his _lush_ undisturbed by
the thoughts of police officers. The "Cricket" appeared to be unusually
light and brilliant, for the sharp squeaking of a violin was heard, and
the trilling of a clarinet blended with the catgut in most discordant
notes.

"Now, gentlemen," the inspector said, stopping short, and laying his
hands upon our arms, "we have got to manage this matter with some skill,
or we shall hardly escape without a blow from a knife, or a pistol shot,
two very desirable things if we use the weapons with which they are
inflicted, but bad if in other hands. Let me caution you to study each
word that you utter, and to maintain perfect control over your muscles.
Now, then, are you ready?"

We answered in the affirmative, and once more strode on until we reached
the stout door that separated the "cricketers" from the outer world. It
was closed as we expected, for Steel Spring had informed us that after a
certain hour at night all ingress had to be made by giving a password,
and he had kindly provided us with the magic expression to be used.

Mr. Brown dealt a stout blow upon the door, and while we listened for a
response the music ceased, and all was quiet as a churchyard within the
house. We could hear whispering near the door as though debating our
business, and who we were.

Again did the inspector deal the door heavy blows, and while he rested a
hoarse voice asked,--

"What's wanted out there?"

"We wish to come in--open the door, and don't keep us away from, the
lush all night," responded the inspector.

"But who are you?" queried our interrogator.

"We is fakey kens and quiddling coves," Mr. Brown answered, adopting the
flash language, most in vogue among thieves at Ballarat.

"If you is fakey coves you should know the _dig_," was the response,
meaning that we should know the password.

"Bush and bush," cried Mr. Brown, promptly, being the words which Steel
Spring had informed us would carry us into the house without delay.

"Why didn't you go for to say so in the fust place," growled the
doorkeeper; and we heard a heavy bar removed, and a bolt drawn, and then
the door was opened just wide enough for us to squeeze in one by one,
and after we stood in the large room, where twenty or thirty persons
were congregated, it was instantly shut, and again secured, and our
retreat was cut off had we been disposed to have left the choice company
before us in a summary manner.

I had time to glance around th