Evening star., 1900-11-10

"GOoD EVENING, L.
he wants SO lad will be there dlsgised as a
preest. You'd best catch him then, as he's
Cheering out of the Country, and you wont
get another cnanst.'
CaveSSOI put the letter down and dCnned
his considering cap.
rs it genuine, is it only hoax to lure
me off in another direction, in order that
he shall work one of his vaflaiuies in the
neigGborhoOd while | am absent?'
lie scarcely knew what to think, or what
action to take. The writing was plainly
disguised the paper told him nothing. He
finished dressing. and sat down to break
fast with the weight Of this new compica-
tton lying heavily upon his mind. If it
were not hoax, how gladly would he en-
brace the opportunity it offered him Of get
ting even with his foe; if it were, and he
should act upon it, and anything i'll should
result then he would vacate his position
and take his departure for the south in
one last furious storm IF ridicule and abuse.
1t was by 10 means pleasant position for
q sensitive man to find himself placed in,
and CaVessCn grew almost dizzy as he
thought of it. After breakfast he discussed
the matter with his faithful adherent Burke;
the magistrate he resolved to leave out
of his calculations altogether. And, as the
sequel proved, it vas just as well that he
did SO.
We'll. sir" said Burke when he had
heard everything, IF you'll excuse me. it
seems to me to be. in d manner of speak
ing, like cur last chance. The Centipede,
as we all know, has got enemies well
friends in the district, and it's as likely
rs not that one of them has turned rusty.
Why not give it a trial. sir? You can leave
me here with three of the men, and you
may he quite sure that l will keep my eyes
open, if only for your sake. It's d black
shame, sir. that you should be recalled be
cause You can't manage to catch the chap.
The devil himself couldn't DO it. 50 I'm
thinking. Fix yourself up a bit different.
,rlyi
to the grog shanty. If priest turns up.
arrest him. It's just possible you may turn
the tables on your enemies after all"
by jove! I've good mind to take your
advice and to risk it. Burke" said Caves
son. Things couldn't be much worse with
me than they are at present; while 1t is
just possible that one of the Centipedes S
enemies may be giving him away after al"
In this fashion 1t was settled and for the
remainder of the morning Cavesson busted
himself preparing for the adventure that
lay before him
Shortly after midday, had there been
any one there to 1t, a most unusual
sight might have been Witnessed on the
road that led from Mulga fiat across the
pains to the crossing on the Yarrawat-
Ia river. A gigantic able-topped wagon,
such as is used by carriers for convey
ing goods from civilization out to the far
west, drawn by thirty oxen, might have
been observed slowly crawling along the
road. 1t was loaded with bales of wool
but instead of being conducted only by
the carrier and his mate, it was accom-
panied by four stalwart men, who. though
dressed after the fashion of ordinary BUSH
men, in reality comprised the inspector of
police and three of his most trustworthy
suhordinates. Hour after hour the wagon
Cr2wied on its way, and at least half a
dozen times in every sixty minutes Caves
son and the hands on the top of the load
called down maledictionS on the bulocks
for their slow travelling.
Comparatively short though the distance
was. night had fallen before they reached
thei: destination and were able to call
halt by one Of the large water holes that
were all that remained Of what in winter
was a river Of more than a quarter of a
mile wide. Once in camp the work of un-
yoklng commenced, and after this had been
satisfactorily accomplished and the ami
mails had been conducted to the water and
g Cd grass, 1t was time to think about car
ryin2 out the plot they had arranged. A
fire was accordingly lighted and the cook
ing OF the evening meal commenced. In
thc meantime a space had been cleared
among the wool bales. and in this bed
was arranged. upon which one of the troop
ers. a somewhat Cadaverous fellow, rejoic-
ing in the name of Brown, was to act the
part Of an invalid. Then the evening meal
was eaten, and after that CaveSson called
his men together.
NOW. lads he began, Il want to say
few words to you. AS you are aware
this morning l received some Information
that may possibly enable me to get hold of
the man who has outwitted us for so long.
| believe yoC are as anxious to bring him
TO book as I myself, and if you play your
parts well tonight, as l feel sure you will
/ Go. | see no reason why the arrest should
not take place. In a quarter of an hour
| the carrier and / will set off for the grog
Shanty. You, Brown will go to bed en- the
| load, while the rest of you will take up
your stations among the bushes close at
| hand. When are ready to capture the
| prisoner you will take your signal from
! me l direct. If he escape 1t will not be
| cur fault"
| You can trust to U.S. SIR said one Of
| the men. and the others echoed his remark.
| Everything having been arranged. Caves
son and the teamster set off for the grog
shanty. which was situated something like
| quarter of mile further down the river
! bank. 1t. was place that possessed a far
| from good reputation. and on more occa-
| sions than one Cavesson had had the best
of reasons for suspectiDg that the propcie-
| tor had given the information to the bush
| rangers which had enabled them to escape
| from the trap he had set for them. On
| reaching the house the two men entered the
| bar. The teamster. according to the ar
| for drinks. and the landlord, who was be-
| hind the bar, served them. One Of the
| daughters of the house. who was wipins
| glasses at the further end Of the room,
| looked UP as they entered. and Cavesson
| could have sworn that he detected an anx-
| ious look upon her face as she took stock
Of them.
| III the Centipeds 10 here, I should nst