Part 48 (1/2)

”'Had it long,' says he.

”'Some months now,' says I.

”'What's them notches on it for?' says he.

”'I don't know. It don't belong to me.'

”'Whose is it then?' asks he, getting interested.

”'Oh,' says I, 'there's quite a history belonging to that stick.'

”'What sort of a history?'

”'Well,' says I, 'it's like this. My sister, she was staying at Toowoomba up Queeensland way; she's the sister of the landlady at the 'Royal.' Well, one day a new chum named Wyckliffe came there to stop.

She told me he seemed a decent sort, but he left early for out West the next morning, and he never came back, poor fellow! for he was drowned--so the papers say. Any rate, he left some old clothes at the 'Royal,' and this stick was found amongst them, and she keeps it, for she said he was such a nice fellow.'

”'But it's yours now,' says he.

”'No such luck,' says I. 'She don't know I have it out, else there'd be a row.'

”'I'll tell you what I'll do,' he says, 'I knew the chap as owned this stick, and I'll give you ten bob for it.'

”'You won't,' says I, 'nor ten pound neither.'

”'Why?' says he, surprised.

”'I'm living in her house,' says I, 'and if she knew I was taking liberties with her goods I'd get the run.'

”'Would she sell it?' he asks.

”'There'd be no harm in asking her,' I says, 'if it's worth anything to you.'

”'It is for old acquaintance sake. Where does she live?'

”'At 345 Nicholson Street,' says I.

”'What time is best to see her?' says he.

”'About four in the afternoon.'

”'Tell your sister I'll call at four to-morrow,' says he.

”We had another drink and he wished me good afternoon, and I ran all the way down here,” said Terence, evidently immensely pleased with himself.

”You have done well, Terence,” said Hal, and Reg shook him warmly by the hand.

”Look here, Terence, we shall want a lady to take the part of your sister to-morrow and receive him. Do you know of a respectable girl who would do it?”