"Because with the crowd riding all over the ground we lost them,
and----"

"Just so," Durham interrupted. "It is what would happen again if your
suggestion were carried out. This is a one man's job, Mr. Gale. Directly
I want assistance I will come to you, but in the meantime I must ask you
to keep your fellow-townsmen from interfering."

He went on to the police-station, leaving Gale to convey his refusal of
assistance to the men who were keen on taking the matter into their own
hands. The refusal was received with open resentment and the group moved
towards the station to argue the matter out with the sub-inspector, but
before they reached it Durham rode out of the yard and set his horse to
a gallop along the road leading to the railway.

"It's all right, boys, he's got a clue," one of the men exclaimed
scornfully. "He's going to catch them at the junction!"

"Give him a cheer for luck," another cried, and the ironical shout
reached Durham as he galloped. But he paid no heed to it, riding on
steadily till he was away from the town and some miles along the road
when he saw, coming towards him, a pair-horse buggy accompanied by a
couple of mounted troopers. As they came nearer he recognised Wallace in
the buggy. The troopers drew to the side of the track as he reined in
beside the vehicle.

"Come back along the road a bit," he exclaimed, as he got off his horse
and gave the bridle to one of the troopers.

"Why are these troopers with you?" he asked when he and Wallace had
walked out of hearing.

"I have close on thirty thousand pounds in the buggy. I have had to
bring with me not only sufficient funds to enable the bank to carry on
its ordinary business, but a further twenty-five thousand in gold to
carry through the purchase of Waroona Downs from Mr. Dudgeon."

"Why is it necessary for all this gold to be used? I did not care to ask
Mr. Harding, but if it is not a bank secret----"

"Oh, it is no secret," Wallace exclaimed. "Mr. Dudgeon had a quarrel
with the bank some time since, and, in addition to giving himself a
great deal of unnecessary trouble, he delights in making everything we
have to do with him as unpleasant and difficult as possible. Any
payments we have to make to him have to be made in gold. He is legally
entitled to demand it, and he avails himself of his right to the utmost.
That is why I have had to push through with the amount so as to be able
to complete Mrs. Burke's purchase to-day. As