La Junta tribune., 1898-12-31
asked Bay.

vi lVck
"Oh no." replied Mr.. Hall, laughing,
Il hear you are rather afraid of
mounting horse, but have left my
mare Vinegar up in the yard. She is
quite quiet. so you need not be alarmed.
One OF the men will saddle her for you,
if you don't know how to set about
It,"
Tom Baynes set out shortly after the
mems dinner was served. amidst roars
OF laughter and much chan from the
station hands.
What, never been on horse before,
Tom?" cried one. Get along with
you. Hold tight on TO her mane-that
way. Now then, off you go. Stick to
her. mate, Ho, no. ho,"-and, spank
ing the old mare on the flank with his
hand. he started her of in the proper
direction.
MIR. Hall stopped at the kitchen upon
his return in the evening. and called
one OF the men out to take his horse.
Has Baynes come back YETI" he
asked
NO. sir" the man replied. Il don't
see how he could get back tonight.
They will have to unload n good part
OF two drays to get at the things he
wants"
True. All, well. there's not much
fear OF his getting on the drink
that's one reason why | sent him! II
you had gone, Charlie" he added to
the man. Il don't suppose l should
have seen you back for a month"
Very likely, sir-that Is, II once /
tasted replied Charlie. Most curl
Gus way it is with me-if don't taste
I don't want 1t, once I've had sup.
there's no stopping of me. / must go
right away to the end of my cheque."
We'll. take my advice. and never
taste again, Charlie" said his master,
as he walked off in the direction Of the
house.
While this conversation took place,
Robert Luke was standing close by;
and shortly afterwards he walked over
to the store. where everything the men
required could be purchased. from
boots and shirts to patent pills.
Good evening. Luke" said the
storekeeper "And hows the world
using you? Want some tobacco, or
what? We shall have heap of new
things up In day or two, when the
drays arrive"
NO, thank you." replied Luke; 81
just came over to beg an envelope and
a sheet of paper. The mailbag is
made up tonight, Isn't it?"
Yes. in half an hour. Writing to
your girl. Luke?" asked the man as he
threw over the required articles. Put
1t short and sweet"
mo. l am not writing to my girl"
replied Luke-''only to brother"
Leaning on the counter In a quiet
corner of the store, Robert Luke set
to work, and wrote the following let
ter
Care OF Charles Hall. Esq, Redmount
Station, Barrier Ranges, N. S. Wales,
May 25th, 1S-.
Dear Bill-Come out at once. Never
mind the. public. Leave your wife to
look after it. I am on the right track.
didn't serve five years in the Metro
politan Police for nothing. When
landed made my way up country.
didn't stay long in Sydney, as thought
1t was the wrong place to look for
them. You know felt certain that
they had made for Australia, because
in Bartlett's evidence he swore you
had talked of going there; and you
assured me afterwards that it was him
as was always talking Of 1t.
Well, after working my way from
station to station. I arrived here, The
first night !, entered the kitchen I was
startled by the resemblance OF the
cook-a man called Baynes-to the
girl Anne Dodson who gave evidence
at your trial, and who is now wanted.
He bears such strong likeness to her
that / am sure he must be relation.
What is more. he is lately out from
home, and there is a mystery about his
wife, who is constantly shut up In a
hut here. My belief is that Baynes is
Anne Dodson's brother and is keeping
her here in hiding until he can clear
her off elsewhere.
/ mean to see her tonight. whether
or no. Baynes is away fetching some
stores, and won't be home until morn
ing. So now's my chance!
will let you know by next mail how
1 succeed, but don't wait for letters.
Come out here-we'll have that thou
sand pounds yet, You can swear to
them, as you lived in the same service.
/ cannot be certain, as only caught a
glimpse OF them in the court, but I
fancy l should know the man Bartlett
anywhere. 1 will remain here or in
the neighborhood until your arrival.
Your affectionate brother.
ROBERT LUKE.
varysburg. N. Y.
The envelope was addressed to Mr..