Part 37 (1/2)
Harding started as though he had been struck.
”How? When?” he exclaimed.
”Brennan and I found him, as we were returning from Waroona Downs this evening. He was lying on his face in the creek where it crosses the road in the range. He was drenched with water from head to foot, but the water at the ford is barely six inches deep. There were no footprints on the track either side of the ford to show how he had entered the water.
He was shot in the back, the bullet having pa.s.sed through his right lung, coming out at his chest. His wrists were bruised and chafed as though he had been tightly bound and had struggled to escape. The only thing found on him was this.”
He produced a handkerchief with two round holes burned in the centre.
”It was such a handkerchief one of the men who stuck up Taloona was wearing,” he added.
”Where is he now?” Harding asked.
”We brought him in and took him over to the police-station. It is for Mrs. Eustace, of course, to say what is to be done about the funeral.
Will you break the news to her by yourself, or shall I do it?”
”You have told Mr. Wallace?”
”Yes. He suggested I should see you. The news upset him very much.”
”It will be better if I see her alone, I think.”
”I think so too. Not that I want to put the burden upon you, but coming from me----” he shrugged his shoulders. ”I will leave you then, and ask her to come in.”
Harding met her at the door. Closing it behind her, he took her hand and led her to the chair where she had been sitting before Durham arrived.
”Jess,” he said softly, as he stood by her, still holding her hand, ”I have sad news to tell you.”
Her fingers closed tighter upon his, but beyond that she made no sign.
”Durham asked me to tell you.”
”Charlie,” she said in a tense whisper. ”It is about him. He is----”
A shudder went through her and her voice broke.
He placed his other hand upon hers gently.
”He is gone, Jess.”
She rose to her feet with a gasp, clutching his arm.
”Not dead!”
”Yes, Jess.”
Her hands fell to her sides, limply, nervelessly; her lips parted, but no sound came from them; for a second she stood motionless.
He took her hand again and rested his arm upon her shoulder, fearing she would fall.