we were not anxious to lose
another twenty-five thousand, we obtained an escort from head-quarters,
but I fancy the men have to return to-night."

"Eustace would know this second amount would have to be sent up?"

"Of course he would."

"And the presence of your escort would announce to him or his spies,
assuming that he is concerned in the robbery, that you have it with
you?"

"Naturally; but the risk was more than the general manager would allow
for me to travel with it unless I had police protection."

"You expect to pay it out this afternoon?"

"I anticipate Dudgeon will be at the bank clamouring for it, under
threat of crying off the sale, by the time I get there. The first thing
I shall most probably do is to pay it over."

"So that it will soon be out of the bank, and the bank's interest in it
will have ceased."

"Exactly," Wallace replied. "Mr. Dudgeon, who refuses to act through the
bank, will have the pleasure of providing his own strong-room for its
safe keeping."

"Eustace would know that too?"

"Certainly."

"Then you will have to send one or both of those troopers with Mr.
Dudgeon; otherwise he will be robbed to-night. It would certainly be the
last thing necessary to identify Eustace with the robbery at the bank,
but there is already enough to prove that, to my mind. Your duty ceases
when you have handed this sum over, but there mine begins."

"I intend to suggest to Mr. Dudgeon the advisability of his having
police protection while the gold is in his possession, in view of what
has already occurred. But I am quite sure that the suggestion will be
treated with contempt."

"Tell me where Mr. Dudgeon lives."

"He has another station on the opposite side of the township to Waroona
Downs, about ten miles out. He wants to sell that, too, and I don't mind
saying we all hope he will soon find a purchaser."

"How many men has he there?"

"Oh, he sold off all his stock from both places and discharged his hands
some months ago. He might have a couple of men about the place, but not
any more, I should say."

"Well, try and persuade him to take the escort. If he will not, send the
men out to the station to-night. I shall probably be there by the time
they arrive, but you need not mention this to them. Give the impression,
if you can, that I am on my way to Wyalla, and don't be surprised if I
take you unawares any time between this and noon to-morrow."

"I'm never surprised at anything you do,