-whatever. Case is withdrawn. Ha, hum. But in the
interests of justice, and seeing--seeing, I say," he went on, warming
to his work as the question laid itself open before him, "that there is
serious suspicion of fraud and forgery, it would be wrong on my part to
allow the case to close without some investigation in the interests
of justice. As to Mr. Manasseh's objection, that the Court is functus
officio so far as this case is concerned, I uphold that contention;
but, in exercise of the power that the Court holds over its officers, I
consider that I have the power--and that I should exercise the power--of
putting the solicitor in the box to explain how this document came into
its present state. Let Mr. Blake go into the box."

But while the little Judge was delivering his well-rounded sentences,
Blake had slipped out of Court and made off to his lodgings. He had
failed in everything. He might perhaps keep out of gaol; but the blow to
his reputation was fatal. He had played for a big stake and lost, and he
saw before him only drudgery and lifelong shame.

He had reached his lodgings, half-turned at the door, and saw behind him
the Court tipstaff, who had been sent after him.

"The Judge wants you back at the Court, Mr. Blake," said the tipstaff.

"All right. Wait till I run up to my room for some papers. I'll be down
in a minute," and he ran upstairs.

The tipstaff waited cheerfully enough, until he heard the crack of a
revolver-shot echo through the passages of the big boarding-house. Then
he rushed upstairs--to find that Gavan Blake had gone before another
Court than the one that was waiting for him so anxiously.

CHAPTER XXIX. RACES AND A WIN.

After the great case was over life at Kuryong went on its old round.
Mary Grant, now undisputed owner, took up the reins of government, and
Hugh was kept there always on one pretext or another.

Considine and his wife stayed a while in the district before starting
for England, and were on the best of terms with the folk at the
homestead, Peggy's daring attempt to seize the estate having been
forgiven for her husband's sake.

Mary seemed to take a delicious pleasure in making Hugh come to her
for orders and consultations. She signed without question anything that
Charlie put before her, but Hugh was constantly called in to explain
all sorts of things. The position was difficult in the extreme, although
Peggy tried to give Hugh good advice.

"Sure, the girl