The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1899-08-10
CHAPTER X.

The night was dark, and the low We
randa prevented the dim light from
within shining upon his features as he
sat silently in his saddle.
Presently Sullivan came out. follow
ed by the stranger, who seemed un-
steady in his gait. and had evidently
been drinking.
Are you from Redmount station?"
asked the newcomer huskily.
Yes" replied Baynes, looking down,
and trying to get a glimpse of the
mans features. But he did not succeed
in doing so, for the stranger stood in
the doorway with his back to the light.
do you know chap by the name
of Robert Luke?"
'Luke?" echoed Baynes and Sullivan
in one breath.
Yes, Luke-Robert Luke Why, YOU
both seem quite astonished. am his
brother, William Luke"
Sullivan was the first to speaks
IF you are Bob Luke's brother. I
have bad news to tell you, which you
don't appear to have heard"
bad news! What is lt?"
He disappeared from Redmount sta
ton some months ago, and nothing has
ever been heard of him since"
But he must be somewhere in the
neighborhood, l tell you! l have a
letter from him in my pocket, and in
it he says, if he is not at Redmount
when l arrive, he will be somewhere
not far off,"
When did he writer" asked Sulli-
van.
Let me see," replied William Luke,
pulling some papers out of his breast
pocket-'it is dated May 25th."
May 25th?" cried Sullivan. why
that's the very day on which he disap-
peared!"
Good heavens, and have come all
this way But stop, you-halloa--
tell that man to stop! have message
for Mr.. Hail."
But, while they were examining the
letter near the lamp over the bar.
Baynes had started off into the dark
ness; and the sound of his horses feet
was now scarcely to be heard, as he
galloped along the track leading to the
station.
"That lad'll break his neck riding
like that on a dark highland serve
him right, too. I've never seen a shil-
ling of his money, and don't suppose |
ever shall. Drat such mean beggars,
I say!" growled Sullivan, as he stood
at the door looking in the direction
Baynes had taken.
Mr.. Hall was patiently waiting for
the mail when Baynes raped at the
door.
why, Baynes, how quick you have
been!" he said, taking the bags from
him. 81 shall have to make you post
boy-in-chief. Sullivan's has generally
so great an attraction for the men that
they never come back with letters till
midnight suppose the coach was in
when you got there?"
Eyes, SIR" replied Baynes: "and 7
am sorry to say that l have got some
bad news"
Indeed That's unfortunate. But you
have not opened the bag?"
mo, sir; the driver brought I'D a let
ter for me from Sydney. l am afraid
must go down at once"
"The driver, Sam Jones?"
Eyes, sir"
"Oh, that's a nuisance! did not
know you had friends out there, Tom. /"
"A sister, sir, lately out from home.
She is very ill-indeed, is expected to
die"
We'll, the coach will be going down
in few days"
I'm afraid sir. cannot wait: I
must go tonight"
Tonight? Nonsense, man! How do
you propose to go?"
"On horseback, sir; have two
horses of my own"
"You would get there much faster by
the mail"
IL am going to take my wife along
| Win me, said baynes, in q faltering
| tone.
Your wife? What next? Surely
she is not in At condition for a six
hundred-miles' ride!"
I'VE might catch the coach at Menin-
der, sir" said Baynes. "That would
only be hundred miles to ride; and I
think she can manage that"
Mr.. Hall looked very much surprised
Baynes, however, remained Arm in his
intention of leaving, and so at last the
squatter reluctantly gave his consent
to his departure.
TITS the maddest thing ever heard
Of" he grumbled. Taking his wife too
above all things; and battered myself