e place, but Brennan told him the homestead was
the first house he would come to after clearing the range.

He swung on to the side track leading to the house. As he came up to it
he saw the figure of a woman silhouetted against the light.

"Is this Mrs. Burke's?" he called out.

"And if it is, what might you want?"

His heart leaped as he heard the answer--despite the sharp ring, sharp
almost to harshness, he recognised the voice. It was that of the
companion of his coach journey.

A low verandah, about three feet from the ground, ran along the front of
the house. It was on the verandah the woman stood. Durham sprang from
the saddle, slipped his bridle over a post, and stepped up the short
flight of stairs.

The woman had drawn back into the shadow beyond the window. As he
advanced, the light from the lamp within fell upon him, revealing to her
the uniform he wore.

With a soft, melodious laugh she came forward.

"Why didn't you say you were a trooper?" she said. "I thought----"

"I am Sub-Inspector Durham," he said quickly.

"Oh, indeed," she replied.

She met his glance without a suggestion of recognition in her own.

"I have ridden out to ask you one or two questions in regard to the
robbery at the bank, of which I understand you have heard," he said.

"Ask me questions? And pray what have I to do with the robbery, save
that I am an unfortunate victim of the dishonesty of men you and the
rest of the police ought to be chasing at this very moment? Ask me
questions? It's me who has need to ask them of you. Where are my stolen
papers? Where----"

"If you will give me your assistance by answering the few questions I
wish to ask you, I have no doubt that your papers, and all the rest of
the stolen property, will very soon be recovered," Durham said. "I
understand you saw Mr. Eustace this forenoon. Will you tell me----"

"Ask Mr. Eustace himself," she retorted. "He can tell you what I said."

She stood in front of him, with her hands hanging down hidden in the
folds of her dress.

"I will not detain you long. I have been travelling since early to-day
and have to ride back to the township to-night."

"Travelling all day? Sure you must be tired!" she exclaimed. "Come
inside and rest--this affair has so upset me I'm forgetting that Irish
hospitality ought to be the first rule for Irish folk wherever they may
happen to be. Come in, come in."

She led the way into the room where the lamp was burning. As