as on
the other side of the ranges."

"How did you find the rivers? Fordable?"

"They were all right, except that on this side of the range they had
begun to rise."

"Perhaps the men we are expecting," said the nervous banker, "took
shelter in the bush when the storm came on. You may have passed without
seeing them."

"Who are the parties you are expecting?" asked the traveller.

"Mr. Zahn, the agent of the Kangaroo Bank, was on the road to-day with a
considerable quantity of gold," replied the Sergeant.

"You mean the gold-escort," said the traveller. "It left about three
hours before I did."

"Do you know Mr. Zahn?" asked the Sergeant.

"I do. I've sold gold to him."

"I'll take your name, if you please," said the Sergeant, producing his
pocket-book.

"Rooker, Thomas Samuel Rooker," said the traveller.

"Where are you to be found?"

"At The Lucky Digger."

"Thank you," said the Sergeant, as he closed his book with a snap and
put it in his pocket. "Good night."

"Good night," said the traveller, as he led his horse into the stable.
"If I can be of any use, send for me in the morning."

"It's pretty certain that this man never saw them," said the Sergeant,
"therefore they were not on the road when he passed them. They must have
been, as you say, in the bush. There is plenty of hope yet, sir, but I
should advise you to get up pretty early to-morrow morning, if you want
to see my mounted men start. Good night."

With a gloomy response, Mr. Tomkinson turned his steps towards the Bank,
there to toss on a sleepless bed till morning.

CHAPTER XXXII.

The Quietude of Timber Town Is Disturbed.

The crowd which had gathered in front of the verandah of the Post Office
of Timber Town was made up, as is not uncommon with crowds, of all sorts
and conditions of men. There were diggers dressed in the rough clothes
suitable to their calling and broad-brimmed felt hats; tradesmen, fat
with soft living, and dressed each according to his taste; farmers, in
ready-made store-clothes and straw hats; women, neatly, if plainly,
dressed as suited the early hour of the day; a few gaily-dressed girls,
and a multitude of boys.

Nailed to the wooden wall of the building was a poster, printed with big
head-lines, upon which the interest of all present was centred.

NOTICE.

FIVE HUNDRED POUNDS REWARD!!!

WHEREAS persons of the names of ISAAC ZAHN, PETER