e now. I've turned
'onest, and intends to lead a different life." And Steel Spring grinned
in triumph, and opened and shut his long, flexible limbs with wonderful
dexterity.

"You turned honest!" muttered the inspector, with an incredulous glance.

"That's the vay that ve is doubted," whined the treacherous scamp,
wiping his eyes, and pretending to feel as though his heart was broken;
"ven ve leaves off our bad vays, and becomes associates for the police,
then ve is suspected of being bad. There's precious little 'couragement
for us."

"Don't be too hard on the lad," the lieutenant said, "for he helped us
convict half a dozen of the worst bushrangers in the country, a few
weeks ago, and he saved his own life by--"

"Turning government evidence, I'll be sworn," cried the inspector,
eagerly.

The lieutenant nodded, and continued, "Two or three of the fellows
tried to get clear, on the ground that they were prisoners in the hands
of the bushrangers, and I'll confess that the plea was having a telling
effect on the jury; but when Steel Spring opened his mouth, he brought
them."

"And didn't you tell me how to swear, and didn't I do it?" the wretch
exclaimed, triumphantly.

"Silence, you fool!" and Steel Spring, obedient as a dog, held his
tongue.

"The fact of it is," Murden said, after a pause, "the government has
granted the fellow a full pardon, and I have taken him into my service
for the present, in hopes that his reformation will be complete."

"I know that it will," chimed in the lank wretch, but a look silenced
him.

"And now suppose you should tell me why you have paid Ballarat a visit?"
the inspector inquired.

"I'm on business connected with the government, and to consult with you
in relation to the mining tax."

"Will government send the troops?" asked the inspector, eagerly.

"Hush!" replied Murden, glancing towards us; "you should be more
cautious, Mr. Brown."

"O, these are friends of ours, and espouse our side, and, if necessary,
will fight for us," returned the inspector.

"Softly," rejoined Fred; "we fight for no one but ourselves, and we have
never given you or a living man to understand that we will take up arms
against the miners. The question is too new for a decision on our part;
slightly as we have investigated it, we must say that our sympathies are
with the miners instead of the government."

"Just as I supposed," muttered Murden; but whether in disappointment or
in anger I c