“ALMA.”

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XX, Issue 2047, 25 March 1887, Page 1 (Supplement)

“ALMA.”

novelist.

Ax Oei'U.'AL Ai> ri;.u.ivx Stouv, n v HAROLD STEPHEN. Em.k. M.P. of new sorrii walk.'. (.11l 1!, CHAPTER XXXIII. (C..ntimicd)

" Yon know well enough," continued Susie, 11 that the only show you've got to escape being burnt in your beds same night, is just to help those boys to get clear of the traps. II they get tfl, 111 undertake that you and yonr old man shall be left in peace. Have yon closed the bar?" “Tea, and everybody's gone to bed. Oh dcarl"

“ Don’t be a fool, just you go to bed too, and go to sleep as soon as you can, 1 can manage every thing better alone." “What a gal !" exclaimed Mrs. Rigby, admiringly, aa she left the room. “Little as ■he is. she's got the pluck of a man. Ob, lot, I wish it was all over ! ’ A lew minutes later the sergeant returned, and reported that the men were in their room and quite ready for their coffee. “And it will be ready for them in a minute,” replied Susie, filling a cup which stood upon a little tray covered with a white napkin. “ I'll just take this into Miss Alma, and be back in a minute." On her return—she had warned Alma not to drink the ooftee— Susie filled four other cups, and. placing them on a tray, carried it, accompanied by the eergt ant, into the room where the troopers awaited her. “Here, boys," said the sergeant, “ it's luck ye are to have a little beauty loike this waitin’ onye. ’

Basie eet the tray on the table and asked when the other trooper was—for three only were in the room.

“ In there, darlio',” replied the eergeact, indicating with hia finger, the door of the room in which the prisoners were confined. ”In there, on guard over the bushrangers.'' “ Well call him in," said Susie, “ I ■oppose he wants his coflee as much as yon.” The sergeant walked to the door, threw it wide open, and called to tb- trooper to come in. Aa he entered Susie stole a ( lance into the room. The prisoners lay coiled up in blankets on the floor, whilst a candle stood on a table placed against the wall, and a revolver lay by its side. Susie remained chatting to the men whilst they drank their ccflee. and then removed the cops, stating that it would not be fair to leave them for Mrs, IPgby to wash in the morning; then she wished them good night and retired, escorted by the gallant O'More, who bad preferred to drink bis coffee by the kitchen fire.

When they were cosily seated side by side at the kitchen table, and Sergeant O'More had taken bis first si|> of lb treacherous compound, Susie commenced business. “It most be very uncomfortable lor those poor wretches to hare to sleep in handcui!-,' ■he said.

" Sarve the mnrdherin' villins tight," said tbe sergeant. “ They'll find it harder yet to slape whin they've got their leg-irons

“ Do yon always carry handcuffs with you, sergeant ?” asked Susie. “ Always, dullin'. See now, ain't tbim a loine pair 0’ bracelets ?” Here he took from his pocket a pair of handcuffs and passed them to the girl. " Lor 5" she exclaimed, “ bow do you put ’em on ?'

“ I'll show ye.” replied the sergeant. ■* Howld out jour bands—so.” " How funuj ! But see, the} 're no good, I can get my hands out ol them easily.'' So saying, .‘■-ueie palled her little hands through, as she said, with ease.

“That s bekase ye're got the real party little band, Shusie, ' said the sergeant. "Av it was me they were on, I oudn't get rid < f ’em in a burry.'' “Ob, show me bow to do it?'' said Sans.

TbsssrgMnt unfastened the handcuffs with a ksy, and clasped them on his own wrists, demoting the while upon the absolute Impossibility ol doing anything whilst so Uttered.

“And yon open them with a key?' asked Susie.

“ Tie, darlin', open tbim yerself, an' let ms loose.”

Susie had gained her end; she knew howto open and shut the handcuffs, and the way to sacesM lay straight before her. Some innoeent love passages ensued, which, as they have naught to do with this nistory, we will retrain from indicting upon the reader ; and, Anally, the sergeant, hall stupitied by tb« opium ha bad swallowed, was fain to admit that ha was too tired to remain out of beu any longer. Then Susie accompanied him to the door ol his room, and even permitted him to snatch a kiss st parting. Tot a long lime she waited breathlessly in the panage, then, satisfied by the lend snoring Baida that slumber bad overtaken most el ite inmates, she stole noiselessly oat of the boon and walked round to the wall which divided her from the prisoners. It was a simple slab hut, and the interstices between the slake bad been merely covered with Bsipe of tin, so she found to difficulty in making an opening snffieiently large to adnrt af the panage ol her arm. “ Bill I” she cried, in a whisper. “Bill, an ms awake 7“ “let 1 thought something was np when law pan hobnobbing with them trap*, so I

waited, and didn't go to sleep. What ia to be done ?” “ d’ve hocussed the police, so there's no t ir of toin;: overheard by them, and the test of ! lie pr p!e are all right. Wake np Jour males and burrt down a couple of slabs cO that I can grt in." Ti:i .3 did not take long to accomplish, and Susie fprar ,’ in through the opening, and ran 1 gully into the other room. All the men wet (ae , o; i,. or , e on s nard over the pri-O’iir. ha-1 fail, n from hit chair on to the l! i".’ -and .-ho speedily found the key of the him. -un." and released'her brother and hia Li' ■ ■ " 1 she said, handcuff the troopers - «r,” ai.t ».id all. T:i..-n, if you take their key-. do id not bo able to get loose for some time. >j ,;tk ! iliac is no time to lose, for you eight to be forty miles away by daybreak." “ Bui bow ar- ive going to travel ?” asked r>.i : , afifr her directions had been attended to. '■ O i the 'reapers' horses. There are live, Toucan rid-: three, and lead the other two a way w: i you. I aiw tu.it all the other ho;-..- were turned out into the bush just aft. r ;, a."

B. ; -ro they rode off, Susie called her bio:;,oi aside, and gave him the money she had received from Harry, Idling him not to for, a uif ihbt of gratitude he owed that young gentleman. “ST.clp me never, PH not forget it!” exclaimed Mr. B 11 Brown ; “and i’ll let all the boy,- - know they re to stand by the young chap and his ga l at any lime they med it. I Gcod-by, old gsl," he added, kissing her affectionately, “ycu'vc behaved like a brick, and I only bopo ym won’t get found out. I’m off to the Sydney side, and 1 don’t think the traps ’ll ketch me again in a hurry I” Su-io saw them gallop off, end then rei turned to the hou-e, and carefully washed the cup 3 and saucepan, so as to remove all traces of the opium. The dish of dirty water she carried down to the creak, end let its , contents mingle with the running stream. Then she returned to the kitchen; built up the tire ; boiled soma more coffee, and poured some into the cops again. Thus, if any suspicions hocusiing arose, and the contents of , jbe cups were analysed, they would be found to be perfectly innocent and harmless. When all was done, the girl fairly broke down ,<tnd kneeling by Alma's bedside, sobbed berseifinto a mild lit of hysterics.

CHAPTER XXXIV. niAMOXO OKI MAMOXI). The professor and Johnson continued their wild ride till the flagging horses, jaded and spur-galled, stumbling at every step, refused to proceed furlher. They were close to a road-side shanty, as near as the cculd guess, some ten miles from silver creek; bo they dismounted, and turned their horses loose, lor the poor animals were too weary to travel far, even in search of food. Then, after refreshing themselves with some fiery brandy, they walked out into the bush, and proceeded to consider (be position.

As yet no explanation had taken place between them, for che pace at which they had travelled had rendered conversation impossible. Each had noticed the other’s perturbation, and each had determined to conceal his own secret, whilst finding out that of his companion.

Johnson, alias Sumner, alias Vanderdteken, had at present the whip-hand of the professor. The cards of that worthy gentleman lay all exposed to view; and it especially bel oved him to retain that superiority, in order that, in making his bargain, he might be able himself lo dictate terms. He had not the slightest doubt that the Professor would wi-lingly avoid the necessity of sacrifiring his niece if it were possible, and he consequently dreaded beyond all things the discovery of his connection with the robbery of the Pride of the Oeeati. Let the Professor once get bold of Ihst fact, and he would be at hia mercy, and be compelled to commit the required petjury, without the hope of any personal benefit whatever.

For bis part, Stephen Tredegar was equally anxiou., that his secret should not be discovered by his companion. The departure of Sit Charles North had eased hia mind to a certain extent; but he could not help fearing lest hia companion might, in a moment of weakness, seek to negotiate with Dart, and the safer course of telling. These thoughts occupied their minds as they walked away from the shanty, and each waa conscious that a trial of skill was impending.

The Professor opened the battle. “Now, ray friend, would you mind explaining your extraordinary conduct? ”

“.My cxtiaordinary conduct!" What do you mean ’ ashed tbe other, with wellsitnula'ed surprise. “ We!!. I den t know what you think about it, but it appears to rue that, after riding forty miles this morning to get to Silver Creek, it is rather a singular proceeding to turn tail just as we arrive, and gallop off, as madly as if some terrible danger threatened you.”

“ I pon my word and honor,” exclaimed Mr. Johnson, “of all the cool cards I ever ; . :-t in ir.y life, you arc ihexoolestl Me gallop ma.’iy eff just as wo arrived? Why, it was you that turned toil and galloped oft and I only followed you.” Tac Professor began to respect Mr. Johnran. He f-_-lt that he had under rated him hitherto, and determined that never again would lu be led into imagining a man to be a fool beta u;e he was vulgar and illiterate. “ I assure you, you mistake, my dear fellow, ’he -aid, “ You wheeled your horse suddenly round, and drove your spurs into hi- side— I, very naturally, followed your exempli;. thinking that you must have good and t: iJctit reason for riding away in such a hurry. ’

'Sow, the fact of the matter was that neither of the associates was perfectly certain that the other was not telling the truth. Each had li3en too much taken by surprise at the recognition of hia enemy at the pool to take note cf what the other was doing, and the impulse to fiy bad occurred to them, and been acted upon, simultaneously.

Then, whilst Johnson was all ears for what Bertie said, the I’rofessor heard only Dart's cry of “ Uncle,” consequently, at this stage of the proceedings, neither felt very confident.

But, having adopted a certain line, it would be madness to depart from it, so Johnson retorted ;

“ Don't try to take a risi out of me, il you please, Mr. Professor. Vou know, better thou anybody, that it was you that started first.”

“ if, by taking a rise out of you, you mean that I am endeavoring to make a fool of you, 1 beg to assure you that you are mistaken,” said the Professor, assuming bis grand manner, which he had already found effective in dealing with Mr. Johnson. “ I distinctly assert that I merely followed your example in hurrying away su suddenly,” Could il be really so 7 thought Johnson. If so, how should he explain his flight? But he would make one more clforc, and, if that failed, he would always lie-lying comes easier to sach men than telling the truth, as anyone who is acquainted with the convict nature will readily admit. “ All right, sir,” he said, after a momen. tary panse, with an air cf nonchalance. “ ft seems we both made a mistake. I thought you started, and you thought 1 did. We’ve bad a deuced uncomfortable tide for nothing;

and all we can now do is catch our horses and retrace our steps.” Victory 1 The Professor felt that he was bcaton -it must be as Johnson said, And, after all, the man must have known of the presence of Sir Charles North in Australia, and yet had made no move to deal with him —he would scarcely be likely to throw away his chance with Alma by opening negotiations with her brother. No —he might be trusted—at least, as long ae the young lady bore with his attentions.

i So Mr. Stephen Tredegar acknowledged himself defeated, and admitted that he had | ridden away because he had ridden away bei cause he had recognised his nephew, and I wished to conceal his address from that young : gentleman. I “ You see, Johnson," he added, ‘‘without wishing to hurt your feelings, I must point I out to you that you are scarcely the class of I suitor that would be considered by her friends as eligible for a young lady of ray niece’s position and pretensions. If her brother were to find her out, he would be coming to see her constantly, and would infallibly give you your < ;n<ji .” This, Johnson was reluctantly compelled to admit, was highly probable ; and then the gentlemen proceeded to discuss the plan of operations to be pursued. “ We had better separate for a time,” said the Professor. '• Alma will be quite safe in ADatia with me, and you can rejoin us later. By separating at Forest Creek we shall divide the trail, so to say, it my nephew should take it into his bead to follow us. I recommend you to go to Bendigo—there is money to be made there, and I will take care to send you word when the coast is clear.” But this did not suit Mr. Johnson at all. The presence of Bertie Leracorte on the diggings was a continual menace to him; and he felt that be should only be in safety in some such out of the way spot as Alsatia. ” No, Professor,” said he, “ I can’t leave this district in such a burry. I’ll go back with you to Alsatia. But 1 tell you what we will do, instead of staying the night at Forest Creek, we’ll just sell our horses at the place where the coaches stop, about ten miles from here,and then go right through by ooaoh to Snob’s Gulley.” “ But, if we are followed that would be just the surest way to lead to out detection. They would be certain to enquire at the coaching station.”

“ Not a bit of it, the station isn’t on this read at all. We roust take the bush for it, about a mile further on, and tide across country for a mile or two till we meet the main road. I know the way right enough.’ 11 We ought not to stop at Snob’s Gully,’ said the Professor, “they will certainly enquire at all the neighboring diggings. No, I don’t like your plan at all, we can’t be tracked half as easily if we keep on our horses.’’

11 Which won't carry us ten miles further,” retorted Johnson. “Look at the brutes now, they're too dead beat even to pick a bit of grass.”

There was no gainsaying this statement, and the Professor was obliged to give way. “ But," said he, “ I think still it would be better that you should not come to Alsatia, Look here: Sell out your claim at Snob’s Dully as quick as you can, and we will make a start for England, that will end all the bother at once."

“ Get your niece to take an oath she’]] marry me, and I’ll do it at once,” replied Johnson.”

They had made the heart of the shantykeeper glad by the expenditure of a few more shillings, and Johnson bad secured his silence in the event of enquiry as to their movements —there was no difficulty about that to the iniated, for shanty-keepers, in those days, were in the confidence of everylruffian in the neighborhood—and bad caught their horses, when an idea occurred to Johnson, which caused him to turn pale with fright. Ha remembered that, if Bertie Leracorte set to work properly, there would ba little or no difficulty iu establishing the fact of Johnson, the well-known speculator at Snob’s Gully, being identical with Vanderdecken, the gold-robber. He had been seen in company with Professor Tredegar, by Bertie and Dart, and they would soon find out that he had left Snob’s Gully with that gentleman. The result would be a hue and cry throughout the neighbourhood, and perhaps the offer of a large reward for hie capture. Clearly be must not venture to remain any time in Snob’s Gully, and the near neighbourhood of Alsatia to that diggings would render it extremely probable that the police would extend their search into that quarter. Should he fly at ones to Melbourne, leaving the Professor authority to sell his share of the claim at Snob’s Gully! He doubted whether it Would be safe to show himself in Melbourne, and he felt sure that every outgoing ship would be diligently watched by the police. There remained then, Sydney, and he finally determined to make bis way overland at onoe.

To this effect he informed Stephen Tredegar, giving, as his reason for this sudden change of intention, some information be bad received from tbe shanty-keeper, which rendered it necessary for him to get away without delay. “You see, Professor, he added, “I've sailed pretty close to tbe wind in my time and I can’t afford to get into trouble just now, when my fortune is made, eo to say. I shall cut as quick as I can, and you can follow me if you like. We can ride to the coaching station together, and then, whilst you go on by coach, I’ll take tbe track up towards the Ovens. You can realise on the claim, and bring on the money to Sydney—*'v ® g°| the rest of my money safe enough.” The Professor was delighted at this change of plan, for he knew that, travelling separately , their chances of escape would be increased an hundred-fold, and he readily agreed to Johnson’s proposal, adding that be should at once proceed to Melbourne with his niece, and go on to Sydney by the first V 686611

“Good,” said Johnson. “We’ll meet then, say this day month, at a pub at the corner ol Gallows Hill, in George street. Don t you forget the address. HI don’t some up to time, call there every day, and ask for sJ®’ io \ shall put up there when I arrive. 111 get there first, I’ll wait for you. Do you understand?” 1

They had the good fortune to reach the station just as the coach was starting for Forest Creek, and the Professor secured a seat without attracting much attention, whilst Johnson pursued his way, leading the other horse, without even halting to take a drink.

“ Of him it ia only necessary to say that alter divers adventures, and some hardship’ he at last reached Sydney and put up at the ino ha had spoken of, where he patiently awaited the coming of bis fellow conspirator.

CHAPTER XXXV. FOLLOWING THE TRAIL. The precautions taken by Mr. Johnson to elude pursuit did not avail, for Seth followed the trail with the sagacity ol an Indian, and tracked them up to the door of the coachingstation. There Bertie learned that the elder of the two gentlemen had taken the coach for Forest Creek, booking under the name of Eager; of the other (Johnson), the people could say nothing, for it will be remembered that he rode on without alighting, and, in the bustle attendant upon the departure ol the coaoh, no notice was taken of bis movements.

As it was now nightfall the young men agreed to sleep at the inn, and proceed with their <|'test in the morning. When, after tea, they were alone, Dart asked what Bertie proposed to do. “ I think we had better part here,” was the reply. “ You can easily find your Uncle and through him your sister, whilst I follow that Vanderdccken. I suppose you can pick up a trail again?” he added, addressing Seth. b

" You bet I kin 1” replied the young gentle man. “ But 1 don't like your plan no. how.”

“ Why ?" asked Dart. “11 seems to me there is nothing else to be done.”

“ An’ what about the claim 7” asked Seth. “Air you a-goin’ ter sec that claim jumped, afore yer oome back?" “ Confound the claim I” exclaimed Bertie. “ I'd sacrifice all the gold there ie in Australia just to have my hand on that ruffian’s throat 1”

11 Thur ain’t no sense in bitin’ off yer nose to spite yer face,” retorted Seth. “ What you want is to clar yer carikter, and, I’d like ter know what’ll do that better’n gold? Ef you was ez black ez the blackest nigger in Firginny, I guess, ef you’d got gold enough folks 'ud allow you was the fash’nable color.”

“ There's sense in that, Bertie,” Dart remarked. "After all, fellows like us, with no prospects to speak of, ought not lightly to throw away the best chance we’ve ever had.”

“ Then what, in Heaven’s name, would you have me do ?" asked Bertie, with evident irritation. "Aml to give up the ohase altogether, and let the villian go, just when I’ve got some show to catch him ?”

Jest so,” replied Seth, coolly. “Thet’s jiat what you oughter do, an’ go back quiet to Silver Creek to work agin.” " No, no,” said Dart, “ that would be rather too much to expect, something must be done to track that man.”

*' Then let them ez makes it thur biz do the trackin’. My idea is, let’s go on to Forest Creek fust thing, report the affair to to the perlioe, and then baok home, leavin’ them to do the work.” »

"But I, at least, need not accompany yon," said Dart. “ I ought certainly to follow my unsle. Remember, he has committed no crime, and we can’t set the police after bim.”

“Be it so,” said Bertie. “ I suppose they would be able to find that Vanderdeckin as well as we should, for I am sure we shall find out something about him—perhaps the name he travels under at present—at Forest Creek.”

“And,” cried Seth magnanimously, “if them perlice don’t hev no black trackers to toiler the trail, I’ll go with ’em. But we can’t leave that beautiful claim to be jumped, whilst we’re cavortin’ around the country after a bushranger." On arriving at Forest Creek the next day, they at once rode up to the police camp and reported the affair to the superintendent in charge. He seemed much excited and pleased at tire prospect of capturing such a notorious criminal as the leader of the band which had robbed the Pride of the Ocean, and at once caused inquiries to be set on foot in tie town.

Bertie was gratified to find that the chief of the detectives had not failed to keep his promise, but had written recommending him to the superintendent at Forest Creek, adding that he fully believed in the young man’s innocence of the crime with the commission of which be had been charged. They were still conversing when a policeman entered and reported that Mr. Eager—the Professor—had gone by coach to Snob's Gully, and that it had been ascertained that the man who had left Forest Creek in bis company on the previous day was a Mr. Johnson, who resided at Snob’s Gully, where he was supposed to bold an interest in a valuable olaim.

“Is not Tucker still here ?” asked the superintendent. “ Yes, sit,” replied the policeman. “ Send him here, please. Tucker is a senior-constable who is stationed at Snob’s Qully,” he explained to the others. “He may be able to tell us something mote about this Johnson.” But there was little more to tell. Tucker had noticed the man but bad seen nothing suspicious in bis conduct. When examined concerning Mr. Gager, he said that that gentleman had lived at the Snob’s Arms with his niece for some time, but that they had suddenly left, in company with Mr. Johnson, and he could not say whither they had betaken themselves.

" Find out all you can about them,” said the superintendent, “ and report to me as soon as you have learned anything." Tucket promised compliance, and withdrew, and then Bertie asked what course the superintendent would recommend them to pursue. “Well, as far as Johnson is concerned,” he replied, “ you ne;d not trouble yourselves. All that can be done will be done without a moment’s delay. But it certainly would be advisable for one of you to go on to Snob’s Gully, for, you must remember, that we can do nothing with this Mr. Eager even it we find biro, whereas yon might be able to extract from him valuable information as to Johnson’s intentions.”

‘• I had proposed going, sir,” said Dart. “ This Eager is my uncle, and his real name is Stephen Tredegar.” “What is his object for assuming an alias?”

“ To prevent me from communicating with my sister, who is with him, I suppose,” said Dart. “ 1 know of no other reason,"

Dart did not suspect that the Professor's chief motive in changing hie name to avoid the chance ol the missing witness, Sumner, alias Johnson, being discovered in bis company. The superintendent having promised to inform them without delay of any discovery that might be made, they left; and, as soon as the horses were sufficiently rested, Bertie started for Silver Creek, accompanied by Seth, whose services as tracker were not required by the police. Dart then joined Senior-constable Tucker, and proceeded in his company to Snob’s Gully. As they were riding along, Tucket asked Dart whether he had beard the news from the Mountain Hut.

Now our young friends bad been so occupied by their own afiairs that they had paid little heed to the account of the attempted escort-robbery, and Dart bad forgotten the very existence of such a place as the Mountain Hut, which be would certainly not have done had he been aware that the commander of the escort who lay there wounded was bis former friend, Harry Lascelles—a fact which, as stated elsewhere, the newspapers had omitted to mention, “ The Mountain Hut ?" he asked, therefore. “ I never heard of such a place.”

'• Never heard of the Mountain Hut I" repeated the senior-constable in a tone of extreme surprise. “ Surely, sir, you don't mean to tell me that you never read an account of the attack which was made there on the escort by bushrangers?” ” Ah, yes, 1 remember,” replied Dart. “ Well, what is the news you spoke ol ? Is there anything fresh ?" “ H gby, the publican, known as The Old Man of The Mountain, has tamed Queen’s evidence, and we’ve got three of the gang already.” " That’s smart work, isn’t it?” “ There was not much difficulty about it. They fancied they were quite safe, and were quietly staying in Alsatia." “ Aleatia I Is that a township near here ?' asked Harry, To he continued.)