there too. The gold is in a----"

"I have found that."

She raised her head.

"You found it? When?"

"Early to-day. Before I met you."

The head fell back. "I am glad," she said. "You are the first man to
beat me--but I love you."

"Tell me how you managed to deceive everyone as you did."

"I acted. Once, for a time, when things got too hot for us, I went on
the stage. It threw the 'tecks off the scent. I wanted to stay at it,
for I liked it, but mother was mad to ruin Dudgeon, and Dad could not
keep straight. So we began again. I wore a wig and made up. You'll find
it in the cave."

"I have seen it."

"Oh, if I could only have married you," she gasped. "If I had only met
you earlier!"

"But about Eustace," he said quietly.

"Yes, I'll tell you. I went to the bank--like this--and saw Eustace. I
slipped into the kitchen and drugged the tea. I knew they all took it.
Then Dad and I broke in. It was quite easy. I climbed up the verandah,
opened the back door, and let Dad in. They were all dead asleep. We took
the keys and cleared the safe. Every place was locked up again and left
just as we found it. Dad went out, and when I had locked the back door
I went over the verandah again."

"How did you get the gold away?"

"The buggy was in the bush. We whitewashed the horses as a blind. We
knew they hated the colour up here. It puzzled everyone."

"But when did you discover this place?"

"Dad knew it in the old days. He and mother used to meet here in
secret--there is a way across to the ford--the water gets shallow in one
place--it was there Dad shot----"

Her voice caught and she turned appealing eyes to him as she struggled
for breath.

"Give me--rum," she muttered, and he rested her head on his arm, while
he slowly poured some of the spirit between her lips. For a time she lay
so still he thought she had gone, till there came a wavering sigh and
she moved her head slightly.

"It was--nearly--over----" she whispered.

"About Eustace?" he said. "Can you tell me now?"

"Yes--I'll try," she answered. "Don't leave me--stay with me till the
end, won't you? Give me--your word."

"I will stay," he replied.

The head resting on his arm turned until the eyes looked straight into
his. They were filled with the gentle light he had seen in them when,
through the momentary lifting of the veil of unconsciousness, he had
been enabled to catch a glimpse of her real nature.

"Then I'll tell you--everything," sh