CHAPTER XXVII.

Waikato Times, Volume IV, Issue 184, 15 July 1873, Page 2

CHAPTER XXVII.

Have I lired to itand at the taunt Of one that makes fritters of English ' 1 TnAT's the chap,' »aid Brumlit, dosing the door with a bang, and putting his back against it — ' that's the chap aa robbed us of our brass ! Send for the peelers, Johnnj — send for the pealers ! unless thejoung chap squares it right off,, and hands over the bag.' ' Have you got nnj property belonging to these persona,, young man?' said tho banker, turning round and looking at Gerard. ' These persons are a gnng of swindler? I hare some of their plunder in hit possession, which I shall hand over to the lawful owners, when I find out who they aie ' ' Come,' said Brumfit, seizing Gerard by the collar, ' come out of that ! Hand over the bn«i, or I'll blow your brains out !' So sayiDg, he drew a revolver from his pocket, and presented it at Gerard 1 * head. Winny shrieked, and threw herself upon his arm. ' You fool!' said Gerard, •do you suppose I am such a madman as to- carry the bag abcut with me ? Where that bn«: is placed uo- one but myself know s. Kill me, and you will ne\er be any the better for it.' 'You're so violent,' cried John ns he heard this, (seizing Bruiniit by the shoulder. 'Don't frighten the young genlleman ; he didn't mean any harm; it was a little bit oi trick he played us, that was all. He'll give us our bag — only speak bun fair. — You will won't you, young man ?' 4 I'll tee you nil in heaven first !' i ' There, you hear, Mr Rowlands :he has stolen our property, and he won't give it back. Make a warrant for us,, Mr Rowlands ; and send him to prison.' ' Who are yon, pray ? ' s»id Rowlands, turning round, and again filing his- regards on Gerard. 'Don't you know, papa?' cried Winny, interposing. ' He is Mr Robertson, who was lost among tbe hills.' ; The banker put his hand to hid brow ' Who told me he was drowned ?' he cried, looking wildly round. One would have thought that the causo of bis greifr-jre-morse and terror now effaced, he would have welcomed tnefact, as a release from most of his troub'es ; but it was net so. All that he felt was, that he was one step nearer ruin. Then the thought occurred to him, that, by taking part with the three rogues ngainst the one honest man, he might for a time put oft' tbe inevitable crash, that in the meantime he might save Ins son from sharing his rum. Yes; be would sign a warrant ; he would commit this, youth to prison. But ho would not adjudicate on the matter here in his own house ; he would jhave the case brought before him at the court-house in due form, on tins the day of the petty sessions. Ho would take care that no compromising revelations should be made. ' I shall adjourn this case to the court-house at eleven ? you will all appear then before me, and I will adjudicate upon the evidence. And now, leave me all ; I must be alone.' ' Then you won't commit this man on the spot ?' cried John. ' No ; I won't.' 'Very well, then ; you shall appear at the court-house, Mr Rowlands, but not as a justico ; it shall be as a prisoner ; yes, by Jupiter 1 I told Sergeant Jones to he in readiness, and unless lam mistaken, he is outside the door now. You forget, Mr Rowlands, that I am the agent for the insurance company — very well, I give you into custody, you and Miss Winny, for incendiarism, and this young thief for stealing our bag.' ' Confound your impudence 1' shouted Gerard, maddened that the man should say these things of him and his Winny ; and in one stride he stood beside the clerk, and taking him by the ears, jerked his head against the door post. Livid nnd white with fear and rage, John rose from the floor as soon as Gerard had let him go. ' Very well, you shall pay for- all this — Come, Sergeant Jones,' he cried, opening the door and shouting up the passage, ' come and do your duty !' Amongst these excited, eager people, the impassive form of the policeman stamped in, a cold dark figure, chilling the glow of all their fiery tempers. ' Now,' cried John Jones the clerk, ' now, then, we shall see !' And so we shall see — in the next chapter.