low," answered Murden. "No one who knows you both can call you aught
but brave men."

"But did we not dine with you after we had received the challenge? We
made no secret of our going--hundreds saw us enter your house, and
hundreds saw us depart. Had we but lisped a word of our intended doings,
it would have been said that we visited you on purpose. Come, look at
the matter in a sensible light, and you will take a different view of
the affair."

Murden shook his head as if he considered it not only a breach of the
law but a breach of friendship to fight a duel without his knowledge;
and he intended to reply, but the doctor poked his jolly looking face
from the window of the carriage, and bade us good-by, and requested the
pleasure of our company to dinner on the next day.

"And do you come too, Murden. I've a few bottles of the rale Irish
whiskey, and better cannot be found in the world, and if ye come I'll
brew a jug of punch that'll make ye think ye are in paradise after
drinking a few tumblers. Good-by, boys, and, Murden, keep a sharp look
out for the bushrangers."

The driver started his horses, and for a few minutes after the carriage
had left the field we could hear the mellow voice of the doctor laughing
at the idea of his quizzing the police lieutenant with his story about
bushrangers.

"Come and breakfast with us," I said, turning to Murden. "We cannot
celebrate the escape of our friend Fred in a more appropriate manner."

"Agreed," he cried; and then turning to his men, he said, "return to the
station and report that Lieutenant Wattles was severely injured this
morning by the accidental discharge of his rifle while hunting
kangaroos. If I am wanted you know where to find me."

"Pray, how came you on the road so early?" I asked Murden.

"Because I got wind that there was trouble between you and Wattles. One
of my men overheard Fred's remark, the other night, and then he saw
Merriam leaving your house, and putting all and all together--the fact
that your party were early on the road, and Wattles being seen in a
carriage--he considered it of sufficient importance to report to me,
which he did an hour too late this morning, while I was dreaming of
bushrangers and prize money."

"But how did you find us, and how came the dog loose?" I inquired.

"That is a secret, but I don't mind telling you. I rode to your house
and tried the door. It was locked, but I heard the hound making an awful
howling within; s