ithout
exciting suspicion. The new arrival noticed it, and it stirred up anger
in him.

"Perhaps I aint good enough for you?" he said, frowning.

"No, no, it isn't that," said the first eagerly.

"Don't you want me to go with you?" demanded the new arrival bluntly.
"Yes or no."

"Have you got any money?" asked the thief, "because I haven't."

"No more have I. We'll be equal partners."

"Then I'm afraid we won't get very far."

"You'll get as far as I will. But I say, what is that under your head,
pard?"

The question had come at last. The thief trembled, and answered
nervously:

"It's--it's--I am using it for a pillow," he faltered.

"Let us see your pillow," said the new arrival suspiciously.

The thief came to a sudden determination, suggested by necessity. Two
would make a stronger guard than one, and, though this man was not the
one he would have selected, accident had thrown them together, and he
would risk it.

"Look here, my friend," he said, "it's a great secret."

"Oh, a secret, is it?"

"Yes, but I am going to make you my confidant. I am greatly in need of a
friend and partner, and I'll make it worth your while to stand by me.
I'll give you a quarter of--what I have here--if you'll see me safe to
Melbourne."

"What is it, pard? Out with it, quick!"

"It's--a nugget, and the biggest one that's been found at Bendigo since
they commenced mining."

"A nugget! Great Jehoshaphat! Let me see it!"

The thief drew the bundle--still wrapped in Obed's red bandanna--from
underneath the pallet, while his companion in intense excitement bent
over to catch a glimpse of the treasure.

CHAPTER XXVII.

BAFFLED CUPIDITY.

An expression of surprise and dismay, almost ludicrous, appeared on the
faces of the two adventurers as the contents of the handkerchief were
revealed.

"Why, it's nothing but a rock!" exclaimed the new-comer, with an oath.

The thief stared at him in helpless consternation, and was unable to
utter a word.

"What does all this mean?" asked the new-comer sternly. "If you are
humbugging me, I'll----" and he finished the sentence with an oath.

"I don't know what it means," answered the thief in a disconsolate tone.
"I'm just as much surprised as you are."

"Where did you get it? How came you to make such a fool of yourself?"
demanded the new-comer, frowning heavily.

"You know that Yankee and the two boys who have a claim next to
Pickett's?"

"Well?"

"Last night I