like a child. He was just like
a dog that had found his master again. He kept looking up at Starlight
just like a dog does, and smiling and going on just as if he never
expected to see such a good thing again as long as he lived.

'Well, Warrigal,' says Starlight, very careless like, 'so you've brought
me a horse, I see. You've been a very good boy. Take Rainbow round
the long way into the Hollow. Look after him, whatever you do, or I'll
murder you. Not that he's done, or anything near it; but had enough
for one ride, poor old man. Off with you!' He changed the saddle, and
Warrigal hopped on to Bilbah, and led off Rainbow, who tossed his head,
and trotted away as if he'd lots to spare, and hadn't had twelve hours
under saddle; best part without a halt or a bait. I've seen a few good
'uns in my time, but I never saw the horse that was a patch on Rainbow,
take him all round.

We pushed on again, then, for ten miles, and somewhere about eight
o'clock we pulled up at home--at home. Aileen knew we were coming, and
ran out to meet us. She threw her arms round me, and kissed and cried
over me for ever so long before she took any notice of Starlight, who'd
got down and was looking another way. 'Oh! my boy, my boy,' she said, 'I
never thought to see you again for years. How thin you've got and pale,
and strange looking. You're not like your old self at all. But you're
in the bush again now, by God's blessing. We must hide you better next
time. I declare I begin to feel quite wicked, and as if I could fight
the police myself.'

'Well spoken, Miss Marston,' said Starlight, just lifting his hat and
making a bit of a bow like, just as if she was a real lady; but he was
the same to all women. He treated them all alike with the same respect
of manner as if they were duchesses; young or old, gentle or simple--it
made no odds to him. 'We must have your assistance if we're to do any
good. Though whether it wouldn't be more prudent on your part to cut us
all dead, beginning with your father, I shouldn't like to say.'

Aileen looked at him, surprised and angry like for a second. Then she
says--

'Captain Starlight, it's too late now; but words can never tell how I
hate and despise the whole thing. My love for Dick got the better of my
reason for a bit, but I could----Why, how pale you look!'

He was growing pale, and no mistake. He had been ill for a bit before
he left Berrima, though he wouldn't give in, and the ride was rather too