Evening star., 1900-11-10
hcient for my PURPOSE that I have got

TT would not be busfnessAke to say where
one derives ones information"
Half an hour later they were on their way
back to the township, and for the first time
in many weeks Cavesson was able to look
upon himself in the light of really happy
man. Inasmuch as he had effected the cap
ture of the Centipeds nothing could deprive
him of the right toisay that he had com
piled with his future father-n-laws stipu-
lation. Moreover, he had indicated his
honor. and shown his detractors that he
was far from being ethe fool they had not
only supposed but declared him to be
Something under three hours after leav-
ing the crossing, and just as the police
station clock was striking IL. they rode
into the township. Not a soul was about
and, in consequence. he was able to stow
his prisoner carefully away in one of the
cells without any one but Burke and his
troopers being the wiser that the notorious
Centipede was in the town.
1t was a happy man who retired to rest
that morning.
Next morning he was aroused from sleep
by the sergeant, who invaded his sleeping
apartment with the information that the
new inspector had arrived, and that after
calling at the police station. he had gone
on to pay his respects to the MAGISTRATE
THE deuce he has!' said Cavesson, twirl-
ing his mustache. "He knows nothing
about the Centipede, 1 suppose?'
No more than any one else, sir" said
Burke. There's not soul in the town.
ship dreams he's here. Eve taken good
care of that
"All right answered Cavesson Now
will dress. and when I've done that I'll go
along to HablettS house and drop a shell
into their camp.
On reaching the magistrates house he
found the new inspector and his host at
breakfast They were more than a little
surprised to see him.
How do, Dickson?'' said Cavesson cool
ly, after he had saluted his superior. Had
pleasant journey up from Brsbane?'
'.So-so," said Dickson. Its too hot for
travelling AnV of the (,eutine1ap''
Il fancy we should have heard something
about it before this if there had been,' put
in Hablett, vindictively. when Cavesson
catches him l shall expect to hear the
church bell going, to let US know there's
something important on hand"
Cavesson bit his lip, but managed with
an effort to keep his temper. Pretending
to ignore the question, he asked Dickson
when it would be convenient for him to in
spect the station and to take over com
lnand, according to the tenor of the COM
miSSionerS letter.
Il am prepared to start as soon as nos
sible.' the latter replied. The sooner the
better"
''Will half an hours time suit you?" ask
ed CaveSSon.
Admirably" returned the other.
Thereupon Cavesson bade them good-bye
and left the house. AT the time arranged
Dickson and the magistrate arrived at the
police station. They inspected the charge
room. the various Offices the Inspector s
quarters and the stables and the harness
room, and at last found themselves at the
cells
What charges have you?" inquired Hab-
lett.
'In No. l a case Of petty larceny" said
CaVesson In No. a drunken shearer
NO 3, however is more interesting
AS he spoke he signed to the sergeant to
unlock the door.
Who is the prsoner?' Dickson incurred
The Centipede.'' Cavesson answered
simply, and the surprise and chagrin he
saw on the faces of the two men was suf-
hclent recompcnse for him for all he had
suffered at their hands
Two hourS later the notorious criminal
"h" mad kept the district in such a state Of
error LOT so long time past. was brought
heipfe the magistrate and remanaed in
order that further evidence against him
might be obtained. Three lavs Iatar ha
was committed for trial, and was ordered
10 pe taken to MaryWonga to stand his
tfial at thc next assizes. Much to Caves
son delight, a letter from headquarters
instructed his successor TO attend to the
matter of transportation
rake my advice, Dickson" Cavaeco,
SAID When they discussed the matter. and
nave MN handcuffed to your wrist night
ana day. l know the gentleman win
hd1s mh@n We have to deal, and if you give him
nan chance he'll be off and away. and
you IL never set eyes on him again.
IL take good care that he doesn't do
ina mat answered Dickson, haughtily II
man than | take him for
am only giving You fair warning
sald CaVesson, with a shrIg Of his Shout
derS.
Thanks" answered Dickson. lacontcaIIv
W heh 1 want your advice FL ask You for
Next day the party started for Mary
"ohsa, and Cavesson who had no furl her
reason for remaining in Mulga Flat de-
cided to accompany them for the first Zoe
miles or their journey Then he WIS to
prahch OH TO the south, and eventually
eaten the train for Brisbane. AT the last
moment the police magistrate, to AVOID
haVinS to accomplish the Journey alone
later on, also made up his mind to accom-
pahy the party, and when the sun rose
neXl .3i morning they set off, the prisoner
riding a quiet horse and having his right
wrist handcuffed to Dickson's left For
several reasons 1t was far from being a
JoNlai party, and Cavesson was not sorry
"heh the tune arrived for him to say fare
well to it. Then he bade Dickson and the
magistrate goodbye, and afterward turned
70 the tehtlpede. who was watching him
WIN ..G ms ms usual quiet smile upon his face.
Good bye, my frlend,' he said I'VE
shall not see each other again until we NEE.
IN court. You have caused me great deal
OF trouble and anxiety, but, clever as YOU
in the end 'ON
fou wouldn't have beaten me then" an
s"ered the Centipede, had it not been for
"oman,s treachery. However. l bear you
no maIlce. VIII You shake handsY'
of course l will" said Cavesson. and he
did so. while Hablett and Dickson ex
changed glances of disapproval.
mem bidding the party goodbye he rode
off down side track
Ihree days later he arrived at Brisbane
called upon the commissioner obtained
lortnlghts leave of absence and was on
the mail train on his way south in order to
remind Mr.. Walkett of the promise he had
given him.
We'll. we'll" said the old gentleman
when they had discussed the matter, ..as
Minnie loves you. and / told you that |
would consider the matter when you had
caught the Centipede, there is nothing for
II put Tor me to surrender
lie was as good as his word and that
very cay the engagement was announced
Next morning. however, a surprise was in
store for them.
COO bless my soul alive!" cried the mill
ilonalre bursting out, newspaper in hand
into the Veranda. where the happy couple
were seated together. Just listen to this -
so saying he unfolded the paper ana COM
menced to read.
AS our readers will doubtless remember
the capture of the redoubtable bushranser
Centipede, who for the past fourteen months
has been defying law ard order in south
western Queensland. was effected by Po-
Ice Inspector Cavesson. on the 18th, on the
farrawatta river. In due course the mag
| istrate at Mulga Flat committed him for
| nnyf ri ,;,,gi