Part 39 (1/2)

Soht always slept when he was at the Hollow Sure enough there was the figure of a man rolled up in a cloak I knew by the way his boots and things were thrown about that it could be no other than Starlight

Chapter 32

I'd settled in my mind that it couldn't be any one else, when he sat up, yawned, and looked round as if he had not been away froain! ”Feeds the boar in the old frank?” The governor told me you and Jim had made back Dreadful bore, isn't it?

Just e'd all rubbed off the rust of our bush life and were getting civilised I feel very seriously ill-treated, I assure you I have a great mind to apply to the Government for compensation That's the worst of these new inspectors, they are so infernally zealous'

'You were too ht have been nailed How the deuce did you get the office in tiave ht a horse, of course He will appear on the Judg Rainbow, I firmly believe Why he should be so confoundedly anxious about my welfare I can't make out--I can't, really It's his peculiar form of mania, I suppose We all suffer from some madness or other'

'How the blazes did he know the police were laid on to the lot of us?' I said

'I didn't know ht have known she would, though Well, it seeal took it into his semi-barbaric head to ride into Turon and loaf about, partly to see me, and partly about anotherabout near the Prospectors' Ar, as usual, when he noticed Mrs

Mullockson run out of the house like a Bedla one coolah!” was his expression, and al had seen you come out just before He doesn't like you and Jim over much--bad taste, I tell hi to the family So he stalked the fair and furious Kate'

'That was hoas, then?'

'Yes, much in that way I must say, dick, that if you are so extre the female character, you should carry on the pursuit more discreetly Just see what this miscalculation has cost your friends!'

'Confound her! She's a heartless wretch, and I hope she'll die in a ditch'

'Exactly Well, she knocked, and a constable opened the outer door

'”I want to see Sir Ferdinand,” she says

'”He's in bed and can't be disturbed,” says the bobby ”Any e I can deliver?”

'”I have important information,” says she ”Rouse him up, or you'll be sorry for it”

'”Won't it do to-?” says he

'”No, it won't,” says she, sta her foot ”Do what I tell you, and don't stand there like a fool”

'She waited a bit Then, Warrigal says, out came Sir Ferdinand, very polite ”What can I do for you,” says he, ”Mrs Mullockson?”

'”Should you like to knohere the Marstons are, Sir Ferdinand,” says she, ”dick and Jim?”

'”Know? Would I not?” says he ”No end of warrants out for them; since that Ballabri Bank robbery they seeround

And that fellow Starlight, too! Most reive my eyes to put the bracelets upon hi into his ear