Reuben said. "I only did my duty
as a police officer, and am disgusted at those scoundrels having
got away. I have done all I could, since I arrived; but I can't
help feeling, being in command of the force here, that we are to
some extent to blame for these fellows carrying on, as they have
done for months, without being caught."

"I think you had better come down, Whitney," Mr. Barker said.
"There is something bright and hopeful about you, and I think that
a talk with you might cheer the poor things up a bit. When people
are in the state they are, they seem to turn to everyone for a
gleam of hope, and comfort."

"Oh, if you think I can do any good, of course I will go; though I
would rather stop here, by a good way."

So saying, Reuben went down with Mr. Barker to the house. A lady
met them at the door.

"Arthur has just dozed off," she whispered. "Mrs. Barker is sitting
by him. She insisted on our coming out. Will you come in here?"

As silently as possible, the two men followed her into the kitchen,
and closed the door after them. The fire was blazing brightly,
Wilkins having piled on some fresh logs before going out to smoke a
pipe. Mrs. Donald was sitting in a dejected attitude, by its right,
when her sister entered with Mr. Barker and Reuben. She rose and,
coming towards Reuben, said:

"How can we thank you, sir, for the exertions you have made, and
for having saved us from I dare not think what fate? As long as we
live, my sister and I will bless you."

"I can assure you, Mrs. Donald," Reuben said, "that I have done
nothing but my duty, and I only regret that we did not arrive half
an hour earlier."

"Ah, if you had!" Mrs. Donald said. "But there--we must not
repine--even in my sorrow, I feel how much we have to be thankful
for."

"Yes, indeed," her sister said, "we have truly reason to be
grateful."

As she spoke, Reuben looked at her more and more intently. He had
started when she first spoke, outside the house.

"Good heavens!" he exclaimed, "is it possible, or am I dreaming?
Surely you are Miss Kate Ellison?"

"Certainly I am," she said in surprise, at his tone; "but I don't
think--I don't remember--why, surely it is not Reuben Whitney?"

Chapter 15: At Donald's.

It is difficult to say whether Kate Ellison, or Reuben Whitney was
the most surprised at this unexpected meeting. The former, indeed,
was aware that Reuben had come out to Australia; but that the boy,
whose cause she had