Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-11-03

prisoner for the township HPEesson and the
remainder making camktfor themselves
cave and yet themselves remain unseen.
For four days they guarded it so closely
that not mouse could have got in without
hsr e :he m nn # sah the d nd
up up as IS a bad job, and set offfor Mulga Flat
to confess his failure to the new police
magistrate.
He reached the township at o'clock in
the afternoon. to find that Mr.. Hablett had
arrived by coach the tw0t hours before
When he had washed off the stains of his
ride and changed his attire he set off for
the house that had been prepared for the
new arrival He was shownGnto the study
and was informed that the magistrate was
engaged for a few moments. but would see
him the instant he was at liberty. Caves
son was thoroughly prepared to dislike his
superior, and in his own mind had painted
picture of him as fussy little man, with
an overwhelming sense of his own import
ance. His establishment may therefore be
imagined when a staid. middle-aged. mill
tary-looking man, with piercing black eyes,
gray hair and carefully trimmed mustache
entered the room, and said courteously as
he extended his hand:
inspector Cavesson, 1 believe. Let me
say how very glad am to make your ac-
quantance."
Carried away by the charm of his man.
ner. Cavesson shook him warmly by the
hand, and took the chair the other pushed
forward for his occupation.
I'm afraid you've been preparing YOUR
self to dislike me-" said his host after a
short pause. II hope, now that you know
me. you will see fit to change your opin-
ion. 1 don't think I am quite as black as
I am painted. By the by, let me con-
81 atulate you on the way In which you eff
fected the capture of the Centipedes lieu
tenant. 1t was cleverly done and rebounds
to your credit
Cavesson bowed his acknowledgment of
the compliment, and began to look upon his
superior with a somewhat more favorable
eye. 1t was not the sort of reception he
had expected.
|. 81 think l ought to tell you" continued
the magistrate, taking his cigar case from
his pocket and offering 1t to his visitor,
that the commissioner, when 1 saw him
before 1 left Brisbane. gave you an ex-
ceedngly high character. He said might
rely upon your promptness.'
Cavesson thought the commissioner cor ex-
last letter to himself, but he did not tell
Mr. Hablett so. He inferred that he was
gratified to know that his efforts, unsuc-
cessful though they had been, were appre-
ciated.
And now" said the other briskly, "as
we are likely to have as much worry with
| him in the future as we shall care for, let
| US consign the Centipede to oblivion, and
| endeavor to forget his existence. Tell me
something of the township and its neigh
borhood.'
Cavesson described the different people
worth knowing in the township and dis
| trict, and gave a rough resume of the
various attractions both presented. BY the
| time they had been together half an hour
| they were on excellent terms.
After a while CaveSSon rose to go.
Il trust you will dine with me tomorrow
| night" said the magistrate. Il am asking
| a few of the most prominent townsfo!k.
| shall be very grateful 1t is difficult tc
| know who's who. and to avoid treading on
| peoples corns in a new place when all are
| equally unknown. May / rely on yo'
| Thanks. Must you go? Well, good-by. we
| shall meet in court tomorrow morning, OF
course"
"Of course, returned eavesson with a
| laugh as he shook hands,
trate, Il should very much like to ride out
| to Nollaba station after we adjourn, to
make a few inquiriesSn I suppose you
couldn't lend me a horse and accompany
me-"
Il shall be only too glad to do So" the
| inspector replied Il wifi have couple OF
horses sent round in time for adjourn
| ment."
| to the police station, feeling ashamed OF
himself for having been SO ready to believe
i'll of Mr.. Hablett. He liked what little he
| had seen of him. ="
| Early as he was in reaching the cour
| next morning the magstratei was there be
| fore him Cavesson, introduced the
clerk to his worship, stoSd talking to Mr.
| Hablett in his private room. sCa, -.a..
| At 10 o'clock the court opened, the magis
| trate briefly addressed those present. a ~
the business commenced ahe th tirs5 Wv,
that of the Centipede,s lieutenant -5
The court was crowded by townfolk, VIII
were eager to see and hear the new magis
trate, who had made such name for him
self in Queensland. The general opinion
was that he was worthy of the reputation
that had preceded him: and the gray head
affirmed that the dignity of the land wa
likely to be worthily represented in his per
son. -
Toward the end Of the case a point o
considerable moment was argued between
the inspector, as representing the govern
ment and the prosecution, and the lawye
| who appeared on behalf of the prisoner
The magistrate listened attentively, an
then put a question to the prisoner. Tn
man declined to answer, but after aWhll
) stated his willingness to do so. provided h
might speak to the magistrate first In pri
vate.
"A most unusual and unprecedented re
quest" said his worship. II don't know
: that l should be justified in granting it"
| Eventually, however, he decided to do sc
, proceed into his worship's private room be
l hind the bench, and the door was close
upon them. a
The court settled itself down to walt Will
E the magistrate and the accused were at
Y sent. and in the interval reviewed the case
; The question the prisoner was so desirou
of putting was evidently long one. TIE
minutes, twenty minutes, and even half a
hour elapsed, still they did not reappea
e The spectators began to wonder what ha
r happened. Cavesson grew very uneasy, an
: began to cast furtive glances at the clocl
r | When half an hour had elapsed and sti
. | the pair did not return, a consultation wa
Q held, and it was agreed that the cler
d / should venture to interrupt them He ros
| AUKw AR