The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-08-04
rom the Melbourne sids. II you must

$50 you won't lot me take that stuff
down to Sydney for you tonight"
"What stuff 1t was on the tip Of
the equire's tongue to say. when l
stopped him by adding, at will be
safer there than here.
"very likely" assented the squire.
taking my lead. "But it will be all
right here. l have no doubt. Many
thanks to you all the same Are you
really going tonight"
Eyes" said, noticing that Murphy
was watching me fixedly over the top
Of his pannikin as he pretended to
drink his tea. II have to zee about q
change Of residence for one Of my men,
Oh, by the way. nearly forgot Have
you heard about Flowerf" At this
Murphy started perceptibly.
"No," said the squire innocently
"What about himH"
II hear that he has crossed the Dor.
der and gone into Queensland to give
the sugar sifters taste of bis quail.
ty."
''Reallya" said the squire swell.
I'm sure / hope they will manage to
get hold of him before long, for be is a
very dangerous pest.
Murphy wished me good day quite
civilly as l again urged my horse into
walk, and when we were fairly out
Of hearing laughed outright. "Bravo.
squirrel" I said. "You are getting on
famoualy. You followed my lead quite
naturally"
II am surprised to find myself so
clever" be said. with an answering
smile. "What am to do powf"
go home again and make wide
leg to avoid Murphy.
I did not go very far. In front of me
was thick belt of trees. and as soon
as was. fairly in this l dismounted,
and after hanging up my horse ran
back to the border Of the grove. whence
I could command distant view of the
bay. The squire was not in sight, but
Murphy was still sitting on the log.
from which be presently rose, gathered
up his billy and pannikin and went in.
to the hut. In about ten minutes he
came out again. und after searching
look all around set off in the direction
of the township
"Ahl I was certain you were In it,
my man." l muttered as l ran back to
my horse. II think we shall have you
now"
"Well," said Foster as l refined up
to our quarters, "what am l to dor"
"Mount and away to Dead Leaf
gully. Lead another horse for ME along
with you and wait well out Of sight
till join YOU l start on the Sydney
coach at $50. By we shall be at the
gully, where shall leave the coach. It
is only an hours ride to Toomburra
from there.
Foster was soon of, and just before
the coach started l swung up beside
the driver.
"Goin on the down track2" he
asked cheerily.
"Yes, for spell. Times are slack
here just now. SO can get away"
"Let 'em go, Bill" said the driver,
gathering up his reins. "Hellol Who's
that7 Out of the road. dern yer. unless
yer want ter be killed" As be spoke
he flicked his whip at man who was
with his hand on the flank of
the near wheeler. The long lash curled
sharply round the man. and as he
shrank back with a muttered curse the
light of the coach lamp fell upon his
face, and l recognized Murphy.
"Come to see me off," l thought
gleefully. "The plot thickens.
To the drivers intense surprise, got
off the coach at Dead Leaf gully, leav-
ing him to surmise what he chose, as l
knew his gossip with the passengers
could do no harm. When the coach was
fairly on its way again, low whistle
sounded In the scrub to my right l
answered it, and Immediately after
ward heard the tramp of horses feet,
and presently Foster came in sight
l told him all knew as we rode
rapidly over the plains toward Toom.
burra, and when we reached the fat
about half mile below the house I
drew rein. 1--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
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
Toomburra was built A light was
burning low in the dining room.
go round to the back, Tom," I
land wait till let You in.
Keep sharp eye for Murphy or any
one else who may be about.
Creeping up to the veranda. slid
between the vine covered posts and
softly hailed the squire. "Don't be
l called gently. ut is I,
Sergeant Sparks. Get up presently and
put yourself between the light and me-
| want to come in without being OBJ
served"
Mr. Ingram, who was reading, made
no sign, but went quietly on with his
Dook. In moment or two, however,
lie rose, and, taking his pipe from the
stood against the table,
with his back to the lamp, which he
hus obscured, as if looking out into
he night Seeing this. l at once
lropped on all tours and crawled swift
y in through the French window.
nckily left open on account Of the
,eat
"Stand as you are" I muttered as l
,rawled past him into corner, "and
presently close the window as though
,ou were shutting up for the night"
This the squire did in the most nat.
lral way in the world "All fast, ser-
,eant," he said in Il low tone. "But
what are we to do nowl"
First Of all, let in Foster, who Is
'ound at the back" l answered, max
ng for the passage. "Hellol What's
haiti" There was sound of scutfling
outside, heavy fall and then silence
lgain. Rushing to the bacl. door,
lung 1t open and nearly fell over Fos-
Ter. who was holding man down on
he ground.
"Who have you got there, Toms'
lsked as recovered my balance