The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-03-21

stood. The latter responded in his usual
manner with a wink
Having thus been assured that my
right TO consort with rogues was unde-
niable, the slim man grinned genially
at me. That's soon DONE" he exclaimed,
as he tossed off his glass. Brandy for
me-"
As Magnify set the glasses before US.
threw down sovereign Keep the
change. Mac for drinks. and tell US
when it's DONE | saids
The two strangers exchanged Chances.
er seem pretty flush, mate" said he
of the black beard.
Been carpentering for a cove around
here" l answered, and he give me an
Where may that be?' asked the
small man.
"On Ingram's place. where the captain
was shot" I answered
And agin the two men started and
looked at one another
What captain was that" asked
Bleack-beard, trying to seem uncon-
cerned.
Don't yer know" l said with leer.
Have another drink. / don't care how
soon the yellow boy is done. I'll get
plenty more by and by. though my job
here is up on Saturday"
Got another billet?" asked Frank
m going back TO good one as soon
as l can get over 10 the Melbourne side
Ny cove expects me. ThereH be five of
US"
And who may your cove be-" said
Jem i'm a more cordial tone
l looked round the room before 7 an
swered, and then, leaning over the table,
as II fearful of being overheard. | whis-
pered the single word Laurence"
Laurence was to the Melbourne force
what Flower had been TO us i'm New
South Wales. His gang had been
broken up about six months previously:
but as he himself had not been captured
/ Ventured TO experiment with his
name.
1t was good card to play. and it i'm
mediately took trick. for Jem asked at
once: rs he gathering again."
He is I answered: "Bendigo-way.
I'm working over to join him. Got the
office two days ago. Do yer feel in
clined TO Gomez"
Yes" said Jem. eagerly: I'm with
yer. whenever our job here is done"
How long will yer job take?"
At this point Frank. in attempting to
warn his companion, dealt me a severe
kick on the shin.
Keep yer beetle-crushers to yerself.
can't yer?' 1 growled. oh, don't think
TO bully me-" as he glared fiercely at
me. II know yer lay; and what's more
1 mean ter stand in with yer"
"Wot are We after?" said Frank I'VE
amt on no lay"
Amt yer?" 1 sneered. What about
Flowers blunt? Yah ! knowed yer at
once. Jem Stiles and Frank Burton
Have yer struck the pile?'' asked Jem
with a sort of terror in his voice. rs
that why we're so hush?"
No; but I'm going ter get my share.
or III blow the whole gaff" Here
Franks hand stole TO his hip Keep
Yer hand up, Frank ! went on. Two
can play It that game. We're too near
ha ton ,-l,fr - -
no reason for quarreling. I've told yer
my lay. and I've spotted yers''
Franks ferret face was twisted into a
malignant scowl; but Jem gave sort
of grOan. as he said heavily. Since
yer know so much, / don't see as we
can stop Yer knowing more Yer can
come with us and share fair and square,
If yerll keep yer mouth shut"
l grfnned. When do yer start?"
Early morn. for Log Mountain" an
7wered Jem. oh, drop it. Frank as
the latters boot found its right mark.
all"
4 don't half like it," snarled Frank
'WOt does he want putting in his oar?"
"Yer've got to like it. my daisy" said
]; and Sein' l knows what ! knows. and
how handy the troopers is, yer'd best be
quiet"
"Ah,' said Jem suddenly talking
of troopers, how many of EN- is in the
township just now?"
only one. Foster. they call him."
Where's the sergeant. them
Sparks, IS it? He went off about the
time | come here. On the down-track
most likely"
Hes cute I'M Send he don't get
wind We're hereabout. or he'll stop our
game somehow. No chance of him
spyin on us here. is there" And he
glanced nervously round at the dozen or
so lOaferS i'm the room
who? Sparks" put in Frank. Not
him. 1 know him we'll enough. though
he don't know me. And there's one
thing he can't hide whatever ne does"
What may be that?' 1 inquired inno-
Gently.
"A lick under the eye he got from
Mike FOrgan at Gonna. He downed
Mike. but not afore he got a mark he'll
carry 10 his grave. / tell yer. he
couldn't hide that scar whatever he
did"
Just then the clock struck II. and at
the same moment there was a thunder
ing knock at the door and Fosters
voice was heard imperatively demand
ing admission.
That's Foster" I gasped apparently
overcome with terror. Shouldn't Won
der if it's me he's after And 1 dived
under the table without further cere-
mony. while my companions shifted their
chairs so as to keep their backs TO the
door, which, after some parleN, Magnify
opened and Foster strobe in
Magnify" he said i'm a loud voice lis
that chap who is working for Mr.. In
gram here just now?
We'll" answered Magnify. looking
round the room. 'he was here few
minutes ago. sir But L reckon he's
gone"
"Humph" said Foster. (Which way
did he go?''
I'm sure l can't say, sir
Won't. you mean" snapped Foster.
We'll. see here. Magnify; if that man.
Pete Larkin"-the name / had assumed
turns up again, | require YOU to re-
port the fact to me. l have reason to
believe he is the very man the Mel
bourne troopers are after-One Of Lau-
rence's gang, i'm fact. Who are you2"
he continued roughly swinging round to
the table under which l groVeed, clasp
ing Frank and Jem by the legs, as If IN
mute appeal though. after my threat l
knew there was little chance of their
turning on me.
We're shearers. sir" said Frank in
answer to Fosters query. We're go
ing to try for a job at Toomburra in
the morning"
"Shearers. are you?" said Foster in a
hectoring tone. We'll. you may be.
though | have my doubts of you. I'll
ride over to Toomburra tomorrow, and if
you are not there. the farther away from
here you are. the better for you. Now,
Magnify. remember what I said about
d. nj ax-iY,