taken was many miles shorter than
the usual route, but a road that a horse could not travel.

"I suddenly recollected, while my men were following the trail for the
purpose of seeing if my surmise's were correct, that the miners had
deposited in the Sydney bank about a thousand pounds, and that it was
subject to their order. Their certificates of deposit must have been
upon their persons when murdered, and Darnley would not scruple to
boldly present himself at the bank, or else send Steel Spring to secure
the money. I reasoned in that manner, and then concluded to act as
though my surmises were facts.

"I recalled the men, and we started towards Sydney without a moment's
delay. I knew that both robbers were fast travellers, but I calculated
that I could reach the point at which they would strike the Sydney road
as soon, if not sooner, than they did.

"In this I was disappointed; for although we rode all night, and only
stopped long enough to recruit the strength of our animals, yet when I
made an inquiry of a party bound for Ballarat, I found that two men, who
stated that they were from the mines, had purchased provisions and water
from them, and then continued on their course, as though they had not a
moment to lose. It was noon when the information was given, and the
murderers were seen at daylight. They had ten hours the start of us,
but, nothing daunted, we pushed on, making inquiries of those whom we
met, yet not a word of news could be obtained. I did not wonder much at
that, for I knew that Darnley would avoid the high road as much as it
was possible, and only strike it to obtain provisions. I also knew that
he would conduct himself in a discreet manner, for fear of starting an
alarm; and that he would forego all thoughts of pillage for the sake of
carrying through the business which he had undertaken.

"Hoping to reach Sydney before him, I pressed on night and day, and only
stopped long enough to recruit our animals when there was a prospect of
their breaking down. On the forenoon of the fourth day after leaving
Ballarat we entered Sydney, and rode direct to the bank. I inquired if
the murdered men had money deposited there, and found that they had, and
that no attempt to draw the same had been made. With a brief caution to
the cashier not to pay out the amount, and to arrest any one who asked
for it, I mounted my force on fresh horses and again sought the road on
which I expected Darnley.

"I did not repo