iscovered near Ocho Rios; it would mean thousands of
pounds to me."

"Of course it would. But, I say, Gerry, old fellow," and here Aulain
paused. "Will you do me a favour? Oh, no, hang it!" and he stopped
suddenly.

"What is it, Aulain?"

The Inspector's sallow face flushed. "I don't think it is fair to ask
you, as it will perhaps affect your interests."

"Don't be an ass! What is it?"

Lacey rose, thinking that Aulain hesitated to speak on account of him
being present, but Aulain begged him to stay, and then said:

"Well, I'll tell you what it is, Gerry. Will you keep it dark about that
little creek up there; for six months anyway."

"Certainly, I will."

"You see, Gerry, it's this way. I'm sick to death of life in the Black
Police, and as soon as I get over this fever, I think I'll resign
and try my luck at mining. I can't live on my salary, and I have no
backstair's influence in Brisbane to get me anything better in the
Government service; and only this morning I was thinking of that very
place where we both got gold. There are reefs all about the head of that
creek, and every one of them carries payable gold. And so if you
will keep it dark I stand a good chance of not only getting the usual
Government reward of five thousand pounds for the discovery of a payable
gold-field, but can peg out my reward claim beforehand."

"My dear old chap, I shall be only too pleased. And, look here, why not
send in your resignation right away, and then after I've finished this
business at Kaburie, come away with me. There will be a steamer here in
a fortnight, which will take us to Somerset, and from there we can get
to Ocho Rios in one of the pearling luggers. We shall find plenty of
them lying up at Somerset at this time of the year, and it will be a
better and easier way of getting to my place than having to buy horses
at Somerset, and travelling a hundred and fifty miles across the
peninsula."

Aulain shook his head. "It is a very tempting offer, Gerry; but I
can't accept it. I am obliged to wait six months after sending in my
resignation before I can leave the service; it is a hard and fast rule."

"I'm awfully sorry, Aulain," said Gerrard; "however, when you do come,
you will, of course, make my place your headquarters. Don't buy any
horses when you get to Somerset; I can lend you all you want. Now I must
be off with Lacey. I'll see you when I get back from Kaburie in a week
or ten days, and we'll have long yarns