death. Tell him that, will you?"

"All right, Mister!" said the drover, obligingly, "I'll tell him!"

The horses plunged into their collars; off went the coach into long
stretches of dusty road, with the fat red lady inside, and our two
friends outside. And in course of time they found themselves once more
in Sydney, where they took the earliest opportunity to call on Pinnock,
and hold a council of war against Peggy.

CHAPTER XX. A CONSULTATION AT KILEY'S.

Within twenty-four hours after Peggy got back to her old home, it was
known all over the mountains that she meant business, and would make
a claim on William Grant's estate. Rumour, of course, supplied all the
needful details. It was said, and even sworn to, that Peggy had her
marriage lines put by in a big iron box, ready to be produced at the
proper time. Other authorities knew for a fact that she had no proofs,
but that the family at Kuryong were going to give her any sum from a
thousand pounds to a million, to cancel her claim and save exposure.

As a matter of fact, none of those who talked knew anything whatever.
Peggy confided in no one but Red Mick, and that worthy had had enough
legal experience of a rough and ready sort to know that things must be
kept quiet till the proper time. But by way of getting ready for action
Red Mick and his sister one fine morning rode up to Gavan Blake's office
to consult him as to what they should do.

Blake was not at all surprised to see them. He, of course, had heard all
the rumours that were afloat, and knew that if Peggy brought forward any
claim he would be asked to act for her professionally. He had not quite
decided whether he would act or not. In his hard commonsense mind he
saw next to no possibility of Peggy having a bona fide case. He did not
suppose for a moment that William Grant would have run his neck into
a bigamy noose; and it would put the young lawyer in a very awkward
position with Mary Grant if, after saving her life and posing as her
friend, he carried on a blackmailing suit against her. At the same time,
he felt that it could do no harm to either side to investigate Peggy's
case; there might be awkward things that he could help to suppress. So
with expectancy and not a little amusement he saw his clients ride up
and tie their horses to the fence outside his office, and watched Peggy
straighten her ruffled plumage before entering.

They came in at the door with a seriousness worthy of the