ion acted like a spell on his
assistants and swiftly all the accessories for the operation were
brought. A small block was placed under each ear; Reg firmly held the
die upon the piece of flesh, and with a single blow from a mallet calmly
branded the device on each ear. Then he handed his victim over to the
doctor to dress the wounds and, giving a deep sigh, sank into a chair,
and buried his face in his hands. A wave of relief that his task was
accomplished, that his oath was fulfilled, passed over him. Pity for his
victim he had none, only satisfaction that an act of stern, pitiless
justice had been done. When the doctor had finished his bandaging Reg
straightened himself.

"We'd better keep him a week here to give the wounds a chance to heal,"
said Hal.

"Yes, it would be as well to do so," said the doctor. "When the bleeding
stops I will dress them so that they heal quickly."

"I wonder what he'll do now," said Reg.

"Probably give us in charge," laughed Hal.

"Let him do so, I'm agreeable. At any rate we will stop in Melbourne to
give him a chance."

Terence and his sister were left in charge with full instructions, and
the boys left for their hotel, where they found all their friends
awaiting them.

"Father, I've kept my word," said Reg, taking Whyte's hand.

"Amen," said the old man.

"Kiss me," said Mrs. Whyte, coming to him with tears in her eyes.

"And shake hands with us," said Hil and May.

Goody also came forward and gave him a hearty hand-clasp.

"I thank you all," said Reg, much affected. "But here is the man to whom
the success is due. He offered his services to me, a complete stranger,
and all these months he has been my constant companion. Hal, old boy,
give me your hand."

"I only helped a friend in need," answered Hal.

"As any Australian would do," said the doctor.

The girls and Goody took to the Whytes at once. Goody and old Whyte had
many opinions and pursuits in common, while the girls openly called Mrs.
Whyte, mother. Amy's death had left its mark on both the old people, and
the Mia-Mia had become intolerable to them, so that when an opportunity
occurred of selling it they accepted it eagerly. Whyte had had enough of
England. It held only one small spot sacred and dear to him, which was
Amy's grave.

That evening Reg was seized with a fit of melancholy. Now that his
revenge was accomplished the inevitable reaction had come. In spite of
his conviction that he had done his dut