en, after finishing
his calculations.

"And do you expect us to take the money?" Fred asked.

"I certainly do," replied the lieutenant, with the most refreshing
coolness.

"But suppose an inquiry should be made by those in authority at
Melbourne, regarding the finding of this money? What answer should we
return?"

"You can say that you should like to find more on the same terms, and
refer inquirers to me for further particulars."

"But shall you say nothing about the discovery when you reach the city?"
we asked.

"To be sure I shall. I intend to mention in my report that I found a
large quantity of stolen goods, and present a schedule of the same."

"And the gold?" I asked.

"The gold! why, I have lived too long in Australia to think of giving up
my lawful prize-money, and if I did I should be dismissed from the
police force as not worthy of a command. Follow my example and pocket
all that you can get, and say nothing to any one, or you will be laughed
at for your weakness."

The argument of the officer was not convincing as far as the honesty of
the transaction was concerned; but when I saw the men empty their share
of the dust into pouches which they wore around their necks, I confess
the desire to do likewise was overpowering, and Fred and myself received
our thirds of the gold, valued at two thousand dollars, without farther
argument, or, indeed, caring particularly whether we were doing right or
wrong.

CHAPTER XV.

DYING CONFESSION OF JIM GULPIN, THE ROBBER.

"If you please, sir, Jim Gulpin is dying, I think, and wishes to speak
to you," said one of the policemen, with a military salute.

I found Jim breathing with extreme difficulty, and already the moisture
of death was on his brow. His eyes were set, and presented the peculiar
appearance characteristic of a sudden demise.

A cloud of insects was hovering around the poor fellow's head, and many
of them had alighted upon his face, and were sucking his blood as
eagerly as though they knew they must improve their time. Gulpin was too
weak, or else unconscious of their stings, to make an effort to drive
them from their feast; and as for the police, they were too busy in
dividing the gold found in the secret cellar to pay any attention to the
dying robber.

I sent one of the men for a pail of fresh water from the spring near the
house, and the only place where water could be had within a circle of
twenty miles, and then with a wet towel I