sir; I didn't recognize you. Sorry to be obliged to stop
you, sir, but have got positive orders to admit only those having
business."

"Then we are just the ones to pass, for we have business of importance
with the commissioner."

"Ah, that alters the case. Pass in, gentlemen;" and as the soldiers
lowered their bayonets, we slipped past them, and in a few minutes found
ourselves in the ante-room of the commissioner.

"You had better go in alone, for I can be of no service to you,"
whispered Mr. Brown; and I felt the truth of the remark.

I boldly followed an officer into the commissioner's room, and soon
found myself in the presence of Kellum, the commissioner, and half a
dozen captains and lieutenants.

"I tell you, that every dog of them should be shot, and then you'll hear
no more of taxes and rebellion. That's the way I'd punish treason, and
it will be effectual. We should have no more meetings and political
speeches by men who don't know what they are ranting about. We have got
the rebels at our feet. Let us trample upon them."

"It will not do," replied the commissioner, mildly, with his usual
crafty calculation. "The home government will hear of the matter, and
rake us over the coals for it. Besides, the newspapers would raise a
prodigious row, and then Parliament will have to appoint a commissioner
of inquiry. No, no; I've thought the matter over carefully, and I'm
convinced that we should get awfully blackballed if we shoot the
rascals, although"--and he smiled and rubbed his hands with glee--"I
should like the sport."

"Say but the word, and in fifteen minutes every dog of them shall be
dead," cried the colonel, who, having tasted blood, wished for more.

"No, no; let us send them to Melbourne, where a long imprisonment and
low diet will be the fate of each."

The colonel was about to make some observation, when an officer touched
his elbow, and called his attention to me.

"Hullo, by G----d, sir, how long have you been in this room?" he roared.

"I should judge about five minutes," I replied, calmly.

"And your business here?" he demanded, fiercely; and I saw that he had
not forgotten the blow which Fred dealt him the day before.

"My business is not with you, sir, but with this gentleman," I replied,
turning to the commissioner.

"Well, transact it, and be off. If that sergeant admits another grocer,
I'll hang him before morning."

I did not notice the sneer, but turned towards the commiss