he arm quite nately. It's chase we gave to the
villains, but run they did, and when we came back we found that this
scamp was disposed to escape to Melbourne and lave us to foot it back to
the city."

"Indeed! Pray which way did they go?" asked Murden, not moving a muscle
of his face.

"Over the hill, there. Ride quick, and I think it's prisoners they'll be
in no time," cried the doctor.

"Did you count how many there were?" asked the police officer.

"Count them? How the divil could we, there were so many?" replied
O'Haraty.

"O, then if the bushrangers were in such force, it's surprising they
should run from only six men. I thought better of their courage," and a
sarcastic smile stole over Murden's face as he watched the doctor's
companion.

"Well, well," stammered O'Haraty, "if ye had heard us shout, ye would
have thought we could have frightened the divil himself."

"Well, whether Wattles was wounded by a bushranger or a companion, it
will do him no good to remain here in the hot sun. Place him carefully
into the carriage and drive to the barracks. I'll follow shortly, and
continue my investigation of this mysterious affair."

Murden spoke like one accustomed to be obeyed. The driver of the
carriage, who hardly moved two steps without keeping his eyes on the
dog--the animal appearing to have some strong antipathy against
him--readily lent his aid, and with Smith's assistance the wounded
lieutenant was propped up on a seat, and the doctor stowed his corpulent
person alongside of him.

"Why did you not tell me of this yesterday?" asked Murden, beckoning to
me, and whispering in a low tone.

"Because we were fearful that you would interrupt the proceedings," I
replied.

"I certainly should have done so. Are you aware that Wattles is a most
experienced and successful duellist? That he has been out half a dozen
times, and always came off without so much as a scratch?"

"No, I was not aware that such is the case," I answered.

"He is all that I tell you, and if I had suspected that a duel was to
come off between Fred and the soldier, I should have had both of them
arrested and locked up, and kept them until they were ready to swear
that they would not lift their hands against each other."

"And then Fred and myself would have been imputed as informers, and a
stain would have rested on our reputations, and we should no longer have
been considered fit company for gentlemen." "That does not necessarily
fol