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

| mand a distant view OF the hut The
| squire was not in sight: but Murphy was
| still sitting on the log from which he
| presently rose. gathered up his billy and
pannilxin and went into the hut. In
! about ten minutes he came out again.
| and after a searching look all around set
| on in the direction Of the township.
All! l was certain you were in it. my
man., i muttered. as I ran back TO my
horse. Il think we shall have you
now"
We'll" said Foster. as I refined up
at our quarters, what am I to do?"
Mount and away to Dead Leaf gully
Lead another horse for me along with
YOU and wait we'll out of sight till
join YOU I start on the Sydney coach
at $50. BY we shall be at the gully.
where I shall leave the coach. 1t is only
an hours ride to TOOmburra from
there"
Foster was soon off: and just before
the coach started l swung up beside the
driver
Going on the down track" he asked
Cheerily.
Yes. for a spell Times are slack here
just now; so | can get away"
Let EN- go. BILL said the driver.
gathering up his reins. 'Hullo, who's
that Out Of the road. dern yer. un-
less yer want ter be killed" AS he
spoke he hicked his whip at a man who
was standing with his hand on the
flank of the near wheeler. The long
lash curled sharply round the man. and
as he shrank back with muttered
curse, the light of the coach lamp fell
upon his face. and l recognized Muir
ply.
Come to see me off" thought glee-
fully The plot thickens"
To tho drivers intense surprise. / got
off the coach AT Dead Leaf gully, leav-
ing him 90 surmise what he chose. as /
f.r
could do no harm. When the coach was
fairly ON its way again. low whistle
sounded in the scrub To my right. l an
swered it. and Immediately afterward l
heard the tramp of horses feet, and
presently Foster came in sight.
told him all | knew as we rode rap
idly over the plains toward TOOmburra;
and when We reached the fiat about
half mile below the house. ] drew rein.
we Will off saddles here and walk up.
Tom.' | said. THAT rascal Murphy may
have returned and be on the watch,
for all we know. The squire expects us.
and we must get in without being seen
by any one else"
We took off the saddles. hobbled our
horses. and walked quietly up the rise
on the top of which the homestead OF
TOonburra was built. light was burn
ing low in the dining-room.
Go round to the back. Tom" I whis-
pered, and wait till | let you in. Keep a
sharp eye for Murphy or any one else
who may be about"
Creeping up TO the veranda. | slid be
tween the vine-coN cred posts. and softly
hailed the squire. Don't be alarmed
] called gently. 1T is 1. Sergt. Sparks.
Get up presently, and put yourself be-
tween the light and me; want to come
in without being observed
Mr.. Ingram. who- was reading. made
no sign but went quietly on with his
book In a moment or two, however.
he rose. and taking his pipe from the
mantepiece. stood against the table,
with is back to the lamp. which he thus
Obscured as il looking out into the
night. Seeing this. I at once dropped on
all tours. and crawled swiftly In through
the French window luckily left open on
account Of the heat
stand as YOU are" l muttered, as I
crawled past him into a corner: and
presently close the window as though
you were shutting up for the night"
This the squire did in the most natural
way in the world. "All fast sergeant"
he said in low tone. But what are
we to do now -
First of all. let in Foster. who is
round at the back" he answered making
for the passage. ''Hul1oi what's that?''
There was a sound of scufiling outside. Il
heavy fall, and then silence again. Rush
ing To the back door. | flung it open.
and nearly fell over Foster. who was
who have YOU got TOm?'' 1 asked.
as l recovered my balance.
Don't know" said he Il found him
sneaking round the door; and as he
couldn't give an account of himself col
Jared him. l threw him just as he was
going 10 draw on me-
Quite right. Bring him in. and let us
have look at him.
Foster disarmed the man. and forcing
him to his feet. pushed him before him
-FFr Nr I'M -
Murphy" exclaimed the squire in
establishment
Yes: l thought he would be some
where about" said. But we are in
luck's way TO get hold Of him like this.
You must have had a firing day, Muir
ply ] added sarcasucally. Did you
come up TO the house to do little car
pentering at this late hour? or have
you done the job already"
The squire looked bewildered at this:
but Murphy stood in sullen silence.
Look here. my man.. l went on.
changing my tone. the game is up for
you, at all events; so you may as we'll
tell all YOU know. Do this for me, and
I'll do what ] can for you later on. II
you persist in keeping silence. you can
take the consequences"
Murphy opened his mouth as if about
70 speak. but hesitated.
Come. l urged. 1T is your best
chance You have tempered with the
locks somewhere. w mere Is II
He can't possibly have been i'm the
house sergeant exclaimed the squire,
''Or l must have heard him"
He has been in the house. Mr.. In
gram-Of that l am perfectly sure. He
saw me safely away by to coach, as he
thought. and then bolted back here To
make his preparations. He must have
had a horse hung up somewhere. or he
couldn't have done it
At this Murphy broke out into a do
lOrous whine. I'll tell you everything"
he said If you'll only let me on
4 can't promise that I answered;
but I'll try 10 make things as light as
possible for you. 1t is all for your own
sake, YOU know. We can find out every
thing just as we'll without you. Speak
out now.
Il seen the captain" said Murphy.
after moments elaboration. about
half an hour after you left by the coach
He give me my orders. and / rode over
here bareback on a colt 1 roped in on
Fairleys paddock"
II told you So said / to the squire
'.XVeH?''
I'D Earned the lay of the house since
| been here" went on Murphy, land |
saw as one room warn't occupied. / let
Flower know this: and he thinks
road. he's going to crack the house to-
night"
Were You to let him in?"
"NO: | was to Mobile the window"
Foster left the room at a sign from
me. and Murphy resumed:
Il had just finished the job when I
haa -d he toll