st you in the presence of our
governor, that you have aided and abetted a violent convict, I call upon
you to clear yourself at once. Now, boy, speak."

"Yes, father, I'll speak," said Nic firmly; "but I can't clear myself."

"What!" cried the doctor angrily. "Do you own that this accusation is
true?"

"Yes, it's true enough," cried Brookes. "He helped him to get away from
the Wattles."

"Silence, sir!" cried Sir John sternly.

"Speak, Nic. Did you help this man to escape?"

"No, father."

"There!" cried the doctor in triumph; but his countenance fell directly.

"I went to help him if I could, but he got away without."

Brookes chuckled.

"Then he is somewhere about here in the bush, as Brookes says?"

"Yes, father."

"And you know where?"

"Yes, father."

"And you have been in the habit of visiting this desperate man?"

"Yes, father, all that is quite true."

Brookes chuckled again with satisfaction, and rubbed his tawny brown
hands as if he were washing them.

"Nic, you astound me!" cried the doctor. "You have, then, encouraged
this man about the place during my absence, when I had placed confidence
in you and left you in charge. Had you no respect for your mother and
sisters?"

"Why, of course, father," cried the boy indignantly. "You don't suppose
I should have done what I have, if I hadn't felt sure Leather was
innocent?"

"Hear! hear!" said a voice, and Nic looked up to see that Lady O'Hara
was at the door, and now came and stood behind Sir John.

"Innocent," cried the doctor, "and hides in the bush, and kills one of
my sheep whenever he is hungry!"

"He doesn't, father. I'm sure he wouldn't," cried Nic indignantly.

"And pray, why not?"

"Because he likes me too well."

"Indeed," said the doctor. "Nic, how can you let yourself be imposed
upon so easily by a scoundrel?"

"He is not a scoundrel, father," cried Nic, flushing up. "He was
condemned for what he never did, and sent out here as a convict."

"I'm afraid they are all innocent, eh, Sir John?" said the doctor.

"A very large percentage, by their own account," replied the governor.

"But this man really is, father," cried Nic.

"How do you know?"

"He told me all his history, father, and I am sure he is honest."

"And takes advantage of my absence to break out and nearly kill one of
my men. Then he escapes to the bush, and now steals my sheep."

"It was Brookes who took advantage of your absence, father."