ck at him.

He had no alternative but to follow, and he cantered to her side.

"It would teach him a good lesson, Mrs. Burke, if you let him spend a
few days in the lock-up," he said. "It would give him a chance to get
really sober, whereas, if he keeps on getting drink, you will have him
out of his mind."

"Now you're trying to frighten me, Mr. Durham. Sure, what sort of a man
is it I've met this morning? I believe you'd like to see old Patsy
inside a cell, and then maybe you'd be after me too."

"I might be," he answered.

"What would you give me? Six months hard or just a caution?"

"I should offer you something entirely different," he said in a serious
tone of voice. "I should offer you----"

"Oh, yes, it's a lot you police people offer folk. Sure they have to
take what is given them, whether they like it, or want it, or not."

"I may not always be one of the police people, as you term us," he said.

"Are you thinking of joining the ministry?" she exclaimed. "I'd like to
hear you preach your first sermon, Mr. Durham. I'd come twenty miles in
the rain for it."

The mockery in her voice irritated him, and his face showed it.

"Oh, now, Mr. Durham, don't talk nonsense. What would become of the
place if you left the force of which you are such an ornament? It's
fairy tales you are telling me. And you have never said a word yet about
your journey. What news did you hear when you reached Waroona?"

"I suppose you have not heard about Eustace?" he asked.

"Eustace? What's the matter with Eustace now?"

"He was found yesterday."

The jerk she gave the bridle brought her horse back on his haunches, and
Durham was a couple of lengths past her before he could bring his horse
round. When he turned she was allowing her horse to walk, the bridle
hanging loose.

"Eustace was found yesterday?" she asked in a dazed tone as she came up
to him. "Found yesterday? Is that the news you had to give me?"

"It was not to tell you of that I was on my way to Waroona Downs," he
replied. "Though I should probably have mentioned it."

"Where was he found, Mr. Durham? I suppose he is arrested now?"

All the raillery had gone from her voice, which had grown so sorrowful
that he looked at her wonderingly.

"He was not alive when he was found," he said quietly, still watching
her.

Her hands convulsively clutched the bridle, and her mouth twitched.

"Oh, Mr. Durham, how awful! What a terrible thing! Oh, poor Mrs.
Eustace!