Burke. As the news is all over the place, I fancied +you must have heard it also. I forgot you were +away in the bush. Taloona was stuck up last +night and burnt to the ground; old Mr. Dudgeon<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> +was shot and is lying dangerously ill, while Mr. +Durham had his skull fractured and is at death's +door."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Burke reeled.</p> + +<p>"Oh, my God!" she gasped.</p> + +<p>Before Wallace could reach her she lurched heavily +forward and fell, striking her face against the edge of +the counter.</p> + +<p>Rushing to the door leading to the house, Wallace +called to Bessie.</p> + +<p>"Come quickly," he cried, "Mrs. Burke has +fainted."</p> + +<p>He was raising her from the floor as Bessie +came.</p> + +<p>"Help me to get her into the dining-room," he +exclaimed. "What a silly woman! I'm afraid she +has hurt her face rather badly. She struck it against +the counter."</p> + +<p>Bessie lent a somewhat unwilling aid. She disliked +Mrs. Burke as cordially as she disliked Wallace, but +she helped to support the semi-conscious woman, +and undertook to revive her as soon as they had +placed her on the sofa.</p> + +<p>Wallace returned to the office, leaving the two +together. Presently Mrs. Burke came back, pale and +agitated, and with a pronounced discolouration on +her face where it had come in contact with the +counter.</p> + +<p>"I must apologise, Mr. Wallace," she began, as +soon as she entered the office. "Sure it's only us +poor weak women who know the cruel pain of an<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span> +unexpected blow. You'll not believe me, but when +I heard the terrible news, it just turned my heart to +stone, it did. Poor Mr. Durham! A fine, brave, +clever gentleman if ever there was one, Mr. Wallace, +and to think of him with all his brains scattered. +It's no wonder I fainted."</p> + +<p>"But I did not tell you that, Mrs. Burke. I said +his skull was fractured, and that he is at death's +door."</p> + +<p>"Well, isn't that what I was saying?"</p> + +<p>"No. I did not say his brains were knocked out. +As a matter of fact, they are all in his head where I +hope they will always remain, so that he can complete +his task of catching your friends who were so +considerate as to carry off your papers."</p> + +<p>"My friends, do you call them, Mr. Wallace? +Sure I'd teach them a new form of friendship if I had +my hands on them for a few minutes. But tell me +now, what's being done with those poor wounded +creatures? The girl told me the old man had had +his leg blown off. Well, well! He won't refuse a +chair next time he comes to see you, I'll wager. Or +maybe he'll have his twenty-five thousand sovereigns +made into a special wooden leg to take the place of the +other live one he's lost."</p> + +<p>"His leg was not blown off—he was shot."</p> + +<p>"It's all the same. He won't be able to walk about +any more, and sure that's bad enough for any man to +have to put up with, isn't it, Mr. Wallace? How +would you like to have it happen to you now? +Having to go about on a wooden stump or just sit<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> +about in the same place from morning to night and +never a chance of stretching a leg or crossing the +road."</p> + +<p>"But it's not that at all, Mrs. Burke," Wallace +exclaimed impatiently. "What I said was——"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I know, I know," she interrupted. "Well +now, don't you think it a terrible thing for them to be +lying out there without a single woman's hand to +soothe them in their agony? Only a doctor to look +after them and maybe a bushman or so to boil a billy +and make some tea between whiles. It's more than I +can bear to think of, Mr. Wallace."</p> + +<p>"You don't feel faint again, do you?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, not at all, Mr. Wallace. Bessie was +very good to me. She would be better out there +helping to relieve those poor wounded creatures +instead of idling away her time here, I think; +but still, she does her best, poor thing, such as +it is. But do you know what I thought of doing? +As soon as I heard the news I said to myself, there +was only one thing I could do unless I were just a +mere bloodless image of a woman. I'm going to +drive straight away now to Taloona and soothe the +pain of those poor unfortunates. It's the sound of +a woman's voice that is cheering to a lonely man +when he's in pain, Mr. Wallace."</p> + +<p>"Is it?" Wallace said curtly. "I hope you are +right, Mrs. Burke, for you see Mrs. Eustace is there +already."</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Eustace! Out at Taloona? Mr. Wallace, +it's enough to bring down the wrath of Heaven to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> +think of that woman—that—well, I'll not say it; +but there's her husband robbing me of my papers +and the bank of its money and maybe robbing and +murdering that poor old gentleman as well, and she—she +of all women on the face of the earth—nursing +his victims back for him to slay a second time. Sure, +I'd—oh, I'd—I don't know what I wouldn't do, +Mr. Wallace, to a woman like that."</p> + +<p>"It will be an interesting meeting between you," +Wallace observed drily. "I am sorry I cannot come +to see it."</p> + +<p>"But it's not the old gentleman she's after, Mr. +Wallace. I suppose they robbed him of his +gold?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know, Mrs. Burke."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you may be sure they did. So there's no +more to be had out of him; but what would it be +worth to that villain of a husband of hers if Sub-Inspector +Durham were below ground? The only +chance I have of ever seeing my papers again, Mr. +Wallace, is with him. I'll go and drive him out to +Waroona Downs and nurse him myself. I'll not let +it be said that Nora Burke forgot a friend in his hour +of need."</p> + +<p>"I am afraid the doctor will not let him be moved. +I suggested bringing them in here, but Mr. Gale tells +me the doctor said it would be fatal to move either at +present."</p> + +<p>"Then I'll stay and nurse him there. Sure it's +that woman I'll watch. I'll go away at once."</p> + +<p>He did not detain her. He did not even suggest<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> +she was going on a useless journey. But he sighed +deeply as she left the office.</p> + +<p>"Little wonder she is a widow," he murmured to +himself. "I wonder how long the late Mr. Burke +managed to survive it? I hope they keep her at +Taloona for a month."</p> + +<p>But she did not reach there that day.</p> + +<p>On the way she met Gale returning.</p> + +<p>"And what's the news of the poor injured creatures?" +she cried as she reined in.</p> + +<p>Gale shook his head.</p> + +<p>"You were not thinking of going out there, were +you?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"I'm going out to do what I can to soothe the +suffering of the unfortunates," she answered. "Mr. +Wallace was telling me. What a frightful thing to +happen to them, Mr. Gale. Sure the awful news was +too much for me to bear, and I just fell like one dead +at the sound of it. You'll see the mark on my face. +They tell me I fell against the counter in the bank +and might have killed myself entirely with the +terrible smash I came against the wretched sharp +edge, only that I struck it with my face instead of +the back of my head, though it's little thanks to +the bank, seeing the way they made the clumsy +thing."</p> + +<p>"It's no use your going out to Taloona," Gale +exclaimed. "No one is allowed near the huts where +they are. The doctor and Mrs. Eustace are the only +persons allowed to see the patients."</p> + +<p>"And by what right is that woman there?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span></p> + +<p>"The best right of all, Mrs. Burke. Had it not +been for her splendid courage, they would both have +been dead long before the doctor could reach them. +She is the only one Mr. Dudgeon will bear near +him."</p> + +<p>"Oh."</p> + +<p>For once the voluble Irish tongue was reduced to +the use of a simple monosyllable, but into the word +there was thrown as much venom as would have +taken a hundred of the snakes St. Patrick banished +from the island to supply.</p> + +<p>"So it is fortunate I met you, otherwise you would +have had a drive for nothing," Gale added.</p> + +<p>"And how's the sub-inspector?"</p> + +<p>"The doctor tells me he is doing as well as one can +expect."</p> + +<p>"I was going to see if I could not take one of them +out to Waroona Downs—it's good nursing they'll +want, and that they'll get if they're in a place where +they are properly looked after."</p> + +<p>"They are getting that now," Gale retorted +shortly.</p> + +<p>"I'll go and see for myself."</p> + +<p>"If you want to tire your horse, do so, but that is +all which will happen."</p> + +<p>"And why am I to be shut out when that woman is +allowed to be there, with her husband probably +hanging about the place all the time to see who else +there is to shoot and maim?"</p> + +<p>"You have no right to say that," Gale cried +angrily. "There is only suspicion against her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> +husband, and even if there were more, it would not +affect her. A noble-hearted woman such as she is +should have sympathy, not unjust accusation."</p> + +<p>"Sure Mr. Eustace would be pleased to know how +well his deserted wife is getting on with all the +admirers she has in the place traipsing after her +wherever she goes," she retorted.</p> + +<p>"You cannot go on even if you wish to," Gale +exclaimed. "One of the troopers will stop you before +you reach the huts."</p> + +<p>"Oh, the troopers are there too, are they? It's +well to be a miserly old skinflint to have the State +providing troopers at the ratepayers' expense to +watch over one. Or maybe they're also giving +sympathy to the poor distressed lady. Well, I'll +interrupt them."</p> + +<p>"You will do nothing of the kind, Mrs. Burke. I +tell you the doctor sent to stop me from driving up +to the huts where they are. You would do no +good by going there; you may do a great deal of +harm."</p> + +<p>"Oh, indeed. And pray what is there about me +that is likely to do harm to any man?"</p> + +<p>"You know Mr. Dudgeon's character. The doctor +says he is in a most critical condition. For him to see +you now would probably mean his death. You remember +how bitterly he resented the sale of Waroona +Downs to you—your presence now would only +irritate him and then——" he shrugged his shoulders.</p> + +<p>"My presence? And what of the presence of the +woman whose husband——"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You must not say that," Gale exclaimed quickly. +"It is unjust—unwomanly——"</p> + +<p>The grey eyes flashed like steel.</p> + +<p>"Unwomanly?" she cried. "Me unwomanly?"</p> + +<p>She snatched up the buggy whip and in her anger +cut at him, but the lash fell short, striking one of the +horses. The animal plunged at the sting and its +companion also started.</p> + +<p>By the time Gale had them under control, Mrs. +Burke was vanishing down the road in a cloud of +dust.</p> + +<p>Where the track to the station branched off the +main road one of the troopers met and stopped her. +The man recognised her from the previous day.</p> + +<p>"Very sorry, Mrs. Burke," he said, "but I've been +sent to stop anyone going near the place."</p> + +<p>"Why can't I go? I want to know how they +are and whether I can't help to nurse them," she +said.</p> + +<p>"They're both pretty bad, I believe," the trooper +answered. "I don't think you could do anything +now, because there's the doctor and Mrs. Eustace and +my mate looking after them. But I'll tell the doctor, +and maybe to-morrow——"</p> + +<p>Mrs. Burke slowly wheeled her horse.</p> + +<p>"I shall not come to-morrow," she said. "It is +evident I'm not wanted. But I shall come in a few +days and take one of them away with me to my house. +I'm sure Mr. Durham would be much better away +from here. Tell the doctor I say so. Who is taking +Mr. Durham's place?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Taking up his work do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"Yes—who is looking for the man who stole my +deeds from the bank? Why aren't you doing it, +instead of wasting your time here?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, that'll be all right, Mrs. Burke. We've got a +clue—don't you be uneasy."</p> + +<p>"I shall be uneasy until Mr. Durham is able to look +after it again. He is the only hope I have of ever +seeing my papers again."</p> + +<p>"You're right," the trooper exclaimed. "He's +the smartest man for the job there is. That's why +he's lying there now—we know for certain he was on +their track when he got here, and as soon as they saw +who it was after them, they went for him. It wasn't +the fault of the chap who tried to brain him that the +sub-inspector is alive to-day."</p> + +<p>"He is very badly hurt?" Mrs. Burke asked.</p> + +<p>"The chap who hit him saw to that—I'd just like +to have my hands on him for a few minutes, the mean +hound. There was probably more than one, and +while the sub-inspector was facing the others, this +one must have crept up behind him and tried to brain +him from the back. But we'll get him, and then he +will know something."</p> + +<p>"You think you will catch them?"</p> + +<p>"Catch them? Of course we shall. But it's the +chap who knocked the sub-inspector on the head we +want mostly."</p> + +<p>"You'll punish him when you do catch him?" +she asked, with a gleam in her eyes.</p> + +<p>"Ah!" he exclaimed.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span></p> + +<p>She leaned forward.</p> + +<p>"I hope you do," she said. "I would—if I +were a man—even if they had not stolen my +papers."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII</h2> + +<h3>AS THROUGH A MIST</h3> + + +<p>Wallace had scarcely completed his report when +once more he was interrupted by Gale entering the +office.</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Eustace has given me this order to remove +all her belongings at once," he said, as he entered the +office and handed the order to Wallace.</p> + +<p>"Very good. I'll tell the girl to bring them downstairs. +Will you be at the front door?"</p> + +<p>"Tell the girl?" Gale remarked. "You don't +think it's a girl's job, do you, to move a houseful +of furniture?"</p> + +<p>"There's no furniture; there is nothing here +belonging to Mrs. Eustace beyond her clothing, and +some few odds and ends, I suppose?"</p> + +<p>"Then you know very little about the matter, +Mr. Wallace. Everything beyond that door belongs +to Mrs. Eustace; everything in the residence portion +of this building is hers absolutely, her own personal +private property. Even that lamp on your table +is hers. I have it down on my list."</p> + +<p>"Oh, that is nonsense, utter nonsense," Wallace +exclaimed pompously. "The furniture is the property +of the Bank."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span></p> + +<p>"The furniture is not the property of the Bank. +Ask Mr. Harding."</p> + +<p>"He is asleep at present, but——"</p> + +<p>"Then he had better get up, because I am about to +remove the bed on which he is sleeping. It belongs +to Mrs. Eustace; so do the blankets, the sheets, the +coverlet, everything, in fact, even to the towels +in his room."</p> + +<p>"What absolute preposterous nonsense!" Wallace +replied. "I never heard of such a thing. The Bank +always provides furniture for its branches."</p> + +<p>"And does the Bank always allow the wife of a +branch manager so much a year for the use of that +furniture, napery, linen, cutlery, and the rest?"</p> + +<p>"Why ask such a ridiculous question?"</p> + +<p>"Because Mrs. Eustace has been paid such an +allowance since she has been in Waroona. Refer +to the office records. They will show you whether +it is so or not."</p> + +<p>Wallace turned to the book-racks, and pulled +down the ledger. Running his eye down the index, +he saw the item "Furniture Account." Opening +the book at the page indicated, he read enough +to prove to him that Gale's statement was +correct.</p> + +<p>"Then all I have to say is, that it is extremely +unusual," he said, as he slammed the book, and +returned it to its place.</p> + +<p>"I am not concerned in that, Mr. Wallace. All I +know are the facts. Now that you are also satisfied, +you will see the work is hardly what a girl can<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> +carry out. I'll send half a dozen men down at +once."</p> + +<p>"But," Wallace exclaimed, looking up aghast, +"you don't mean to say you are going to remove +everything?"</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Eustace has given me her order to remove +all her belongings. That, I understand, includes +everything in the living portion of the premises, +and the lamp now standing on your table."</p> + +<p>"But what am I to do? What is Harding to do? +We cannot sleep on the bare boards and eat our +meals raw."</p> + +<p>"I don't see what concern that is of mine. You +requested Mrs. Eustace to vacate these premises +at once, and she is doing as you asked. It is not for +you to complain, surely?"</p> + +<p>"It is, under the circumstances, most decidedly +it is. Someone must always be on the premises after +what has occurred; but if there is nothing on which +to sleep, what can be done? Mrs. Eustace knew +the furniture belonged to her and should have said +so."</p> + +<p>"I am afraid I cannot agree with you," Gale +replied. "You should have known the furniture +was hers. Your one desire, it seems to me, was to +vent on her head the wrath of the Bank at what may, +or may not have been, her husband's fault. Whether +it added to the trouble she already had did not matter +to you in the slightest. But directly you find that +your spite recoils on yourself and entails some inconvenience +for you, there is a very different tale to tell.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> +Personally I am very glad to think you can be inconvenienced. +You had better have Harding called, +as I shall be back in half an hour with my men. +Oh, by the by, the servant is engaged by Mrs. +Eustace, not by the Bank. She will leave with the +furniture."</p> + +<p>He enjoyed the look of consternation on Wallace's +face. The banker could not deceive himself. Gale +held him in a cleft stick.</p> + +<p>"But this cannot go on," he exclaimed. "Mrs. +Eustace must see how unreasonable it is. The +Bank is entitled to at least a month's notice, before +the things can be removed."</p> + +<p>"It is the Bank that gave the notice. Mrs. Eustace +was told to go at once. Well, she waived her right +to demand time and said she would go at once. +Now you blame her!"</p> + +<p>"Will she sell the furniture?"</p> + +<p>"No, she will not."</p> + +<p>"I shall go to Taloona and see about it."</p> + +<p>"It will not assist you if you do. In the first place, +you will not be able to see her, and, in the second, +even if you did see her, you would only learn that the +matter has been placed in my hands."</p> + +<p>"Then, if it is in your hands, deal with it as a +reasonable business man. While Mrs. Eustace +remains at Taloona she will not require the furniture; +it will be at least a couple of weeks before we can +have any sent up to serve us. How much does Mrs. +Eustace want for the hire of what is in the house +at present?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Twenty pounds a week," Gale replied, without +moving a muscle, even when Wallace flared up at the +proposal.</p> + +<p>"Utterly preposterous," he cried. "Ten shillings +a week was what was allowed her. That amount is +ample."</p> + +<p>"You are the buyer, not the seller, Mr. Wallace. +You pay twenty pounds a week, or the furniture goes. +Even at that sum I consider that Mrs. Eustace is +placing the Bank under a distinct obligation to +her."</p> + +<p>There was no escape; reluctantly Wallace admitted +it, and agreed to the terms, humiliating though they +were. But it was still more humiliating for him to +learn the following day that Mrs. Eustace declined +to accept anything whatever, but allowed the Bank +to use the furniture and retain the services of Bessie +until other arrangements could be made.</p> + +<p>"What is the game she is playing?" he said to +Harding. "Is it all part of some elaborate scheme +between herself and her husband, or is she really +sincere?"</p> + +<p>The letter sewn into the lining of his coat seemed +to burn itself into Harding's back. Was it all part +of an elaborate scheme, part of the "everything" +she had to do "as arranged"? If he could only be +sure!</p> + +<p>"I don't know what to make of it," he answered. +"I don't know." But while they were speculating +at the bank as to the sincerity or insincerity of Mrs. +Eustace, she was driving her own troubles from her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> +mind by the constant and unremitting care of a +taciturn and exacting patient.</p> + +<p>For the first two or three days after the bullet was +extracted from his leg, Dudgeon was in a high state +of fever. In his semi-delirium he babbled incessantly +of Kitty, grew dangerously excited whenever the +doctor came near him, and would only be pacified +by the presence of Mrs. Eustace. In his lucid intervals +he told her over and over again the story of his +betrayal; when his mind wandered, he regarded her +as the Kitty he had known before the shattering of +his life's romance. It was difficult for her to decide +which experience was the more trying.</p> + +<p>Later, when the fever left him, he was as a child +in her hands, listening while she read or talked to him, +taking anything she brought him without demur, +and only showing signs of impatience when she left +the hut for a while.</p> + +<p>Consequently, she was unable to give any attention +to Durham, and as the days slipped by the doctor +began to chafe, for there were patients scattered +through the bush whom he was anxious to visit, +but he could not go away and leave both men to +Mrs. Eustace to nurse.</p> + +<p>It was at this juncture that Mrs. Burke put her +threat into execution, and drove over to Taloona in +a big old-fashioned waggonette with Patsy perched +on the box and a store of blankets inside.</p> + +<p>"I've come to do my share of the work," she told +the doctor. "They stopped me from coming before—I +was turned back by a trooper a mile from the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> +house. But I'm tired of waiting for word how the poor +fellows are, and have just come to take one of them +away with me."</p> + +<p>She had driven right up to the huts, and the sound +of her voice penetrated both. Old Dudgeon, striving +to sit up, stared at Mrs. Eustace with gleaming +eyes.</p> + +<p>"That devil," he muttered. "It's her voice. I'd +know it in a million. Keep her away! Don't let +her come near me, or I'll——"</p> + +<p>"Hush, you must not get excited," Mrs. Eustace +said, as she gently pushed him back. "No one is +coming in here. I'll see to that. I'll shut the door +and bolt them out."</p> + +<p>In the other hut the patient's eyes also gleamed, +but with a different light. The forced inaction, the +solitude, the wearying monotony of lying still, to +one accustomed to a life full of incident and action, +was more than trying; but when, as was the case +with Durham, there was urgent and engrossing +work to be done, the compulsory delay aggravated +the evils of the injury he had sustained.</p> + +<p>Through the long hours he chafed against the +helplessness which prevented him from following +up the clue he had already obtained, but still more +did he chafe against his inability to renew his acquaintance +with the woman who had fascinated +him.</p> + +<p>He was anxious to make headway in her estimation +so that he would have some understanding, however +slight, with her when the recovery of her papers and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> +the winning of the reward gave him the opportunity +of offering her marriage. His impatience bred many +fancies in his mind. Daily he pictured to himself +the danger of someone else becoming his rival in her +affections.</p> + +<p>Were he free to see her he did not fear defeat; +but while he was lying helpless at Taloona anything +might be happening at Waroona Downs.</p> + +<p>That morning the doctor had told him it would be +weeks before he would be well enough to resume work +if he did not make more rapid progress. He had poured +out professional platitudes against the folly of fretting +and worrying against the inevitable, but neither his +platitudes nor the soundness of his reasoning could +still the eager longing which was at the root of the +patient's retarded convalescence.</p> + +<p>If he could only see her the days would not be so +blank; even to hear of or from her would be something; +but this complete separation, this seemingly +hopeless isolation racked him with impatience. +Wherefore the sound of her voice breaking in upon his +mournful reveries, of which she was the central figure, +made his heart leap with delight.</p> + +<p>Come to take one of them away with her! Saving +that his head swam so much when he moved he would +have crawled out of his bunk and appealed to her +that he should be the one, lest the other should be +before him.</p> + +<p>He strove to catch something more of the conversation +carried on between her and the doctor, +but their voices were not sufficiently loud for him to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> +hear more than the sound of them. The creaking of +the door as it opened made him turn his eyes as the +doctor came in.</p> + +<p>"I've a visitor to see you. Do you think you can +stand it?" he asked.</p> + +<p>Over the doctor's shoulder Durham caught a +glimpse of Mrs. Burke, and the smile that rippled +over his face was all the answer he had time to give +before she stood beside him.</p> + +<p>"Oh, the poor, poor fellow," she exclaimed softly. +"Sure he's just pining for a change of air and a +sight of the bush once more. It's Waroona Downs +that's the place where he can get what he wants and +recover so as to catch those villains that have done +him so much harm. I've come to fetch you, Mr. +Durham. I've a waggonette outside and a storeful +of blankets, and Patsy to drive—sure he can't go +faster than a funeral at the best, so there's no +fear of any jolting on the way. If you want to +come, the doctor says you may, and he'll ride +along later and see you are all fixed up before +he goes after his other patients who are all dying, +poor things, without his help one way or the +other."</p> + +<p>Would he go? His pale cheeks flushed at the +chance of escape from the deadly solitude of the past +few days. Anywhere would be better than inside +that bare, cheerless hut, anything preferable to lying +on the hard wooden bunk with only a blanket over +him, and only an occasional flying visit from Mrs. +Eustace and the periodical dosing by the doctor.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> +But Waroona Downs with the woman he was beginning +to idolise daily with him!</p> + +<p>"Will you come?" she asked softly, as he did +not speak.</p> + +<p>"If I only could," he answered.</p> + +<p>"There, doctor, you heard him? I'll tell Patsy +to spread the blankets on the floor of the waggonette, +and sure he'll never know he's moving till he's +there."</p> + +<p>"It may shake you up a bit," the doctor said, as +Mrs. Burke left the hut. "But I must get away +to a case to-morrow, and the old man is as much as +any woman can look after. Do you think you can +stand the drive?"</p> + +<p>"I'd stand anything to get out of this place," +Durham answered. "If you think I can stand it, I'm +satisfied."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you're tough enough to stand anything," the +doctor replied. "You could not be alive to-day if +you had not the constitution of a steam-engine. +They'd charge me with manslaughter down in one +of the cities, moving a man who had barely had a +week's rest after a crack in his skull; but we have +to take things as they come in the bush, my lad, +and it's mostly rough at the best."</p> + +<p>New life seemed already to have come to him, +and when they had placed him in the waggonette, +lying comfortably on the pile of blankets Mrs. Burke +had spread, the wan weariness had gone and Durham +smiled up into the face that looked down on him with +so much softness in the dark-lashed eyes.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span></p> + +<p>Overhead the sky was blue as turquoise, and the +clear sunlit air fanned him with a faint breeze redolent +with the aromatic perfumes which float through the +atmosphere of the bush. The horses moved along +at the slowest pace they could manage beyond a +walk, and the gentle sway of the waggonette on its +easy, old-fashioned springs lulled Durham into a +delightful sense of restfulness and content. Gradually +his eyelids grew heavy and drooped; peaceful, restful, +he floated away into slumber as easily as though he +had been a child rocked in a cradle.</p> + +<p>The sunlight had given place to the shade of +evening when he opened his eyes. The rhythmic +beat of the horses' hoofs blended harmoniously +with the sway of the vehicle in which he was travelling, +and the cool air was filled with a delicious fragrance. +He awakened with so keen a sense of vitality that +for the moment he forgot he was an invalid, and made +an effort to rise. But the strength he felt in his +muscles was only the trick of his imagination; he +could barely lift his head.</p> + +<p>But that was sufficient to show him that he was +in the waggonette alone. The seat where Mrs. Burke +had been when his eyes closed was unoccupied. +He turned sufficiently to look at the box-seat. +A figure loomed through the dusk, but it seemed +more sturdy than the withered frame of old +Patsy.</p> + +<p>He made another effort to sit up. It was not +entirely successful, but it enabled him to see out of +the vehicle. Away behind them the dark shadow<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> +of the range between the township and Waroona +Downs rose against the sky.</p> + +<p>"Where is Mrs. Burke?" he called, turning his +face towards the form of the driver.</p> + +<p>The horses stopped, and the figure on the box +leaned back as a merry laugh came down to +him.</p> + +<p>"Oh, are you awake then? Sure I thought you +were asleep for good and all the way you never +moved all the journey. And did you think I had +vanished and left you to the tender mercies of that +old fool? Well, now, that's a poor compliment +to yourself surely, to think I'd run away from you as +soon as I saw your eyes were closed. No, no, I've +got charge of you till you are well and strong again, +though maybe I'll have hard work to shunt you at +all then, you'll be so used to being nursed. But I +had to come and drive while I sent the old man on +ahead to get the door open and a fire alight so as to +give you something hot to cheer you as soon as +you reached the house."</p> + +<p>"But he cannot walk quicker than we are going?"</p> + +<p>"Going? Why, we're standing still. So we were +at the top of the hill where the horses, poor beasts, +wanted a long rest to get their wind again, seeing +how they had come all the way without as much as a +five minutes' break since we started. You were +sleeping through it all so peacefully I had not the +heart to disturb you, but sent the old man on ahead +while I climbed up here. Sure we're nearly there; +I can see the light of the lamp shining out of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> +window. Just keep quiet and rest now till we're +there."</p> + +<p>She started the horses again, and Durham lay back +on his blankets till he felt the waggonette turn off the +main road and drive slowly up to the house.</p> + +<p>As it stopped, he managed to raise himself into a +sitting position. There was a momentary humming +in his head, and he gripped the seats to steady +himself. The cessation of the noise made by the +moving wheels and trotting horses accentuated to +his ears the still silence of the night. So quiet was +it that as the humming passed from him the creaking +of the springs when Mrs. Burke swung herself down +from the box-seat seemed an actual noise.</p> + +<p>Patsy's heavy tread echoed on the bare boards of +the verandah. For a second they stopped, and +through Durham's brain there rang a curious stifled +sound, something like a cry coming from afar, a cry +indistinct and choked as if it were muffled.</p> + +<p>The loud tones of Mrs. Burke's voice, speaking +quickly and decisively, drowned it before the dulled +brain could either locate whence it came or decide +whether it was anything more than a variation +of the humming in his ears.</p> + +<p>"Come along now, Patsy. Hasten, you slow old +fool. Don't you know Mr. Durham will be +tired?"</p> + +<p>The old man stumbled and blundered down the +steps, and Mrs. Burke came to the end of the +waggonette.</p> + +<p>"Oh, now, now! Sure is it wise to do that?" she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> +exclaimed, as she saw Durham sitting up. "Why +didn't you wait till we could help you?"</p> + +<p>She leaned in and took hold of his arm.</p> + +<p>"If you back the waggonette against the steps, I +can get out easier," he said.</p> + +<p>"Of course, of course. Now then, Patsy, why +didn't you think of that?" she exclaimed. "Turn +the horses round while I stay with Mr. Durham."</p> + +<p>She sat on the floor of the vehicle, still holding +Durham's arm.</p> + +<p>The touch of her hands, the sound of her voice as +she maintained a steady stream of directions to +Patsy, the fact of being so near to her, filled Durham +with a gentle soothing. The dreaminess which +had been upon him when the journey began, and +before he sank into the contented slumber, returned. +Her voice reached him as from a distance; his grip +of the seats loosened, and as the waggonette turned +he swayed until his head drooped upon the shoulder +of the woman by his side.</p> + +<p>Thereafter all was vague and misty until he came +to himself and knew he was ascending the short +flight of steps leading to the verandah, with Mrs. +Burke supporting him on one side and Patsy the +other.</p> + +<p>As he reached the verandah his legs trembled +beneath him, and he stood for a moment, leaning +heavily upon the arms which supported him.</p> + +<p>Again there came to his dulled brain the sound +like a distant stifled cry.</p> + +<p>"What's that?" he muttered. "What's that?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, lean on me. Don't fall now. Oh, keep up, +keep up. Sure what will the doctor say when he comes +if you've hurt yourself?" the voice of Mrs. Burke +said in his ear.</p> + +<p>"But that—that cry," he gasped. A cold shiver +ran through him.</p> + +<p>"There's no cry; there's nothing but me and old +Patsy. Keep up, now. If you're worse, oh, what +will the doctor say?"</p> + +<p>The glare from the lamp shining through the open +window grew dim; the floor of the verandah rose +and fell; his arms dropped nerveless to his sides +and, with the faint muffled cry still ringing in his +ears, Durham went down into oblivion.</p> + +<p>Once the veil partly lifted, and he saw, as through +a mist, Mrs. Burke standing defiantly before a man +who slunk away out of the room while she turned +quickly and came to the couch where he was lying +and bent over him. As in a dream he felt her cool +hand touch his brow and her face come close to +him.</p> + +<p>"Oh, why? Why?" he heard her whisper. +"Why have you come into my life—now—to bring +love to me? Better if I were dead; but I cannot +let you go, I cannot! Oh, my love, why have you +come so late to me?"</p> + +<p>Her lips were pressed to his, her arms encircled his +neck, and as he thrilled at her touch, at her voice, +at her presence, he essayed to answer her. But he +had no strength even to move his lips in response +to her kiss, no power to raise a hand. It was as though<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> +his will no longer had control over his muscles, as +though his consciousness were something apart from +his body, something floating in space, voiceless, +nerveless, motionless, apart from himself, apart +from all save the love she had for him, and the love +he had for her.</p> + +<p>And in the glamour of that love, the bare knowledge +that he existed at all faded away, until he was as one +enveloped in a mist through which neither sight nor +sound could penetrate.</p> + +<p>The sunlight was streaming around him when next +he remembered. He was lying in a bed in an unfamiliar +room. By his side the doctor was standing. +His first memory was of the stifled cry which had +come to him as he stepped on to the verandah.</p> + +<p>"Ah, you're awake again, are you?" the doctor +said cheerily. "Well, how do you feel now?"</p> + +<p>"Where am I?" Durham asked weakly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you're where you're all right, if you feel all +right. Do you?"</p> + +<p>"I'm—this isn't the hut."</p> + +<p>He glanced round the room which was at once +strange and familiar to him.</p> + +<p>"Don't you remember leaving there? You ought +to. Don't you remember how we got you into the +waggonette? When we put you on the blankets? +Just think. You're at Waroona Downs. Mrs. Burke +brought you."</p> + +<p>"But I—how did I get here?" Durham repeated, +glancing again round the room. Then it was that the +memory of the cry forced itself to the front.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Who was it?" he asked. "Who was it?"</p> + +<p>Another figure joined the doctor, and Mrs. Burke +looked down at him.</p> + +<p>"Who was what?" the doctor asked.</p> + +<p>"That cry—the cry I heard," Durham replied.</p> + +<p>"There was no cry," the doctor said. "You've +been dreaming."</p> + +<p>Durham looked from one to the other. As his eyes +rested on Mrs. Burke's, vaguely there came to him +the visionary recollection of her kneeling beside him +with her arms around him and her lips pressed to +his.</p> + +<p>"Dreaming?" he said slowly. "Dreaming? +Was it all dreaming?"</p> + +<p>He was looking straight into her eyes, as he spoke, +forgetful of the doctor's presence, watching for the +return of the soft love-light which had filled her eyes +in that memoried scene. But no love-light shone +from them. They were unmoved, cold in their grey-blue +depths almost to hardness.</p> + +<p>"Listen to me, my lad," the doctor said briskly. +"The drive in from Taloona shook you up a bit, +they tell me. Made you delirious, so that they had to +keep you on the sofa all night watching you. That's +where I found you when I got here at dawn. But +you'll be all right now, I fancy, if you keep quiet and +don't think about things that never happened. +You're at Waroona Downs in bed, and Mrs. Burke +and that old idiot of a doddering Irishman are +looking after you. That's all you've got to remember."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Except to get well," Mrs. Burke added.</p> + +<p>"Yes, except to get well; and I reckon your +nurse will see to that. I'll call in again to-morrow +or the next day. But remember—no more +dreams."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII</h2> + +<h3>REVENGE IS SWEET</h3> + + +<p>As the days wore on and Durham won his way back +to health, he waited in vain for a token from Mrs. +Burke that the memory which persisted so clearly +was other than the figment of a dream.</p> + +<p>Although she gave him every attention a sick man +required, there was neither look nor word from her +to justify him in believing that the memory was of an +actual scene. For hours she would be with him, +reading to him, talking to him, meeting his glance +freely and frankly; but never was there the veriest +hint of the emotion he had seen in her eyes on that +occasion.</p> + +<p>Nor did he hear again the curious stifled cry which +had seemed to ring in his ears the night he arrived. +He was constantly on the alert for it, both by night +and day, while he was confined to his room and later +when he was able to get out on to the verandah. +But there was no repetition of it, until at last he had +perforce to accept the doctor's view and regard it, +as well as the other memory, as merely the vagaries +of delirium.</p> + +<p>But if she gave him nothing whereon to feed the +love he had for her, that love did not diminish as the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> +days passed. It took a deeper and firmer hold upon +him until he lived in a veritable Fool's Paradise, +giving no thought of the morrow, saving that it would +be spent with her, and forgetting even the task which +had brought him to the district. The outside world +did not obtrude itself upon him, till the doctor +declared that only once more would he visit him. +Then it came with a rush.</p> + +<p>A dozen questions forced themselves upon his +mind.</p> + +<p>Since his arrival at Waroona Downs, no word had +reached him from Brennan, no mention had been +made of the robberies. When, once or twice, he had +attempted to speak of them, Mrs. Burke told him +the doctor's orders were that he was not to be allowed +to dwell upon anything likely to disturb him, and she +insisted on carrying out those orders. He had always +yielded, lest she put into execution the threat she +made, to leave him to the tender mercies of old Patsy +for a whole day. But now the injunction was removed, +for the doctor himself had asked whether he +should tell Brennan to come out.</p> + +<p>Durham awaited his arrival with impatience. Now +that he allowed his mind to revert to more prosaic +matters than the object of his adoration, he concluded +that, as he had not been troubled with official detail, +someone else had been sent up to continue the investigation +into the mystery.</p> + +<p>He ran over the names of the men most likely to be +entrusted with the work, speculating which one it +was, and what course he had followed. He hunted<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> +for the letter he had found the day he discovered +the track leading to the lake among the hills, and +when he could not find it, he inferred that after +he had been struck down at Taloona, the two +marauders had searched him and had recovered +what would have been invaluable evidence against +Eustace.</p> + +<p>The excuse Mrs. Burke had put forward for refusing +to discuss the matter with him suggested she knew +he had been superseded; the belief grew in his mind +that his successor had succeeded in either tracing the +stolen gold or securing the arrest of Eustace, and +perhaps his companion also. Mrs. Burke, knowing +this, had declined to talk lest she revealed the secret +and gave him, as she would consider, cause for mental +anxiety and distress.</p> + +<p>It was therefore a great surprise for him to learn +from Brennan, as soon as he came out, that no one +had been sent up to take charge of the case; that no +arrest had been made, nor clue discovered; but that +everything had been allowed to remain as it was +until such time as he was sufficiently recovered to +resume duty.</p> + +<p>"They should not have done that," he exclaimed. +"Look at the time wasted."</p> + +<p>"I understand the Bank wished it, sir," Brennan +answered. "Mr. Wallace told me as much. He said +he and his directors were satisfied no one could solve +the riddle as you could, and head-quarters had been +asked not to put anyone else in charge, but to leave +you with an absolutely free hand."</p> + +<p>"It is very good of them," Durham said. "But<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> +still—look at the chance it has given the thieves to +get away with the gold."</p> + +<p>"They haven't gone, sir," Brennan said quietly.</p> + +<p>"How do you know?"</p> + +<p>"One of them was seen only last night," Brennan +continued in a low tone. "He was seen on the +Taloona road, riding the white horse. That is what +puzzles me. How does he hide that horse? It's +never been seen in any of the paddocks for miles +round, for everyone is on the watch for it. And a +man can't hide a white horse in a hollow log—it must +run somewhere some time."</p> + +<p>"Where is Mrs. Eustace?"</p> + +<p>"She's at Smart's cottage. She came in from +Taloona yesterday. That's what makes it strange, +to my mind, this white horse and rider being seen +on the Taloona road the day she leaves the +place."</p> + +<p>"Where are the troopers—Conlon and his +mate?"</p> + +<p>"Went away three days ago, sir, on orders from +head-quarters."</p> + +<p>"And Mr. Dudgeon?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, he's still at Taloona. They say he's pretty +well right again, except that he limps with a +stick."</p> + +<p>"I suppose his gold was taken?"</p> + +<p>"Every atom of it, sir. We found the spot where +it had been dug up under the ashes of the house. But +that doesn't seem to trouble him very much. All he +wants is to have the men who stuck up the place +caught and hanged."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span></p> + +<p>"How did Mrs. Eustace come in?"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Gale drove her in, sir. He's been to and fro +most every day."</p> + +<p>"But he didn't meet the man on the white +horse?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir. It was Mr. Gale who brought me word +of it. He said he thought it must be Eustace, and +asked if he would be justified in shooting him if he +met him face to face. Mr. Harding asked the same +thing."</p> + +<p>"Of course, you told them no."</p> + +<p>"Well, sir, to tell you the truth, I said it might +be the best thing for Mrs. Eustace, seeing what the +conviction of her husband meant for her, but +that it might mean a charge of murder if it were +done."</p> + +<p>Durham sat silent for a time.</p> + +<p>"Come out for me to-morrow, will you, Brennan?" +he said presently. "I can't wait for the doctor. This +has got to be dealt with promptly, unless we are to +lose the game."</p> + +<p>When Brennan had gone, Durham sat on the +verandah alone. Now that he had taken hold of +the case again, all the fascination his work had for +him returned. He became so engrossed in the +contemplation of the problem that unnoticed the sun +went down to leave the young crescent moon shedding +a fitful light over the silent bush. Unnoticed, also, +were the sound of footfalls as Mrs. Burke came out +on to the verandah.</p> + +<p>For a time she stood watching him. Had he turned +quickly he might have seen in her eyes something of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> +the expression for which he had looked so often. +But reading the riddle of the robberies was too +enthralling a subject, and so he missed his opportunity, +for when she crossed to the hand-rail against which +he was sitting, every suggestion of the expression had +gone from her face.</p> + +<p>Standing where the moonlight fell upon her, she +leaned against one of the verandah posts without +speaking. It was then he saw her, and from within +the shadow he feasted his eyes upon the beauty of her +face and form so clearly outlined against the soft-toned +evening sky.</p> + +<p>"Brennan has gone?" she asked, suddenly turning +towards him.</p> + +<p>"Yes. Brennan has gone. And this—this is my +last evening here," he answered in a low voice. +"To-morrow I resume duty."</p> + +<p>He waited for the remark he hoped she would make, +but she merely looked away over the silvery haze of +the bush apparently unmoved, nay, even uninterested +in the announcement he had made.</p> + +<p>"Don't you ever feel compassion for the poor +creatures you are chasing to their doom?" she asked +presently.</p> + +<p>"Why should there be compassion for them?" +he asked in reply.</p> + +<p>"Don't you ever feel it? Don't you ever stop to +wonder if only they are to blame?"</p> + +<p>"I am merely concerned in what they have done. +Until they have placed themselves in antagonism to +the laws of society, I have nothing to do with them. +When they violate the law, then I am bidden to track<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> +them down so that they may be made to answer for +the wrongs they may have done. It would assist +neither them nor myself were I to lose myself in +compassionate consideration of things I know nothing +about."</p> + +<p>"But surely—you must sometimes feel sorry for +them—must pity them in their misfortune?"</p> + +<p>"There are too many who deserve pity, Mrs. +Burke, for me to waste any of mine on people who +only injure others. All my pity and sympathy go to +the victimised, not to the victimisers."</p> + +<p>"It seems so hard, so merciless, so hopeless," she +said after a few minutes' silence.</p> + +<p>"Have you any compassion for those who stole +your papers? Would you have them escape capture +and punishment, and so lose for ever all hopes of +recovering those papers?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know."</p> + +<p>There was a note of sadness in her voice, a +note almost as unfamiliar as the brevity of her +reply.</p> + +<p>"To what compassion is the man entitled who +struck me down?"</p> + +<p>"You don't know—you don't know what made +him do it. He may have been forced to do it for the +sake of his companion, to save both of them."</p> + +<p>"Save himself and his companion from what? +From capture while committing an outrage and a +robbery. I do not see where any reason for compassion +comes in, Mrs. Burke."</p> + +<p>"And you would show him none?"</p> + +<p>"None," he answered fiercely. "I look upon that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> +man, whoever and wherever he may be, as a menace +to mankind. He is unfit to be at large."</p> + +<p>"If you saw him, you would shoot him?"</p> + +<p>"If I saw him I should try and capture him and +hand him over for trial."</p> + +<p>"But if you could not capture him? If he were +escaping from you?"</p> + +<p>"Then I would shoot him—shoot him like a dog, +and be satisfied I had done my duty."</p> + +<p>He stood up as he spoke and came into the moonlight, +his face hard set, his eyes gleaming.</p> + +<p>She raised her hands and held them out towards +him with so impetuous a gesture that he drew +back.</p> + +<p>"I hope that you may never meet him—never—never," +she said in a low voice which vibrated with +emotion.</p> + +<p>"Why?"</p> + +<p>Durham rapped out the question in a savage +staccato.</p> + +<p>"Because I—oh!" she exclaimed, as she shuddered. +"It is so horrible to think of, to think that +you who—when you were delirious, Mr. Durham, you +used to talk—you used to say things so full of tenderness +and sympathy that I wondered—wondered +whether you were then your real self or whether your +real self was the man you are now—hard, stern, +pitiless, relentless. It was because of that I asked +you if you ever felt compassion for those you chase to +their doom. I would rather remember you as the +man I learned to know when you unconsciously +revealed to me your other nature. It is only as that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span> +I care to remember you. But if you met that man and +killed him—oh, how could I bear to think of you as a +murderer? It would kill me!"</p> + +<p>"I should not be a murderer. I should be carrying +out my duty—a duty I hope I may never be called +upon to perform, but one which I should not shrink +from performing if I were called on by circumstances +to perform it."</p> + +<p>For a space there was another silence between them, +until he remembered she was standing.</p> + +<p>"Will you not sit down?" he said quietly. "Let +me bring you a chair. This is my last night here," he +said, when she had taken the chair he brought. "Do +not let us talk about that wretched side of life. I +want, before I go, to thank you for all the goodness +and kindness you have shown to me. You have +been——"</p> + +<p>She made an exclamation of impatience.</p> + +<p>"You have nothing to thank me for, Mr. Durham. +Surely there is nothing deserving of thanks in doing +what one could to relieve unmerited suffering. I only +had—compassion."</p> + +<p>"It was more than compassion. It was +the——"</p> + +<p>"Now, please. You will only annoy me if you +say any more about it. If you had had a skilful +nurse, you would have been cured long ago; it +was my foolish blundering which delayed you so +long."</p> + +<p>"Your blundering? If everybody would only +blunder as you have, Mrs. Burke, then there +would——"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You must not say that, Mr. Durham," she +interrupted.</p> + +<p>"But indeed I must," he answered softly. "You +have not only brought me back to health, but you +have given me new life—something I never had +before—not until I met you. I want to tell you. I +want——"</p> + +<p>"No, no," she exclaimed, as she rose to her feet. +"You must not talk like that. You must not, really. +I will not listen to you, I must not."</p> + +<p>He lay back in his chair and she resumed her seat in +silence.</p> + +<p>"What news had Brennan?" she asked presently. +"You see, I have not been in the town since you +came here," she went on. "One likes to know +what is going, especially when one is isolated. Has +the new manager arrived at the bank yet?"</p> + +<p>"I think not, but I did not ask. Brennan would +probably have mentioned it though, if it were +so."</p> + +<p>"I must come in and see about engaging someone +to get the place ready for stock," she said. "The old +man is not a scrap of use. In fact, I wish he were +back in Ireland. He has the usual Irish failing, Mr. +Durham. You know what that is. I'm always afraid +that he will break out if ever he gets into the town by +himself."</p> + +<p>"Drink?" Durham asked.</p> + +<p>"Oh, something terrible. I don't think he has had +any since you have been up here, but one never +knows. Any time I may find him helpless. It makes +me uneasy until I have someone else about the place.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> +Sure you can never say what a man like that will do. +He might set the whole place on fire over my head, +and I should never know it till I was burned to death +perhaps."</p> + +<p>"May I make inquiries for you to-morrow, when +I get into town? Mr. Gale may know——"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Gale? Oh, he's a likely man to bother himself +about my affairs now. It was Mr. Gale stopped +me from going to Taloona when I heard first about +your—accident. All he could talk about was the +good Mrs. Eustace was doing, and I said it was as +well perhaps that Mr. Eustace was not at home, +seeing the interest all the men in the place were +taking in his lady. Sure now, is there any news of the +creature—Mr. Eustace, I mean—there's no need to +ask about Mrs. Eustace. Has any trace at all been +found of the scoundrel?"</p> + +<p>"I can't say, really," he answered slowly. "I +shall know to-morrow. We did not go into everything +to-day. Brennan only reported certain matters +of official routine."</p> + +<p>"Well, well. I should have thought he would have +given you all the news seeing how long you have been +away, and knowing how anxious you would be to have +the latest tidings. Did he say at all how the old +curmudgeon was? Is Mrs. Eustace still dancing +attendance on him, and making herself a public +martyr to cover up the tracks of her levanting +husband?"</p> + +<p>"I believe Mr. Dudgeon is practically well again—the +doctor could have told you about that."</p> + +<p>"Oh, he did, but I wondered whether you had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> +other news. Sure it's not always a doctor's word that +is worth considering. They lie almost as well as +lawyers—or the police."</p> + +<p>"To whom you come for verification."</p> + +<p>"Now, that's just like me, giving away my own +private opinion of you without the asking. But +there! Did you ever hear the reason why the old +man hated so much to let me buy this place? The +doctor was telling me. He said the old man was never +done telling him and Mrs. Eustace all about it. It's +the funniest story ever you heard. Do you know +it?</p> + +<p>"Sure I'll tell it to you," she went on, without +heeding the absence of any reply to her question. +"The old man was once in love. You'd hardly +believe that, would you? But you never know. +It's the most unlikely people on this earth who are +the most like to make fools of themselves in that way. +You and me and the rest of us, sure we're none of us +safe, though I will say I'd like to see the woman who +could get the blind side of one man I've met in these +parts. Who he may be is no matter. But about old +Dudgeon. It's long since he was in love, you must +know, but when he was it was with a girl who was the +daughter of the people who owned this station, years +and years ago, before you and I were born, indeed. +Well, the girl wouldn't have him, or preferred someone +else, which is about the same thing. Kitty +Lambton was her name when he was after her; it +was a man named O'Guire she married to get away +from the old soured rascal, though he was young +at the time, and mayhap a sour young man at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> +that. Would you say she was wrong? Would +you?"</p> + +<p>"I suppose every woman has a right to please +herself in such a matter," he replied evasively.</p> + +<p>"That's what I say, and it's what poor Kitty +did, rest her soul, for she is dead now, poor +thing."</p> + +<p>Her voice dropped to a softer tone suddenly, and +she was silent for a few seconds; but when she +resumed her story the shrill tone, the tone which +irritated and hurt him, he knew not why, rang out +again.</p> + +<p>"But the old man would have none of it. He +swore all the vengeance he could think of against her +and hers. He swore no woman should ever set foot +in this place again. He hounded the father and +mother of that unfortunate girl to their graves; he +chased her and her husband from pillar to post, +robbing them, swindling them, betraying them until +there was no place on the face of the earth they could +call their own, no, not even a stick nor a shred. The +devil was good to him—sure he always is good to his +own. Money came to him by the waggon-load, and +ever did he use it to hound those two unfortunates +down, lower and lower until there was no hope nor +peace for them, and they wandered outcasts in the +sight of man and woman. And that's the man, that +old double-dyed, heartless scoundrel that you police +flock to preserve and protect, while the likes of Kitty +and her husband are forced down and down and down +to the lowest dregs of life. Is that justice? Is that +law? Is that right? Answer me that now."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Probably Mr. Dudgeon coloured his story a good +deal when he told it: old men usually do when they +recount their youthful doings," he said quietly. +"But, in any case——"</p> + +<p>She held out her hand impulsively.</p> + +<p>"Wait a moment," she said. "Supposing he did. +Supposing the tale is only half true; but supposing +that he did drive Kitty and her husband to the gutter, +and suppose they had children—do you think if those +children knew what that old scoundrel had done +they would not be right to pay him back in his own +coin? Sure I'm glad I was able to make the old +vagabond eat his own words when I bought +the place over his head. He's met one woman in +the world who has defied him. And do you know +what? If I knew where any of Kitty Lambton's +children were at this moment—or her husband, seeing +she is dead, poor thing—at least, so the doctor +said—I'd go to them and say they could have the +place free if only they would go and taunt that old +fiend and fling it in his face and hound him down +as he hounded down their parents."</p> + +<p>"What good would that do either you or them?" +he asked.</p> + +<p>"Good?"</p> + +<p>She sprang out of her chair and stood facing +him.</p> + +<p>"Don't you know what it is to hate?" she cried. +"Is it only Irish blood that can boil at rank injustice? +Is it only Irish hearts which burn to aid the oppressed +and torture the oppressors as they tortured their poor +unfortunate victims? You said you would shoot the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> +man who struck you down, shoot him like a dog, if he +were escaping your clutches. Don't you think Kitty +Lambton's children have as great, if not a greater +right to shoot that bloodless, heartless monster like +a dog or a cat or any other vermin, if they met him on +this earth? I'd tell them to do it; I'd tell them to +do it if there were no other way to make his last +hours more full of misery and agony. That's what +I'd do, the dirty old traitorous villain that he is. +Pah!"</p> + +<p>She uttered the words with a tigerish pant as she +swung on her heels and strode away to the end of the +verandah, where she stood for a moment staring up +at the sky, before she returned.</p> + +<p>"It's the curse of the Irish to feel the wounds of +others as keenly as though they were one's own," +she said, as she sat down again. "What concern is it +of mine whether the old fool hoards his money and +drives lost souls to perdition? I've no right to worry +about other people's troubles. Sure I have enough of +my own. But it just maddened me to think of it. Oh, +it's the Irish hearts that suffer!"</p> + +<p>The harsh vibrant tones had gone; the voice he +heard was that of the woman who had pleaded earlier +in the evening for compassion for the men who had +injured her.</p> + +<p>Impulsively he reached out his hand and touched +hers.</p> + +<p>"You must not," he said. "You must not heed +such tales. You are too warm-hearted. The sordid +side of life is not for you. We who have to come in +contact with it, and know it in all its wretched<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span> +squalor, know only too well that rarely, if ever, can +one of the high-pitched stories of personal wrong be +justified. The greater the criminal, the greater the +protestations of innocence and injustice. Do not be +deceived. You, who are so full of sympathy and +gentleness, you who would not, by your own hand, +hurt the hair of a man's head, you——"</p> + +<p>She sprang up.</p> + +<p>"Don't!" she cried. "Don't! You must not—never—never—I +told you I would not have you +speak to me of—I must not hear such things. +I——"</p> + +<p>He was by her side, his two hands clasping +hers.</p> + +<p>"Nora, I must. Darling, I love you. I cannot bear +to see——"</p> + +<p>She pushed him back, flinging her hands free from +his grasp, to clasp and press them to her bosom as +though to still the great heaving gasps which made it +rise and fall in tumultuous spasms.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Durham! You forget!"</p> + +<p>Her voice fell like a whip-lash, cold, haughty, +stern.</p> + +<p>"I forbid you ever to speak to me so again. Good +night."</p> + +<p>She swept past him and entered the house, closing +the door after her.</p> + +<p>Hours passed before he could obtain control over +his thoughts, before he could face the blackness her +rejection of his declaration had brought upon him. +Then he rose and stood staring blankly out over the +sombre mystery of the bush, long since bereft of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> +faint glimmer of the new-born moon, veiled in shade, +silent as the thin wisps of filmy mist which floated in +the still air along the course of Waroona Creek.</p> + +<p>In the morning Mrs. Burke met him without a trace +in her voice, face, or manner of the resentful indignation +she had shown on the previous night. She +talked, as she had talked on many a morning at +the breakfast-table, with an uninterrupted flow of +chatter, inconsequential, airy, frivolous. She met his +eyes openly, frankly, without a glimmer to show +she noticed the lines which furrowed his face. Yet +they were so marked that when Brennan drove out +for him later, he glanced at his superior officer with +apprehension.</p> + +<p>"Do you think you are well enough to return to +duty, sir?" he asked. "You don't look half so well +as you did yesterday, and you were not looking too +well then. If a few more days' rest——"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm very fit, Brennan," Durham interrupted. +"You had better turn the horses out for an hour or so; +Mrs. Burke insists on my waiting to have lunch +before I go."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Burke came out to them as they stood +talking.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Brennan, did you see old Patsy in the town?" +she exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"Why, he was here this morning," Durham +said.</p> + +<p>"Excuse me, Mr. Durham, he was not. You +remember what I told you last night. I did not care +to say then, but the old man was very strange in his +manner before dinner, and I believed he had had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> +drink. I spoke to him about it, and I have not seen +him since."</p> + +<p>"But—who got breakfast ready?" Durham asked +sharply.</p> + +<p>"I did myself, Mr. Durham."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Mrs. Burke; why did you not tell me? I +could have——"</p> + +<p>"An Irish lady, Mr. Durham, does not ask her +guests to do her housework."</p> + +<p>Durham turned away at the sting of her words and +voice.</p> + +<p>"Did you see the old man in the town, Brennan?" +she asked.</p> + +<p>"No, Mrs. Burke, he was not in town last night. I +should have seen him."</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear, then what can have happened to the +creature? Sure I wish I had left him behind me in +Ireland."</p> + +<p>"He may be about the place somewhere. Will I +look for him?" Brennan said.</p> + +<p>"He's not about the house; I've looked everywhere," +she answered.</p> + +<p>"He might be in one of the outhouses or +stables."</p> + +<p>"I never thought of that," she exclaimed. "Maybe +that's where he is. Oh, the trouble of the wretched +old fool! I'll pack him off back to Ireland."</p> + +<p>She went into the house and Durham turned to +Brennan.</p> + +<p>"Have you ever seen him in the town?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, sir. He comes in at night mostly and +buys drink, but he never stays. Soden told me<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> +yesterday the last time he came in he took away half +a gallon of rum with him. Maybe that's the cause of +his disappearance."</p> + +<p>"We'll look for him," Durham said shortly.</p> + +<p>In an outlying tool-shed they found him, stretched +out on a tumbled heap of old sacks and rubbish, the +place reeking with the scent of rum and a half-gallon +jar lying on its side near him, empty.</p> + +<p>"He's dead to the world for a day," Brennan said +as he stood up after bending over the old man and +trying to rouse him. "He must have been drinking +steadily for days to get through that quantity and +into this state. What are we to do with him, +sir?"</p> + +<p>"If Mrs. Burke will give him in charge we will take +him to the station and lock him up, but we cannot +take him otherwise. He's on her private property."</p> + +<p>"That settles it then," Brennan replied. "She's +Irish, sir. You know what that means."</p> + +<p>His anticipation was correct. Mrs. Burke refused +point-blank to allow her helpless retainer to be +touched. He could remain where he was, she said, +and she hoped the snakes and the lizards and the +mosquitoes and all the other fearsome things she +could mention would come and devour him—but the +police were not going to touch him.</p> + +<p>She was equally hostile when Durham suggested +they should start off for the town without giving her +the trouble of preparing anything for them to eat. +In fact, he could not now open his lips to her that she +did not snap some biting retort at him.</p> + +<p>"She'd set the dogs on you if she were in her own<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> +country, sir," Brennan remarked, when at last they +drove away from the house with a final envenomed +shaft ringing in their ears. "I don't think the old +man is the only one who has a taste for the drink, +if you ask me, sir."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV</h2> + +<h3>THE LAST STRAW</h3> + + +<p>Since Mrs. Eustace returned to the township Harding +had never once been to see her nor, when passing the +house, had he glanced at it.</p> + +<p>His attitude was inexplicable to her. That she had +not had even a word from him while she was at +Taloona perplexed her, for it did not occur to her to +question whether he had received the message she +left with Bessie for him. Yet there were several +reasons which might account for that omission. +But his failure either to see or to communicate +with her after her return to Waroona was entirely +another matter.</p> + +<p>When the third day came without a sign or word +from him she took the bull by the horns and sent a +note asking him to see her that evening.</p> + +<p>She was waiting for him in her sitting-room when +she heard him come to the door, heard him ask Bessie +if she were at home, heard him approach the room. +As he opened the door she rose to greet him. He +stopped on the threshold.</p> + +<p>"I received your note—you wish to see me?" +he said stiffly.</p> + +<p>"Fred!" she exclaimed, looking at him in amaze<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span>ment. +"Why, what has happened? Why do you +speak so? What is it?"</p> + +<p>He remained where he was, silent.</p> + +<p>"Don't you wish to see me?" she asked, still +regarding him with a look of wondering amazement. +"Has anything happened? Is that the reason you +have never been to see me since I came back—why +you never sent a word to me at Taloona? Have +they—have they found out anything more about +Charlie?"</p> + +<p>He closed the door and walked across to the table +by the side of which she was standing.</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Eustace," he began, but before he could +say more she interrupted him.</p> + +<p>"You have something unpleasant to say. What +is it? At least be frank. Whatever it is I am prepared +to hear it."</p> + +<p>He took the letter from his pocket.</p> + +<p>"This came into my possession the night we were +at Taloona," he said slowly. "I should have returned +it to you at once, but it slipped my memory +until after you had gone. Then, accidentally, unthinkingly, +I came to read it. I—I wish to hear what +you have to say about it. I wish to know——" +The sentences he had so carefully thought out fled +from his brain before the calm, steadfast look with +which she was regarding him. "Do you recognise +it?" he asked abruptly.</p> + +<p>He held out the cover to her, turning it over so that +she could see both sides.</p> + +<p>"It is one of the Bank envelopes; I don't recognise +anything else," she replied.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span></p> + +<p>Taking the letter from the cover, he spread it open +and held it out.</p> + +<p>"Now do you know it?"</p> + +<p>"Charlie's writing!"</p> + +<p>Her eyes, after one rapid glance at it, were raised +to his.</p> + +<p>"You recognise it?"</p> + +<p>"I recognise the writing, yes. It is his. Do you +wish me to read it?"</p> + +<p>"If you have not already done so."</p> + +<p>She took the letter from him. As she read the +first sentence she raised her eyes, filled with piteous +anguish, to his.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Fred!" she exclaimed. "Oh, what is this? +Where did you get it?"</p> + +<p>Without waiting for an answer she looked at it +again. Her face went as white as the paper, a violent +fit of trembling seized her, and she sank to her knees +beside the table, burying her head on her arms.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Fred! Fred! Why—why did you let me +see it?" she moaned.</p> + +<p>"Is it not yours?" he asked in a hoarse whisper.</p> + +<p>"Mine?"</p> + +<p>She was on her feet, facing him, with eyes that +blazed through the tears which filled them.</p> + +<p>"You believed that? You believed I had this +when—that I had read it when we were at Taloona? +You believed that?"</p> + +<p>"It was given to me by one of the troopers, +who picked it up where you had been kneeling when +you attended to Durham's wound. The man said +it was either yours or mine. I knew it was not mine,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> +so I took it to give it to you. I should have given it at +once, but I forgot it at the moment. When I read +it——"</p> + +<p>"Go on," she said in a hard voice as he paused.</p> + +<p>"When I read it I——"</p> + +<p>Her eyes disconcerted him; he could not bring +himself to say to her face he suspected her.</p> + +<p>"When you read it—you believed it was mine," +she said steadily.</p> + +<p>"For the moment, yes; I had no alternative. +Then—later—I was uncertain."</p> + +<p>"Uncertain of what?"</p> + +<p>"Uncertain whether it was yours. At first I intended +to hand it over to Brennan, as Durham was +too ill to understand. Of course, that would have +made it public, and you—well, you would have been +suspected, at the least, of complicity in the robbery. +I could not believe that of you—could not, even with +this in my possession. I came back to Waroona in +the morning intending to see you and hear what +explanation you had to offer before taking any further +steps. But you were not at the bank, and when I got +there I was done up."</p> + +<p>The steady look in her eyes never changed.</p> + +<p>"Go on," she repeated.</p> + +<p>"I ask you now—what explanation have you to +offer?"</p> + +<p>"Please finish your story first," she replied. "Then +I will tell you mine."</p> + +<p>"I have little to add. I could not bring myself to +give up the letter until I was sure it was really yours. +Lest anyone else should see it, I hid it where no one<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> +could find it. But when I came down from my room +again, Mr. Wallace told me you had been in and had +gone back to Taloona. So I kept it until I could be +sure."</p> + +<p>"Sure of what?"</p> + +<p>"Whether—you had had it."</p> + +<p>She laid it on the table in front of him.</p> + +<p>"Take it," she said. "Do what you will with it. I +am sorry you showed it to me. I would rather not +have seen it. How it came where it was found I +do not know. Until to-night I did not know it +existed."</p> + +<p>She met his glance openly, frankly, proudly.</p> + +<p>"And you believed it was mine!" she added.</p> + +<p>"I had no alternative—until I saw you," he +answered.</p> + +<p>"You have had that letter for weeks; I have been +here three days. Yet you only come to me now—when +I have asked you to come."</p> + +<p>"I dared not see you—lest——"</p> + +<p>"Lest you discovered me to be even a greater +traitress than you had already learned me to be," +she said in measured tones. "I cannot blame you. +The fault was mine. I have given you ample reason +why your faith in me should have ended."</p> + +<p>"That is not true," he exclaimed. "I could not +bring myself to believe you had acted so. But it was +horrible enough as it was. It was because I had not +lost faith in you that I hid the letter so as to prevent +anyone else seeing it. By doing so I was not acting as +I should have acted towards the Bank."</p> + +<p>"I never had it, never. I wish I had not seen it,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> +for it"—her voice lost its hardness as she spoke—"it +is the last straw. Whatever else I knew my +husband to be, I held him innocent of that crime. +When you and all the others suspected him, I would +not, could not bring myself to believe it. But +now——"</p> + +<p>Her voice caught and she turned aside, sinking into +a chair where she sat with averted face and bowed +head.</p> + +<p>"No wonder you did not wish to see me again," +she added presently, as he did not speak. "What am +I now? The wife of a thief, an outlaw, one who was +almost a murderer. Oh, leave me! I should not +have sent to you. Leave me. There is nothing for +me now but death or degradation."</p> + +<p>"You must not say that, Jess, you must not say +that," he said in a strained voice as he came and +stood beside her. "Whatever he may have done, +you are not affected by it. Appearances cannot well +be blacker against him than they are at present, but +you must still remember you are not responsible +for his ill-deeds. No one here, least of all myself, +blames you. Besides, he has not yet been convicted."</p> + +<p>"Not after that letter? There can be no doubt +after that. He must have had it with him when he +was at Taloona, and dropped it."</p> + +<p>"But it was opened, torn open, when the trooper +found it. If Eustace had dropped it, surely it would +have been sealed up."</p> + +<p>She glanced at him quickly.</p> + +<p>"Do you still suspect me?" she exclaimed.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I should not be here if I did," he answered +quietly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't know what to think," she said. "I +would rather you had come to tell me he was dead +than to show me that hideous thing. Better if he +were dead, far, far better, than that he should live +to end his days on the gallows or in gaol."</p> + +<p>She was voicing his own thought, a thought which +had been with him for many days.</p> + +<p>"It was because something of this kind might +happen I wanted you to go away," he said.</p> + +<p>"I know. I understand that. But I told you—told +you why I could not go."</p> + +<p>She spoke scarcely above a whisper, with her head +bent over her clasped hands as though she feared he +might see her face.</p> + +<p>"But the reason you gave no longer exists. Will +you go now? Will you go and leave all this wretched +strain and worry behind you?"</p> + +<p>"I dare not. It would drive me to perdition. You +don't know how a woman thinks. So long as she +has someone near her whom she knows has respect +for her, she will fight against the temptation to +drown all her sorrows in one reckless plunge. When +that one is no longer near her, no longer her stronghold, +then—what has she to live for?"</p> + +<p>"You have the respect of all who know you."</p> + +<p>She pressed her clasped hands to her lips to stop +their quivering.</p> + +<p>"No, Fred, no. I must stay. I could not bear +to go. A man can think for the future; a woman +lives only in the present. You, a man, cannot<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span> +understand that. You would say I should go away, +and in a few months or a year or so everything +would have blown over. That would be all right +for a man, but not for a woman. It is while the affair +is blowing over that she is in the greatest danger. +It is then she wants sustaining. She is only conscious +of the precipice at her feet. Left to herself +she must lean over, nearer and nearer to the edge +until she falls.</p> + +<p>"That is the road to ruin thousands of women +tread," she went on. "It would have been the +road I should have gone but for you. The knowledge +that despite all I have done to merit your scorn, +you still hold to the love you gave me in the happier +days, is the rock to which I have clung. Had you +acted differently, I should have gone—gone from +here, gone from everything, gone out into the world +and lost myself under the weight of the disgrace +which had come upon me. People would say I +have no right to tell you this, that I am false to my +sex in doing so. They don't know. It is easy to +theorise when one is not in danger. I tell you because +I trust you and know I can trust you. It is such men +as you who save women, save them from themselves, +as it is such men as Charlie who ruin them—as he +ruined me."</p> + +<p>With her face still averted from him she ceased, +and he also was silent, not trusting himself to speak.</p> + +<p>"That is why I must stay here. The mere fact +of being near you gives me strength. If you are +going away, then I will go also, for Waroona would +then be impossible for me. But not till then, Fred,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> +not till then. I only want to know you are here, +only to see you sometimes. Do not deny me that."</p> + +<p>"You know I will not deny you anything that +will help you in facing your difficulties, Jess," he +answered.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know," she said. "I could never have +come through what I have if I had not always +known it.</p> + +<p>"Will you have to go when the new manager +comes?" she asked presently.</p> + +<p>"The new manager is here," he answered.</p> + +<p>"Here? Why, when did he arrive? I did not +hear of it. Did they keep it from me on purpose? +Mr. Gale was in this morning, but he said nothing +about it."</p> + +<p>"He probably did not know at the time. I told +him this afternoon."</p> + +<p>"What is his name? Is it anyone I know, or +who knew Charlie?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>She faced round quickly.</p> + +<p>"Fred—you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," he answered.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I am pleased," she began impulsively. +Then she stopped. "That was why you did not +come sooner," she added.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he replied. "Mr. Wallace told me three +days ago it was to be, and I thought it better not to +call immediately you returned."</p> + +<p>She had risen with her hand outstretched to him, +but, before she could speak, a knock at the front +door interrupted her.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Is Mr. Harding here?" they heard Durham's +voice ask when Bessie went to the door.</p> + +<p>"Tell him I wish to see him at once," he added.</p> + +<p>She went to the door of the room.</p> + +<p>"Ask Mr. Durham to come in," she called out. "I +am glad to see you out again," she added as Durham +came forward. "Mr. Harding is in here. Will you +come in?"</p> + +<p>He followed her into the room without speaking, +his face so stern that a tremor of fear ran through +her.</p> + +<p>"Will you give me a few minutes alone with Mr. +Harding, please, Mrs. Eustace?" he began, when his +keen eyes caught sight of the open letter lying on +the table.</p> + +<p>He sprang forward and picked it up.</p> + +<p>"How did this come here?" he cried, looking from +one to the other.</p> + +<p>"I brought it," Harding answered. "One of the +troopers found it at Taloona and thought Mrs. +Eustace or I had dropped it when attending to you."</p> + +<p>"It must have fallen from my pocket," Durham +said as he folded it up.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Eustace was looking at him with anxious +eyes.</p> + +<p>"Will you tell me—where you—got it?" she +asked hesitatingly.</p> + +<p>"I found it—in the bush, lying unopened on the +ground. By the marks on the ground someone had +evidently been thrown from his horse, and this, I +assume, had fallen from his pocket."</p> + +<p>"Was it—near the bank?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No, Mrs. Eustace, it was in the bush miles +away."</p> + +<p>She gave a deep sigh of relief.</p> + +<p>"Will you leave us for a few minutes now, if you +please?" he repeated.</p> + +<p>She inclined her head and went from the room.</p> + +<p>As soon as the door was closed, Durham turned to +Harding.</p> + +<p>"I went to the bank for you," he said, "to ask +you to come here. I am glad you are here already. +I have an unpleasant task to perform. Will you give +me your assistance?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly," Harding answered. "What is it +you wish me to do?"</p> + +<p>"I wish you would do it altogether. It will be +easier for her if you tell her, than if I do."</p> + +<p>"Eustace is arrested?" Harding exclaimed in an +excited whisper.</p> + +<p>"Eustace is dead," Durham replied in the same +tone.</p> + +<p>Harding started as though he had been struck.</p> + +<p>"How? When?" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"Brennan and I found him, as we were returning +from Waroona Downs this evening. He was lying +on his face in the creek where it crosses the road +in the range. He was drenched with water from +head to foot, but the water at the ford is barely +six inches deep. There were no footprints on the +track either side of the ford to show how he had +entered the water. He was shot in the back, the +bullet having passed through his right lung, coming +out at his chest. His wrists were bruised and chafed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span> +as though he had been tightly bound and had +struggled to escape. The only thing found on him +was this."</p> + +<p>He produced a handkerchief with two round holes +burned in the centre.</p> + +<p>"It was such a handkerchief one of the men who +stuck up Taloona was wearing," he added.</p> + +<p>"Where is he now?" Harding asked.</p> + +<p>"We brought him in and took him over to the +police-station. It is for Mrs. Eustace, of course, to +say what is to be done about the funeral. Will you +break the news to her by yourself, or shall I do +it?"</p> + +<p>"You have told Mr. Wallace?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. He suggested I should see you. The news +upset him very much."</p> + +<p>"It will be better if I see her alone, I think."</p> + +<p>"I think so too. Not that I want to put the burden +upon you, but coming from me——" he shrugged +his shoulders. "I will leave you then, and ask +her to come in."</p> + +<p>Harding met her at the door. Closing it behind her, +he took her hand and led her to the chair where she +had been sitting before Durham arrived.</p> + +<p>"Jess," he said softly, as he stood by her, still +holding her hand, "I have sad news to tell +you."</p> + +<p>Her fingers closed tighter upon his, but beyond +that she made no sign.</p> + +<p>"Durham asked me to tell you."</p> + +<p>"Charlie," she said in a tense whisper. "It is +about him. He is——"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span></p> + +<p>A shudder went through her and her voice +broke.</p> + +<p>He placed his other hand upon hers gently.</p> + +<p>"He is gone, Jess."</p> + +<p>She rose to her feet with a gasp, clutching his arm.</p> + +<p>"Not dead!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Jess."</p> + +<p>Her hands fell to her sides, limply, nervelessly; +her lips parted, but no sound came from them; +for a second she stood motionless.</p> + +<p>He took her hand again and rested his arm upon +her shoulder, fearing she would fall.</p> + +<p>"Dead!"</p> + +<p>The word came in a low whisper, but the parted +lips did not move nor the staring eyes change.</p> + +<p>"My poor, poor Jess," he whispered.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Fred!"</p> + +<p>A great wavering sigh escaped her, a sigh that +ended in a sob, plaintive, wailing, sad. But still her +eyes stared blankly.</p> + +<p>"Sit down, Jess," he said softly.</p> + +<p>"No, no. Let me stand. Let me—I want to face +it. Don't leave me, Fred, don't leave me."</p> + +<p>She swayed, and the staring eyes closed. He +slipped his arm round her waist to support her and +at the touch she came forward, flinging her arms +round him as her head drooped upon his shoulder +and she burst into a fit of wild, tempestuous +weeping.</p> + +<p>So he held her, his head bent upon hers, his arms +supporting her. Not until the storm of sobs had +abated did he speak.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Sit down, now, Jess. You will be better resting," +he whispered.</p> + +<p>"No, no," she answered. "No, no. Let me +stay—a moment."</p> + +<p>A hum of voices came from the road outside, +for the news, flying through the town, brought everybody +out to tell and hear.</p> + +<p>With one accord they gathered round the police-station, +which was almost opposite the cottage, and +stood in the road discussing the latest phase of the +mystery, the phase which brought into it the note +of tragedy. Then someone remembered the cottage +and who was in it, and passed the word along. The +loud voices were hushed as the men, actuated by +the rough sympathy of the bush, quietly moved +away so that the sound of their voices should not +reach the woman on whom a fresh blow had fallen.</p> + +<p>Bessie, hearing the noise, went out to ascertain the +cause. Hearing what the news was, she rushed +back into the cottage and precipitately burst into +the sitting-room. As she opened the door, Harding +signed to her to keep quiet.</p> + +<p>"Here is Bessie, Jess. Will you stay with her?" +he said.</p> + +<p>She drew away from him slowly.</p> + +<p>"No, don't go yet," she answered. "Tell me everything. +I can hear it now."</p> + +<p>Bessie slipped out of the room and softly closed +the door after her.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Eustace took the chair Harding placed for +her and he sat down by her.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Who—did it?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"No one knows yet," he answered.</p> + +<p>She looked at him quickly.</p> + +<p>"Do they think—it was—himself?"</p> + +<p>"No; it could not have been."</p> + +<p>"I am glad of that," she said. "I have always +feared he would. Then there could have been no +doubt. Was he found?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. Durham was driving in from Waroona +Downs with Brennan. They found him in the +water where the creek crosses the road in the +range."</p> + +<p>"Drowned?" she asked wonderingly.</p> + +<p>"No, not drowned; he had been shot."</p> + +<p>She shuddered and gripped his hand.</p> + +<p>"They did not——" she began brokenly. "They—it +was not because he was—escaping?"</p> + +<p>"They found him," he said gently. "He was lying +in the water—the shot had been fired from behind +him."</p> + +<p>For a time she sat silent, still holding his hand +firmly.</p> + +<p>"Where is he now?" she asked presently.</p> + +<p>"They brought him in and Durham came across +to tell you. Will you——"</p> + +<p>"No, no. Oh, no," she interrupted as she +shuddered and hid her face in her hands.</p> + +<p>Presently she raised her eyes to his.</p> + +<p>"It is better so," she said. "They may find out +now that he was innocent; they would have condemned +him had he been taken alive."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span></p> + +<p>He laid a hand on hers without speaking.</p> + +<p>With a quick gesture she raised it to her +lips.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Fred, what a friend you have been to me!" +she murmured.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV</h2> + +<h3>THE RIDER'S SCORN</h3> + + +<p>Late into the night the townsfolk of Waroona stood +in knots and groups in the roadway discussing the +mystery surrounding the death of Eustace.</p> + +<p>Until the closing hour compelled the hotelkeepers +to turn their customers out, the bars were crowded +and a roaring trade was done, all the loose cash in the +place passing into the tills which were full to overflowing.</p> + +<p>Everyone had a theory, which differed from that +of everyone else, but as one after the other told his +particular views on the question and heard them +criticised and discussed, and heard also the views of +others, there was a rapid falling off in individual +opinions and a tendency to concentrate on one or +two which withstood the test of criticism the +best.</p> + +<p>On one point there was unanimity of opinion. +Eustace and the man with the yellow beard had +been in league. They had robbed the bank together, +Eustace having drugged the other inmates so that +there should be no chance of the work being disturbed.</p> + +<p>Eustace had also participated in the robbery +and outrage at Taloona. He it was, the townsmen<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> +decided, who had his face hidden by the handkerchief +mask. The indifference of his companion whether +his face was seen or not suggested to them a stranger, +one who was not known in the district, but who had +come there for the purpose of carrying out the +robbery of the bank.</p> + +<p>When the first sum of twenty-five thousand was +so successfully secured, Eustace would know that +the Bank, for its own protection, would have to hurry +forward another similar sum to meet the obligation +of its client. He would know that old Dudgeon +would refuse to leave it in charge of the Bank, and +would decline any police protection even if it were +offered. Therefore, the crowd argued, he and his +companion had waited until they could make a dash +for that second sum.</p> + +<p>So far the events as they knew them corroborated +their views. There had been the attack on Taloona; +the second sum of money had been stolen and the +rough treatment meted out both to old Dudgeon +and the sub-inspector showed that the two outlaws +were men who were prepared to play a desperate +game to preserve their liberty and booty.</p> + +<p>It was this desperation which gave the most popular +clue to the solution of the mystery surrounding the +death of Eustace.</p> + +<p>The money, fifty thousand pounds in all, had been +safely carried off to the hiding-place the robbers +had chosen. In addition to the money there were +other articles, and over the division of this spoil +there had been a quarrel. Eustace had gone down, +probably taken unawares, seeing that he had been<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> +shot in the back. Little as anyone sympathised +with him in the course he had followed, there was a +feeling of resentment against his companion for having +obviously taken a mean advantage over the man +who had thrown in his lot with him. A quarrel was +possible at any time, even so deadly a quarrel as +would result fatally for one or other of the combatants; +but at least it should have been fairly +conducted.</p> + +<p>Thereafter the completion of the story was easy.</p> + +<p>The victor had emptied his victim's pockets of +everything except the incriminating handkerchief—leaving +that, perchance, to fasten upon him a part +responsibility of the Taloona outrage; had taken +the body on his horse and ridden with it to the ford, +dropping it in the middle of the stream where it was +bound to be discovered by the first person passing +that way.</p> + +<p>There was a callousness, a cynical indifference to all +human instincts in this method of disposing of his +victim, which deepened the feeling of resentment +against the assassin who everyone held to be the +unknown man with the yellow beard. To have left +the body where it fell would have been less brutal +than to flaunt it in the face of police and public as a +taunt and a mockery. Following the outburst of +amazement which the discovery had aroused, there +came a sense of bitter hostility against the man +who had done this, to their minds, needless act of +savagery.</p> + +<p>As Brennan passed to and fro he was assailed with +questions as to what the sub-inspector was going<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span> +to do. Volunteers on all sides offered their services +to scour the range, where all believed the murderer +was hiding, and ride him down. But Brennan would +say nothing. The sub-inspector had barely spoken +since he returned to the station; but if he wanted help +he would not hesitate to appeal for it, Brennan told +them, adding that they need not worry—the criminal +who could outwit the sleuth-hound of the force was +not yet born.</p> + +<p>"But the Rider of Waroona is no fool," one of the +men remarked.</p> + +<p>"Neither is Sub-Inspector Durham," Brennan +retorted.</p> + +<p>Gale, who was standing in the group listening to +the remarks made, but advancing no theory of his +own, spoke out for the first time.</p> + +<p>"I'm not so sure," he said. "He may be smart +enough in following up town robberies, but he hasn't +done much here yet. Twice he has come in contact +with the pair, and each time they have got ahead of +him. He stops everyone else from doing anything. +I offered to go out with a dozen men and scour the +range, but he wouldn't hear of it—that was before he +was cornered at Taloona."</p> + +<p>"Don't you worry," Brennan replied. "The sub-inspector +knows what he is doing."</p> + +<p>He passed away from the group and the men +turned to Gale.</p> + +<p>"That's what I don't follow," one of them said. +"The chap must be hiding somewhere with that +white horse of his. Why not scour the range for +him?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Brennan told me he didn't believe there was a +white horse—that it was all a yarn," another exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"Well, I saw it," Gale retorted. "I saw it on the +Taloona road. I'd have gone after it only I was in a +buggy and it vanished into the bush."</p> + +<p>"Is the range the only place you'd look, Mr. Gale?" +one of the men asked.</p> + +<p>"No," Gale replied. "I'd look there first, and +then I'd go the other way."</p> + +<p>"Taloona way?"</p> + +<p>"Well, not far off."</p> + +<p>"That's what I think," the man went on. "Old +Crotchety takes the loss of his money too quietly +to please me. He's a pretty fly old chap and does +not stop at a trifle to get his own back."</p> + +<p>"Like he did when he fired you out, Davy," someone +exclaimed, and there was a general laugh, +for the story of how Davy had been sent about his +business at a moment's notice by Dudgeon was one +of the stock anecdotes of the district.</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's as it may be," Davy retorted, "but +I know too much about the old man to trust him +very far."</p> + +<p>"Do you think he's the Rider?" Gale exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"No, but he may know who the Rider is—there are +plenty of men who'd do the job for a round sum +down."</p> + +<p>"But how about Eustace?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, that would be a bit of luck to get him +to join. They may have thrown him over when he +was no more use to them, and then there may have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span> +been a row and somebody's gun may have gone off +a bit too soon. You never know. But anyhow, +I'm with you when you say things look as if they are +getting too much for the police to handle."</p> + +<p>"That's all very fine, Davy, but what I'd like to +know is why the old man got shot? Did he pay a +man to do that?"</p> + +<p>"Of course he didn't," Davy exclaimed. "I +had a yarn with one of the troopers about that. He +told me what the sub-inspector said in his report. +Maybe that's something you don't know."</p> + +<p>It was, and the attention of the group concentrated +on Davy, much to his satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"Go on, let's have the yarn," someone said impatiently, +and there was a chorus of assent from the +others.</p> + +<p>"This is what happened," Davy went on. "The +Rider and his mate—Eustace, as I believe—came +into the hut to settle the sub-inspector. As a blind +they put handcuffs on the old man and were going to +do the same with Durham when he, finding himself +cornered again, made a fight for it. One of the chaps +fired, meaning to finish him, but missed and hit the +old man instead. Then, in the fight, the lamp was +upset and the place in a blaze. Durham got a crack +on the head and staggered outside, and before the +others could get the old man out of the place the +troopers arrived, and they had to bolt to save their +own skins. That is pretty much what Conlon told +me was in the sub-inspector's report. It was after +hearing it I suspected the old chap."</p> + +<p>The group was silent as Davy ceased.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You've got the bulge on us this time," one of +them remarked presently. "Why didn't you tell +the yarn before?"</p> + +<p>"Because it was told to me in confidence—I knew +Conlon years ago in the South. But now this other +thing's happened it makes all the difference, doesn't +it?"</p> + +<p>"But how about the money, Davy?" Gale asked. +"That had gone, you know; I saw the place where +it had been dug up."</p> + +<p>"Did you? You saw a hole in the ground; but +how do you know the money was ever in it? And +how could two chaps carry away a lot of loose bags +of money on horseback?"</p> + +<p>"That's so," one of the group cried. "I reckon +Davy's on the right track this time."</p> + +<p>"Anyway, so far as the money is concerned, only +those who can afford to lose have been robbed. It +won't break the Bank and old Dudgeon can stand +it," Gale observed.</p> + +<p>"But there's murder in the case now. That +counts more than money. It means hanging for +someone," Davy replied.</p> + +<p>"Or ought to—if the police can catch him," Gale +said, as he left the group and went on to Soden's +bar, where he found Allnut and Johnson carrying +on an animated discussion with the hotelkeeper +on the one topic.</p> + +<p>"Have you heard the latest?" he inquired as he +joined them.</p> + +<p>"What's that? A clue? Have the police got a +clue?" Soden exclaimed.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span></p> + +<p>"There's a clue—of a sort, but the police haven't +got it. Davy Freeman has been giving us a new +theory. He says old Dudgeon's at the back of it +all."</p> + +<p>"I'm not sure he's far wrong, Mr. Gale, to tell you +the truth," Soden said in his slow manner. "They +say funny things about the old man, especially those +who were here in the early days."</p> + +<p>"What's Freeman's yarn?" Allnut asked.</p> + +<p>By the time Gale had repeated the story his +audience had grown, and the waning interest in the +subject was revived as the theory was passed from +one to the other until it spread through all the +groups and was debated and discussed from every +possible and impossible standpoint. When the hour +arrived for closing the bars the men clustered in the +road, still wrestling with the problem.</p> + +<p>The night wore on and the young moon was sinking +to the west before they began to knock the ashes +out of their pipes, preparatory to adjourning the +open-air parliament until the following day. One +man was still pouring out his views and opinions +and the others crowded round him, their own +energies spent, but listening listlessly before they +separated.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the sound of a horse galloping wildly +startled them. With one accord they turned towards +the direction whence the sound came.</p> + +<p>In the faint half-light, right in the middle of the +road, racing with maddened speed, charging straight +upon them, they saw a white horse with a bearded +rider.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span></p> + +<p>To the right and left they scattered to get clear +of the flying hoofs as through the midst of them, +with a mocking shout and a wave of his hand, there +flashed past the man with the yellow beard.</p> + +<p>A howl of execration and wrath broke from their +lips. Those who had gone to their homes rushed out. +Brennan, with Durham at his heels, dashed from the +station.</p> + +<p>"The Rider! The Rider!" came in a chorus of +hoarse shouts. "After him, lads, after him."</p> + +<p>There was a scatter and scamper as men fled +for their horses. Barebacked, many with the bridle +scarcely secure, all without weapons, the men of +Waroona raced pell-mell down the road.</p> + +<p>Behind them, armed and orderly, Durham and +his constable spurred their horses in pursuit.</p> + +<p>"The fools! They'll help him to escape," Durham +cried as they came in sight of the confused rabble +racing along the road.</p> + +<p>Ahead of the charging mob the road for a hundred +yards showed clear as it topped a slight ascent. A +belt of scrub a quarter of a mile through intervened +between the mob and the open stretch of road. +But from where Durham and Brennan were the view +was uninterrupted.</p> + +<p>The white horse and its rider were half-way to the +top.</p> + +<p>Acting with one impulse, both raised their carbines +and fired from the saddle. The noise of the reports +echoed through the still air and made the men in the +scrub below rein in their horses to listen. As the +smoke drifted clear Durham and Brennan saw, on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> +the summit of the rise, the white horse prancing, +riderless.</p> + +<p>Reloading as they rode, they dug their spurs home +and raced through the patch of scrub. The men +heard them coming, and waited, the lack of a leader +making them undecided how to act. They made way +for the two police, closing in behind them and +pressing up to learn what had happened.</p> + +<p>"He's down. Keep back," Brennan called to +them over his shoulder, and they slowed their horses +until Durham and the constable rode twenty yards +in front.</p> + +<p>Through the shadow of the scrub the two galloped +side by side, each with his carbine resting on his +hip ready for instant use. The road was soft and +sandy and the beat of the horses' hoofs was +muffled.</p> + +<p>With a sharp turn the road was clear of the scrub, +and the open stretch rising to the top of the hill lay +before them. In the centre one small dark object +was on the ground, but there was no sign of the +man they expected to see.</p> + +<p>Reining in as they came up to the small object, +they saw it was an ordinary bushman's slouch hat. +In the roadway, close to it, two long furrows were +scored, while at irregular intervals up the rise flecks +of blood glistened.</p> + +<p>Durham leaped from his saddle and picked up the +hat. On the lining was stamped the name of the +chief Waroona storekeeper, Allnut.</p> + +<p>"He's a local man," Durham said quickly. "Keep +those fools back."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span></p> + +<p>While Brennan checked the charging crowd, now +racing up the slope, Durham went forward alone. +On the sandy roadway the marks made by the +prancing horse were clearly visible to the top of +the hill. The animal had evidently been badly +frightened and had reared and plunged from one side +of the road to the other, but nowhere was there such +a mark as he knew must have been made had the +rider fallen. Nor had the horse plunged as a riderless +animal, but as one straining against a tight-held +rein.</p> + +<p>At the top of the hill the marks showed down the +other slope until the horse had reached a point where +it would no longer be visible from the spot he and +Brennan had been when they fired. There the track +gradually approached the edge of the road and +vanished on to the rough ground.</p> + +<p>Durham sprang out of the saddle and bent over +the marks where they left the road. The horse +had been pulled round and ridden directly into the +bush. With the last faint rays of the moon dying +away it was hopeless trying to follow the tracks +through the sombre shadow; nothing more could +be done until daylight to follow where the man +had ridden.</p> + +<p>He had remounted and was riding back when +the remainder of the men came up with +Brennan.</p> + +<p>"The track runs into the bush; there's no hope +of following it to-night," he cried.</p> + +<p>No hope? A dozen voices answered him with a +flat contradiction, and past him there was a rush of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> +barebacked riders hot on the trail. They scattered +in a wide-spreading line, riding straight ahead and +watching only for a gleam of the white horse amid +the shadows of the bush.</p> + +<p>Durham stood up in his stirrups and shouted to +them to come back, but he might as well have called +to the wind. The fever of the chase was in their veins, +the reckless dash of the hunter fired by the excitement +of the greatest of all pursuits, a man-hunt. +While this held them, they raced, aimlessly, uselessly, +but persistently.</p> + +<p>Those with cooler heads and better judgment +reined in their horses. Gale found himself in the +midst of an excited throng with whom he was carried +forward for some distance before he could get free.</p> + +<p>"He's right, lads, he's right," he shouted. "There's +no chance to follow the track till it's daylight. +Don't smother it. Come back."</p> + +<p>"Chase him to the range, boys, chase him to +the range. We'll catch him at the rise," yelled one +of the men in the lead, and with an answering cheer +the galloping crowd held on.</p> + +<p>Those who had remained on the road were starting +to return to the township when Gale rode back. +Hearing him coming, they waited to see who it +was.</p> + +<p>"They're mad," he cried, as he came up. "If +they get near him, he'll shoot them as they come, +and they'll destroy every sign of his tracks."</p> + +<p>"It's done now," Durham exclaimed impatiently. +"We'll have to leave them; it's no use going after +them now."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span></p> + +<p>He turned his horse's head and set off for the +township with Brennan at his side and the rest +trailing after him. At the station he and Brennan +wheeled their horses into the yard while the others +went on to their homes.</p> + +<p>"I shall be away with the dawn," Durham said, +as soon as the horses were stabled and they were in +their quarters. "It's the old story. That fellow +has had so much luck up to the present he's lost +his head. He wants to show us how clever he +really is."</p> + +<p>"There's not much sense in what he did to-night; +anyone in the crowd might have had a rifle, and +there was no doubt who he was—he carried his life +in his hands for nothing, it seems to me."</p> + +<p>"They always do sooner or later. He's an old +hand at the game, or he wouldn't be so anxious +to let us know he's still in the neighbourhood."</p> + +<p>While he was speaking, the door opened and +Soden, the hotelkeeper, excitedly entered the +room.</p> + +<p>"Here, come across the road, quick. Come and +have a look at it. Hang me if this doesn't beat cock-fighting. +They've stuck up the pub and cleared off +with the till and all the takings," he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>He led the way to his hotel, the front door of which +was open.</p> + +<p>"As I found it," he said as he pulled it to until it +was ajar. "When we closed for the night it was +locked and bolted. Look at it."</p> + +<p>Durham carefully examined it.</p> + +<p>"Opened by an expert burglar," he said quietly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No one but a master of the craft could have done +it so neatly. Show me the till."</p> + +<p>Soden led them into the bar. The till, empty, +was on the floor; every cupboard door was forced and +the place in chaos.</p> + +<p>As they stood looking at the wreck, voices sounded +outside and other men trooped in.</p> + +<p>"Here, I say," the first-comer cried. "Here's a +pretty go. Someone has been in my place and +cleared every pennypiece out of it and—hullo!" +he exclaimed as he looked at the state of Soden's bar, +one of the show places of the town under ordinary +conditions. "You seem to have had them too, +and there's a mob outside, all with the same +story."</p> + +<p>There was no gainsaying what had happened. +While the men of the town were out careering +after the mysterious Rider, their homes had +been rifled of everything of value. The town +was stripped as clean as though a tribe of human +locusts had swept through it. Two places only +were unvisited, the bank and Mrs. Eustace's +cottage, in both of which places lights had been +burning.</p> + +<p>Not even the police-station escaped, though not +until Durham and Brennan returned to it did they +realise the fact. What money there was in the +place had vanished; a watch Brennan had left hanging +over his bunk had disappeared and, as if to emphasise +the visit, the pages of the record book were +smeared with ink and defaced.</p> + +<p>Brennan glanced covertly at his superior who,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> +with a heavy frown on his brow, stood scowling at the +defaced book.</p> + +<p>"Have the revolvers gone?" he asked suddenly.</p> + +<p>Brennan turned to the locker where they were +kept.</p> + +<p>"No, sir, they are here all right. I fancy he must +have been disturbed before he could finish his +work here. None of the cupboards have been +touched."</p> + +<p>"Whom do you suspect?" Durham asked sharply.</p> + +<p>Brennan scratched his head and screwed up his +face.</p> + +<p>"Well, to tell you the plain, honest truth, sir, +I'm bothered if I know who to suspect. What gets +over me is that white horse. No one believed the +yarn about the buggy and pair of white horses, +and no one believed the yarn about the men on +white horses being seen on the Taloona road. But +here the chap comes clean through the township +riding a horse of a colour that isn't known in the +district. You can't put a white horse out of sight +like you can a stray cat, sir. But where do they go +when the Riders are not on the road? It gets me, +sir, I'm free to admit."</p> + +<p>"That hat I picked up was bought at the store in +the town. That suggests someone who has been about +the place."</p> + +<p>"Well, he might have stolen it. He might have +taken it from the bank, or Taloona, or it might have +been that other poor chap's—out there, I mean," +he added, nodding towards the shed where Eustace +lay.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span></p> + +<p>"He's no bushman," Durham said.</p> + +<p>"He rides well enough for one."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, I admit he rides well enough for one, +but many men ride besides bushmen. I know +neither he nor his partner have any practical bush +experience. I know that. Just as I know the man +who went through the town to-night is a burglar +who learned his craft in one of the big cities of the +world. The way that hotel door was opened was one +of the finest pieces of expert burglary I've ever seen, +and there are some pretty smart men at the game in +our cities."</p> + +<p>"He's a pretty daring chap," Brennan remarked, +with a touch of admiration in his voice.</p> + +<p>"He's too daring. That is what puzzles me. With +fifty thousand pounds in gold and the valuables stolen +from the bank, what sense is there in dashing through +the place as he did to-night and then taking a bigger +risk by doubling back past us and stealing what at +the most can barely have been a hundred pounds +in all?"</p> + +<p>"Do you think he doubled back, sir? Don't you +think the dash through the town was a trick to +draw everyone away so as to leave the way clear for +a second man to do the burgling?"</p> + +<p>"I don't see who the second man could be. The +handkerchief shows Eustace was the man who was +with him at Taloona. I don't think he has another +man with him now. He is doing it single-handed +and seems to be enjoying it, too."</p> + +<p>"We ought to be able to pick up his tracks in the +morning, if he doubled back."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes, if those fools have not smothered them. +I'll see to that. I'll be away with the dawn. Mind +you, no one is to know."</p> + +<p>"You can be sure of that, sir," Brennan +answered.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI</h2> + +<h3>LOVE'S CONQUEST</h3> + + +<p>In the grey half light which is neither night nor day, +Durham saddled his horse in the station yard.</p> + +<p>No one was stirring in the township as he passed +slowly along the road, but lest there should happen +to be anyone who might see him, he turned into +the bush at the first opening he came to. Only then +did he set his horse at a faster pace, riding direct +for the range to pick up the track leading to the +hidden pool.</p> + +<p>The air was soft and cool, with filmy streaks of +vapour floating amid the trees. As he cantered +along, the mist rose and formed a pearly haze overhead +into which there came a tinge of pink, dissipating +it, before the colour could grow into a deeper +tone, to reveal the clear sky, blue as a sapphire and +bright with the first rays of the rising sun.</p> + +<p>In long swinging strides his horse carried him +easily, and his spirits rose above the gloom which +had weighed upon him since the evening before +when, for the third time, he had been foiled by the +mysterious Rider.</p> + +<p>There had been little sleep for him during the +night. Had the discovery of Eustace and the raid +of the town been the only events of the day he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span> +might have succeeded in banishing them from his +mind sufficiently to allow himself to sleep. But there +was more than these, disquieting as they were, to +fill him with restlessness. The way in which Mrs. +Burke had rebuffed him on the previous evening, +the hostility of manner she had displayed towards +him up to the time he and Brennan left Waroona +Downs, weighed upon him.</p> + +<p>He could not account for the change which had +come over her. From the time he arrived from +Taloona she had always shown kindliness and +gentleness towards him, even when, during the +early days of his convalescence, he had been impatient +and exacting. Nor could he find a reason +for the change in the brief profession he had made +of his love for her. Had that been the cause she +would, he argued, have shown it the morning after; +but she had met him then with the same light-hearted +raillery with which she had greeted him +every morning he had been in her house. Only +when Brennan arrived on the scene had she suddenly +developed antagonism.</p> + +<p>There must be some other reason for her anger +than his declaration of love. For hours he had +sought for it, cudgelling his brain to discover an +explanation; but only now, as he cantered along +through the bush with his spirits rising in harmony +with the glories of an Australian dawn, did illumination +come to him.</p> + +<p>"Oh, my love, why have you come so late to +me!"</p> + +<p>Through the sombre shade of his brooding there<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span> +flashed the memory of the scene when he had heard +those words spoken. Like the touch of a magic +wand the memory changed gloom to sunshine, +shadow into light.</p> + +<p>It was not because he had professed his love for +her that she had been displeased; it was because +he was going from her, leaving her house, parting +with her perhaps for all time.</p> + +<p>What a fool he had been not to know that earlier. +Of course, she had repelled him when he had spoken +on the previous evening, repelled him, not because +she resented, but because she, like all of her sex, +could not yield the truth at the first asking.</p> + +<p>Yet why should he have doubted with the memory +of that earlier scene in his mind? He asked himself +the question and answered it frankly.</p> + +<p>He doubted for the reason that still he did not +know whether that memory was of a real scene, or +was merely a figment of a delirium-haunted brain. +If he could be sure, then no more need he doubt; +but how was he to be sure? There was only one +way—only one person in all the world who could +tell him whether he was right or not—Nora Burke +alone could say whether he had been dreaming.</p> + +<p>Some day he would ask her to tell him, some day, +after he had asked and compelled her to answer +that other question which had now become insistent. +For the time the mystery of the Rider +occupied a second place in his thoughts; yet the +trend of his mind unconsciously brought it again +to the front.</p> + +<p>The mission on which he had set out was one<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span> +which might clear away the initial obstacle in the +pathway of his love; he might locate the hiding-place +of the Rider; might secure a clue to his identity; +might, by great good fortune, discover the +stolen money.</p> + +<p>If he could only do that, if he could only go back +to the bank with the news that he had recovered +the stolen gold, five thousand pounds would be his. +Then he would be able to go to Mrs. Burke without +the feeling, unbearable to a man of his temperament, +that he, a poor man, was aspiring to one who had +money, and who might attribute to that money the +secret of his fascination.</p> + +<p>By the time the sun showed above the trees, he +was up to the outlying spurs of the range and nearing +the ridge along which he had previously followed +the tracks of the two horsemen. With the knowledge +he had gained how the track turned and +twisted, he set his horse to the rising ground, and +rode steadily and cautiously until he arrived at the +summit of the steep immediately above where the +creek entered the pool.</p> + +<p>Below him was the narrow sandy strip running +round the edge of the water, and even from where +he was he could see the marks of the horses' hoofs +upon it. His glance wandered from the shore over +the surface of the pool. It was a long sheet of water, +more an exaggerated reach in a stream than a lake, +for except along the sandy margin below him, the +water everywhere rippled right up to the dense +verdure-clad slopes of the hills.</p> + +<p>A curious discolouration appeared in a streak<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> +across the pool at the far end. The otherwise clear +water was marred by a ledge of rock which stretched +from one side of the pool to the other and came so +near the surface as to give a suggestion of muddiness +to the water.</p> + +<p>Dismounting, he led his horse to a sheltered gully, +and securely tethered him to a tree. Then, with +his carbine on his arm and his revolver pouch unfastened, +he walked down to the dry bed of the +creek and followed it to the mouth.</p> + +<p>Fresh marks were on the soft ground near the +water, coming from the end of the pool where the +streak of muddy water showed, and passing onwards +round the pool. He decided to go in the same +direction, and for a few yards walked along the +level before he discovered other hoof-prints, equally +clear, going the opposite way. The horseman, whoever +he might be, had both come and gone within +the past few hours, but Durham was uncertain +which way had been the last.</p> + +<p>Leaving the level ground he forced a way through +the thick herbage growing on the bank above and +crept forward. As he went he obtained through the +foliage an occasional glimpse of the track below, +until the bank rose so steeply and the vegetation +became so dense that he had to climb higher to +move along at all. Presently he came to an easier +grade, and was able to see once more the margin of +the pool, but he was surprised to discover that all +marks of the horses had ceased.</p> + +<p>He crept down to the water. Looking back, he +saw that the bank, on the top of which he had been,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span> +ran out to the water's edge, forming a barrier across +the track and terminating in a steep bluff jutting +out into the pool.</p> + +<p>Crouching almost to the ground, Durham crawled +through the undergrowth until he reached the +summit of the bluff, and was able to see once more +the narrow sandy strip which skirted the bank and +formed the margin of the shore.</p> + +<p>Peering through the low-growing shrubs he saw +how the bluff fell away in a precipitous descent on +the other side down to where the narrow strip widened +out into a level space screened by a clump of bushes +reaching from the high bank to the water. The +whole of this space was trampled upon, and it was +evident that horsemen had been there frequently +and recently.</p> + +<p>A step forward showed him something more. +Right under the bank a dark patch showed. It was +the mouth of a cave.</p> + +<p>He listened intently, but no sound came to him, +and he again crept forward until he was able to see +into the cave. It was low-roofed, and formed by +rocks which had fallen loosely together, and over +which vegetable soil had accumulated.</p> + +<p>Satisfied it was empty, he advanced boldly towards +it. As he pushed between the shrubs which grew +close up to it, he caught sight of what, in the shadow, +looked like a crouching man. In a moment his carbine +was thrown forward and he was about to challenge, +when he realised he was aiming at a heap of clothes.</p> + +<p>He stepped into the cave. The clothes lay in a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> +carelessly thrown heap, and with them, half hidden, +was a false beard of long yellow hair.</p> + +<p>Picking it up, he held it at arm's length. So the +Rider was disguised after all!</p> + +<p>The flimsy thing brought clearly back to him the +features of the man as he had twice seen him. The +close-clipped fair hair, the light sandy eyebrows, the +peculiarly light lashes which gave so sinister an expression +to the eyes, were distinct; but when he +tried to reconstruct the face as it would be without +the beard, he was baffled. The form of the nose, +the moulding of the chin, the shape of the mouth, +had been hidden by the disguise, and without a +knowledge of them Durham could not grasp fully +what the man was like. As Harding had expressed +himself, when describing the face he had seen at the +window of the bank, it was the impression of a +familiar face disguised, and yet a familiar face which +could not be located.</p> + +<p>Beyond that he could not go.</p> + +<p>He picked up the clothes and examined them. +They were of nondescript grey, such as can be +bought by the hundred at any bush store in Australia, +and were similar to what the man was wearing the +night he visited Waroona Downs. The hat was +missing, as Durham expected it would be. The +pockets were empty.</p> + +<p>Replacing the articles as nearly as possible in the +position in which he found them, Durham turned +his attention to the cave itself.</p> + +<p>The floor was rough and uneven. What sand +clustered in the hollows was too much trampled<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span> +upon to reveal any detail of the feet that had walked +upon it.</p> + +<p>There were innumerable nooks and crannies where +articles could be stored, but in every instance they +contained nothing. Nowhere could he find anything +more than the clothes.</p> + +<p>He went to the mouth and stood peering round +to see if there was another similar cave near, but +everywhere else the ground rose solid and unbroken.</p> + +<p>In the open space under the shelter of the bluff +where the ground had been so much trampled by +horses, the wheel-marks of a vehicle also showed. +He walked over and examined them carefully.</p> + +<p>They were the marks of what was evidently an old +and rackety conveyance. One of the wheels was +loose and askew on the axle, with the result that it +made a wobbly mark on the ground, while the tyres +on all the wheels were uneven in width and badly +worn.</p> + +<p>"Almost as ancient as old Dudgeon's rattle-trap," +Durham said to himself as he looked at the marks.</p> + +<p>The story, fanciful as he had regarded it at the +time, of the buggy driven by two men with a pair of +white horses, the story told by the travelling bushmen +the day the bank robbery was discovered, +recurred to him. If this was the vehicle in which +the gold had been carried off, and the wheel-marks +he was looking at had been made by it, then that +gold was probably secreted somewhere in his immediate +vicinity.</p> + +<p>The thick-growing shrubs and stunted gums made +it difficult for him to see far from where he stood.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span> +The level stretch along the margin of the pool showed +clear enough, but around him the vegetation was so +dense that, unless he had some clue to guide him, to +prosecute a search within it was like trying the +proverbial search for a needle in a haystack.</p> + +<p>During the time that had elapsed since those +wheel-marks had been made they had been greatly +obliterated, but it was still possible to distinguish +where the vehicle had been stopped, for the horses +had turned suddenly, and the wheels cut deep as +they came round. He stepped to the spot. Later +tramplings had removed all clear traces of footmarks. +Nothing was now to be learned from that source.</p> + +<p>His eyes swept along the line of shrubs which +fringed the open space. A twig, snapped near the +stem, dangled, its leaves brown and withered. It +was a finger pointing where someone had forced a +way through.</p> + +<p>Durham went down on his knees beside the shrub. +Near the root the bark had been stripped for a +couple of inches, the scar showing brown, while in +the soil the impression of a heavy boot was just +distinguishable.</p> + +<p>On hands and knees he pushed his way between +the stems. Other footmarks, old and faint, showed, +and he crept along with his eyes on them. Some +weeks before there had evidently been much coming +and going through the scrub at this point. Looking +straight ahead he saw the grey sheen of a sun-dried log. +He stood up. The thick undergrowth reached to his +armpits, but through it, a couple of yards from where +he stood, and ten from the spot where the wheel-<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span>marks +turned, was the fallen trunk of an old dead +tree.</p> + +<p>Such a log, hollow for the greater part of its +length and absolutely hidden by the shrubs growing +round it, was exactly the place where anything +could be secreted, and remain secreted, for an indefinite +period.</p> + +<p>Pushing his way carefully through the tangle of +shrubs he came upon it at the root end. It had +evidently fallen in some bygone bush-fire, the jagged +charred fragments showing where it had snapped off +close to the ground. The fire had eaten its way into +the heart of the timber and there was space enough +in the cavity for a man to crouch.</p> + +<p>Stooping down, Durham peered into it. At the +far end he saw, indistinctly, a confused mass, pushed +up closely. He reached in, but could not touch it, +without creeping into the opening.</p> + +<p>He looked round for something that would serve +as a rake to pull the articles out, but there was no +loose stick sufficiently long near to hand, and he +did not want to cut one. Higher up the bank he +saw one that would suit his purpose and went to +get it.</p> + +<p>As he returned with it in his hand he saw, at the +other end of the log, a patch of white on the ground. +Going over to it he found it was caused by a chalky +powder which clustered thickly near the tree.</p> + +<p>This end of the log was also hollow, and in the +cavity were a couple of bags which, when he pulled +them out, he found to be full of the chalky +powder.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span></p> + +<p>The white horses flashed into his mind as he +looked at it.</p> + +<p>"The cunning scoundrel!" he exclaimed. "Even +the horses were disguised."</p> + +<p>He replaced the bags, and went to the root end of +the tree. With his stick he was able to reach the +objects stored in the hole, and pulled one out.</p> + +<p>By the weight he knew what he had found, before +he opened it—the bag was full of gold.</p> + +<p>Slowly he drew everything out of the place. All +the gold taken from the bank and from Taloona lay +at his feet, together with a miscellaneous collection +of jewellery wrapped up in a small square of canvas. +But there was no sign either of papers or bank-notes.</p> + +<p>It was out of the question for him to attempt to +remove the treasure to the bank there and then. +All he could do was to make it as secure as possible +until, at a later day, he could return with a conveyance +and carry it back to the town.</p> + +<p>On the far side of the bluff he discovered a crevice +formed by an overhanging ledge. It was a place +even more difficult to trace than the fallen tree, and +here he placed everything, keeping only a gold +watch which bore Harding's name. Then, having +obliterated, as nearly as he could, every mark which +would be likely to reveal the hiding-place, he made +his way back to his horse.</p> + +<p>He rode to the margin of the pool, and walked +along the track until he was opposite the streak of +mud stain in the water. The horse and wheel-tracks +turned towards it and, standing up in his stirrups,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span> +Durham saw that the water shoaled with a wide +ledge of rock running directly into the pool.</p> + +<p>Putting his horse to it, the water was barely +a foot deep on the rock all the way across to the +opposite bank. Here the horse and wheel-tracks +reappeared, turning sharp to the left through +the bush, and passing over a dwarf ridge from the +summit of which he caught sight of the mountain +road where it turned down to the ford.</p> + +<p>Still following the tracks, they led him once more +to the water's edge. He entered it, and continued +close to the shore until he suddenly emerged on to +the rock which formed the break in the road over +which the stream rippled.</p> + +<p>He rode on to the road and reined in his horse +near the spot where he had first seen the pool the +night he was on his way to Waroona Downs. Had +he not just ridden along the track round the edge +of the water, he would not have believed it was +there, so absolutely was it hidden from the roadway.</p> + +<p>For a moment he hesitated whether to go on to +Waroona Downs or return to the township at once, +and arrange for the treasure to be removed. But +the anxiety gnawing at his heart decided for him +and he wheeled his horse and set off at a canter for +the station.</p> + +<p>As he came out to the level road he saw, riding +towards him, the object of his regard. Mounted on +a fine dark chestnut she was coming along at a hand +gallop. She waved her hand as she caught sight of +him, and he pulled up to wait for her, watching, +with more than admiration, the magnificent seat she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span> +had and the easy grace with which she managed her +horse.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Mr. Durham, I'm so glad to see you," she +cried as she came up. "I am in such trouble about +that old reprobate. Sure he's gone and I'm just +after riding into town to see if he is getting more of +the wretched drink. If I find him——"</p> + +<p>"Brennan will have him if he is in there, Mrs. +Burke. You need not be uneasy. I'll inquire as +soon as I return. I am on my way——"</p> + +<p>"Oh, but I can't," she interrupted. "What +would they say if ever it got to Ireland that I let +the old fool fall into the hands of the police over a +trifle like this—for it's only a trifle they would call +it in Ireland, Mr. Durham. Sure if it were known +there, and you may be certain he'd leave no stone +unturned to make it public, they'd boycott me and +all my belongings, if they didn't do something +worse."</p> + +<p>"Then it would be better for you not to go back +there," he said, smiling at her.</p> + +<p>She gave him a sidelong glance with her head on +one side.</p> + +<p>"Not go back there? And what should I be +doing anywhere else with all my responsibilities +waiting over there for me?" she asked coquettishly.</p> + +<p>"You may have responsibilities over here as well, +some which would——"</p> + +<p>"Oh, now, you're making fun of me, Mr. Durham," +she exclaimed. "What's a bit of a place like this +with never even a single pig on it, let alone all the +sheep and cattle it ought to have, to keep me from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span> +my own home? When I get stock on the place it +might keep me here, but sure where's the money to +come from to buy the creatures if I don't go back +and sell everything I possess to pay for them?"</p> + +<p>"Won't you turn back, Mrs. Burke? I was +riding out to see you. I want to—ask you something."</p> + +<p>"Ask me something? What, more police questions? +No, no thanks, Mr. Durham. They don't +agree with my constitution—nor my temper."</p> + +<p>"It is not a police question," he said seriously. +"It is to do—with—with yourself."</p> + +<p>A merry peal of mocking laughter answered +him.</p> + +<p>"Come along now, come to the township with me +before they get poor old Patsy where it would break +his honest old heart to be."</p> + +<p>She started her horse.</p> + +<p>"Come along now," she called over her shoulder, +flashing a mischievous glance back at him.</p> + +<p>He had no alternative but to follow, and he cantered +to her side.</p> + +<p>"It would teach him a good lesson, Mrs. Burke, +if you let him spend a few days in the lock-up," he +said. "It would give him a chance to get really +sober, whereas, if he keeps on getting drink, you +will have him out of his mind."</p> + +<p>"Now you're trying to frighten me, Mr. Durham. +Sure, what sort of a man is it I've met this morning? +I believe you'd like to see old Patsy inside a cell, +and then maybe you'd be after me too."</p> + +<p>"I might be," he answered.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What would you give me? Six months hard +or just a caution?"</p> + +<p>"I should offer you something entirely different," +he said in a serious tone of voice. "I should offer +you——"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, it's a lot you police people offer folk. +Sure they have to take what is given them, whether +they like it, or want it, or not."</p> + +<p>"I may not always be one of the police people, +as you term us," he said.</p> + +<p>"Are you thinking of joining the ministry?" she +exclaimed. "I'd like to hear you preach your first +sermon, Mr. Durham. I'd come twenty miles in the +rain for it."</p> + +<p>The mockery in her voice irritated him, and his +face showed it.</p> + +<p>"Oh, now, Mr. Durham, don't talk nonsense. +What would become of the place if you left the +force of which you are such an ornament? It's +fairy tales you are telling me. And you have never +said a word yet about your journey. What news +did you hear when you reached Waroona?"</p> + +<p>"I suppose you have not heard about Eustace?" +he asked.</p> + +<p>"Eustace? What's the matter with Eustace +now?"</p> + +<p>"He was found yesterday."</p> + +<p>The jerk she gave the bridle brought her horse +back on his haunches, and Durham was a couple of +lengths past her before he could bring his horse +round. When he turned she was allowing her horse +to walk, the bridle hanging loose.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Eustace was found yesterday?" she asked in +a dazed tone as she came up to him. "Found +yesterday? Is that the news you had to give +me?"</p> + +<p>"It was not to tell you of that I was on my way +to Waroona Downs," he replied. "Though I should +probably have mentioned it."</p> + +<p>"Where was he found, Mr. Durham? I suppose +he is arrested now?"</p> + +<p>All the raillery had gone from her voice, which +had grown so sorrowful that he looked at her wonderingly.</p> + +<p>"He was not alive when he was found," he said +quietly, still watching her.</p> + +<p>Her hands convulsively clutched the bridle, and +her mouth twitched.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Mr. Durham, how awful! What a terrible +thing! Oh, poor Mrs. Eustace! Sure I'm glad I'm +going into the town, for I'll be able to see the poor +thing. Is she much upset? But she is sure to be."</p> + +<p>"It is a great trial for her. She will be very glad +to see you, I should think," he answered.</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, well; what a funny thing life is, Mr. +Durham. One never knows. It's all a muddled-up +sort of affair at the best. If only people could do +what is in them to do, instead of being placed in +positions where there is only sadness and trouble +crowding in on them and crushing them out of +existence! It's a weary world, very, very weary."</p> + +<p>"We can only take it as we find it, and make the +best of it," he said. "You must not allow this to +worry you. Perhaps, after all, it is the best thing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span> +that could have happened for him. There are worse +things than death. Think what it would have been +for Mrs. Eustace had he been captured and sent to +penal servitude. Her whole life would have been +ruined. We see so much of that in cases where the +husband gives way. It is the wife who suffers most, +Mrs. Burke."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I know, I know," she exclaimed in a tone +so full of sadness that he feared he had touched on +some secret grief.</p> + +<p>He rode beside her in silence, not knowing what +to say lest he added to her distress, but yet tormented +by the idea that he should speak out what +was in his heart and learn, once and for all, whether +his hopes were to be realised or shattered. Keeping +slightly behind her, he was able to watch her without +her knowing it. She was staring between her +horse's ears, her lips tightly closed, her head erect, +and her cheeks pale. Lost, apparently, in the +reverie his words had called up, she seemed to have +forgotten his presence as a mile went by without +her turning her head or opening her lips.</p> + +<p>But she had not forgotten he was there. At a +turn in the road she uttered a sharp exclamation +and held out her hand, pointing.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it is too bad," she exclaimed bitterly. +"It is too much for anyone to bear. Look at +that!"</p> + +<p>Away down the road Durham saw a horse and +rider. The horse was making its own way, the rider +having as much as he could do to keep in the saddle. +He was swaying from side to side, occasionally<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span> +waving his arms in the air and howling out a tuneless +ditty in a strident cracked voice.</p> + +<p>"Old Patsy," Durham said shortly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, what will I do?" she exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"Better let me take him back and give him a few +days where he will have time to recover his senses, +I think," he said.</p> + +<p>She flashed a furious glance at him.</p> + +<p>"I shall do no such thing," she snapped. "The +best thing you can do is to get out of sight before he +sees you. He hates you, Mr. Durham. Irishmen of +his class always hate the police. The sight of you +will only aggravate him in his present state."</p> + +<p>"He is not in a fit state to return with you," +Durham said.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I can manage him if I'm left alone with +him," she replied.</p> + +<p>"But I shall not leave you with him," he said +firmly.</p> + +<p>"You must; you must," she exclaimed sharply. +Then, as though a mask had fallen from her, the +expression of her face changed and she leaned towards +him, laying her hand on his bridle arm. "Oh, yes, +please, for my sake. For the sake of—of what I said +you—you were not to mention again—will you—please +will you do this?"</p> + +<p>Her wonderful eyes, soft and melting with a look +of appeal, were turned full upon his; her red lips +pouted and her voice thrilled with a winning gentleness.</p> + +<p>"Please, please do this for me. I would not ask +it, only I know—I know—I can ask <i>you</i>."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span></p> + +<p>Her voice sank to a whisper, more alluring, more +devastating upon him than when she spoke before. +So taken aback, and yet so elated was he at her change +of manner, that he could not answer her at once.</p> + +<p>"You were coming to tell me again—I read it in +your face. Oh, do this for me now. Leave me +alone with him. Come and see me to-morrow. +Come and tell me then—tell me—what I want to +hear."</p> + +<p>"Nora!"</p> + +<p>The word escaped him in a gasp. What she +wanted to hear! Were his ears playing him false? +Was he dreaming? He had his hands on hers, holding +it with a grip of a strong man stirred to the +depths, crushing the fingers one on the other, but +there was no waver in the eyes that looked with so +much entreaty into his.</p> + +<p>"Leave me now before he sees you, before he gets +here. I can manage him best alone. Look, he is +hastening. Oh, don't wait. Ride away into the +bush. I appeal to you—in the name of my love for +you. Dearest—go!"</p> + +<p>The tumult surged up and over him; had she +bidden him at that moment to ride into the jaws of +death, he would have galloped, shouting his delight. +Nothing else counted with him then, nothing but her +wish. Bending down he pressed her hand to his lips.</p> + +<p>"Go—go—quickly—dearest!" he heard.</p> + +<p>"Till to-morrow, Beloved, till to-morrow," he +answered, as, pulling his horse's head round, he +drove his spurs home and plunged into the bush, +racing in the wild abandon of his joy.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span></p> + +<p>What did it matter that a drunken old Irishman +was saved from arrest? He would probably have +contented himself with warning the old reprobate +to get home as quickly and as quietly as he could. +But she did not know that. All she could do was to +think how to save her foolish servant from the +penalty of his folly—how like her that was, how +like the great warm-hearted noble creature she was! +Pride in her, pride, love, adoration, welled up in his +heart. The yearning of his soul was satisfied, the +longing of his being set at rest.</p> + +<p>Her love was his! In that knowledge all the contradictions +of her attitude became clear. She had +only sought to hide the truth from him lest he should +think her too easily won. He laughed aloud as he +galloped.</p> + +<p>Too easily?</p> + +<p>No matter how great the sacrifice he had been +called upon to make, it would have ranked as nothing +if, at the end of it, her open arms were waiting to +enfold him. But there was no sacrifice, no toll to be +exacted from him. Of her own initiative she had +sounded the note which called him to her and made +her his. To-morrow he would ride out to her, not +alone to give her the pledge of his affections, but to +carry to her the tidings of his discovery. Although +he had not yet recovered her papers, he would be +able to assure her that he would have them as soon +as he captured the man who stole them, the man +who had murdered Eustace, the Rider whose hiding-place +he had discovered.</p> + +<p>For there was no doubt in his mind about that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span> +capture. Once let the gold be safely removed to the +bank, he would return to the cave and wait till, as +he was certain would happen sooner or later, the +Rider came for his disguise.</p> + +<p>Then Nora Burke should have her papers returned +in safety, and he would have won more than +the promised five thousand pounds reward.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII</h2> + +<h3>DUDGEON PROPOSES</h3> + + +<p>For the first time since the outrage at Taloona, +Dudgeon visited Waroona.</p> + +<p>He drove up to Soden's hotel in the old rackety +buggy at a crawl, for his horse had gone dead lame +on the way. At the time he arrived Patsy was +making ineffectual attempts to mount his horse for +the ride which led to so dramatic a turning in Durham's +romance, having just staggered out of the bar highly +indignant because Soden had refused to allow him +to have anything more to drink on the premises.</p> + +<p>"Have you a horse I can borrow from you, Soden? +My old crock has gone in the off hind-leg and wants +a rest. Can you let me have one to get back?" +Dudgeon called out.</p> + +<p>"I'll have to send out to the paddock, Mr. Dudgeon, +but I'll have one in by four this afternoon, if that +will suit you."</p> + +<p>"It'll have to suit, I suppose," Dudgeon replied. +"I didn't want to hang about the place so long, but +if you'll have it in by four I'll be here ready to start. +I'll leave the buggy with you."</p> + +<p>While they were talking Patsy and his horse were +slowly going round and round, the old man missing +the stirrup every time he put his foot up, and only<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span> +avoiding a fall by hanging on to the bridle so firmly +that he pulled the horse round at each ineffectual +attempt to mount.</p> + +<p>"Give him a leg up, Jim," Soden said to his barman.</p> + +<p>Old Patsy, with the help of the barman, managed +to clamber into the saddle, where he sat for a few +minutes swaying unsteadily before he started to ride +off through the town.</p> + +<p>"Where's he from?" Dudgeon asked, looking +after him.</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's Mrs. Burke's Irish body-guard," +Soden said. "Says he should never have left Ireland, +and I agree with him. There'll be trouble out at the +Downs some of these days, if she doesn't clear him +out or he gives over drinking. Don't you serve him +any more, do you hear, Jim? Hand him over to +Brennan if he comes in again," he added to his +barman.</p> + +<p>"Well, what's the news?" Dudgeon exclaimed +as he got out of his buggy and limped over to +Soden.</p> + +<p>"The leg's not all right yet, I see?" Soden said.</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's getting on. Anything fresh about the +bank?"</p> + +<p>"Why, haven't you heard?" Soden cried. +"They've found Eustace, found him with a bullet +through him, lying in the water at the ford in the +range. He's over there now," he added, jerking his +head towards the police-station.</p> + +<p>"What's that you say?" Dudgeon exclaimed, +open-eyed and open-mouthed.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span></p> + +<p>"They found him only yesterday—the sub-inspector +and the constable. And last night, what +do you think? His mate, the man with the beard +who stuck your place up, galloped through the town +here, and afterwards, when we were all out chasing +him, doubled back on us and stole everything he +could lay his hands on."</p> + +<p>Dudgeon still stood staring open-mouthed and +open-eyed.</p> + +<p>"There were only two places he missed, the bank +and the cottage down the road—Smart's place—where +Mrs. Eustace is living."</p> + +<p>"Ah! Then that poor thing's a widow?"</p> + +<p>"That's so," Soden replied. "But, between +you and me, I don't think for long. You know she +and Harding—he's our new bank manager, by the +way—are old friends, Mr. Dudgeon, and from what I +hear from Jim, my barman, who's got his eye on the +girl Mrs. Eustace has, they're pretty good friends +now, if not a bit more. I shouldn't be surprised, +speaking as between man and man, to see her back +at the bank again before many years are over, that is, +if young Harding stays on here."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" Dudgeon exclaimed. "Oh!"</p> + +<p>"He's a fine young fellow, Mr. Dudgeon, and you +ought to be interested in him, for he was the first to +look after you when you were knocked over. But, +here, won't you come in for a bit? You're in no-hurry."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I am," Dudgeon replied. "I'm in town on +business, and when I have business to do, Mr. Soden, +I do it. See?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It's a good plan."</p> + +<p>"Yes, it's a very good plan. So I'll move along. +Don't forget to have that horse in sharp at four—I +don't like waiting."</p> + +<p>He limped away down the road and Soden turned +back into his house.</p> + +<p>"Old Dudgeon don't seem to have lost much of his +sourness since he was laid out," he said to his barman +as he passed. "He's never been inside this door since +I've been here, and they say he hadn't been in for +years before then. Queer old chap he is. I wonder +if he is mixed up with the Rider?"</p> + +<p>Limping along, Dudgeon made straight for Smart's +cottage and knocked at the door.</p> + +<p>"I've come to see Mrs. Eustace," he said gruffly +when Bessie answered.</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry, sir, but Mrs. Eustace can't see anyone +to-day. It's——"</p> + +<p>"You go and tell her it's me, do you hear? Mr. +Dudgeon of Taloona. I'll come in and sit down +till she's ready."</p> + +<p>He pushed the door wide open and stepped inside.</p> + +<p>"But Mrs. Eustace, sir——" Bessie began.</p> + +<p>"Did I speak loud enough for you to hear, or didn't +I?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir, but——"</p> + +<p>"Then go and tell Mrs. Eustace I'm here."</p> + +<p>He was nearly at the door of the sitting-room +when Mrs. Eustace, having heard his voice, reached +the passage.</p> + +<p>"Ah," he exclaimed. "I want to talk to you. +Just come in here, will you?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span></p> + +<p>He held the door open for her and waited till +she passed in. Then he followed and closed the +door.</p> + +<p>"Just excuse me one minute," he said as he +remained standing by the door which he suddenly +flung open again.</p> + +<p>"I thought so," he cried, as he saw Bessie in the +passage. "You clear out of it. What I've got to say +to Mrs. Eustace don't concern you, nor Jim the barman. +Do you hear?"</p> + +<p>Bessie heard, and scurried.</p> + +<p>"It's only fair to tell you," he said, turning to Mrs. +Eustace, "that what that girl sees and hears here +goes to Jim the barman who, if you don't know it, +tells Soden, and Soden tells the town. You understand?"</p> + +<p>He limped across the room and sat down.</p> + +<p>"I've come in to tell you something," he went on. +"When I got here I heard the news. But that makes +no difference to what I had to tell you. I can still +tell you. But I must say something else first. You +wouldn't stay on at Taloona when I asked you, but +that was your business. Now this has come to you. +I'm no hand at talking sympathy, but if you want +anything that I can get for you it's yours—you +understand?"</p> + +<p>He leaned forward, with his hands on his knees, +looking her steadily in the face.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Mr. Dudgeon, I—I understand," +she said haltingly.</p> + +<p>"That's what I thought you'd say," he remarked +as he sat back. "I know it's a sad business for you,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span> +as it stands, and I'd rather you never had it. You're +the first woman I've felt that way about for more +years than you've lived. But I'm sorry for you, +hang me if I'm not."</p> + +<p>"It is—good of you to say so," she murmured.</p> + +<p>"Still, you're young, and there are many years +before you which won't be all sad, you may be +sure. But now you're a widow will you come to +Taloona?"</p> + +<p>She looked up quickly without replying.</p> + +<p>"I don't care how it is. You can make it your +home as a guest, or you can come as Mrs. +Dudgeon."</p> + +<p>"Oh, please, Mr. Dudgeon," she exclaimed as she +stood up. "You—I know you don't mean to hurt +me, but——"</p> + +<p>She broke off and turned away.</p> + +<p>"It wasn't said to hurt you," he said. "It was +only to show you what I'd do for you. Seemed to me +it was the best way to put it. I only want you to +understand I'm with you whatever comes along. Will +you take it that way?"</p> + +<p>"I know," she exclaimed impulsively, as she +crossed over to him and laid her hand on his shoulder. +"I know how you mean it, Mr. Dudgeon, and I +appreciate it more than I can say. It was +the——"</p> + +<p>"The clumsy way I put it," he said, as she hesitated. +"That's all right. Don't mind speaking out +your mind to me—you used to pretty well when I +shied at that physic you poured into me a few weeks +back."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I should have asked how the leg is," she said +leaping at the opening to change the subject. "Is it +still very painful?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, it comes and goes," he replied. "Mostly +goes."</p> + +<p>"Don't you think it would be a good thing if you +took the doctor's advice now and went away for a +change and a rest? It would make you all right +again in a few months. The hard, rough life you +lead at Taloona makes it very difficult for you to +get up your strength after the experience you +have had."</p> + +<p>He smiled grimly—his facial muscles had been so +long strangers to anything approaching tokens of +mirth or pleasure that they did not move easily.</p> + +<p>"I suppose it is a bit rough out there," he said. +"But then, you see, I'm used to a rough life—I've +had it all my days. Is that why you wouldn't stay? +Was it too rough for you?"</p> + +<p>He looked round the little sitting-room in which she +had the furniture and nicknacks from her room +at the bank.</p> + +<p>"There's a bit of a difference I will say," he went +on as she did not reply. "It's a flower-garden to a +stock-yard to compare this room with the hut you +had out at Taloona. Look here. I'll build a new +house, build it as big as you like or as little as you +like, and you shall furnish it and fit it up just as +you fancy—if you'll only make it a home for +yourself."</p> + +<p>She shook her head.</p> + +<p>"No, Mr. Dudgeon, I am afraid that is impossible,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span> +she said. "At the same time, I want to thank you +very much for what you say."</p> + +<p>"Look here," he exclaimed. "I don't want thanks. +You know what my life has been—I told you the +story often enough when I was lying sick and you were +waiting on me like an angel—oh, I mean it," he added, +as she looked up. "Just let me say what I've got to +say. When you came back here, and I was by myself +again, I began to think. Somehow the old views +didn't seem quite to fit together. There was something +wrong somewhere and I reckon that somewhere +was me. I've put a wrong twist on things. It +never struck me there was more than one woman in +the world who could do anything to make me contented. +So I set out to make money. I made it, +made it by the ton. And now I've got it what's the +good of it to me?"</p> + +<p>"There is no limit to the good it may be if it is +properly applied, Mr. Dudgeon."</p> + +<p>"Where will it do good?" he exclaimed. "That's +just what I want to know. Tell me."</p> + +<p>"There are hospitals," she said. "And schools. +You might found scholarships for poor students +to——"</p> + +<p>"And chapels and missions and dogs' homes—go +on, trot out the whole list," he interrupted. +"None of them will ever get a pennypiece out of me. +More than half the money given to them goes to keep +a lot of lazy, patronising officials in luxury—I know—I've +come in contact with them when they have +been cadging after me for subscriptions. They +cringe till they find out there's nothing for them,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span> +and then they snarl. I've no time for that sort of +people, no time nor money either."</p> + +<p>"Then I hardly know what to suggest," she said, +"unless——"</p> + +<p>"Unless what?"</p> + +<p>"You helped Mrs. O'Guire and her children, if +she has any."</p> + +<p>His mouth went into its old hard lines, and he sat +silent for a time.</p> + +<p>"It's no good talking about that," he said presently. +"The best thing I can do for them is not +to think about them—I'd be after them again if I do—if +I could find them. Help them? No. I'd rather +give the money to the Government to build gaols. +Can't you think of anything else?"</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid I cannot," she answered. "But I am +still sure your money will do good if it is properly +applied."</p> + +<p>"Ah, that's it. If it's properly applied. I'm an +old man now. How am I to apply it? There's +only one way that I can see, and that is what I am +going to do with it. I'm going to give it away. +What do you think of that?"</p> + +<p>"If you give it away where it will do good I think +it is a very excellent idea," she answered.</p> + +<p>"You know that youngster at the bank, don't +you? Young Harding, I mean."</p> + +<p>"Yes," she replied.</p> + +<p>"Do you think he is a man to be trusted?"</p> + +<p>"I know he is, Mr. Dudgeon."</p> + +<p>"I'll take your word for it," he said as he stood +up. "I'll get along and see him. You can let him<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span> +know if you want anything and he'll send on word +to me. I'll look in again next time I'm passing. +Good-bye."</p> + +<p>He held out his hand, hard, knotted, and roughened +with toil, and she placed hers in it. His fingers +closed on hers, and he stood looking into her eyes +till she grew uncomfortable under the scrutiny.</p> + +<p>"I'd give everything I've got in the world," he said +hoarsely, "for a daughter like you."</p> + +<p>He dropped her hand and limped quickly to the +door, opening it and going out without looking +back.</p> + +<p>Through the window she saw him pass along the +road towards the bank, his head up in the old defiant +way, the limp robbing his stride of much of its +sturdiness. Without a glance at the cottage he passed +out of sight.</p> + +<p>Right through the town he walked until he came +to the bank.</p> + +<p>Harding, looking up at the sound of footsteps, +was surprised to see him limping to the counter.</p> + +<p>"Good day, Mr. Dudgeon," he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"Do you know how to make a will?" the old man +asked, without replying to the greeting.</p> + +<p>"That is more the work of a solicitor than a +banker, Mr. Dudgeon."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I know all about that. If it's going to be a +long, muddled, complicated affair a solicitor's the +man to go to. But that's not what I want. I want +to make a will leaving everything I possess to just one +person. I'm no hand with a pen, so I thought you +might be able to do it for me."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Mr. Wallace is inside; perhaps he could advise +you better."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'll see him."</p> + +<p>Remembering his last interview with the crotchety +old man, Wallace was particularly circumspect when +he met him.</p> + +<p>"What I want is this," Dudgeon exclaimed. "I +want to say it in such a manner that there can be +no questioning the thing afterwards, that is when I'm +gone, you understand?"</p> + +<p>"I understand," Wallace replied.</p> + +<p>"I want to leave everything I possess to one person. +If that is written on a sheet of paper and I sign it, +isn't that enough?"</p> + +<p>"If your signature is witnessed by two persons."</p> + +<p>"Then go ahead. Write it out for me. You and +this young man can be witnesses."</p> + +<p>"It is an unusual thing for the Bank to do, Mr. +Dudgeon; but if you really wish it, of course we +shall be only too happy to oblige you. Don't you +think Mr. Gale——"</p> + +<p>"No," the old man snapped. "I've finished with +Gale."</p> + +<p>"Then will you come into my room and we will +do the best we can for you."</p> + +<p>Wallace drew up a simple form of a will and read +it through aloud.</p> + +<p>"I have left the name blank," he said. "If this +expresses what you wish, you can fill in the name and +sign it, either before Harding and myself or two other +people."</p> + +<p>Dudgeon took it and read it through again.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That'll do," he said. He put it on the table in +front of Harding. "Fill in Mrs. Eustace's name—I +don't know it," he added.</p> + +<p>Harding wrote the name in the blank space, the +name of one who, in another minute, would rank +amongst the greatest heiresses of the world.</p> + +<p>"That is the full name," he said as he handed +back the document to Dudgeon.</p> + +<p>He looked at it.</p> + +<p>"Jessie, is it?" he said. "Jessie Eustace, née +Spence. There is no chance of a mistake being made, +is there? Hadn't you better add whose wife she +was?"</p> + +<p>"If you wish it."</p> + +<p>"And say where she is living now, and where she +came from before she came here. I don't want this +to go wrong. I want to make sure she will get everything."</p> + +<p>When the additions were made he read the whole +document through once more.</p> + +<p>"Yes, that seems to fix it," he said. "Give me a +pen."</p> + +<p>The signature affixed, and witnessed, he looked +from one to the other.</p> + +<p>"I'll take your word to keep the matter secret +till I'm gone," he said. "I don't feel like dying just +yet, but one never knows, and, in the meantime, I +don't want this known. She don't know, and if she +does, it will only be through one of you two +talking."</p> + +<p>"You may rest assured, Mr. Dudgeon, that both +Mr. Harding and myself will respect your confidence<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span> +and hold the matter absolutely secret," Wallace +replied.</p> + +<p>"That's good enough," he said.</p> + +<p>Turning to Harding, he added, "I'll leave this in +your charge. If I go, see that she gets it. Good +day."</p> + +<p>He was at the door when Wallace spoke.</p> + +<p>"Will you not stay and have some refreshment, +after your long drive in?" he said.</p> + +<p>Dudgeon looked over his shoulder, with his hand +on the door-handle.</p> + +<p>"That's all I want from you," he replied.</p> + +<p>"There is one other matter," Harding exclaimed. +"If this will ever has to be used, we have no information +what property you are leaving."</p> + +<p>Dudgeon let go the handle and faced round.</p> + +<p>"Young man," he said, "you've got a head on +you. Just sit down and I'll tell you, and you can +write them down."</p> + +<p>Leaving the two together, Wallace went to the +outer office.</p> + +<p>"I am glad he's gone," Dudgeon remarked. +"This don't concern him."</p> + +<p>Then he reeled off a list of properties, securities, +cash deposits, and other possessions, dazzling in +their value and variety.</p> + +<p>The name of a firm of lawyers in a southern city +was added.</p> + +<p>"That's the lot," he said unconcernedly. "I +needn't tell you to see she has her rights. Give me +your hand, my lad. I hope she shares it with +you."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span></p> + +<p>Without another word he was gone.</p> + +<p>Harding was still running his eye over the list of +properties Dudgeon had dictated when he heard +Wallace call.</p> + +<p>"All right. We'll come in," Wallace added, and +appeared with Durham at his heels.</p> + +<p>"Do you know this?" Durham asked, as he held +out his hand.</p> + +<p>"My watch! Where on earth did you find it?" +Harding cried.</p> + +<p>"It is yours?"</p> + +<p>"It's the one which disappeared from under my +pillow the night the bank was robbed."</p> + +<p>"I thought so."</p> + +<p>"Have you found anything more?" Wallace asked +breathlessly.</p> + +<p>"All the money and a lot of jewellery. I would +like Mr. Harding to come along with me to-night +to the place where I have it hidden. We can bring +it in quietly without anyone knowing. But till then, +don't let this be seen, and don't breathe a word of +what I have told you. Now I've got the money +I want to make sure of the man."</p> + +<p>Wallace slapped him warmly on the back.</p> + +<p>"You're a marvel, Durham. I knew you'd do it +somehow, but I'm bothered if I could see how. +May I wire to head office?"</p> + +<p>"Not till to-night, Mr. Wallace. When the stuff +is handed over to you will be time enough."</p> + +<p>"How about Mr. Dudgeon's money?"</p> + +<p>"It's there, too."</p> + +<p>"He's in town. Will you tell him?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Not a word, Mr. Wallace. You are the only people +I mention it to; not even Brennan will be told about +it till it's here."</p> + +<p>"Well, you know more about these things than I +do, so your word's law. But I shall be glad to let +the head office know—I want to have the general +manager's authority to do what I told you was +going to be done."</p> + +<p>Durham smiled in answer. So did he want the +general manager to authorise what was to be the +news he wished to give Mrs. Burke on the morrow. +With five thousand pounds behind him he anticipated +less difficulty in persuading her to postpone her +intended return to Ireland, postpone it long enough, +at all events, for her to go, not as Mrs. Burke, but as +Mrs. Durham.</p> + +<p>He stood at the door chatting to Wallace before +going on to the station, when Dudgeon rattled past +in his old buggy drawn by a borrowed horse.</p> + +<p>He did not look towards the bank as he passed.</p> + +<p>"If I told him I suppose he'd scowl at me and +say, 'Oh, have you?'" Durham exclaimed as he +watched the crazy old vehicle disappear along the +road.</p> + +<p>"You are sure his money is there too?" Wallace +asked.</p> + +<p>"Quite."</p> + +<p>"That's curious."</p> + +<p>"Why? It was obviously stolen by the same +man who robbed the bank, and naturally they took +it to the same spot."</p> + +<p>"Have you any idea who the men were—or rather<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span> +the man, for I suppose there is only one now to be +considered?"</p> + +<p>"That is so," Durham answered. "Only one—and +he may be—anybody."</p> + +<p>"You have no suspicions?"</p> + +<p>"I don't want any. If I begin suspecting different +persons I may miss the real individual. As matters +stand, I know where, sooner or later, I shall meet him +under conditions which will identify him as the +man I want. The trap is set and the bird will be +caught. That is all I can say."</p> + +<p>"Have you heard what they are saying in the +town?"</p> + +<p>"I've heard a good deal one way and another, +but not to-day, as I have been away since dawn. +Is it anything special?"</p> + +<p>"Someone started the yarn last night, so Gale told +me. There's an idea that old Mr. Dudgeon is at the +back of the whole affair; that he hired the man +they call the Rider to rob the bank in the first +instance, so as to prevent the sale of Waroona +Downs being completed. Eustace is supposed to +have been bribed to join the conspiracy."</p> + +<p>"That's rather an ingenious theory. Whose is +it?"</p> + +<p>"One of the men in the town; Gale did not +mention his name. But he has evolved a very +workable theory—at least to my mind."</p> + +<p>"Let me hear it all," Durham said.</p> + +<p>"Well, when the bank had been robbed, and the +second lot of gold was hurried forward in time to +save the situation, one part of the scheme failed,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span> +for the sale of the property was completed. The +Rider and his mate—Eustace, as is generally believed—went +out to Taloona to settle up with the old +man. They found you there and, to blind you as to +the real character of Dudgeon, they pretended to +make him a prisoner. Then you showed fight, +Dudgeon was shot by the bullet intended for you, +the lamp was upset, and the place set on fire just as +the troopers I sent arrived on the scene."</p> + +<p>"That sounds all right as far as it goes. Is there +any more?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes. Dudgeon being laid up delayed the +settlement and the pair had to wait—every time up +to last night that the white horses have been seen +was on the Taloona road, you may remember, which +adds colour to the theory. Then they got tired of +waiting and quarrelled between themselves, with +the result that one of them got killed. The general +idea is that they quarrelled over the division of the +spoil, and, seeing what you have discovered to-day, +I am inclined to agree with it. Last night's escapade +was sheer bravado to mock at you and Brennan. +What do you think of the idea?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's all right, as far as it goes. When my +man walks into the trap waiting for him I may be +able to tell you whether it is the correct solution, +but, for the present, I should neither accept nor +reject it."</p> + +<p>"That is all you have to say about it?"</p> + +<p>"That is all; and now I must get along to the +station. I'll be back in an hour or so to tell Harding +where to meet me."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span></p> + +<p>It was just on sunset when he returned to arrange +for Harding to go out with him about midnight. +With Harding and Wallace he was standing at the +private entrance of the bank when, with a clatter, +there dashed down the road the horse and buggy +in which Dudgeon had driven by during the +afternoon.</p> + +<p>The horse was galloping with the reins trailing +behind it, the splash-board was smashed and hanging +loose, striking the horse at every stride and adding +to its panic.</p> + +<p>Durham and Harding rushed out to stop the +runaway. It swerved to the edge of the road, the +buggy overbalanced and rolled over, the shafts +snapped, and the horse, breaking free, raced through +the town.</p> + +<p>"Look!" Harding cried. "What has happened?"</p> + +<p>On the seat of the vehicle was an ugly red splash, +while the floor was smothered with blood.</p> + +<p>"Send along to Brennan to follow me, will you?" +Durham exclaimed as he sprang to his horse, which +was standing at the door of the bank, mounted it, +and spurred away along the road the runaway had +come.</p> + +<p>Four miles away on the Taloona road he found +Dudgeon.</p> + +<p>The old man lay in a heap in the middle of the +road, riddled with bullet wounds, any one of which +would have proved fatal.</p> + +<p>There were abundant signs of a fierce struggle. +As Durham read the indications, an attack had +been made upon him while he was driving along<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span> +He had been shot and had struggled from the vehicle, +probably returning the fire, for there was the mark +where another man had fallen and added another +red stain to the ground. Then the two had closed +and, in the contest which ensued, Dudgeon had gone +down, his assailant venting his mad rage by firing +bullet after bullet into the prostrate form.</p> + +<p>While he was still examining the marks Durham +was joined by Brennan and half a dozen of the +townsmen who had ridden out in obedience to +Harding's warning. Durham drew Brennan aside.</p> + +<p>"I only have my revolver with me," he said. +"Give me your carbine and what cartridges you +have. I must get away on his tracks before any of +the men lose their heads and ruin the chance of +capture by smothering them."</p> + +<p>"Give Brennan what help you can, will you?" +he called out to the men who stood by their horses +looking, horror-stricken, at the lifeless form of the +old man.</p> + +<p>Mounting his horse he sped away. For a time he +watched the track of a horse which had galloped just +off the road. It had evidently lacked a firm hand +on the bridle, for it seemed to have taken its own +direction.</p> + +<p>The rider was wounded. Of that Durham was +certain.</p> + +<p>Under such circumstances where would he +go?</p> + +<p>As Durham turned his horse into the bush, making +for the range where the little cave was situated, he +answered his own question.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span></p> + +<p>Riding at topmost speed, he reasoned as he rode. +The other man had at least two hours' start. With +such a lead he could easily reach the cave first if he +could ride steadily. But he was wounded, and in +that lay Durham's hope of getting there before him.</p> + +<p>The light was waning by the time the commencement +of the foothills was reached. At the bottom +of the gully lying at the foot of a ridge across which +he had to ride, Durham gave his horse a spell. The +top of the ridge rose steep and bare. As he looked +towards it, estimating which was the better direction +to take to get to the cave, he heard the sounds of a +horse walking.</p> + +<p>Presently, on the sky-line, immediately above +him, he saw a horse and rider. There was just light +enough for him to distinguish the form of the man.</p> + +<p>He was clad in grey, the jacket open, his hat in his +hand. He was a bearded man—a man with a yellow +beard.</p> + +<p>It was the Rider!</p> + +<p>Even as Durham watched, the man saw him, saw +him and swung his horse round so sharply it set back +on its haunches.</p> + +<p>In another moment he would be flying away +through the gathering gloom, away into the broken +fastnesses of the range, away, perhaps, for all time, +from capture.</p> + +<p>The horse was recovering itself. Durham threw +his carbine forward and, as the horse reared at the +pain of the spurs driven into its side, he fired.</p> + +<p>Amid the echoes of the report there came a sharp +scream of agony.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span></p> + +<p>Durham leaped to his saddle and spurred his +horse up the steep slope.</p> + +<p>When he reached the summit only the marks of +the flying horse's hoofs showed which way the man +had gone.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> + +<h3>UNMASKED</h3> + + +<p>The silvery sheen of the rising moon glittered on the +surface of the pool and lay over the sombre-foliaged +bush as Durham came out upon the top of the bluff +above the Rider's cave.</p> + +<p>From the moment he reached the ridge to find +only the marks made by the plunging horse he +had raced to get there first. Down the sharp slopes +of the gullies, across the dry, rock-strewn bed of the +mountain-streams, up the opposite steeps, with +never a care for the risks he ran, he kept his horse +at its topmost speed, sparing neither spur nor lash +to urge it along. There was no time to choose the +easy paths, no chance of picking his way; every +moment was of value, for he knew how the wounded +outlaw would make desperate haste to get to the +shelter of his haven.</p> + +<p>The gloom of the bush ere the moon rose added to +his difficulties. With no landmark to serve as a +guide he had to rely absolutely upon his instinctive +sense of locality, and kept steadily in the one direction, +although that meant riding over the rugged +ground, barred by tumbled boulders and thickly +growing trees, which formed the almost precipitous<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span> +sides of the gullies. At any time a fall was possible; +he carried his life in his hands and knew it; but the +ride was a race against odds, and there was no time +to heed.</p> + +<p>He was breasting the rise of what he believed to be +the last of the ridges he would have to cross, when +the laboured breathing of his horse told him it was +almost done. Leaning forward in his saddle, he +patted it on the neck and spoke to it as a man who +has realised the companionship between himself +and a favourite horse will do. Responding to the +encouragement, it mounted to the summit of the +ridge and quickened its pace as it felt it was on level +ground again. But where the other ridges had +been flat on the top, this one was little more than a +razor-back. No sooner was the ascent completed +than the descent began. The horse caught in its +stride to steady itself, tripped, stumbled, and came +down. Durham was flung over its head like a stone +from a catapult.</p> + +<p>Fortunately he came to the ground on the broad +of his back, though with such force that he was +momentarily stunned. His horse picked itself up +and stood trembling and panting long before he +was able to scramble to his feet. Even when he +did so his head was spinning and he could barely +stand.</p> + +<p>With unsteady steps he went to his horse and +took hold of the bridle. To attempt to ride it further +was obviously out of the question, and he led it +slowly down to the bottom of the slope, tethering it +securely to a tree in the shelter of the gully. Then,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span> +pulling himself together, he set off up the opposite +slope on foot.</p> + +<p>His head was still swimming from the concussion +of his fall, and into it there came the humming he +had experienced after his adventure at Taloona. +It made him so dizzy that he sank down on a boulder, +resting his head on his hands until the humming +and throbbing should pass. As he sat there came +a sound to his ears which made him start to his feet, +forgetful of the giddiness, forgetful of everything +save the sound and all that it signified.</p> + +<p>Through the silence of the bush came the measured +tread of a walking horse.</p> + +<p>It was evidently crossing the gully below, for, +as he listened, the pace quickened to a trot and then +to a canter and then became suddenly faint and +muffled.</p> + +<p>In an instant Durham read the significance of it. +The horse had crossed the gully on to level ground +and, urged by its rider, had cantered out of hearing. +Exactly such a thing would happen were the gully +he had crossed the one which came out on to the +level sandy margin of the pool.</p> + +<p>The realisation sent a chill through him. The rise +up which he was climbing must be the ridge which +formed the bluff above the cave. If he were not over +it quickly, the Rider would be the first at the cave +and Durham's scheme for his capture defeated.</p> + +<p>The thought drove the last vestige of dizziness +from his brain. He faced the slope and forced his +way through the tangled undergrowth until he +came to the top and saw the moonlight gleaming<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span> +on the surface of the pool and illuminating with its +silvery sheen the open space at the foot.</p> + +<p>There was no sign of the horse he expected to see, +and no sound came from the cave. With his carbine +ready, he crept slowly and silently down until he was +at the mouth. A stray moonbeam fell upon the +spot where he had seen the clothes on his former +visit. The spot was bare.</p> + +<p>He was about to step into the cavern when he +heard the distant tread of the horse. Quickly drawing +back, he hid himself behind a clump of shrubs which +sheltered him, while leaving him a clear view in +front up to the line of bushes stretching from the +bank to the water's edge. There he waited, while +the sound of the horse approaching became more +and more distinct.</p> + +<p>Presently it was so clear he could hear the snapping +of the twigs of the undergrowth as they were trampled +down, and he levelled his carbine so as to cover the +man immediately he and his horse emerged from the +line of bushes. But when the animal appeared, +for the moment Durham thought it was riderless. +Only when it reached the middle of the open space +and was almost directly below him did he see the +man, lying forward over the withers, with his arms +weakly clinging to the horse's neck and his legs +swaying limply as they dangled with the feet out of +the stirrups.</p> + +<p>Of its own accord the horse stopped. The man painfully +pushed himself up until he was able to turn +his head and look from side to side.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span></p> + +<p>He was scarcely ten yards from Durham, and the +clear light of the moon revealed the face as distinctly +as though it were day. The close-cropped hair, fair +almost to whiteness, the eyebrows and eyelashes +of the same hue; the general form of the face showing +above the beard were incongruously, yet elusively, +familiar, while the pallor of the cheeks and the +anguish of the eyes told of the terrible injury the +man had sustained.</p> + +<p>He was trying to push himself up so as to sit in +the saddle. Only his arms seemed to have any +strength, for the legs still dangled limply and the +fingers clutched the horse's mane convulsively as +the body swayed. The moonlight fell full upon the +face, glistening on the beads of moisture which stood +out on the skin.</p> + +<p>A twinge of pity passed through Durham's heart +as he watched the agony of the stricken wretch. The +effort to maintain his balance was more than the +weakened muscles could stand. A deep groan broke +from his lips as his arms gave way; his head fell +and he plunged forward, slipping over the horse's +shoulder and coming head first to the ground, where +he lay in a limp, dishevelled heap.</p> + +<p>Freed from its burden, the animal stepped forward +and moved to a tree where it had evidently been +accustomed to find its feed, for it snorted impatiently +and shook itself as it sniffed round the trunk. But +Durham had no eyes for it; he was watching, with +fascinated intentness, the figure lying motionless +on the ground.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span></p> + +<p>Slipping from behind the sheltering shrubs, he +approached the man with noiseless steps. There +was no sign of life in the figure which lay as it had +fallen, but across the lower part of the back the +clothes were stained with blood. A bullet had struck +him almost on the spine, and the dangling limbs +were explained. The shot had paralysed them.</p> + +<p>Durham stooped over him. The faintest flicker of +breathing showed he was still alive. He lay on his +face, his arms out-flung, his legs twisted. Drawing +the arms together, Durham slipped a strap round +them above the elbows so as to hold them secure. +Then he partly lifted him from the ground and +dragged him to the mouth of the cave, where he sat +him with his back against the rock.</p> + +<p>The head drooped forward. In his waist-belt there +was a revolver-pouch which Durham, on removal, +found to contain a revolver of heavy calibre loaded +in all chambers.</p> + +<p>Now that he was unarmed and secured, Durham +knelt beside him to try and revive him. He gently +raised the head and rested it against the stone, +holding it steady with one hand while with the other +he lifted off the false beard.</p> + +<p>As the disguise came away and left the face fully +exposed, Durham's heart stood still. With a cry he +sprang to his feet, staggering back to stand, with +clenching hands and throbbing temples, staring +blankly at the white, drawn face upturned to +his.</p> + +<p>The humming roar was again in his ears, a trembling<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span> +seized his limbs, his brain reeled and the scene spun +before his eyes.</p> + +<p>"Oh, my God!" he cried.</p> + +<p>Slowly the eyelids lifted and a spasm of pain contracted +the pallid face. The glance rested for a +moment on Durham as a faint wan smile flickered +round the corners of the bloodless lips and the eyelids +drooped again.</p> + +<p>The sound of his own voice in a hoarse, strained +whisper jarred on Durham's ears.</p> + +<p>"You!" he gasped. "<i>You!</i>"</p> + +<p>The eyes opened once more.</p> + +<p>In a weak, wavering tone came disjointed words.</p> + +<p>"You said—you—would shoot him—like a dog—and +I told you—it would—kill—me if you—did."</p> + +<p>As white as his captive, Durham stood dumbfounded.</p> + +<p>The feeling of horror which had come upon him +when first he recognised the face overwhelmed him. +His heart went dead and his brain numbed. All the +roseate dreams of his romance turned to dull grey +leaden grief to flaunt and mock him.</p> + +<p>Like the panoramic vision said to come to the +minds of the drowning, the incidents on which his +love had dwelt in cherishing delight passed before +him. He saw again the sparkling eyes which had +filled him with such gladness when first that love +had come to him; saw the picture made by the +wonderfully graceful form leaning against the +verandah at Waroona Downs, bathed in the soft,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span> +romantic light of the new-born moon; saw the +pleading face turned to him as the gentle voice spoke +endearing words to gain a passing favour; saw once +more that fleeting, taunting vision on which he had +built so much despite the warning to beware of the +vagaries of a delirium-swayed brain.</p> + +<p>The visions passed. Before him, crippled and +ghastly in the last agony of life, lay the author of +this diabolical outrage upon every sensibility of his +manhood.</p> + +<p>A rage of blind, ungovernable fury swept over him. +The primitive instinct of revenge, the savage longing +to wreak, while there was yet time, a last fierce +vengeance on the one who had betrayed him, filled +his being. With a cry which ended in a curse he +sprang to where his carbine lay, seized it by the +barrel, and swung it round his head as he turned +back upon his prisoner.</p> + +<p>A gasping sigh came from the prostrate form, +and the head rolled lolling to one side.</p> + +<p>The carbine fell from Durham's hands and he +stood motionless, looking down at the figure from +which all signs of life had gone.</p> + +<p>As quickly as it had come the paroxysm of rage +left him.</p> + +<p>The man was dying, if not dead, and the hideous +riddle of the mystery still unsolved!</p> + +<p>He must not die! He must not pass beyond the +reach of human knowledge with the truth of that +tragic drama in which he had played the leading part +unrevealed.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span></p> + +<p>Durham rushed to the pool, filled his cap with +water and came back with it. Lifting up the drooping +head, he moistened the nerveless lips and bathed +the cold temples and pallid cheeks.</p> + +<p>"In the—cave—rum."</p> + +<p>The whisper was just loud enough for him to hear. +Leaning the head once more against the stone, +Durham staggered to the cave. A dark heap lay +on the ground in the shadow. He struck a +match.</p> + +<p>Numbed as his brain was by the revelation that +had come to him, he shrank back at what he +saw.</p> + +<p>A pile of woman's clothes; the skirt and jacket +which had been impressed upon his memory only a +few hours before under circumstances which form, +perhaps, the one occasion when a man heeds and remembers +what a woman wears; the jaunty hat +which had exerted so great a spell upon the masculine +population of the district, and beside it, the most +horrible of all, a wig of luxuriant coal-black hair +from which the subtle perfume that had so often +charmed him still floated.</p> + +<p>With hands which shook so that he could scarcely +hold it, he took the bottle of rum, bearing Soden's +label, from the ground beside the clothes, and hastened +to the mouth of the cave.</p> + +<p>In the cold moonlight the figure lay to all appearances +dead.</p> + +<p>Durham tore open the front of the shirt and pushed +in his hand to feel if the heart still beat.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span></p> + +<p>With the moaning cry of a heart-broken man he +reeled back. Then, in a wild fervour born of +his soul's despair, he fell on his knees beside the +prostrate form and tenderly drew the lolling head to +his breast and moistened the blue lips with the +spirit.</p> + +<p>"Oh, speak! Speak to me! Nora, speak to me and +tell me," he wailed.</p> + +<p>He reached to take her hands and remembered +how he had bound the arms. Quickly he set them +free and chafed the limp fingers.</p> + +<p>"Rum—quick—drink," came in a wavering +whisper, and he poured some of the potent spirit +between the lips.</p> + +<p>Holding her in his arms, with her head resting +on his shoulder, he waited, listening to her faint +breathing.</p> + +<p>"A little more and—I——"</p> + +<p>She was able to raise her hand to steady the +bottle which he held. Then her head fell over again +and she lay inert.</p> + +<p>He turned his face to watch her. In a momentary +fit of remorse and grief he pressed his lips to +hers.</p> + +<p>One of her arms stole round his neck and held him +to her.</p> + +<p>"Oh, my darling, my darling, how I have loved +you," he heard her whisper. "Why did you come +to me so late?"</p> + +<p>Like a chill of death the words went through his +brain.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Tell me—everything," he whispered.</p> + +<p>"Yes—before I die—if I can."</p> + +<p>"Who are you?" he said. "What is your real +name?"</p> + +<p>"Nora O'Guire. I am Kitty Lambton's youngest +daughter. I told you her story."</p> + +<p>"And Patsy?"</p> + +<p>"He was my father."</p> + +<p>"Was?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. He is at the house—dead—Dudgeon—shot +him."</p> + +<p>"Who was it robbed the bank?"</p> + +<p>"Dad and I."</p> + +<p>"And Eustace?"</p> + +<p>"No. He was innocent."</p> + +<p>A shudder of horror passed over him. The woman +whom he had loved with such an abandon, this +woman whom he held even then in his arms—he +shrank away from her, letting her fall against the +stone as the grim, sordid horror of the tragedy she +was revealing grew plain before him.</p> + +<p>"Ah, don't leave me—don't—don't," she moaned. +"Let me die in your arms—let me—oh, I love you, +love you beyond all else. I will tell you everything—everything—only +still hold me."</p> + +<p>"How did Eustace die?" His voice rang hard +and pitiless.</p> + +<p>"Oh! Give me this one last joy on earth. I am +not all bad. Don't deny me now. Hold me in your +arms, beloved. I had no faith in man or God till +I met you, and you were good to me—in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span> +coach—have you forgotten? Don't desert me—now."</p> + +<p>Like a jagged claw rending harp-strings the phrases +jarred and jangled every chord within his being.</p> + +<p>"Oh, why—why——?" he cried. "Why did +you come to this?"</p> + +<p>"Hold me and I will tell you."</p> + +<p>He knelt by her side, taking her head again +upon his shoulder while she clutched at his +hand.</p> + +<p>"My strength is going—more rum—quick."</p> + +<p>He held the bottle to her mouth in silence, loving, +loathing, pitying, and condemning.</p> + +<p>"Now. Don't stop me. Don't interrupt—only +listen."</p> + +<p>She lay still for a few minutes, gathering the last +of her energy. Presently she began.</p> + +<p>"Dad, O'Guire that is, was driven to stealing. +Mother too. All the other little ones died but me. +Dad trained me. Write to the police in London and +ask about Nora O'Guire—there are lots of other +names, but they know me under all as Nora O'Guire. +Then mother died. She made me swear not to rest +till we had revenged her on Dudgeon. We came out, +Dad and I, came out to find him. I bluffed the +bank."</p> + +<p>"But the deeds you had with you—were they +forgeries?"</p> + +<p>"No. I stole them. From a solicitor's office in +Dublin—he probably does not know they are missing. +Write to him."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Where are they now?"</p> + +<p>"In the cellar under the house—in a stone jar. +His name is on them. The bank-notes are there too. +The gold is in a——"</p> + +<p>"I have found that."</p> + +<p>She raised her head.</p> + +<p>"You found it? When?"</p> + +<p>"Early to-day. Before I met you."</p> + +<p>The head fell back. "I am glad," she said. "You +are the first man to beat me—but I love you."</p> + +<p>"Tell me how you managed to deceive everyone +as you did."</p> + +<p>"I acted. Once, for a time, when things got too +hot for us, I went on the stage. It threw the 'tecks +off the scent. I wanted to stay at it, for I liked it, +but mother was mad to ruin Dudgeon, and Dad +could not keep straight. So we began again. I +wore a wig and made up. You'll find it in the +cave."</p> + +<p>"I have seen it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, if I could only have married you," she +gasped. "If I had only met you earlier!"</p> + +<p>"But about Eustace," he said quietly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I'll tell you. I went to the bank—like this—and +saw Eustace. I slipped into the kitchen and +drugged the tea. I knew they all took it. Then +Dad and I broke in. It was quite easy. I climbed +up the verandah, opened the back door, and let Dad +in. They were all dead asleep. We took the keys and +cleared the safe. Every place was locked up again +and left just as we found it. Dad went out, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span> +when I had locked the back door I went over the +verandah again."</p> + +<p>"How did you get the gold away?"</p> + +<p>"The buggy was in the bush. We whitewashed +the horses as a blind. We knew they hated the +colour up here. It puzzled everyone."</p> + +<p>"But when did you discover this place?"</p> + +<p>"Dad knew it in the old days. He and mother +used to meet here in secret—there is a way across to +the ford—the water gets shallow in one place—it +was there Dad shot——"</p> + +<p>Her voice caught and she turned appealing eyes +to him as she struggled for breath.</p> + +<p>"Give me—rum," she muttered, and he rested her +head on his arm, while he slowly poured some of the +spirit between her lips. For a time she lay so still he +thought she had gone, till there came a wavering +sigh and she moved her head slightly.</p> + +<p>"It was—nearly—over——" she whispered.</p> + +<p>"About Eustace?" he said. "Can you tell me +now?"</p> + +<p>"Yes—I'll try," she answered. "Don't leave +me—stay with me till the end, won't you? Give me—your +word."</p> + +<p>"I will stay," he replied.</p> + +<p>The head resting on his arm turned until the eyes +looked straight into his. They were filled with the +gentle light he had seen in them when, through the +momentary lifting of the veil of unconsciousness, +he had been enabled to catch a glimpse of her real +nature.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Then I'll tell you—everything," she whispered. +"We had to fix suspicion on someone. When I saw +him he had no nerve. I offered to shelter him. He +agreed, and I let him out of the window, and pretended +to go on talking to him all the time he was getting +away into the bush. You know what happened +then."</p> + +<p>"At the bank? Yes. But what became of +Eustace?"</p> + +<p>"He was at the house. He was there the night +you came. He nearly gave himself up. He was +coming when he heard you say who you were. So +Dad knocked him on the head and put him in the +cellar."</p> + +<p>"While I was there?" Durham exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"Yes. When you went to see to your horse. Then +later we had to trick you. Dad put something in the +tea like I did at the bank, only it would have killed you +all he put in. He wanted to. He wanted to after, and +tried to, but I—I wouldn't let him—because I loved +you. But I made you sleep that night—Dad had to +make fresh tea, and I put the stuff in. We watched +you go off on the verandah while you were smoking, +and then tied you up. It was hard to make you wake, +but we had to—Dad had taken Eustace's handkerchief—we +knew you would be convinced if you +found it—after seeing me—and we—we shot your +horse, and made the others bolt."</p> + +<p>"But afterwards? What happened to Eustace +afterwards?" he asked as she stopped.</p> + +<p>"We had to keep him there, then, because he knew.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span> +He was there in the cellar the night you came from +Taloona. You heard him cry out. So Dad brought +him here and tied him up. He was here all the time +you were at the house. The evening after you saw +Brennan, when you talked to me on the verandah, +Dad came and found him escaping. Dad killed +him. He had to. He shammed drunk next day, +so that you should not suspect him. There is a +short cut from the house, and Dad took it after +you left, and got to the ford before you. That's +all."</p> + +<p>"When Taloona was stuck up——"</p> + +<p>"Dad and I," she said. "We didn't know you +were there. You hit me, and I—oh, darling, it broke +my heart when I saw you fall, but I had to. That is +why I took you away to nurse you. I kissed you when +you didn't know."</p> + +<p>"The other night—when you rode through the +town?"</p> + +<p>She lay silent and he repeated the question.</p> + +<p>"I was—half drunk. So was Dad. We did it out +of devilment. They were all such fools—all but you—and +you nearly shot me. The bullet grazed my +horse. You will see the cut on the shoulder. You +nearly caught Dad. He was in the police-station +when you got back. He cracked every crib in the +place—I wasn't in that."</p> + +<p>"Where did he hide?" Durham asked.</p> + +<p>"In the yard—where Eustace was—you never +looked there."</p> + +<p>A convulsive shudder ran through her.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span></p> + +<p>"But to-night—where were you going to-night +when I met you?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"To kill Dudgeon. Dad only just got home. I +could die happy if I only had."</p> + +<p>Again her frame quivered, and she was racked +with a fierce struggle to get her breath. She lay +against him, her head resting in the hollow of +his arm, her eyes closed, and her mouth twitching.</p> + +<p>"Tell him," she whispered between her panting +gasps. "Tell him—I—tried——"</p> + +<p>He touched her hands lying limply in her lap; +they were icy cold. Her head was growing heavy +on his arm and her lips were turning blue. He +moistened them once more with rum as her breathing +became almost imperceptible.</p> + +<p>For a moment her eyes opened and looked into his +with an expression of wonderful tenderness.</p> + +<p>"Dudgeon is already dead," he whispered +gently.</p> + +<p>She started and tried to sit up, but could only +raise her head.</p> + +<p>"Dead," she whispered. "Dead!"</p> + +<p>Then, as though the news galvanised her waning +strength into one last tumultuous effort, she flung +out her arms and sat up, with wide-open eyes staring +fixedly into space.</p> + +<p>"Dad! Dad!" she cried. "You did—you did, +Dad. Oh, thank——"</p> + +<p>Her arms fell, her head lolled forward, and her +body lurched against Durham as, with a broken,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span> +gasping sigh, she collapsed into a nerveless, jointless +thing.</p> + +<p>He bent his head and placed his ear to her breast +above her heart. There was not the faintest throb, +and he took his arm from around her. As he did so +she rolled over, her face upturned towards the moon, +at which her wide-open eyes stared and her mouth +gaped.</p> + +<p>The Rider of Waroona was dead!</p> + +<p>With bowed head and aching heart Durham bent +over her.</p> + +<p>All the love of his nature which had lain dormant +for so long had gone out to this woman, enfolding her, +idealising her, until she became to him the completement +of his being, the one incentive for all which was +noble within him, the mainspring of his life, the lode-stone +of his ambitions. To have won her would +have been his dearest and proudest achievement; +to have had her love would have made existence for +him a never-ending stream of happiness and joy.</p> + +<p>As a sun new risen from the night she had come into +his life, bringing light and warmth and peace where +there had been only coldness and unrest. So he had +dreamed of her only that morning; so she had +appeared to him only a few hours since when, at her +bidding, trusting her, believing in her, loving her, +he had turned his back on his duty—betrayed.</p> + +<p>Resentment at the treachery warred with his love +and tinged his sorrow with bitterness. How she had +played with him, tricking him, fooling him, outwitting +him—and yet loving him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span></p> + +<p>The memory of the last fond look of lingering +tenderness which had been in her eyes ere he told +her Dudgeon was dead came to him. Why had he told +her that? Why had he not let her die as she was +then, with the gentle side of her nature dominating +her, filled with the one soft impulse she perhaps +had ever known?</p> + +<p>The words had slipped from his tongue almost +before he knew, and on the instant there had come +back to her the overshadowing influence which +had warped her life for evil even before she was +born.</p> + +<p>By his hand she had died; by his words her last +moments had been filled with the blackness of insensate +hate.</p> + +<p>Before the mute condemnation of that self-accusing +thought the bitterness which had been in his +mind against her dissipated. Whatever ills she had +done to him, he had done greater to her. Whatever +ills she had done to humanity were the outcome +not of her own nature, but of the circumstances +and conditions which had governed her from the +moment she was born. All that she had said during +the last evening he spent at her house recurred +to him and a new significance dawned into the +words.</p> + +<p>She had spoken of herself, pleaded for herself, +striven to rouse his sympathy and compassion, +so that, within the sombre barrenness of her ill-starred +life, one spot there might be where the +loving kindness of human charity had fallen and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span> +made it bright. He remembered how he had answered +her—coldly, sternly, crushing down her awakening +soul with the same callous indifference which had +always met her. With the pitiless weight of a +loveless life, what wonder she was warped, distorted, +marred? More sinned against than sinning, he had +no right nor will to blame her—only the love she +had inspired in him remained, to fill his heart with +sadness and drag it down with the hopeless desolation +of vain regrets.</p> + +<p>For she had gone from him even as she revealed +the love she bore him, gone into the darkness by +his own act, gone—his throat grew hard until he +choked as the thought came to him—gone from a +greater degradation he, by the merciless irony of +fate, would have had to fasten upon her.</p> + +<p>Better, a thousand times better for her, that she +should be as she was than that she should have lived +to face the doom awaiting her—better for her—and +better for him.</p> + +<p>It was nothing to him now that the story she had +told showed her, by all the laws of humanity, to be +unworthy. Black as she had painted herself, the +love she had inspired shone through the blackness, +revealing only that which lay beyond, the radiant +purpose, unmeasurable by human standards, transcending +human ken.</p> + +<p>He knelt again by her side, taking her cold hands +in his and placing them upon her breast, closing +the staring eyes, composing the wry-drooped mouth, +straightening the twisted limbs.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, my love, my love," he wailed. "Sleep on in +peace. Sleep on till I shall come to you. Wait for +me, for I must stay awhile yet to shield and shelter +you so that none may know the secret of your +life."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX</h2> + +<h3>THE ASHES OF SILENCE</h3> + + +<p>Wallace and Harding were seeing all was secure +in the bank before retiring for the night when a +sharp rap sounded at the front door.</p> + +<p>"Hullo, what's this?" Wallace exclaimed. "Will +you see who it is?"</p> + +<p>Harding went to the door and opened it. On the +step Durham was standing.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's you, Durham. Come in," he said. +"We've been discussing things or we should have +been in bed an hour or more ago. What's the +news?"</p> + +<p>Without a word Durham stepped in and walked +to the room where Wallace was waiting at the door. +Directly he came into the light both Harding and +Wallace uttered exclamations of surprise.</p> + +<p>"Why, what has happened?" the latter cried. +"My dear fellow—you look thoroughly done up—you +are as haggard as a man of sixty. You've overdone +it. Let me get you a whisky."</p> + +<p>Durham shook his head and sat down, resting one +hand on the table at his side, the other on his knee. +His uniform was soiled and torn, his face lined and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span> +grey, and his eyes heavy as with a great weariness. +The quick alertness he had shown when he was with +them earlier in the day had gone; he looked, as +Wallace had expressed it, an old, haggard man, listless, +without vitality, lacking even the energy to +talk.</p> + +<p>The two stood watching him in silence, the same +question in each one's mind—what could have +happened to produce so great a change in a man +in so short a time?</p> + +<p>"Are you sure you won't let me get you something?" +Wallace said presently as Durham neither +moved nor spoke. "You are quite worn out. Won't +you take——"</p> + +<p>Durham raised his hand as he shook his head +again.</p> + +<p>"I only want you to send away a telegram at +once to your head office," he said in a voice so +dull and hollow that it caused even a greater +shock to his companions than his appearance had +done.</p> + +<p>"There would not be anyone to receive it at this +time of night," Wallace replied. "But it shall go +the first thing in the morning."</p> + +<p>"If you will write it now, I will leave it at the +post office," Durham said in the same lifeless tone.</p> + +<p>Wallace rose, forcing a smile.</p> + +<p>"It is already written, Durham," he said pleasantly. +"It states you have succeeded in recovering the +stolen gold, and asks for authority to pay you the +reward at once and in public."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You must not send that."</p> + +<p>The forced smile faded as Wallace stood staring; +the expression both in Durham's voice and on his +face was so hopelessly despondent, that into Wallace's +mind there came a fear lest the recovered gold had +again disappeared.</p> + +<p>"Not send that?" he asked wonderingly. "Why? +You said——"</p> + +<p>"I know. But you must not send it—now. +Write another."</p> + +<p>"The gold is lost?" Wallace exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"No. The gold is safe; it is on its way here now—Brennan +is bringing it. What you must report at +once is that Eustace was innocent."</p> + +<p>"Eustace innocent?"</p> + +<p>Wallace and Harding uttered the exclamation +simultaneously.</p> + +<p>"Innocent. Absolutely innocent. Tell Mrs. +Eustace too. It may bring her a grain of comfort +in her distress."</p> + +<p>Without raising his head or lifting his eyes, Durham +spoke in the voice of a man upon whom the weight +of desolation has fallen. To his hearers it suggested +failure, defeat, and the consequent loss of professional +prestige. To Wallace, whose concern was mostly +for the recovery of the Bank's money, the suggestion +did not convey so much as it did to Harding. He +knew more of Durham's views, had heard him +express time and again his absolute conviction as to +the guilt of Eustace. The case, as Durham had put +it, was so entirely clear against the late manager<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span> +that to hear him now declared innocent, and by the +man who had accumulated evidence against him, +reduced Harding's mind to a blank.</p> + +<p>"What are you saying, Durham?" he heard +Wallace exclaim with impatience. "What do you +mean? Eustace innocent? Why—great Heavens, +man, if he were innocent——"</p> + +<p>"He was absolutely innocent, Mr. Wallace. As +innocent as Mr. Harding."</p> + +<p>"But——" Harding passed his hand across his +forehead.</p> + +<p>"It is true," Durham said in a subdued tone. +"I was entirely misled, entirely."</p> + +<p>"But—then—well, how was the bank robbed?" +Harding cried.</p> + +<p>"I know how it was robbed; by whom it was +robbed; everything," Durham replied.</p> + +<p>"Who was it?" Wallace asked.</p> + +<p>Durham remained silent, his eyes fixed on the +floor.</p> + +<p>"The Rider?" Harding said.</p> + +<p>"That name will do. The Rider and another. +They are both dead. I saw one die—from a bullet +in the back. I fired it. I have seen the other dead +from a bullet Mr. Dudgeon fired. The missing notes +I have recovered. I have them here."</p> + +<p>He put his hand inside his tunic and drew out +a closely tied bundle which he laid on the +table.</p> + +<p>"Will you check them and see if the total is +correct?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Now?" Wallace asked.</p> + +<p>"If you please."</p> + +<p>"But will not to-morrow morning do? It is +enough to have as many as these back without going +through them so late at night."</p> + +<p>"I shall not be here to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"You are surely not going away—not until——"</p> + +<p>"I shall not be here to-morrow," Durham repeated.</p> + +<p>The tone in which he spoke stopped further discussion.</p> + +<p>"We can check them in here—I will fetch the +register," Harding said, as he rose and went to +the office, returning in a few moments with the +book.</p> + +<p>While he and Wallace checked the notes with +the list of those stolen, Durham sat at the end +of the table in the same position he had first +assumed.</p> + +<p>"They are all here," Wallace said in a subdued +voice, when the checking was complete. The presence +of this grey-faced, silent, sad-eyed man was getting +on his nerves.</p> + +<p>"The gold and the things stolen from the bank +will be here in a few minutes; Brennan is bringing +them."</p> + +<p>"And the deeds—Mrs. Burke's deeds? Have +you no trace of them?"</p> + +<p>"They are returned to the owner."</p> + +<p>"But they ought to be here. The Bank advanced +money on them."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I am sorry. I cannot help it now. You will +have to hold the deeds of Waroona Downs instead."</p> + +<p>"We have those," Harding said quietly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, well then, it does not matter so much, +though it is still very irregular, you know," Wallace +replied.</p> + +<p>Durham stood up and turned to Harding. "You +will tell Mrs. Eustace? Tell her I am more than +sorry for her in her trouble, but she can console +herself that she was right. Her husband was innocent. +Good-bye."</p> + +<p>With bent head and slow steps he passed from the +room and from the bank, closing the door after +him.</p> + +<p>"But what does it mean? What does it +all mean?" Wallace cried as the front door +slammed.</p> + +<p>"We may know to-morrow," Harding replied. +"There must be something horribly tragic to have +affected Durham so much. Better leave it as it +stands, I think. He would have spoken had there +been anything more he could have said."</p> + +<p>"Did he mean the gold was coming here to-night?"</p> + +<p>"I gathered so. Shall I walk up to the station +and ask Brennan?"</p> + +<p>But before he could do so Brennan arrived at the +bank.</p> + +<p>"Where will you have it put?" he asked. "I've +got it out at the back by the fence."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We'll both give you a hand with it," Wallace +replied.</p> + +<p>They went out at the back door. A light cart was +standing beyond the fence, with something in it +covered by a tarpaulin. Brennan pulled the cover +away and revealed the pile of bags.</p> + +<p>"There is hardly anything missing," Wallace +exclaimed when everything had been carried into +the bank and the amount checked. "It is one of +the smartest things I have ever encountered. The +way your sub-inspector has traced and recovered +this is nothing short of marvellous."</p> + +<p>"He told me to say, sir, that it seemed to him +only a right thing for you to do to let Mr. Eustace +be brought here so that the funeral could be from +the bank."</p> + +<p>"Well, of course we must consult Mrs. Eustace +about that," Wallace answered. "I'll see Mr. +Durham in the morning——"</p> + +<p>"Sorry to say you won't, sir," Brennan interrupted. +"He's on his way now to the junction. He +told me that what he had discovered he would have +to report personally to the chief. Just what it is +I haven't the faintest idea, but it's something +pretty hot, if you ask me. I've never seen the sub-inspector +curled up over anything like he is over +this."</p> + +<p>"He told us he had shot the Rider," Harding +said.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, sir, he told me that too. What I'm inclined +to think is that he discovered him to be a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</a></span> +member of some big family in the south, and is +anxious for their sake to keep the name secret. It's +just the sort of thing some young blood might do +if he were in an awkward hole—a chance of lifting a +big sum such as this is a pretty strong temptation +to anyone in a hole."</p> + +<p>"That may be it. One never knows. He may +even have been a friend of Durham's," Wallace said +musingly. "Certainly something has upset him very +much. You don't know what became of the papers +he found, do you? The papers Mrs. Burke left with +the Bank?" he added.</p> + +<p>"I know nothing about them, sir; but he told +me to ride out to Waroona Downs the first thing in +the morning and tell Mrs. Burke to come in and see +you. Perhaps she may know something about +them."</p> + +<p>"Ah, very likely," Wallace said. "He told us he +had returned them to the owner. I expect that is it, +Harding. He has sent or given them to her. She +will be able to put the matter straight, however, +when she comes in."</p> + +<p>"I should have liked to let Mrs. Eustace know to-night, +but it is too late now," Harding remarked. +"It's long after midnight."</p> + +<p>"Go over directly after breakfast in the morning. +I'll see to the office until you return. It will be +necessary to wire to the general manager about +Durham's suggestion, but we must have her opinion +first."</p> + +<p>"I suppose she has heard about Mr. Dud<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</a></span>geon," +Harding said. "It's a bad business all +through."</p> + +<p>"There is his will, Harding; don't forget that. +Not many people would be inclined to call that +a bad business if they were in Mrs. Eustace's +place."</p> + +<p>It was the one grain of comfort Harding felt he +was carrying with him when, on the following morning, +he walked through the town to Smart's cottage.</p> + +<p>Already the news of the Rider's end was +common property. When Mrs. Eustace came to +him in the little sitting-room, it was of that she +spoke.</p> + +<p>"Oh, who was he, Fred? Bessie heard that Mr. +Durham had refused to tell anyone but you. Is that +so? Surely I may know. Surely I am entitled to +so small a satisfaction as that?"</p> + +<p>"I do not know who he was," Harding replied. +"Durham came to us late last night, too late for me +to come and tell you, but he mentioned no name. +He said something I would have liked to have been +able to repeat to you at once, but it was too late. +So I have come as early as this. Durham asked +me specially to come. He said—he hoped +you——"</p> + +<p>She drew herself up as he paused, clasped her +hands, and pressed them to her breast.</p> + +<p>"What is it, Fred? You have some—something +terrible—to say," she said in a whisper.</p> + +<p>"Not terrible, Jess, but it is sad. Durham said<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</a></span> +he hoped you would find some consolation in it. +So do I. So do we all. The Rider, whoever he may +have been, confessed. He said Eustace was innocent."</p> + +<p>She remained quite still, without a sound, staring +at him.</p> + +<p>"The bank was robbed by the Rider and another, +Durham said, but Eustace was not one of the two. +He was absolutely innocent. We have wired to the +general manager to say so."</p> + +<p>"Fred, I don't believe it. I can't believe it. Why +did he run away if he were innocent? I will never +rest until I know who the man Mr. Durham shot +really was. Where is Mr. Durham?"</p> + +<p>"He has left Waroona, Jess. He told Brennan he +could only report personally to his chief the truth +about the man. Brennan thinks he was someone +connected with one of the big families, and that is +why the name is not made known."</p> + +<p>"But I insist on knowing. Was he shot? Is it +true, or is it some hideous blind? I will know, Fred, +I will know!"</p> + +<p>"Durham was too much cut up when he came to +us last night, Jess, for it to be a blind. A tragedy +it may be, but not a blind."</p> + +<p>"But who was the man? Whoever he was he +killed Charlie, killed him, Fred. They have no +right to hide his name. Besides—how do we know +he was shot? Durham said so, but where is the +body?"</p> + +<p>He shook his head.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Jess," he said, "it is sad enough. What the +mystery is I cannot say, but if it has cleared Charlie's +name——"</p> + +<p>She sank into a chair and buried her face in her +hands.</p> + +<p>"Oh, that will not bring him back!" she sobbed. +"What will that do now?"</p> + +<p>He bent over her, with his hand on her shoulder.</p> + +<p>"I know," he said, "I know how bitter it is, how +hard."</p> + +<p>"I said they would find him innocent when—when +he had gone," she exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"The Bank wants to make what amends it can," +he said softly. "Will you let——"</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't ask me," she moaned. "I know what +you would say. Do as you think best."</p> + +<p>"Then I will arrange it?"</p> + +<p>She bent her head in answer.</p> + +<p>"I should have gone away," she said as she +rose and walked across the room. "You were +right. I should never have stayed, never, +never!"</p> + +<p>"Don't think me cruel, Jess," he said; "but +there is something more I must tell you. Have you +heard about Mr. Dudgeon?"</p> + +<p>She nodded.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes," she answered. "Poor old man. He +was here yesterday. He——"</p> + +<p>"He came to the bank," he said, as she was silent. +"He left something in my charge, Jess, and made +me promise you should have it at once if anything<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</a></span> +happened to him. It was his will. He has left +everything to you."</p> + +<p>She turned quickly.</p> + +<p>"Fred—Fred——" she gasped as she held out her +hands and groped in the air.</p> + +<p>He caught her as she swayed.</p> + +<p>For a time she lay in his arms, finding a woman's +relief in a flood of tears. Not until she grew calm +did he speak.</p> + +<p>"You must go away to-morrow," he said softly. +"Go away and rest where you will not be harassed +by all the memories which cling around this place. +Promise me you will."</p> + +<p>She raised her head and looked him in the face +through her tears.</p> + +<p>"Fred, you know why I cannot leave. Even now, +with all this tragedy over me, with him—lying over +there—he whom I suspected and blamed—don't think +ill of me; but my heart would have been broken but +for you."</p> + +<p>He drew her to him again, held her close to him, +kissed her upturned lips.</p> + +<p>"I will leave too," he whispered. "I will come +after. Will you promise now?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," she answered simply.</p> + +<p>When he returned to the bank, Brennan rode up +at a gallop.</p> + +<p>"Oh, a terrible thing has happened!" he cried +as he came into the office. "Waroona Downs has +been burned to the ground in the night and both +Mrs. Burke and old Patsy burned to death in their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</a></span> +beds. I warned her that one of these days that +drunken old man would do some damage, but she +wouldn't listen to me. Now there's the place in +ruins and ashes. It must have burned out hours +ago, for there's not a spark left, only the remains of +the two lying charred to cinders."</p> + +<p>Coming on top of the other news circulating +amongst the townsfolk, the destruction of Waroona +Downs, with its two inmates, exhausted the local +capacity for wonder.</p> + +<p>The whole township followed Eustace from the +bank, forgetting their earlier condemnation of him +now that his innocence had been declared, and being +only anxious to testify their sympathy with the +woman who had suffered so much in their midst. +They would have turned out <i>en masse</i> and escorted +her some miles on her way to the junction when she +set out from Waroona for the south, but word was +passed round that she wanted to go away in silence, +unobserved.</p> + +<p>Three months later Harding followed her. There +was no staying the township then. He was the last +of the active participants in the tragic mystery to +leave the place, and it was an open secret he was +going to join the one for whom they all felt deeply. +So they made up in his send-off for the restraint +they had exercised upon themselves when she bade +the town a silent farewell.</p> + +<p>The memory of that festivity still lives in the +local annals, and ever, as a stranger asks for the +story of the Rider, the send-off of the banker is the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</a></span> +conclusion of the tale. In vain the stranger may +ask for particulars as to who the Rider was.</p> + +<p>The charred ashes of Waroona Downs had no +tongue wherewith to tell what happened the night +fire came to wipe the homestead from the earth.</p> + +<hr style="width: 25%;" /> + +<div class="center">WILLIAM BRENDON AND SON, LTD<br /> +PRINTERS PLYMOUTH</div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Rider of Waroona, by Firth Scott + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE RIDER OF WAROONA *** + +***** This file should be named 27061-h.htm or 27061-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/7/0/6/27061/ + +Produced by Nick Wall and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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