orger.

"So did your victim; and yet his age is greater than yours. When
stripping him of wealth you had no misgivings, and as you showed no
mercy, neither shall we."

"Give me time to consult with my friends," pleaded Follet; but Mr. Brown
was deaf to his entreaties.

"Either go with me before the commissioner, and give a title to your
property, or else you go to prison and wait the return of a ship to
England, where you will be tried for forgery, and probably condemned.
You can take your choice--a life at the hulks, or freedom and poverty."

"This is a d----d trap!" yelled the forger, "but I will not be caught so
easily."

"As you please," returned Mr. Brown, carelessly; "I have a greater
desire to see justice executed on men of your stamp than to attempt to
compromise matters. Come with me."

He passed his arm through Follet's, and beckoned Mike to do likewise;
but before the trio had taken three steps towards the door the forger's
heart began to soften.

"Am I to be locked up?" he demanded.

"Ay, in the darkest cell in the prison," returned Mr. Brown, firmly.

"One moment!" he exclaimed; "will you agree to let me go free if I
comply with your request?"

We gave the required pledge, and in less than three hours' time we had
the satisfaction of placing in Mr. Critchet's hands a deed of all the
property owned by Follet; and although the amount was not near the sum
that the former had expended to save the latter's neck, yet it was
sufficient to place the old gentleman in affluent circumstance's for the
remainder of his life.

CHAPTER LXIV.

MR. BROWN'S DISCHARGE FROM THE POLICE FORCE.--BILL SWINTON'S CONFESSION.

Mr. Brown, who had interested himself so successfully in Mr. Critchet's
affairs, to be sure that Follet did not return to his stock-house, sent
two men, old and experienced shepherds, to take charge of the stock and
exercise a general supervision over the property until Mr. Critchet was
disposed to sell it for the most that he could get, and he did not have
to wait long for an offer; for one day the old gentleman astonished us
by imparting the information that he had got a letter from a person in
Melbourne who was anxious to buy, and desired an interview immediately.
Our friend left the same day in the stage line, but before he went he
made us a present of his claim, and a munificent gift it was.

We saw the old gentleman no more in Australia, but when in London, on
our way home, via t