bounds and moderation
than the country will ever give me credit for; and yet I am blamed, and
accused of not doing my duty, because I do not fill the prison, and load
with chains every person who utters a word against the government. If I
had a sensible man to deal with instead of the commissioner, I think
that this storm would blow over, or at least be delayed for some months,
until advices could be received from the Home Secretary. But as it is--"

Mr. Brown stopped talking suddenly; and when I looked up to learn the
cause, I saw, to my surprise, that Mr. Sherwin had entered the store
unperceived, and had probably heard a portion of the conversation.

There was an embarrassing silence for a few moments; although Mr. Brown
did not look at all frightened by the presence of his superior officer.
I expected a scene, and I was not disappointed, for ill feeling had long
been engendered between them, partly owing to the mining tax, which Mr.
Sherwin was supposed to have induced government to believe was just and
equitable, and partly owing to conciliatory measures instead of harsh
ones, which Mr. Brown had judged best to adopt for the purpose of
keeping Ballarat quiet.

"I need not suggest," said Mr. Sherwin, with one of his most sarcastic
smiles, "that this store is hardly the place to squander time in when so
many disloyal men are plotting against the government, and when an
outbreak is threatened every hour."

"You are, undoubtedly, addressing your conversation to me," Mr. Brown
exclaimed, with a lazy yawn, and a good-natured smile.

"I certainly am," was the short rejoinder, accompanied by a look of
surprise.

"And I suppose that you think I am not doing my duty, simply because I
am resting my weary form?" Mr. Brown asked, still maintaining his
composure.

"Your thoughts are perhaps right on that point. Time is all that we
desire now until the troops arrive, when we can deal with these foolish
men as we please, and as the best interests of the country demand."

"I don't think that I distinctly understand you," the inspector
remarked. "Do you wish me to break up the meetings which the miners are
holding, and make arrests for every dissatisfied word that is uttered?"

"Such a course would meet my approbation, and, I think, the approval of
the governor and his advisers. You may take a different view of the
matter."

"And if I should venture to differ with you, what then?" demanded Mr.
Brown, his cheeks flushing