r tells me he is doing as well as one can expect."

"I was going to see if I could not take one of them out to Waroona
Downs--it's good nursing they'll want, and that they'll get if they're
in a place where they are properly looked after."

"They are getting that now," Gale retorted shortly.

"I'll go and see for myself."

"If you want to tire your horse, do so, but that is all which will
happen."

"And why am I to be shut out when that woman is allowed to be there,
with her husband probably hanging about the place all the time to see
who else there is to shoot and maim?"

"You have no right to say that," Gale cried angrily. "There is only
suspicion against her husband, and even if there were more, it would
not affect her. A noble-hearted woman such as she is should have
sympathy, not unjust accusation."

"Sure Mr. Eustace would be pleased to know how well his deserted wife is
getting on with all the admirers she has in the place traipsing after
her wherever she goes," she retorted.

"You cannot go on even if you wish to," Gale exclaimed. "One of the
troopers will stop you before you reach the huts."

"Oh, the troopers are there too, are they? It's well to be a miserly old
skinflint to have the State providing troopers at the ratepayers'
expense to watch over one. Or maybe they're also giving sympathy to the
poor distressed lady. Well, I'll interrupt them."

"You will do nothing of the kind, Mrs. Burke. I tell you the doctor sent
to stop me from driving up to the huts where they are. You would do no
good by going there; you may do a great deal of harm."

"Oh, indeed. And pray what is there about me that is likely to do harm
to any man?"

"You know Mr. Dudgeon's character. The doctor says he is in a most
critical condition. For him to see you now would probably mean his
death. You remember how bitterly he resented the sale of Waroona Downs
to you--your presence now would only irritate him and then----" he
shrugged his shoulders.

"My presence? And what of the presence of the woman whose husband----"

"You must not say that," Gale exclaimed quickly. "It is
unjust--unwomanly----"

The grey eyes flashed like steel.

"Unwomanly?" she cried. "Me unwomanly?"

She snatched up the buggy whip and in her anger cut at him, but the lash
fell short, striking one of the horses. The animal plunged at the sting
and its companion also started.

By the time Gale had them under control, Mrs. Burke was vanishing down