right. I'm much
obliged to you for the trouble you took to catch the scoundrel--ten
years I think he got? He ought to have been hanged. I'd have hanged him
if I had been the judge. What are you after now? After more
cattle-stealers?"

"Not this time. I'm on my way to Waroona; but I've been travelling all
day and my horse is a bit knocked up. Can I turn him into one of your
paddocks for the night?"

"Grass is worth money these times," the old man said slowly. "I suppose
the Government will pay me for the use of the paddock, won't they?"

"You can demand it, of course, if you care to," Durham replied.

"And where are you going to camp? You'll want a feed, I suppose?"

"I reckoned I could get one here."

"Oh, you can get one here all right. There's no luxury about the place.
I'm a poor man and just carry enough stores to keep me going. There's
only me about the place now, so you'll have to do your own cooking; but
you'll find it as comfortable as any bush pub, and cheaper, for there's
no drink to be had, and half a crown for your supper and bed won't hurt
you. You can take it or leave it--I'm not particular."

He climbed out of the buggy and began unharnessing the horse.

"You have heard of the robbery at the bank, I suppose, Mr. Dudgeon?"
Durham asked.

"Heard of what?"

He stood up with his hand still on the buckle he was unfastening.

"The robbery at the bank. I thought everyone in the district had heard
of it."

The old man remained without moving, his eyes fixed on Durham.

"Haven't heard a word. What's the yarn?"

"The bank was robbed yesterday--all the money taken, including the gold
which had been sent up to pay you for Waroona Downs. Soon after the
robbery, Eustace, the manager, disappeared."

"Then who's Wallace?"

"He is one of the officials from the head office."

"But he had the money ready to pay me. How could that be if----"

"He arrived with it to-day--he was expected about noon, I believe."

Dudgeon let go the buckle and took two slow, deliberate steps nearer
Durham.

"Brought it with him?" he exclaimed. "And only arrived about noon?"

"About that, I believe," Durham replied.

The old man snatched the hat from his head and flung it on the ground.

"Sold! by God! Sold!" he yelled. "If I'd been there before that chap
arrived, I'd have beaten them--they couldn't have paid, and I'd have
cried off the deal. Why didn't you come and tell me earlier? What's the
good of your coming here