Uncle Jonnie treated as a child,
and there was nothing incongruous in the situation, even 'when the
grey-haired boy was rated for neglecting to shave or sent supperless to
bed for similar sins of omission or commission. To Mrs. Hardy also it was
a simple serious business of domestic government. Ever since she was ten
years old Uncle John, who was many years her senior, had been her baby
brother and her charge, and although gifted with a good sense of humour,
the necessity of admonishing him did not interfere with the gravity of
mind she had brought to bear on the former conversation.

'Mr. Holden was an old friend of your father's, Henry,' she said.

'I know,' Harry replied. 'They were mates at Buninyong and Bendigo. I'll
remind him of that.'

Harry Hardy found Manager Holden in his office at the Silver Stream when
he called on the following morning.

'Couldn't do it, my lad,' said the old miner; 'but I'll put in a word for
you with Hennessey at the White Crow.'

'I want a job here on the Stream--want it for a purpose,' said Harry.

'There'd be a row. The people at Yarraman would kick up, after the other
affair. I'd be glad to, Harry; but you'd best try somewhere else.'

'Mr. Holden,' said the young man, 'do you believe my brother guilty?'

The manager met his eager eyes steadily.

''Tisn't a fair question, lad,' he answered. 'I always found Frank
straight, an' he looked like an honest man; but that evidence would have
damned a saint.'

'Do you think the gold-stealing has stopped?'

The manager looked up sharply.

'Do you know anything?'

'I know what the men hint at; nothing more. If they could speak straight
they wouldn't do it.'

'Well, to tell you God's truth, Hardy, I believe we are still losing
gold.'

'Send me below, then, an' by Heaven I'll spot the true thieves if they're
not more cunning than the devil himself. You think Frank guilty, so do
most people; it's what we ought to expect, I s'pose.' Harry's hands were
clenched hard--it was a sore subject. 'We don't, Mr. Holden; we believe
his story, every word of it. Give me half a chance to prove it. You were
our father's mate; stand by us now. Put me on with the same shift as
Frank worked with.'

'Done!' said the manager, starting up. 'Come on at four. Go trucking;
it'll give you a better chance of moving round; and good luck, my boy!
But take a hint that's well meant: if the real thief is down there, see
he plays no tricks on you.'

'I've th