d already got his hand upon the latch, and was making a motion to
open the door, when Fred sprang upon him by his collar, and despite of
his long, spider-like legs, hurled him to the floor, where he lay for a
moment motionless and senseless. He raised his head, however, after a
while, and attempted to get to his feet, but Fred was watching his
motions, and grasping him by his neck, choked him, until the impudent
fellow was almost black in his face, and was glad to beg for mercy.

"Will you answer our questions now?" Fred asked, giving him a shake.

"I'll do any thing hereafter," he gasped, "that you desire; only don't
squeeze the breath entirely out of my body."

"Now, then, tell us what information you have received, and let us have
no more of your impudence; and if you don't tell a straight story we'll
beat you to death with our horsewhips."

Steel Spring understood the meaning of the language used, and he saw
that he had men to deal with who were not disposed to submit to his
demands and impudence, as he supposed they would. His confident air was
gone, and an abject one assumed its place.

"Last night," he commenced, "I vas sitting vid a few coves in Dan's
crib, talking flash, ven von of 'em mentioned the case which I is
hunting up. I pretended that I didn't, know vot vas meant, and axed in a
careless sort of vay for the particulars. One of the coves tells me how
old Critchet got lammed, and then said that the coves didn't get
anything, 'cos the old feller had carried all of his money to the
government office, and took a paper for the amount. I axed him how he
knowed, and he said he seed the old cock lugging the dust to the office,
and followed him, thinking that if he could get a chance he would crack
him over his head, and make a raise. I didn't make many 'quiries, 'cos I
thought I vould vate a little vile until I got 'quainted."

"And was there any thing said about the parties who committed the
outrage?" I asked.

"There vas a few hints, but not enough to give me a hold. However, von
of the chaps said that he would show me a man vot helped in the business
to-morrow night, if I vished."

"And what answer did you make?" we inquired eagerly.

"I said that I thought he would make a good pal for the bush, and that I
would like to know him, and talk the matter over with a few good ones
vot I had already spoken to."

"And what do you propose to do in case the assassin meets you?" we
demanded.

"Get him to ta