perior," cried
Mr. Brown, rather angrily.

"I shall act my pleasure in this case, or in any other that I choose to
interfere with. Here are two men charged with a heavy robbery and an
attempt at assassination, and my duty will not permit me to let the
parties escape until a full investigation is made;" and the commissioner
straightened himself up as though he was as immovable as granite.

"An attempt at assassination?" echoed the inspector, turning towards us
for an explanation.

"That is the charge," I replied.

"And who dares make such an assertion?" Mr. Brown asked, his face pale
with suppressed excitement.

"Mr. Follet has presented the complaint to me, and backed it with some
proof that looks conclusive," the commissioner said, pointing to the
perjured villain, who stood with sullen aspect a short distance from us.

"Do you dare bring such a charge against these men?" asked the
inspector, facing the lying scamp, and endeavoring to get a glimpse at
his face. "Take time for your answer, and consider the suspicious manner
in which you stand in the estimation of the police at Ballarat. I know
you and your doings."

Follet made an appealing gesture to the commissioner, and the latter
interfered.

"I will have no browbeating of the witness," he said. "He appeared
before me in good faith, and until his assertions are contradicted, I
shall consider that he is under my protection."

"But if I can show you that he is unworthy of belief, and that for
months past he has been in the habit of gambling with money which he has
purloined from his uncle, and that he owes large debts which he has
contracted, and is unable to pay, will that have any effect upon you in
judging of this matter?" demanded Mr. Brown, with some warmth.

"If you can prove to me that these young men are innocent of the charge,
then I shall be ready to listen to complaints against Follet, but not
until then. Bad habits sometimes prejudice the minds of a jury against a
witness, and testimony is weighed in connection with circumstantial
matters which are brought to light. I think that we have a strong case,
for there are marks of blood, and the victim is found under this roof
almost lifeless, but with bandages on the wounds. Now it is a question
in my mind, whether this binding up of the injuries is not a trick for
the purpose of escaping punishment. If--"

"But these men are above suspicion," cried the inspector, impatiently.

"I have not finishe