The Crooked Stick

he barracks, in the sitting-room of which unpretending but useful adjunct to the mansion proper Mr. Devereux found them in earnest conclave. They stopped speaking when he entered. The stran

t Warban, but now on duty out of uniform, for reasons as you'll understand. He's on the track of the men we've heard on.' The stranger saluted

rposed Bertram. 'These bushrangers are in

a navy revolver, previously concealed by his coat, upon the table. 'Unless my information is false-and I hav

ome here? Fancy having to fight the scoundrels with ladies i

the bush from here to the Lachlan, and can go as straight as a blackfellow by night as well as by day. They're hid in the Warrambong scrubs now, it's

do they

your best horses, and as much clothes and grub as'll see them across the Queensland border. He was hurt in the scuffle, and walking in h

see them until t

en twelve and one o'clock to-night, if we've luck, they'll dr

ng about him before?' said Bertram musingly. 'It must have been

eaningly at each other.

on it. But the Doctor's the man that shot her husband thirteen years ago this very month. The Cap

oment of hard and bitter resolve, passed slowly over his face, while h

shing coincidence! I wouldn't have missed this night for a fortune. To think, too, that I was so nearly off to that back station this morning, Gatew

which took up the centre of the apartment, and in a businesslike

ll be here to-night. That will be plenty. We don't want a mob round the place. Some one might show out too soon, and then they wouldn't come. If th

nter?' said Bertram, lighting a c

ne-for us-they couldn't have taken. They know this place and all the ins and outs of the premises well. Their dart is to knock up the store

't give a good account of them here, prepared as we shall b

e of satisfaction, 'but I don't know that ever I saw a neater thing than what we're

nadorned apartment with a s

up Mr. Newman. They know that's his room on the right-hand side there. You and I stand just inside this bedroom, Constable Gray and Mr. Atherstone about there. The moment they light their match, we call on

geant?' said Mr. Gateward. 'You're sure of that, I reckon

" was seen at Warrambong the other day. But he's more in th

ellows will turn out. There's been a

as long as we're only man to man. I wonder Atherstone isn't over yet. I sup

best to put them on their guard. It would give them a shock if they woke up and heard the s

it they'll be brave and steady; ladies mostly are in the real push of danger. And Mrs. Dev

g his head. 'You won't frighten Miss Pollie, sir, and the mi

one and your trooper, I suppose. If you think it'

ergeant. 'I've had a long ride, and nothing's passed my lips sin

the uniform of the mounted police. He was mounted upon an upstanding, well-bred bay, and led a

' said Bertram. 'Charley, the groom, is somewhere ab

r had departed with the horses. 'We shall have sharp shooting if

e hour he says. I wish to Heaven they had picked Maroobil for their next bit of devilry. However, it c

rning. How savage I should have been! Come into my room and dress. I can tell you a

he other. 'He's the show trooper of the North-West. They always detail him when there's anything specially

pearance in the dining-room, there w

ed Sergeant Herne didn't turn up here for nothing. That was a trooper and two police horses that

dow, with a sad smile. 'I have borne t

familiar terms which would perhaps divest the intelligence of sudden terror, 'is that Herne has

with an expression much more akin to pleasurable expectation than fear. 'Why, I thought some one was dead-that some t

on showed in how different a light she regarded the news. 'These men have blood

make and a superior force well armed, the only fear in Herne's mind, I suspect, is that one of their telegraphs may get w

used to devour when I was a tiny girl. Don't you remember, Harold, when the daughter of the house co

obable mêlée, which Pollie had evidently inherited with her Milesian blood. But one look at the white

d Bertram, anxious to exhibit

ook at Devereux. 'The other is a stranger. They are not sure whether he is

ng. But for the bright-eyed girl, that now with eager face and fearless brow brought back her father's very face to her, she told herself that she never would have cared to live. And now, after all these years

ry on the part of the outlaws, outnumbered and outmatched as they would be. She therefore exerted herself during the remainder of the me

They are cunning and artful, besides being brave with the desperation of despair. Don't think because you ha

y ugly customers. Some of the shearers we had the row with last year would be truly formidable with arms in their hands. But I am a consistent fatalist

to bed and sleep? Just as if any one could, with a battle coming off next door. I sup

nce of it. You may lose your rest for nothing. In fact, the chances are six to four-firstly, that they'll surrender directly they see us

o take my share of the risk and loss for the country's good. But oh!

x was absent and preoccupied. Pollie was alternately in high spirits or depressed and silent. Atherstone and Bertram talked in

the young men. Mrs. Devereux did not omit, however, to ag

here in the same maternal manner? I know you regard him as an old and valued friend. Is he so much more experienc

se people, whereas you, my dear Bertram, are at a disadvantage. I do you no injustice when I compare you with my da

arrived, he will know nothing. You mustn't be angry, Bertram. All you Jackaroos (as the Queenslanders call you) are the same; you leave cover and get shot down like an owl in th

and Mr. Gateward sitting over the fire smoking. The young constable was on

ared for sudden action. By his side stood a Winchester rifle in excellent order, while within rea

e. They're pretty tools, but I prefer my rifle for close range. In an hour more we mus

hile moment by moment the hour of mystery and doom grew closer. In spite of the high degree of courage and coolness wh

is generally indicated-and who would it be? That was the question. It was not in human nature to avoid the speculation as to whether the evil-doers would be

ou'll stand here by me. That will give us the chance of first shot, if you care for it. Mr. Gateward, you'll plant behind that bale in the corner-out of harm's way. All you've got to think of is to light the fat-lamp we leave on the top of the wool-pack, and duck down again. They can't hurt you. Constable Gray will stop

in the police to be on equal terms with these down-the-river fellows. They are pretty smart, to do them justice, and

rs out of one family I know, born and bred Australians; two out of the three promoted already an

relapsed into silence shortly. The hands of the clock in the room pointed towards midnight. Would they never come? or,

ck on the mantel, the ticking of which sounded loud and sonorous out of all proporti

Harry Merton to death. You remember one of them hears a sound in the distance which he says is "the wind among the brackens"

on't remember Walter Scott's characters very clearly

come up fast because they know that the dogs will give the alarm. Thei

amiliar sound of hoof-beats, the measured strokes of horses ridden at speed, which came nearer and still ne

aid. 'I went to the paddock gate and listened. There's three of 'em. Three horses, any road-that's Johnny the P

rgeant. 'See what door they make for, and then fal

denly there arose a chorus of furious barking and fierce growling from the pack of dogs of various breed which a h

left with the horses. Two coming t

said the sergean