, "I
respectfully decline. I'd rather look at you with your hands tied."

"Do you want me to kill you?" demanded the tramp furiously.

"Not at present! when I do I'll let you know. Come, boys, we may as well
be going. This gentleman would rather be left alone."

"Unloose me first, and I won't harm you," said the other, trying to
struggle to his feet.

"I don't mean you shall. Good-by, my friend. I can't say I wish to meet
you again. I will take the liberty to carry off your stick, as you won't
need it with your hands tied."

Obed and the boys started off, followed by the most fearful execrations
from their late acquaintance. They had scarcely gone a quarter of a mile
when they met two mounted police, who halted their horses and inquired:
"Have you seen anything of a man, tall and spare, dark hair and eyes. We
have traced him to this neighborhood, and think he must be near."

"What has he done?" asked Obed curiously.

"Murdered a man at the mines, in a drunken brawl."

"We've just parted company with him," said Obed. "I found him
experimentin' on my young friend here, but come up in time to block his
game."

"Put us on his track, and we will share the reward of a hundred pounds
with you."

"I'll do it. Boys, stay here and I'll go back with these gentlemen. I'll
join you in an hour."

Obed was as good as his word. Within an hour he was back again, with the
two policemen, followed by the man whom we have called the tramp.

His hands were more securely fastened now by a pair of handcuffs.

CHAPTER XX.

THE BOYS ARRIVE AT BENDIGO.

"You are entitled to half the reward offered for the apprehension of
this man," said the leader of the police to Obed Stackpole. "I
congratulate you. Fifty pounds is a sum not to be despised."

"Especially when a man has been robbed of all he possesses by
bushrangers," said Obed. "If you'll excuse me, captain, why does your
government allow them rascals to roam round the country, plundering and
killing honest men?"

The captain of police shrugged his shoulders.

"We can't help it, my good man. We do all we can," he answered.

"In my country we would soon put a stop to it."

"You mean America?"

"Yes; the land of the Stars and the Stripes," said Obed proudly.

"It is more difficult here," observed the police captain. "The nature of
the country makes pursuit difficult. Besides, we have had so many
convicts sent out here in past years that there is a large proportion