“I didn’t know myself that your Kate had come the double on you. I might have known she would, though. Well, it seems Warrigal took it into his semi-barbaric head to ride into Turon and loaf about, partly to see me, and partly about another matter that your father laid him on about. He was standing about near the Prospectors’ Arms, late on Friday night, doing nothing and seeing everything, as usual, when he noticed Mrs. Mullockson run out of the house like a Bedlamite. ‘My word, that missis big one coolah!’ was his expression, and made straight for the camp. Now Warrigal had seen you come out just before. He doesn’t like you and Jim over much—bad taste, I tell him, on his part—but I suppose he looks upon you as belonging to the family. So he stalked the fair and furious Kate.”

“That was how it was, then?”

“Yes, much in that way. I must say, Dick, that if you are so extremely fond of—well—studying 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 message I can deliver?”

“’I have important information,’ says she. ‘Rouse him up, or you’ll be sorry for it.’

“’Won’t it do to-morrow morning?’ says he.

“ ‘No, it won’t,’ says she, stamping 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 know where the Marstons are, Sir Ferdinand,’ says she, ‘Dick and Jim?’

“’Know? Would I not?’ says he. ‘No end of warrants out for them; since the Ballabri Bank robbery they seem to have disappeared under ground. And that fellow Starlight, too! Most remarkable man of his day. I’d give my eyes to put the bracelets upon him.’

“She whispered something into his ear.

“ ‘Guard, turn out,’ he roars out first; then, dropping his voice, says out, ‘My dear Mrs. Mullockson’ (you should hear Warrigal imitate him), ‘you have made my fortune—officially, I mean, of course. I shall never forget your kindness. Thanks, a thousand times.’

“ ‘Don’t thank me,’ she says, and she burst out crying, and goes slowly back to the hotel.