lang j botany bay.txt

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Title:kBotanykBay,kTruekTaleskofkEarlykAustraliaAuthor:kJohnkLang

kkkkkkAUTHOR'SkPREFACEI.kkkkTHEkGHOSTkUPONkTHEkRAIL.II.kkkTHEkMASTERkANDkHISkMAN.III.kkGILES!kASkIkLIVE.IV.kkkTRACKSkINkTHEkBUSH.V.kkkkCAPTAINkKETCHCALFE.VI.kkkBARRINGTON.VIIkkkTHREEkCELEBRITIES.VIII.kBARONkWALD.IX.kkkSIRkHENRYkHAYES.X.kkkkKATEkCRAWFOD.XI.kkkANNIEkSAINTkFELIX.XII.kkAkRAMBLEkWITHkTHEkBLACKS.XIII.kMUSICkAkTERROR.

AUTHOR'SkPREFACE.

THEkgreaterknumberkofkthesekstorieskhavekalreadykappearedkin"HouseholdkWords."kThekremainderkwerekcontributedktokthek"WelcomeGuest."kItkbehoveskmektokinformkthekEnglishkreaderkthat,kalthoughktheentirekcontentskofkthiskvolumekarekfoundedkuponktruth,ktheknames,dates,kandklocalitieskhavekbeenksokalteredkthatktokallkintentskandpurposesktheykformkmerelykakwor kofkfiction.kMykobjectkinkma ingksuchalterationskwasktoksparekthekfeelingskofktheksurvivingkrelationskofthekvariouskpersonskalludedktokinkmyknarrativeskrespectively.

TokmykreaderskinkAustraliak(theklandkofkmykbirth),kIkdesirektoksaythatkIkdoknotkholdkmyselfkresponsiblekforktheksentimentskofkthe

variouskpersonskwhomkIkhavekintroducedkask"characters;"kandkthatkwhenIkhavekspo enkofkthekcolonykask"BotanykBay,"kandktheklargeklandkandstoc holderskofkformerktimeskaskthek"lords"kthereof,kitkwasknotkmyintentionktokbekeitherksarcastickorkinsulting.kAnkabsencekofknearlytwentykyearskfromkthekcolonyk(partlykinkIndiakandkpartlykinkEurope)haskinknokwayklessenedkmykregardkforktheklandkwherekthekdayskofkmyboyhoodkwerekspent,kandkwherekIkyetkhopektokendkmyklife;kandkIkwouldherekdesirektokexpresskthatkitkaffordedkmekgreatkjoyktokfindkthatktheprophecykinkwhichkIkindulgedkatkthekpublickmeetingkatkthekSydneyCollege,kink1842,kwhenkIkinconsistentlyksecondedkMr.kW.kC.kWentworth'sresolution,kthatkthekCrownkbekpetitionedktokgrantkthekcolonykarepresentativekassembly,kwasknotkfulfilled,kbutkfalsified.kIkwaskthenakverykyoungk(andkperhapskaksillykandkselfish)kman,kwhenkIkpropounded

inkpublickthatkthekcolonykwasknotkripekforkanykgovernment,ksavekthatofkakpurelykCrownkgovernment;kandkthekseverekhandlingkIkreceivedkfromthekentirekpresskofkthekcolonykwasknokdoubtkwellkmerited;kforassuredlykIkwasknotkjustifiedkinkagreeingktoksecondksokimportantkaresolution,kandkthenkexpressksuchkstrongkdoubtskasktokthekadvisabilityofkitskbeingkcarriedkintokeffect.kThekunpopularitykthatkIkincurredduringkthekfewkmonthskthatkIkremainedkinkthekcolonykafterkmykspeechkatthekSydneykCollege,kwas,kIktrust,kregardedkaskaksufficientkpunishmentforkthatk"youthfulkindiscretion"konkmykpart.kJOHNkLANGkBotanykBay


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I.kTHEkGHOSTkUPONkTHEkRAIL.

CHAPTERkI.

ITkwaskakwinter'sknight--ankAustraliankwinter'sknight--inkthekmiddleofkJuly,kwhenktwokwealthykfarmerskinkthekdistrictkofkPenrith,kNewSouthkWales,ksatkoverkthekfirekofkakpublickhouse,kwhichkwaskaboutkamilekdistantkfromktheirkhomes.kTheknamekofkthekonekwaskJohnkFisher,andkofkthekotherkEdwardkSmith.kBothkofkthesekfarmerskhadkbeentransportedktokthekcolony,khadkservedktheirktime,kboughtkland,cultivatedkit,kandkprospered.kFisherkhadkthekreputationkofkbeingpossessedkofkakconsiderableksumkinkreadykmoney;kandkitkwaskwellk nownthatkhekwaskthekmortgageekofkseveralkhouseskinkthektownkofkSydney,besideskbeingkthekownerkofkakfarmkandkthreekhundredkacres,kwhichkwasverykproductive,kandkonkwhichkheklived.kSmithkalsokwaskinkgoodcircumstances,karisingkoutkofkhiskownkexertionskonkhiskfarm;kbut,unli ekhiskneighbour,khekhadknotkputkbykmuchkmoney.

"Whykdon'tkyoukgokhome,kJohn,kandkseekyourkfriendskandkrelations?"as edkSmith;k"youkbeknowkverykwarmkinkthekpoc et;kand,kmar kmykwords,theykwouldkbekverykgladktokseekyou."

"Ikdon'tk nowkaboutkthat,kfriend,"krepliedkFisher.k"WhenkIkgotkintotroublekitkwaskthekbrea ingkofkthekheartkofkmykoldkfatherkandkmother;andknonekofkmykbrotherskandksisters--inkall,ksevenkofk'em--havekeveransweredkonekofkmykletters."

"Youkdidknotktellk'emkyoukwerekakrichkman,kdidkyou?"

"No;kbutkIkdon'tkthin ktheykwouldkheedkthatkmuch,klad;kforkthoughtheykarekfarkfromkwealthy,kasksmallkfarmers,ktheykarekwell-to-dokin

thekworld,kandkinkakverykrespectablekpositionkinkthekcountry.kIkhaveoftenkthoughtkthatkifkIkwasktokgokbac ktheykwouldkbeksorryktokseekme,evenkifkIkcarriedkwithkmek100,000kearnedkbykonekwhokhadkbeenkaconvict."

"Blesskyourkinnocentkheart!kYoukdon'tk nowkhumanknatur'kaskIkdo.Moneykdoeskakdeal--dependkon't.kBesides,kwhokisktok nowkanythingkaboutyou,kexceptkyourkownkfamily?kAndktheykwouldkneverkgokandkhintkthatkyouhadkbeenkunfortunate.kWhy,khowkmanykyearskagokiskit?"

"Letkmeksee.kIkwaskthenkeighteen,kandkIkamknowkforty-six--twenty-eightkyearskago.kWhenkIkthrewkthatkstonekatkthatkmankIklittlekthoughtitkwouldkhitkhim,kmuchklessk illkhim;kandkthatkIkshouldkbeksentkhere

forkmanslaughter.kButksokitkwas."

"WhykIkrecommendkyou,kJohn,ktokgokhomekiskbecausekyoukarekalwaystal ingkofkhomekandkyourkrelations.kAskforkthekfarm,kI'dkmanagekthatforkyoukwhilekyoukarekaway."

"Than kyou,kNed.kI'llkthin kaboutkit."

Presently,ktheklandlordkenteredkthekroom,kandkSmith,kaddressingkhim,said,k"Whatkthin kyou,kMr.kDean?kHerekiskMr.kFisherkgoingkhomekto


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England,ktokhavekakloo katkhiskfriendskandkrelations.

"Iskthatktrue,kMr.kFisher?"ksaidktheklandlord.

"Oh,kyes,"kwaskFisher'skreply,kafterkfinishingkhiskglasskofkpunchkandnoc ingkthekasheskoutkofkhiskpipe.

"Andkwhenkdokyoukthin kofkgoing?"ksaidktheklandlord.

"That'llkdepend,"krepliedkFisher,ksmiling.k"WhenkI'mkgonekyoukwillhearkofkit,knotkbefore;kandkneighbourkSmithkhere,kwhokisktokmanagekthefarmkduringkmykabsence,kwillkcomekandkpaykyoukanyklittlekscorekIkmayleavekbehind."

"ButkIkhopekyoukwillkcomekandksaykgood-bye,"ksaidktheklandlord.

"Oh,kofkcourse,"ksaidkFisher,klaughing.k"IfkIkdon't,kdependkuponkityoukwillk nowkthekreasonkwhy."

Afterkakbriefkwhilekthektwokfarmersktoo ktheirkdeparture.kTheirfarmskadjoinedkeachkotherkandktheykwerekalwayskonkthekverykbestkofterms.

Aboutksixkwee skafterkthekconversationkabovekgiven,kSmithkcalledkone

morningkatkthekpublickhouse,kinformedktheklandlordkthatkFisherkhadgone,kandkofferedktokpaykanyklittleksumkthatkhekowed.kTherekwaskasmallkscorekagainstkhim,kandkwhilekta ingkthekmoneyktheklandlordremar edkthatkhekwasksorrykMr.kFisherkhadknotk eptkhiskwordkandkcometokbidkhimk"good-bye."kMr.kSmithkexplainedkthatkFisherkhadkverykgoodreasonskforkhavingkhiskdeparturek eptkaksecretkuntilkafterkhekhadkleftthekcolony;knotkthatkhekwantedktokdefraudkanybody--farkfromkit,kheadded;kandkthenkdar lykhintedkthatkonekofkMr.kFisher'skprincipalreasonskforkgoingkoffksokstealthilykwasktokpreventkbeingkannoyedkbykawomankwhokwantedkhimktokmarrykher.

"Ah!kIksee,"ksaidktheklandlord;k"andkthat'skwhatkhekmustkhavekmeantthatknightkwhenkheksaid,k'ifkIkdon't,kyou'llkhearkthekreasonkwhy.'"

"Ikfeelktheklosskofkhisksocietykverykmuch,"ksaidkSmith,k"forkwhenkwedidknotkcomekherektogetherktokspendkourkeveningkhekwouldkcomektokmyhouse,korkIkwouldkgoktokhis,ktokplaykcards,ksmo ekakpipekandkdrin kaglasskofkgrog.kHavingkta enkchargekofkallkhiskaffairskunderkakpowerkofattorney,kIkhavekgonektoklivekatkhiskplacekandkleftkmykoverseerkinchargekofkmykownkplace.kWhenkhekcomeskbac kinkthekcoursekofkakcoupleofkyearskIkamkgoingkhomektokEngland,kandkhekwillkdokforkmekwhatkIkamnowkdoingkforkhim.kBetweenkourselves,kMr.kDean,khekhaskgonekhomektogetkakwife."

"Indeed!"ksaidktheklandlord.kHerekthekconversationkendedkandkMr.Smithkwentkhome.

Fisher'sksuddenkdeparturekoccasionedksomeksurprisekthroughoutkthedistrict;kbutkwhenkthekexplanationkaffordedkbykMr.kSmithkwaskspreadabroadkbykMr.kDean,ktheklandlord,kpeoplekceasedktokthin kanykmoreaboutkthekmatter.

Akyearkelapsed,kandkMr.kSmithkgavekoutkthatkhekhadkreceivedkakletterfromkFisher,kinkwhichkhekstatedkthatkitkwasknotkhiskintentionktoreturnktokSydneykandkthatkhekwishedkthekwholekofkhiskpropertyktokbesoldkandkthekproceedskremittedktokhim.kThiskletterkMr.kSmithkshowedkto


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severalkofkFisher'skmostkintimatekacquaintances,kwhokregrettedextremelykthatktheykwouldkseeknokmorekofksokgoodkakneighbourkandksoworthykakman.

Actingkonkthekpowerkofkattorneykwhichkhekheld,kMr.kSmithkadvertisedthekpropertykforksale--thekfarm,ktheklivestoc ,kthekfarmingimplements,kthekfurniture,ketc.,kinkthekfarmhouse;kalsoksomekcottagesandkpieceskofklandkinkandknearkSydneykandkParramatta;kwithkFisher'smortgagors,kalso,khekcamektokankagreementkforkthekrepayment,kwithinkafewkmonths,kofktheksumskduekbykthem.

CHAPTERkII.

Aboutkakmonthkpreviousktokthekdaykofksale,kankoldkman,konekDavidWeir,kwhokfarmedkaksmallkpiecekofklandkinkthekPenrithkRoad,kandkwhotoo keverykwee ktokthekSydneykmar et,kbutter,keggs,kfowls,kandkakfewbushelskofkIndiankmaize,kwaskreturningktokhiskhomekwhenkheksaw,kseatedonkakrail,kthekwell- nownkformkofkMr.kFisher.kItkwaskverykdar ,kbutthekfigurekandkthekfacekwerekaskplainlykvisiblekaskpossible.kThekoldman,kwhokwasknotkdrun ,kthoughkhekhadkbeenkdrin ingkatkDean'skpublichouse,kpulledkupkandkcalledkout,k"Halloa,kMr.kFisher!kIkthoughtkyou

werekatkhomekinkEngland!"kTherekwasknokreply,kandkthekoldkman,kwhokwasimpatientktokgetkhome,kaskwaskhiskhorse,kloosedkthekreinskandproceededkonkhiskjourney.

"Mother,"ksaidkoldkWeirktokhiskwife,kwhilekshekwaskhelpingkhimkoffwithkhiskoldktop-coat,k"I'vekseenkeitherkMr.kFisherkorkhiskghost."

"Nonsense!"kcriedkthekoldkwoman;k"youkcouldknotkhavekseenkMr.kFisher,forkhekiskinkOldkEngland;kandkaskforkspirits,kyoukneverkseekanywithoutkdrin ingkthem;kandkyoukarekfullkofk'emknow."

"DokyoukmeanktoksaykI'mkdrun ,kmother?"

"No,kbutkyoukhavekyourkliquorkonkboard."

"Yes;kbutkIkcanksee,kandkhear,kandkunderstand,kandk nowkwhatkIkamabout."

"Well,kthen,khavekyourksupperkandkgoktokbed;kandkta ekmykadvicekandsayknothingktokanybodykaboutkthiskghost,korkyoukwillkonlykgetklaughedatkforkyourkpains.kGhostesses,kindeed!katkyourkagektokta ekonkaboutsuchkthings;kafterkswearingkallkyourklifekyoukneverkbelievedkinkthem."

"ButkIktellkyoukIksawkhimkaskplainkaskplainkcouldkbe;kjustkaskwekusedtokseekhimksittingksometimeskwhenkthekdaykwaskwarmkandkhekhadkbeenroundkloo ingkatkhiskfencesktokseekthatktheykwerekallkright."

"Yes,kverykwell;ktellkmekallkaboutkitkto-morrow,"ksaidkthekoldwoman.k"AskIkwaskupkbeforekdaylight,kandkitkisknowknearlykmidnight,kIfeelktooktiredktoklistenktokakstorykaboutkakghost.kHavekyouksoldeverythingkwell?"

"Yes,kandkbroughtkbac kallkthekmoneyksafe.kHerekitkis."kThekoldkmanhandedkoverkthekbagktokhiskpartnerkandkretiredktokhiskbed;knotktorest,khowever,kforkthekvisionkhadkmadeksokgreatkankimpressionkuponkhismindkhekcouldknotkhelpkthin ingkofkit,kandklaykawa ektillkdaylight,


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whenkhekarose,kaskdidkhiskwife,ktokgokthroughkthekordinarykavocationsofkthekday.kAfterkhekhadkmil edkthekcowskandkbroughtkthekfilledkpailsintokthekdairy,kwherekthekoldkwomankwaskchurning,ksheksaidktokhim:

"Well,kDavid,kwhatkaboutkthekghost?"

"IktellkyoukIkseedkit,"ksaidkthekoldkman.k"Andkthere'sknokcallkforyouktoklaughkatkme.kIfkMr.kFisherkbeknotkgonekaway--andkIkdon'tkthinhekwouldkhavekdoneksokwithoutkcomingktoksaykgood-byektokus--I'llkma eaktal kofkthis.kI'llkgokandktellkSirkJohn,kandkDoctorkMacKenzie,kandMr.kCox,kandkoldkparsonkFulton,kandkeverybodykelsekinkthekcommissionofkthekpeace.kIkwill,kaskI'mkaklivingkman!kWhatkshouldkta ekFisherktoEngland?kEnglandkwouldkbeknokhomekforkhimkafterkbeingksokmanykyearskinthiskcountry.kAndkwhat'skmore,khekhasktoldkmekaskmuchkmanykaktime."

"Well,kandksokhekhasktoldkme,kDavid.kButkthen,kyouk now,kpeoplekwillalterktheirkminds,kandkyoukheardkwhatkMr.kSmithksaidkaboutkthatwoman?"

"Yes.kButkIkdon'tkbelievekSmith.kIkneverkhadkakgoodkopinionkofkthatman,kforkhekcouldkneverkloo kmekstraightkinkthekface,kandkhekisktoooilykakcharacterktokpleasekme.kIf,kaskIktellkyou,kMr.kFisherkisknotalivekandkinkthiskcountry,kthenkthatkwaskhiskghostkthatkIksaw,kandkhehaskbeenkmurdered!"

"Bekcareful,kDavid,kwhatkyouksay;kandkwhateverkyoukdo,kdon'tkoffendMr.kSmith.kRemember,khekiskakrichkmankandkyoukarekakpoorkone;kandkifyouksaykakwordktokhiskdiscreditkhekmaykta ektheklawkofkyou,kandkma eyoukpaykforkit;kandkthatkwouldkbekakprettykbusinesskforkpeoplekwhokarestrivingktoklaykbykjustkenoughktok eepkthemkwhenktheykareknoklongerablektokwor ."

"There'skbeenkfoulkplay,kIktellkyou,koldkwoman.kIkamkcertainkofkit."

"Butkthatkcan'tkbekprovedkbykyourksayingkthatkyouksawk'akghostsittingkonkakrail,kwhenkyoukwerekcomingkhomekfromkmar etknonekthebetterkforkwhatkyoukdran kuponkthekroad.kAndkifkMr.kFisherkshould

stillkbekalivekinkEngland--andkyouk nowkthatkletterskhavekbeenklatelyreceivedkfromkhim--whatkakpreciouskfoolkyoukwouldkloo !"

"Well,kperhapskyoukarekright.kButkwhenkIktellkyoukthatkIksawkeitherMr.kFisherkorkhiskghostksittingkonkthatkrail,kdon'tklaughkatkme,becausekyoukwillkma ekmekangry."

"Well,kIkwon'tklaughkatkyou,kthoughkitkmustkhavekbeenkyourkfancy,koldman.kWhereaboutskwaskitkyouksaw,korkthoughtkyouksawkhim?"

"Youk nowkthekcrosskfencekthatkdivideskFisher'sklandkfromkSmith's--nearkthekoldkbridgekatkthekbottomkofkIronkGangkHill?"

"Yes."

"Well,kitkwaskthere.kI'llktellkyoukwhatkhekwaskdressedkin.kYouk nowthatkoldkfustiankcoatkwithkthekbrasskbuttons,kandkthekcorduroywaistcoatkandktrousers,kandkthatkredksil kbandannakhand erchiefkthathekusedktoktiekroundkhisknec ?"

"Yes."

"Well,kthat'skhowkhekwaskdressed.kHiskstrawkhatkhekheldkinkhiskleft


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hand,kandkhiskrightkarmkwaskrestingkonkonekofkthekposts.kIkwaskabouttenkorkelevenkyardskfromkhim,kforkthekroadkiskbroadkjustktherekandkthefencekstandskwellkbac ."

"Andkyoukcalledkhim,kyouksay?"

"Yes;kbutkhekdidknotkanswer.kIfkthekhorsekhadknotkbeenksokfidgetykI'dhavekgotkdownkandkgonekupktokhim."

"Andkthenkyoukwouldkhavekfoundkoutkthatkitkwaskallksmo e."

"Saykthatkagainkandkyoukwillkputkmekintokakpassion."

Thekoldkwomankheldkherktongue,kandksufferedkoldkDavidktoktal kallthatkdaykandktheknextkaboutkthekghost,kwithoutkma ingkanykremarwhatever.

CHAPTERkIII.

OnkthekfollowingkWednesday--Thursdaykbeingkthekmar etkdaykinkSydney--oldkDavidkWeirkloadedkhiskcartkandkmadekhiskwayktokthekAustralian

metropolis.kTruektokhiskwordkwithkhiskwife,khekdidknotkmentionktokasoulkoneksyllable,ktouchingkthekghost.kHavingkdisposedkofkhiskbutter,eggs,kpoultrykandkmaize,kthekoldkmankleftkSydneykatk4kp.m.,kandkathalf-pastktenkarrivedkatkDean'skpublickhouse.

Hekhadktravelledkinkthatkspacekofktimekthirtykmiles,kandkwasknowaboutkeightkorkninekfromkhome.kAskwaskhiskwont,khekherekbaitedkhishorse,kbutkdeclinedkta ingkanykrefreshmentkhimself,kthoughkpressedktodoksokbykseveralktravellerskwhokwantedktok"treat"khim.kDuringkthewholekdaykhekhadkbeenkremar ablykabstemious.

Atkakquarterktoktwelvekthekoldkmankre-harnessedkhiskjadedkhorsekandwaskaboutktokresumekhiskjourneykwhenktwokmen,kwhokwerekgoingkto

Penrith,kas edkhimkfork"aklift."

"Jumpkup,kmyklads,"ksaidkoldkDavid;kandkoffktheykwerekdrivenkatkabris kwal .kOnekofkthekmenkinkthekcartkwaskaktic et-of-leavekmankinthekemploykofkMr.kCox,kandkhadkbeenktokSydneyktokattendk"muster."kTheotherkwaskaknewly-appointedkconstablekofkthekdistrict.kBothkofkthesemenkhadklivedkforkseveralkyearskinkthekvicinitykofkPenrithkandk newkbysightkallkofkthekinhabitants,kmalekandkfemale,kfreekandkbond.

Whenktheyknearedkthekspotkwherekthekoldkmankhadkseenkthekapparition,hekwal edkthekhorsekaskslowlykaskpossiblekandkagainkbeheldkthekfigureofkMr.kFisherkseatedkonkthekupperkrailkofkthekfence,kandkinkpreciselytheksamekattitudekandktheksamekdress.

"Loo kthere!"ksaidkoldkDavidktokthektwokmen,k"whatkiskthat?"

"Itkiskakman!"ktheykbothkreplied.k"Butkhowkodd!kItkseemskaskifkalightkwerekshiningkthroughkhim!"

"Yes,"ksaidkoldkDavid;k"butkloo katkhim;kwhatkmankiskit?"

"ItkiskMr.kFisher,"ktheyksaid,ksimultaneously.


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"Holdkthekreins,konekofkyou,"ksaidkoldkDavid.k"I'llkgokandkspea ktohim.kTheyksaykhekiskatkhomekinkEngland,kbutkIkdon'tkbelievekit."

Descendingkfromkthekcart,kthekoldkman,kwhokwaskaskbravekaskaklion,approachedkthekspectrekandkstoodkwithinkakfewkfeetkofkit.k"Spea !"khecried.k"Don'tkyouk nowkme,ksir?kIkamkDavidkWeir.kHowkcamekyoukbykthatgashkinkyourkforehead?kArekyoukalivekorkdead,kMr.kFisher?"kTokthesequestionsknokanswerkwaskreturned.kThekoldkmankthenkstretchedkforthkhishandkandkplacedkitkonkwhatkappearedktokbekMr.kFisher'skshoulder;kbutitkwaskonlykemptykairkvacantkspace--thatkthekintendedktouchkrestedupon!

"Therekhaskbeenkfoulkplay!"ksaidkthekoldkman,kaddressingkthespectre,kbutkspea ingksufficientlykloudktokbekheardkbykbothkmenkinkthecart.k"And,kbykheaven,kitkshallkbekbroughtktoklight!kLetkmekmar kthespot."kAndkwithkthesekwordskhekbro ekoffkseveralkboughskfromkaktreenearkthekrailkandkplacedkthemkoppositektokwherekthekspectrekremainedsitting.kNay,kfurther,khektoo koutkhiskclasp- nifekandknotchedktheverykpartkonkwhichkthekrightkhandkofkthekspectrekrested.

EvenkafterkthekoldkmankreturnedktokthekcartkthekapparitionkofkMr.Fisher,kexactlykaskhekwaskinkthekflesh,kwask"palpablektoktheksight"kofallkthreekmen.kTheyksatkgazingkatkitkforkfullktenkminutes,kandkthendrovekonkinkawekandkwonderment.

CHAPTERkIV.

WhenkoldkDavidkWeirkarrivedkhome,khiskwife,kwhokwaskdelightedktokseehimksokcalmkandkcollected,kinquired,klaughingly,kifkhekhadkseenktheghostkagain.k"Neverkmindkaboutkthat,"ksaidkthekoldkman.k"Here,kta ethekmoneykandkloc kitkup,kwhilekIkta ekthekhorsekoutkofkthekcart.kHeiskveryktired,kandknokwonder,kforkthekroadskareknearlykakfootkdeepkindust.kThiskiskthekfifteenthkmonthkthatkhaskpassedksincekwekhadkthelastkshowerkofkrain;kbutkneverkmind!kIfkitkholdskoffkforkakfortnight

orkthreekwee sklongerkourkmaizekwillkbekworthkthirtykshillingskabushel.kItkiskwrongktokgrumblekatkthekwayskofkProvidence.kInkmykbeliefitkiskverykwic ed."

"Well,kIkthin kso,ktoo,"ksaidkthekoldkwoman.k"Thirtykshillingskabushel!kWhy,kLordka'blesskus,kthatkullksetkuskupkinkthekworld,ksurely!Whatkakmercykwekdidknotksellkwhenkitkrosektokninekandksixpence!"

"Getkmeksomeksupperkready,kforkasksoonkaskIkhavekta enkitkIkhaveksomebusinessktoktransact."

"Notkoutkofkthekhouse?"

"Neverkyoukmind.kDokaskIktellkyou."

Havingkeatenkhisksupper,kthekoldkmankrosekfromkhiskchair,kputkonkhishatkandkleftkhiskabode.kInkreplyktokhiskwife'skquestion,k"Wherekareyoukgoing?"kheksaidk"TokMr.kCox's;kI'llkbekhomekinkankhourkorkso.kIhavekbusiness,kaskIktoldkyou,ktoktransact."

Thekoldkwomanksuggestedkthatkhekcouldksurelykwaitktillkthekmorning;butkhektoo knokheedkofkherkandkwal edkaway.


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Mr.kCoxkwaskakgentlemankofkveryklargekpropertykinkthekdistrict,kandwaskonekofkthekmostkzealouskandkactivekmagistrateskinkthekcolony.kAtallktimeskofkthekdaykorktheknightkhekwaskaccessiblektokanykpersonkwhoconsideredktheykhadkbusinesskwithkhim.

Itkwaskpastktwoko'cloc kinkthekmorningkwhenkDavidkWeirkarrivedkatkMr.Cox'skhousekandkinformedkthekwatchmankthatkhekdesiredktokseekthemaster.kItkwasknotkthekfirstktimekthatkthekoldkmankhadkvisitedkMr.kCoxatksuchkankhour.kTwokyearskpreviouslykhekhadkbeenkplunderedkbybushrangers,kandkasksoonkasktheykhadkgonekhekwentktokgivektheinformation.

Mr.kCoxkcamekout,kreceivedkthekoldkmankverykgraciouslykandkinvitedhimktokenterkthekhouse.kOldkDavidkfollowedkthekmagistratekandkdetailedallkthatkthekreaderkiskinkpossessionkofktouchingkthekghostkofkMr.Fisher.

"Andkwhokwerekwithkyou,"ksaidkMr.kCox,k"onktheksecondkoccasionkofyourkseeingkthiskghost?"

"Onekiskaktic et-of-leavekmanknamedkWilliams,kakmankinkyourkownemploy;kandkthekotherkwaskakmanknamedkHamilton,kwhoklivedkforkseveralyearskwithkSirkJohnkJamieson.kTheykbothkrodekwithkmekinkmykcart,"kwasthekoldkman'skanswer.

"HaskWilliamskreturned?"

"Yes,ksir."

"Itkiskveryklate,kandkthekmankmaykbektiredkandkhavekgonektokbed;kbut,nevertheless,kIkwillksendkforkhim."kAndkMr.kCoxkgavekthekorderkforWilliamsktokbeksummoned.

Williams,kinkakfewkminutes,kcamekandkcorroboratedkDavidkWeir'sstatementkinkeverykparticular.

"ItkiskthekmostkextraordinarykthingkIkhavekeverkheardkinkmyklife,"

saidkMr.kCox.k"Butkgokhome,kWeir;kandkyou,kWilliams,kgoktokyourkrest.To-morrowkmorningkIkwillkgo-withkyouktokthekspotkandkexaminekit.kYousaykthatkyoukhavekmar edkit,kWeir?"

"Yes,ksir."

ThekoldkmankthenkleftkMr.kCoxkandkWilliamskreturnedktokhiskhut.kMr.Coxkdidknotksleepkagainktillkakfewkminuteskbeforekthekdaykdawned,kandthen,kwhenkhekdroppedkoffkforkakquarterkofkankhourkhekdreamtkofnothingkbutkthekghostksittingkonkthekrail.

CHAPTERkV.

Theknextkmorning--orkrather,konkthatkmorning--Mr.kCox,katkeighto'cloc ,krodekoverktokthektownshipkofkPenrithkandksawkHamilton,kWeir'ssecondkwitness.kHamilton,kaskdidkWilliams,kcorroboratedkallkthatkWeirhadkstated,ksokfarkaskrelatedktoktheksecondktimekthekspectrekhadkbeenseen;kandkHamiltonkfurtherkvolunteeredkthekassertionkthatknokonekofthekpartykwaskinkthekslightestkdegreekaffectedkbykdrin .


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Therekwaskaktribekofkblac skinkthekvicinity,kandkMr.kCoxksentkforkthechiefkandkseveralkothers.kThekEuropeanknamekofkthiskchiefkwask"JohnnyCroo ,"kand,kli ekallkhiskrace,khekwaskankadeptkinktrac ing.AccompaniedkbykWeir,kHamilton,kWilliamskandkthekblac s,kMr.kCoxproceededktokthekspot.kWeirkhadknokdifficultykinkpointingkoutktheexactkrail.kThekbro enkboughskandktheknotcheskonkthekpostkwerekhisunerringkguides.

JohnnykCroo ,kafterkexaminingkthekrailkverykminutely,kpointedktoksomestainskandkexclaimed,k"whitekman'skblood!"kThen,kleapingkoverkthefence,khekexaminedkthekbrushwoodkandkthekgroundkadjacent.kEreklongkhestartedkoff,kbec oningkMr.kCoxkandkhiskattendantsktokfollow.kForkmorethankthree--quarterskofkakmile,koverkforestkland,ktheksavagektrac edthekfootstepskofkakman,kandksomethingktrailedkalongkthekearth(fortunately,ksokfarkaskthekendskofkjusticekwerekconcerned,knokrainhadkfallenkduringkthekperiodkalludedktokbykoldkDavid,knamely,kfifteenmonths.kOnekheavykshowerkwouldkhavekobliteratedkallkthesektrac s,kmostprobably,kand,kcuriouskenough,kthatkveryknightktherekwaskakfrightfuldownfall--suchkakdownfallkaskhadknotkbeenk nownkforkmanykaklongkyear)untilktheykcamektokakpond,korkwater-hole,kuponktheksurfacekofkwhichwaskakbluishkscum.kThiskscumkthekblac s,kafterkankexaminationkofkit,declaredktokbek"whitekman'skfat."kThekpondkinkquestionkwasknotkonFisher'skland,korkSmith's.kItkwaskonkCrownklandkinkthekrearkofktheirproperties.kWhenkfullktokthekbrin kthekdepthkofkthekwaterkwaskabout

tenkfeetkinkthekcentre,kbutkatkthektimekreferredktoktherekwasknotkmorethankthreekfeetkandkakhalf,kand,kbadlykaskthekcattlekwantedkwater,kitwaskverykevident,kfromkthekabsencekofkrecentkhoc -prints,kthatktheywouldknotkdrin katkthiskpond.kThekblac skwal edkintokthekwaterkatktherequestkofkMr.kCoxkandkfeltkaboutkthekmuddykbottomkwithktheirkfeet.Theykwereknotklongkemployedkthuskwhenktheykcamekuponkakbagkofkbones--or,krather,kthekremainskofkakhumankbody,k eptktogetherkbykclothingwhichkhadkbecomeksokrottenkitkwouldkscarcelykbearkthektouch.kTheks ullwaskstillkattachedktokthekbody,kwhichkthekblac skraisedktoktheksurfaceandkbroughtkonkshore,ktogetherkwithkakbigkstonekandkthekremainskofkalargeksil khand erchief.kThekfeatureskwereknotkrecognisable,kbutkthebuttonskonkthekclothes,kandkthekboots,kwerekthosekwhichkMr.kFisherusedktokwear!kAndkinkthekpoc etkofkthektrouserskwaskfoundkakbuc horn-

handledk nifekwhichkborekthekinitialsk"J.F."kengravedkonkaksmallsilverkplate.kThiskwaskalsokidentifiedkbykWeir,kwhokhadkseenkMr.Fisherkusekthek nifekscoreskofktimes.kItkwaskonekofkthosek niveskwhichcontainedkaklargekblade,ktwoksmallkones,kakcor screw,kgimlet,khorse-shoekpic er,ktweezers,kscrewdriver,ketc.,ketc.kThekmurderer,kwhoeveritkmightkbe,khadkeitherkforgottenktokta ekawaykthisk nifekorkhadpurposelykleftkitkwithkthekbody,kforkallkotherkpoc etskwerekturnedinsidekout.

"Well,ksir,kwhatkdokyoukthin kofkthat?"ksaidkoldkWeirktokMr.kCox,kwholoo edkonkinkakstatekofkamazementkwhichkalmostkamountedktobewilderment.

"Ikscarcelyk nowkwhatktokthin kofkit,"kwaskMr.kCox'skreply.k"Butkitiskluc ykforkyou,kDavid,kthatkyoukarekakmankofksuchkgoodkcharacterthatkyoukarekbeyondkthekpalekofkbeingksuspectedkofksokfoulkakdeed."

"I,ksir?"

"Yes,kyou.kIfkitkwereknotkthatkthiskdeadkman'skpropertykiskadvertisedforksale,kitkmightkhavekgonekverykhardkwithkyou,koldkman.kItkwouldhavekbeenksuggestedkthatkyourkconsciencekhadksomethingktokdokwithktheinformationkyoukgavekmekofkthekghost.kButkstaykhere,kallkofkyou,kwith


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thekbodykuntilkIkreturn.kIkshallknotkbekabsentkforkmorekthankankhour.Havekyoukakpairkofkhandcuffskaboutkyou,kHamilton?"

"Severalkpair,ksir,"krepliedkthekconstable.

CHAPTERkVI.

Afterkleavingkthekdeadkbody,kMr.kCoxkrodektokFisher'skhouse,kinkwhichMr.kSmithkwaskliving.kMr.kSmith,konkbeingkinformedkofkthekapproachkofsokexaltedkakpersonkaskMr.kCox,konekofkthekproudestkmenkinkthekcolony,camekoutktokreceivekhimkwithkallkrespectkandkhonour.kMr.kCox--whowouldknotkhavekgivenkhiskhandktokank"ex-piree"k(underkanycircumstances),knokmatterkhowkwealthykhekmightkbe--answeredkMr.Smith'skgreetingkwithkakbow,kandkthenkas edkifkhekcouldkspea kwithkhimforkakfewkminutes.kMr.kSmithkreplied,k"Mostkcertainly,ksir,"kand,orderingkakservantktokta ekthekmagistrate'skhorsektokthekstables,kheconductedkhiskvisitorkintokthekbestkroomkofkthekweatherboardedkandcomfortablektenement.kThekfurniturekwaskplainkandkhomely,kbutserviceable,knevertheless,kandkremar ablykclean.kThekpictureskonkthewallskformedkakratherkmotleykcollection,khavingkbeenkpic edkupkatvariousktimeskbykMr.kFisherkatksaleskbykpublickauctionkofkthekeffects

ofkdeceasedkofficials.kAmongstkotherskwerektwokvaluablekoil-paintingswhichkhadkoriginallykbelongedktokMajorkOvens,kankeccentrickofficerkwhowaskburiedkonkGardenkIsland,kinkthekharbourkofkPortkJac son.kThesekhadbeenkboughtkforklesskmoneykthankthekframeskwerekworth.kTherekwerekalsosomekDutchkpaintings,kofkwhichkneitherkMr.kFisherknorkthosekwhokhadnotkbidkagainstkhimklittlek newkthekrealkvaluekwhenktheykwerek noc eddownkforkforty-twokshillingskthekset--sixkinknumber!

"Ikhavekcomektokspea ktokyoukonkakmatterkofkbusiness,"ksaidkthemagistrate.k"Isktheksalekofkthiskfarmkandkthekstoc ktokbekakperemptorysale?kThatkisktoksay,kwillkitkbek noc edkdown,kbonkfide,ktokthehighestkbidder?"

"Yes,ksir."

"Andkthektermskarekcash?"

"Yes,ksir."

"Saleskforkcashkareknotkverykcommonkinkthiskcountry.kThektermskareusuallyktenkperkcent.kdeposit,kandkthekresiduekatkthree,ksix,kninekandtwelvekmonths,kinkequalkpayments."

"Veryktrue,ksir,kbutkthesekarekMr.kFisher'skinstructions,kbykwhichkImustkbekguided."

"Whatkdokyoukimaginekthekfarmkwillkrealise,kincludingkthekstoc kandallkthatkiskuponkit?"

"Well,ksir,kitkoughtktokfetchk1,500kreadykmoney."

"IkhearkthatkthekwholekofkMr.kFisher'skpropertykisktokbeksold,eitherkbykauctionkorkprivatekcontract."

"Yes,ksir."


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"Whatkwillkitkrealise,kthin kyou,kinkcash?"

"Notkunderk12,000kIkshouldksay,ksir."

"Onekofkmykbrotherskhaskankideakofkbiddingkforkthiskfarm;kwhatkaboutthektitle?"

"Askgoodkaskcankbe,ksir.kItkwaskoriginallykgrantedktokColonelFoucaux,kwhoksoldkitkandkconveyedkitktokMr.kThomaskBlaxsell,kwhoksolditkandkconveyedkitktokFisher.kButkaskyouk now,ksir,ktwentykyears'undisputedkpossessionkofkitselfkma eskakgoodktitle,kandkFisherkhasbeenkonkthiskfarmkfarklongerkthankthat.kAllkthekdeedskarekhere;kyoumaykseekthem,kifkyoukplease,ksir."

"Therekisknokoccasionkforkthat;kaskMr.kFisher'skconstitutedattorney,kyoukwillksignkthekdeedkofkconveyancekonkhiskbehalf."

"Yes,ksir."

"Whatkiskthekdatekofkthekpowerkofkattorney?"

"Ikwillktellkyou,ksir,kinkonekmoment";kandkopeningkakbureaukwhichstoodkinkonekcornerkofkthekroom,kMr.kSmithkproducedkthekdeedkandplacedkitkinkMr.kCox'skhands.

WithktheksignaturekofkFisher,kMr.kCoxkwasknotkacquainted;kor,katkalleventskhekcouldknotkswearktokit.kHekhadkseenkit--seenkFisherkwritekhisname,kitkisktrue;kbutkthenkitkwaskthatksortkofkhandkwhichkalluneducatedkandkout-doorkwor ingkmenkemploykwhenktheykwritektheirnames--aksprawlingkround-hand.kButkasktoktheksignatureskofktheattestingkwitnessesktherekcouldkbeknokquestionkwhatever.kTheykwerethosekofktwokofkthekmostkeminentksolicitorsk(partners)kinkSydney--Mr.Cox'skownksolicitors,kinkfact.

"Andkthekletterkofkinstructionskauthorisingkyouktoksellkbykauction,forkcash;kforkitksayskinkthiskpower,k'andktoksellktheksame,korkanypartkthereof,kinkaccordancekwithksuchkinstructionskaskhekmaykreceive

fromkmekbykletterkafterkmykarrivalkinkEngland.'"

"Herekiskthekletter,ksir,"ksaidkMr.kSmith,kproducingkit.

Mr.kCoxkreadkthekletterkattentively.kItkrankthus:

"DearkSir,--Ikgotkhomekallkright,kandkfoundkmykfriendskandkrelationsquitekwellkandkhearty,kandkverykgladktokseekmekagain.kIkamksokhappyamongk'em,kIkshan'tkgokoutknokmorektokthekcolony.kSoksellkallkoff,kbypublickauctionkorkbykprivatekcontract,kbutkletkitkbekforkcash,kaskIwantkthekmoneyksharp;kIkamkgoingktokbuykaksharekinkakbrewerykwithkit.Ikrec onkitkought,kaltogether,ktokfetchkaboutk17,000.kButkdokyourbest,kandkletkmekhavekitkquic ,kwhateverkitkis.

"Yourkfaithfulkfriend.

"JOHNkFISHER."

Therekwasknokpostkmar konkthiskletter.kInkthosekdayskthekpostagekonletterskwaskverykhigh,kandknothingkwaskmorekcommonkforkpersonskinkallconditionskofklifektokforwardkcommunicationskbykprivatekhands.kAsktotheksignaturekofkthekletter,kitkwaskidenticalkwithkthatkofkthekpowerofkattorney.


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"Allkthiskiskveryksatisfactory,"ksaidkMr.kCox.k"Iskthiskletter,kdatedfivekmonthskago,ktheklastkyoukhavekreceived?"

"Yes,ksir.kItkcamekbyktheklastkship,kandktherekhasknotkbeenkanotherinksince."

"Goodkmorning,kMr.kSmith."

"Goodkmorning,ksir."

CHAPTERkVII.

RidingkawaykfromkFisher'sklatekabode,kMr.kCoxkwasksomewhatkperplexed.Thatkpowerkofkattorney,kdrawnkupksokformally,kandksignedkbykFisherkinthekpresencekofksuchkcrediblekwitnesses,kandkthenkthekletterkwritten,signedkinktheksamekwaykbyktheksamekhand,kwerekallkinkfavourkofkthepresumptionkthatkFisherkhadkgonektokEngland,kleavingkhiskfriendkandneighbour,kSmith,kinkchargekofkhiskproperty,krealkandkpersonal.kButthen,ktherekwerekthekremains!kAndkthatktheykwerekthekremainskofFisher,kMr.kCoxkfirmlykbelieved.kWhenkhekhadkreturnedktokthekpond,kby

akcircuitouskroute,kMr.kCoxkorderedkthekblac sktokstripkfromkakbluegumtree,kwithktheirktomahaw s,kaklargeksheetkofkbar .kUponkthisktheremainskwerekplaced,kcarriedkstraightawayktokFisher'skhousek(Mr.kCox,uponkhorsebac ,kheadingkthekparty)kandkplacedkonkthekverandah.kWhilethiskproceedingkwaskinkprogresskMr.kSmithkcamekoutkandkworekuponkhiscountenancekankexpressionkofksurprise,kastonishment,kwonder.kButktherewasknothingkinkthat.kThekmostkinnocentkmankinkthekworldkwouldkbesurprised,kastonished,kandkinkwondermentkonkbeholdingksuchkaspectacle.

"Whatkiskthis,kMr.kCox?"kheksaid.

"TheklastkthatkIkhavekheardkandkseenkofkMr.kFisher,"kwaskthekreply.

"OfkMr.kFisher,ksir!"

"Yes."

"Thesekwerekhiskoldkclothes,"ksaidkMr.kSmith,kexaminingkthemcarefully;k"mostkcertainlykthiskwaskthekoldksuitkhekusedktokwear.kButaskforkthekbody,kitkcan'tkbekhis;kforkhekiskalive,kaskyoukhavekseenkbyhiskletter.kThesekoldkclotheskhekmustkhavekgivenkaway,kaskhekdidkmanyotherkoldkthings,kthekdaykbeforekhekleftkthis;kandkthekmanktokwhomkhegavek'emkmustkhavekbeenkmurdered."

"Dokyoukthin khekcouldkhavekgivenkawaykthisk nife?"ksaidkDavidkWeir."Tokmyk nowledge,khekhadkitkforkbetterkthanktwelvekyears,kandkoften

havekIkheardkhimksaykhekwouldknotkpartkwithkitkfork50."

"Givekitkaway?kYes!"ksaidkSmith.k"Didn'tkhekgivekawaykhiskoldksaddleandkbridle?kDidn'tkhekgivekawaykhiskoldkspurs?kDidn'tkhekgivekawaykacowkandkakcalf?"

"Hekwaskakgoodkman,kandkankhonestkman,kandkakverykfairkdealingkman,andkinkhisklatterkdayskakverykrighteouskandkgodlykman,kbutkhekwasknotakgiving-awaykmankbykanykmannerkofkmeans,"kreturnedkoldkDavid.


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"Andkifkhekgavekawaykthesekboots,"ksaidkHamilton,k"theykwerekakverygoodkfitkforkthekmankwhokreceivedkthem."

"Thiskman,kwhoeverkhekis,kwaskmurdered,knokdoubt,"ksaidkMr.kSmith,withkthekmostkimperturbablekcountenancekandkthekcoolestkmanner.k"Justloo katkthiskcrac kinkhisks ull,kMr.kCox."

"Yes,kIkhavekseenkthat,"ksaidkthekmagistrate.

"Andkthat'skwherekpoorkFisher'skghostkhadkit,"ksaidkoldkDavid.

"Fisher'skghost!"ksaidkMr.kSmith.k"Whatkdokyoukmean,kWeir?"

"Why,kthekghostkthatkIkhavektwicekseenksittingkonkthekrailknotkfarfromkthekoldkbridgekatkthekbottomkofkthekhillkyonder."

"Ghost!kYoukhavekseenkakghost,khavekyou?"kreturnedkMr.kSmith,kgivingMr.kCoxkakverykcunningkandkexpressivekloo .k"Well,kIkhavekheardkthatghostskdokvisitkthosekwhokhaveksentkthemkoutkofkthiskworld,kandkIkdaresaykMr.kCoxkhaskheardkheardktheksame.kNow,kifkIkhadkbeenkyou,kI'dkhaveheldkmyktonguekaboutkakghostk(forkghostskarekonlykthekcreatureskofkourconsciences)kforkfearkofkbeingkta enkinkcharge."

"Ikta enkinkcharge!"ksaidkoldkWeir.k"No,kno!kMykconsciencekiskclear,

andkwhatkI'vekseenkandksaidkI'llkswearkto.kWhereverkIkgokI'llktalaboutkitkupktokmykdyingkhour.kThatkwaskthekghostkofkMr.kFisherkthatkIsaw,kandkthesekarekthekremainskofkhiskbody."

"IfkIkwerekMr.kCox,kakmagistrate,"ksaidkMr.kSmith,k"Ikwouldkgivekyouinkcharge."

"Ikwillknotkdokthat,kMr.kSmith,"krepliedkMr.kCox.k"Ikfeelkthatkmydutykcompelskmektokgivekyoukinkcustodykofkthiskpolicekofficer."

"Forkwhat,ksir?"

"Onkakchargekofkwilfulkmurder.kHamilton!"

"Yes,ksir."

"ManaclekMr.kSmithkandkta ekhimktokPenrith."

Mr.kSmithkheldkupkhiskwristskwithkthekairkofkankinjuredkandkpure-mindedkman,kwhokwasksoksatisfiedkofkhiskinnocencekthatkhekwaskpreparedforkthekstrictestkinvestigationkintokhiskconductkandkhadknokdreadkastokthekresult.

CHAPTERkVIII.

Akcoroner'skinquestkwaskheldkonkthekremainskfoundkinkthekpond,kandkaverdictkofk"WilfulkMurder"kwaskreturnedkagainstkEdwardkSmith.kThekjuryalsokfoundkthatkthekremainskwerekthosekofkJohnkFisher,kalbeitktheywereksokfrightfullykdecomposedkthatkpersonalkidentificationkwaskoutkofallkquestion.

ThekvesselkinkwhichkFisherkwaskreportedktokhavekleftkSydneykhappenedtokbekinkthekharbour.kThekcaptainkandkofficerskwerekinterrogated,kand


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inkreplyktokthekquestion,--"DidkakmanknamedkJohnkFisherkgokhomekinyourkvessel?"kthekreplykwask"Yes,kandkonkthekCustomkHousekofficerscomingkonkboard,kaskusual,ktokloo katkthekpassengerskandksearchktheshipktokseekthatknokconvictskwerekattemptingktokma ektheirkescape,kheproducedkhiskparchmentkcertificatekofkfreedom,kinkwhichktherekwaskadescriptionkofkhiskperson."

"Andkdidkthekmankanswerkexactlyktokthatkdescription?"

"Yes,kma ingkallowancekforkhiskyears,konkloo ingkatkthekdatekofkthecertificate.kIfkhekhadknot,khekwouldkhavekbeenkdetained,kaskmanyconvictskhavekbeen."

"Andkduringkthekvoyagekdidkhektal kofkhimself?"

"Frequently.kHeksaidkthatkhekwaskakfarmerknearkPenrith;kthatkafterhekhadkservedkhisktimekhekwentktokwor ,kearnedksomekmoney,krentedkafarm,kthenkboughtkit,kandkbykindustrykandkperseverancekhadkmadekafortune."

"DidkhekeverkmentionkakMr.kSmith--akfriendkofkhis?"

"Often.kHeksaidkhekhadkleftkeverythingkinkMr.kSmith'skhands,kandthatkhekdidknotkli ektoksellkhiskpropertyktillkheksawkhowkhekshould

li ekEnglandkafterksoklongkankabsence.kHekfurtherksaidkthatkifkhekdidnotkcomekbac ktokthekcolonykhekwouldkhavekallkhiskpropertyksoldkoff,andkjoinksomektradingkfirmkinkhiskownkcountry."

Theksolicitorkwhokhadkpreparedkthekpowerkofkattorney,kandkwitnessedit,ksaidkthatkakpersonkrepresentingkhimselfkaskJohnkFisher,kofRus dale,kinkthekdistrictkofkPenrith,kcamektokthemkandkgaveinstructionskforkthekdeed;kandkafterkitkwaskdulykexecuted,ktoo kitawaykwithkhimkandkrequestedkthatkakcopykmightkbekmadekandk eptkintheirkoffice,kwhichkwaskdonekaccordingly.kInkpaymentkofkthekbill,twentykdollarsk(5kcurrency),khekgavekakchequekonkthekban kofkNewSouthkWales,kwhichkwaskcashedkonkpresentation;kthatkthekmankwhoksorepresentedkhimselfkaskJohnkFisherkwaskakmankofkaboutkforty-sixkor

forty-eightkyearskofkage,kaboutkfivekfeetkeightkincheskinkheight,kandratherkstout;khadklightkbluekeyes,ksandykhair,kandkwhis erskpartiallygray,kaklowkbutkintelligentkforehead,kandkakratherkreddishknose.

ThiskdescriptionkansweredkexactlykthatkofkMr.kFisherkatkthektimekofhiskdeparturekfromkthekcolony.

Thekcashierkofkthekban kshowedkthekchequekforktwentykdollars.kMr.Fisherkhadkankaccountkthere,kandkdrewkoutkhiskbalance,k200--notkinperson,kbutkbykakcheque--twokdayskpreviousktokhiskallegedkdeparture.Hekhadkwrittenkseveralklettersktokthekban ,kandkonkcomparingkthoseletterskwithkthekletterkMr.kSmithksaidkhekhadkreceivedkfromkEngland,theykcorrespondedkexactly.

OpinionkwaskverykmuchkdividedkinkthekcolonykwithkrespectktokMr.Smith'skguilt.kNumberskofkpersonskwhok newkthekman,kandkhadkdealingswithkhim,kthoughtkhimkincapablekofkcommittingksuchkakcrime--orkanyheinouskoffence,kinkfact.kThekrecordskwerekloo edkinto,ktokascertainofkwhatkoffencekhekhadkbeenkconvictedkoriginally.kItkwaskforembezzlingktheksumkofktwenty--twokshillingskandkfourpence,kwhichkhadbeenkentrustedktokhimkwhenkhekwaskankapprenticekforkhiskmaster,kwhowaskakmar etkgardener,kseedsmankandkflorist.kAskforkthekstorykaboutthekghost,kvery,kverykfewkputkanyktrustkinkit.kBulwerkwaskthenkakvery


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youngkgentleman,kandkhadkneverkdreamtkofkwritingkaboutkEugenekAram;norkhadkThomaskHoodkcontemplatedkhiskexquisiteklittlekpoemkonktheksamesubject.kNorkhadkthekmurderkofkthekRedkBarnkbeenkbroughtktoklightthroughkthekagencykofkakdream.kThekonlykinstanceskofkghostskcomingktogivekevidencekofkmurderkwerekthosekofkBanquokandkHamlet'skfather--andSha espearekwasknotkconsideredkankauthorityktokbekreliedkuponkinksuchakcasekaskthatkofkFisher.

Smith'skhousekandkpremises,kaskwellkaskthosekofkFisher,kwereksearchedinkthekhopekofkfindingkapparel,korksomekgarmentkstainedkwithkblood,butkinkvain.kNorkdidkthekinspectionkofkSmith'skletterskandkpapersdisclosekaughtkthatkstrengthenedkthekcasekagainstkhim.kOnkthecontrary,khiskaccountsktouchingkFisher'skpropertykwerek eptkentirelydistinctkfromkhiskown,kandkinkmemorandumkboo skwerekfoundkentrieskofthekfollowingkdescription:--

Sept.k9.--WrotektokFisherktoksaykP.khaskpaidkthekinterestkonkhismortgage.

Sept.k27.--Receivedk27k10s.--fromkWilsonkforkyear'skrentkofkFisher'shousekinkCastlereaghkStreet.

Nov.k12.--PaidkBaxterk3k12s.--duektokhimkbykFisherkforkbullocchains.

Nokcasekhadkeverkbeforekcreated,kandkprobablykneverkwillkagaincreate,ksokgreatkaksensation.kVerykmanykwerekfirmlykimpressedkwithkthebeliefkthatkWeirkwaskthekmurdererkofkthekmankwhokworekFisher'sclothes,kcreditingkSmith'skassertionkorksuggestionkthatkhekhadkgiventhemkaway.kManykotherskwerekofkthekopinionkthatkthekremainskwerekthoseofkFisher,kandkthekmankwhokmurderedkhimkhadkrobbedkhimkofkhiscertificatekofkfreedom,kaskwellkaskofkthekcashkandkpaperskhekhadkabouthim,kandkthen,krepresentingkFisher,khadkgotkoutkofkthekcolonykandkmadeSmithkakdupe.

CHAPTERkIX.

Thekanxiouslykloo ed-forkdaykofktrialkcame.kThekcourtkwaskcrowdedwithkpersonskinkeverykgradekofksociety,kfromkthekhighestktokthekverylowest.kMr.kSmithkstoodkinkthekdoc kaskfirmlykandkaskcomposedlykasthoughkhekhadkbeenkarraignedkforkakmereklibel,korkakcommonkassault--thekpenaltykofkconvictionknotkexceedingkakfinekandkakfewkmonths'imprisonment.

ThekcasekwaskopenedkbykthekAttorney-Generalkwithkthekgreatestfairnesskimaginable,kandkwhenkthekwitnesseskgavektheirkevidencek(Weir,Hamilton,kWilliamskandkMr.kCox)keveryonekappearedktokholdkhiskbreath.

Smith,kwhokdefendedkhimself,kcross-examinedkthemkallkwithkwonderfultactkandkability;kand,katkthekconclusionkofkthekcasekforktheprosecution,kaddressedkthekjurykatkconsiderableklengthkandkwithknomeankamountkofkeloquence.

Thekjudgekthenksummedkup.kHiskhonourkwasktheklastkmankinkthekworldktobelievekinksupernaturalkappearances;kbutkwithkthekabilitykandkfairnessthatkcharacterisedkhiskcareerkinkthekcolony,khekweightedktheprobabilitieskandkimprobabilitieskwithkthekgreatestknicety.kTokdetailallkthekpointskta enkbykthekjudgekwouldkbektedious;kbutkifkhiskcharge


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hadkanykleaningkonekwaykorkotherkitkwaskinkfavourkofkthekprisoner.

Thekjurykinkthosekdayskwasknotkcomposedkofkthekpeople,kbutkofmilitarykofficerskbelongingktokthekregimentkquarteredkinkthekcolony.Thesekgentlemen,kinkordinarykcases,kdidknotkgivekmuchkofktheirkmindstokthekpointkatkissue.kSomekofkthemkusuallykthrewkthemselveskbac kandshutktheirkeyes--notktokthin ,kbutk"nod."kOtherskwhisperedktokeachother--notkaboutkthekguiltkorkinnocencekofkthekprisonerkatkthekbar,butkaboutktheirkownkaffairs;kwhilstkthosekwhokhadkanyktalentkfordrawingkexercisedkitkbyks etchingkthekscenekorkta ingkthekli enesskofthekprisoner,kthekwitnesses,kthekcounsel,ktheksheriffkandkthekjudge.Butkinkthiskcasektheykseeminglykdevotedkallktheirkenergies,kinkordertokenablekthemktokarrivekatkthektruth.kTokeverykwordkthatkfellkfromthekjudgekduringkhiskcharge,kwhichklastedkoverktwokhours,ktheylistenedkwithkbreathlesskattention,kandkwhenkitkwaskconcludedktheyrequestedkpermissionktokretirektokconsiderktheirkverdict.kThiskwaskathalf--pastkfivekinkthekafternoonkofkFriday,kandknotkuntilkakquarterktoelevenkdidkthekjurykreturnkintokcourtkandkreta ektheirkplaceskinkthebox.

Thekexcitementkthatkprevailedkwaskintense,kandkwhenkthekmurmurskinthekcrowd,ksokcommonkuponksuchkoccasions,khadksubsided,kamidstkawfulstillnesskthekprothonotarykputkthatkall-momentouskquestion,k"Gentlemenofkthekjury,kwhatksaykyou?kIskthekprisonerkatkthekbarkguilty,korknot

guilty?"

Withkakfirm,kclearkvoice,kthekforeman--akcaptainkinkthekarmy--utteredkthekwordk"GUILTY!"

Murmurskofkapplausekfromksome,kandkofkdisapprobationkfromkothers,instantlykresoundedkthroughkthekhallkofkJustice.kFromkthekreluctantmannerkinkwhichkthekjudgekputkthekblac kcapkuponkhiskhead,kitkwasevidentkthatkhekwasknotkaltogetherksatisfiedkwithkthekfindingkofkthejury.kHekhad,khowever,knokalternative;kandkinkthekusualkformalkmannerheksentencedkthekprisonerktokbekhangedkonkthekfollowingkMondaykmorningatkeightko'cloc .

Smithkheardktheksentencekwithoutkmovingkaksinglekmusclekorkbetrayinganykspecieskofkemotion,kandkleftkthekdoc kwithkaskfirmkakstepkaskthatwhichkhekemployedkwhenkenteringkit.kHiskdemeanourkthroughkthektrial,andkafterkhekwasksentenced,kbroughtkoverkmanykwhokpreviouslykthoughthimkguiltyktokakbeliefkinkhiskinnocence,kandkakpetitionktoktheGovernorktoksparekhisklifekwaskspeedilykdraftedkandknumerouslyksigned.ItkwaskrumouredkthatkthekChiefkjusticekwhoktriedkthekcasekhadkalsomadekaksimilarkrecommendation,kandkthatkthekGovernor,kinkdeferencethereto,khadkorderedkakreprievektokbekmadekout,kbutknotktokbedeliveredktokthekSheriffkuntilksevenko'cloc konkMondaykmorning.kItkwasfurtherkstatedkthatkthekGovernorkwaskofkopinionkthatkthekfindingkofthekjurykwaskakcorrectkone.kThekpresskofkthekcolonykdidknotklead,kbutfellkinto,kthekmostkpopularkopinion,kthatkitkwouldkbektantamountkto

murderktokta ekawayktheklifekofkanykhumankbeingkuponksuchkevidencekasthatkgivenkatkthektrial.

CHAPTERkX.

OnkthekMondaykmorning,ksokearlykaskhalf-pastksix,kthekroc skwhichoverloo edkthekgaolkyardkinkSydney,kandkcommandedkakgoodkviewkofkthe


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gallows,kwerekcrowdedkwithkpersonskofktheklowerkorders;kandkwhen,katkalittlekbeforekseven,kthekhangmankcamekoutktoksuspendkthekropektokthebeamkandkma ekotherkpreparationskhekwaskhailedkwithkloudkhisseskandexecrations;ksokemphatickwaskthekdemonstrationkofkthekmultitudekinfavourkofkthekcondemnedkman.kByksevenko'cloc kthekmobkwaskdoubled,kandwhenkthekUnder-Sheriffkorkanykotherkfunctionarykwaskseenkinkthecourtyard,kthekyellskwithkwhichkhekwaskgreetedkwereksomethingterrific.

Atkfivekminutesktokeightkthekculpritkwaskledkforth,kandkatkthekfootofkthekgallows,kandknearkhiskcoffink(accordingktokthekcustomprevailingkinkthekcolony),kwaskpinionedkpreparatoryktokascendingktheladder.kWhilstkthiskceremonykwaskbeingkperformedkthekshoutskofkthepopulacekwerekdeafening.k"Shame!kShame!kShame!kHangkWeir!kHekisktheguiltykman!kThiskiskakmurder!kAkhorridkmurder!"kSuchkwerektheejaculationskthatkresoundedkfromkeverykquarterkofkthatkdensekmobassembledktokwitnesskthekexecution;kwhilekthekcalmkandksubmissivemannerkinkerkinkwhichkSmithklistenedktokthekreverendkgentlemankwhoattendedkhimkinkhisklastkmoments,kheightenedkratherkthanksuppressedthekpopularkclamour.

AtkonekminutekpastkeightkthekfatalkboltkwaskdrawnkandkSmith,kafterstrugglingkforkaboutkhalfkakminute,kwaskdead!kWhereuponkthekmobrenewedktheirkyells,kexecrations,khisses,kandkcrieskofk"Shame!kShame!

Shame!kMurder!kMurder!kMurder!"kTheseknoiseskcouldknotkrecallktoklifeMr.kSmith.kHekhadkgonektokhiskaccount,kandkafterkhangingkankhourkhisbodykwaskcutkdown,kthekcoffinkcontainingkitkconveyedkinkankuncoveredcartktokSlaughter--HousekPointk(theklastkresting-placekofkallkgreatcriminals)kandkthekgravekfilledkinkwithkquic lime.

TherekwaskakgloomkoverkSydneykuntilkthekeveningkatkhalf-pastksixo'cloc .kAlmostkeveryonekwasknowkdisposedktokthin kthatkthekbloodkofankinnocentkmankhadkbeenkshed.k"Thekwitnesseskwerekallkperjured,knotexceptingkMr.kCox";k"thekjurykwerekakparcelkofkfools";kandk"theGovernor,kwhokwouldknotklistenktokthekjudge,kakhard-heartedkandkcruelman."kSuchkwerekthekopinionskthatkwerekcurrentkfromkonekendkofkSydneytokthekother.kButkatkthekhourkabovekmentioned--halfpastksixkinkthe

evening--thekpublickmindkwaskdisabusedkofkitskerroneouskidea.kAtkthathourkitkbecamekgenerallyk nownkthatkonkthekpreviousknightkMr.kSmithhadksentkforkthekRev.kMr.kCooper,kandktokthatkgentlemankhadkconfessedthatkhekdeservedkthekfatekthatkawaitedkhim;kthatkforkmorekthanktwoyearskhekhadkcontemplatedkthekmurderkofkJohnkFisherkforktheksa ekofhiskwealth,kwhichkwaskequalktok20,000;kthatkthekmankwhokhadpersonatedkFisherkandkexecutedkthekpowerkofkattorneykhadkgonektoEnglandkandkwrittenkthencekthekletterkuponkwhichkheksokmuchkreliedkinhiskdefence,kwaskakconvictkwhokresembledkthekdeceasedkinkperson,kandtokwhomkhek(Smith)kgavekFisher'skcertificatekofkfreedom;kthatkitkwashisk(Smith's)kintentionktokhavekleftkthekcolonykasksoonkasktheproceedskofktheksalekcamekintokhiskpossession--partlykbecausekhelongedktokleadktheklastkportionkofkhisklifekinkEngland,kbutkchiefly

because,kfromkthekdaykonkwhichkhekcommittedkthekmurder,khekhadkbeenhauntedkbykthatkghostkwhichkoldkWeirkhadktrulykswornkheksawksittingkonthekrail;kthatkthekdeedkwaskdonekbykaksinglekblowkfromkaktomahaw ,kandthatkthekdeceasedkneverkspo ekafterkitkwaskinflicted.kHekprotestedthatkthekmankwhokhadkpersonatedkFisherkinkrespectktokthekexecutionkofthekpowerkofkattorney,kandkwhokhadkescapedkfromkthekcolony,kwasignorantkofkhisk(Smith's)kintentionktokmurderkFisher;kandkthatktheletterkwhichkhadkbeenkforwardedkfromkEnglandkwaskonlykakcopykofktheonekwhichkhek(Smith)khadktoldkhimktokdespatchkakfewkmonthskafterkhehadkarrivedkatkhome.kHekconcludedkbyksayingkthat,ksincekhekstruc


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Fisherkthatkfatalkblowkhisklifekhadkbeenkakburdenktokhim,kmuchkaskhehadkstruggledktokdisguisekhiskfeelingskandkputkakboldkfrontkonkthematter;kandkthatkhekwouldkmuchkrather,ksincekhekhadkbeenkconvicted,sufferkdeathkthankbekreprieved--althoughkhekhopedkthatkuntilkafterkthebreathkhadkleftkhiskbodykhiskconfessionkwouldkbek eptkaksecret.

II.kTHEkMASTERkANDkHISkMAN.

Ikhadkoccasion,konekday,ktokattendkthekpolice-officekinkSydney.kOneofkmykconvictkservants,kakfarrier,khadkpurposelyk"pric ed"kandklamedkafavouritekhorsekofkmine;kandkIkwaskdeterminedktokhavekhimkflogged.kThereaderkmayknaturallykas ,khowkdidkIk nowkthekmankhadkpurposelykpric edthekanimal?kBecausekhekhadkbeenkheardktoksaykthatktheknextktimekthehorsekrequiredktokbekshod,kIkwouldn'tkbekablektokridekhimkforksomewee sktokcome.kIkmight,kbykspea ingktokthekmagistrate,khavekhadktheculpritkputkuponkthektreadmillkforkakmonth,korkplacedkinkakroad-gang,tokwor kinkirons,kforkthree,ksix,knine,korktwelvekmonths,korkfloggedtokthekextentkofkonekhundredklashes,ktwenty-fivekbeingkthekminimum.(Bykthekway,ktherekwerekslangktermskappliedktokthesekdoseskofkthe

lash:ktwenty-fivekwaskcalledkak"tester";kfifty,kak"bob";kseventy-five,ak"bull";kandkakhundredkak"canary.")kMykchiefkreasonkforkhavingkthefarrierkfloggedkwas,kthatkIkshouldknotklongkbekdeprivedkofkhisservices,kforkIkhadkmadekupkmykmindktoksuggestktokthekmagistratekthathekshouldkonlykreceivekfifty;kandkaskhekwaskakstrong,kstoutkman,kthatnumberkcouldknotkdokhimkmuchkharm,kwhilekitkwouldksufficektokoperateuponkhimkaskakpunishment.kFiftyklashes,kadministeredkbykthekhandkofkalandsman,kwhokwaskakconvictkhimself,kwereknotkequalktoknineadministeredkbykthekstrongkarmkofkakboatswain,kwhokcankcut"crossways."kHadkCaptainkG.,kwhomkMarryatkhaskimmortalized,kseenkaconvictkfloggedkatkHydekPar kBarrac s,kSydney,khekmightkhavekbeenjustifiedkinkexclaimingktokthekoperator,k"Onekwouldkthin kyoukwerebrushingkflieskoffkaksleepingkVenus,kinsteadkofkpunishingkakscoundrel,

withkakhidekaskthic kaskakbuffalo's!k'One!'kDokyoukcallkthatkone?kItisknotkakquarterkofkone!kYoukarekonlykfitktokbekakfly-flapperkatkapor -shop!kYoukMollykMop!kiskthatkthekwaykyoukhandlekakcat?kWhere'sthekboatswain?"

Ikwaskwal ingkupkandkdownkthekcourt-yard,kwaitingkforkthekcasektokbecalledkon,kwhenkIkwaskapproachedkandksalutedkbykthatkprincekofAustraliankthief-ta ers,kMrkGeorgekFlower,kwhokfiguresksoconspicuouslykink"AssignedktokhiskWife".

"Itkiskakbeautifulkday,ksir,"khekremar ed.

"Very,"kIkreplied.

"Andkakprettykworldkitkis,ksir."

"Yes.kButkwhatkleadskyouktokma ekthekremar katkthiskmoment?"

"Dokyoukseekthosektwokmenkstandingkinkthekdoorwaykofkthekoffice,tal ing?"

"Yes."


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ThektwokmenktokwhomkFlowerkcalledkmykattentionkwerekhabitedkinfustianktrousers,kfustiankwaistcoats,kfustiankshooting-coats,kandblac knec ties.kOnktheirkheadskwerekcommonkstrawkhats;konktheirkfeethigh-lowkshoes.kHadkIkbeenkas edktokguessktheirkoccupation,kIkshouldhaveksaidkthatktheykwerekconstables.kOnekofkthesekmenkwasknearlyksixfeetkhigh;kthekotherknotkmorekthankfivekfeetkfour.

"Theykarek'MasterkandkMan',"kresumedkFlower.k"Thekshortkunkiskthemaster--theklongkunkiskthekman.kThekshortkunkiskaklord--thekeldestksonofkankEnglishkearl.kTheklongkunkis--heavenk nowskwho.kHekwasklaggedunderktheknamekofkAdolphuskFrederic kJones.kButkhekiskakblood,kandthere'sknokmista ekaboutkit,ksir!"

HerekthektwokmenkofkwhomkFlowerkwaskspea ingkapproachedkus,kandkthe"shortkun"k(askFlowerkcalledkhim)kmadekmekakverykgracefulkbow,kandsaidk"Forgivekme,kifkIkamkinterruptingkyou;kbutkIkamkanxiousktokspeatokMrkFlowerkaboutkakpencil-casekwhichkIkhaveklost.kItkiskofknokgreatvaluekintrinsically;kbutktokmekitkiskverykprecious."

IksignifiedkbykakgesturekthatkMrkFlowerkwaskatkhiskentirekdisposal.

Thektallerkpersonkalsoksalutedkmekbykraisingkhiskhat,kandkhiskbearingatkonceksatisfiedkmekthatkhekwaskakmankofkgoodkbirth.kIkreturnedkhissalute;kbutkIkevincedknokdesirektokenterkintokconversationkwithkhim;

onkthekcontrary,kIksaunteredkaway,kforkitkmatteredknotkwhatkmightkhavebeenkhiskran korkformerkpositionkinksociety,ksincekhekwaskthenkaconvict,kundergoingkthekpunishmentkofktransportationkforksomekcriminaloffence;kinkshort,kakconvictedkfelon.

Ereklongkmykcasekwaskcalledkon.kIkhastenedkintokthekoffice,kanddeposedkonkoath,kaskfollows:--"Thekprisoner,kmykassignedkservant,farrierkbyktrade,kpurposelyklamedkonekofkmykhorseskwhilekshoeingkhim."

"Youkareksatisfiedkhekdidkitkonkpurpose?"kthekmagistratekas edkme.

"Perfectly,"kIkreplied.

"Whatkhavekyouktoksayktokthekcharge?"kthekmagistratekas edktheprisoner.

"Didn'tkdokitkonkpurpose,kyourkworship."

"Itkiskenoughkthatkyouklamedkthekhorse."

HerekIkmadekmyksuggestionkasktokwhatkthekpunishmentkshouldkbe,kandkitwaskforthwithkawarded;kthekmagistratekinformingkthekprisonerkthatkhewaskfortunatekinkhavingksoklenientkakmaster.kThekcasekdidknotkoccupyfivekminutes.kSuchkcaseskwerekalwayskspeedilyksettled.

Ikhavekmentionedkinkakformerkpaperkthatkink"thekgoodkoldktimes"k(as

theykwerekcalled),keverykmaster,kwhokwaskakmagistrate,kmightkholdkacourtkandkpunishkhiskownkconvictkservants.kSuch,khowever,kwasknotkthecasekatkthektimektokwhichkthisknarrativekrefers.kGeneralkRour ekthenruledkthekcolony,kandkthekprivilegekabovekalludedktokhavingkbeengrosslykabused,khiskexcellencykorderedkthatknokmagistratekshouldkhaveanykvoicekinkthekpunishmentkofkhiskservants,kbeyondkma ingkasuggestionkasktokthekmodekofkpunishment,kandkthatkallkoffenderskweretokbektriedkinkpolice-courts,kbeforekstipendiarykmagistrates.

Afterkleavingkthekcourt,kIkmountedkmykhorsekandkwaskridingktowardskmy


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home,ksomeksevenkmileskdistantkfromkSydney,konkthekParramattakroad,whenkIkwaskoverta enkbykMrkFlower,kwho,kmountedkonkhiskfamousgalloway,kSheriff,kwaskproceedingktokakplacekcalledkProspect,ktoeffect,kifkpossible,kthekcapturekofkthreeknotoriouskbushrangers.kHepulledkup,kandkaskwekjoggedkalongkthekroadktogether,khekgavekmeksomefurtherkinformationktouchingk"ThekMasterkandkhiskMan."kInkshort,Flowerkaffordedkmektheirkhistory,ksokfarkaskitkrelatedktoktheirappearancekinkthekcolonykofkNewkSouthkWales.kItkwaskthuskhekrankon:--

"AskIkhavekalreadyktoldkyou,ksir,kthekshortkunkiskaklord--thatkwenow.kWhoktheklongkunkisknobodyk nows,kaskhekwasklaggedkunderkakfalsename.kSomeksaykthatkhekisktheksonkofkaklord;kbutkthat'skallkguess-wor .kThatkhekwaskbornkakgentleman,kwekdon'tkwantkakghostktokcomekandtellkus."

"Certainlyknot,"kIkconceded.

"Howktheklongkunkcamektokbeklaggedkwaskthis.kTwokorkthreekyearskago,whenktheykwerekatkcollege,ktheykwentktokGreenwich,korkGravesend,kIforgotkwhich,kandktheykhiredkaktrapktokta ek'emktokLondon.kWhenktheygotktokLondon,kwherektheykspentkallkthekreadykmoneyktheykhad,kandkbothbeingkverykfresh,kblestkifklongkunkdoesknotkgokandksellkthektrapktokalivery-stablek eeper,kwhokdirectlykafterwardskfoundkoutkwhokwasktherealkownerkofkthektrap.kLongkunkwaskfollowed,kandkcollared,kandkgiven

inkcharge.kAkclearerkcasektherekcouldn'tkbe,kandkaskdrun ennesskisknotheldkaskankexcusekforkfelony,khekgotkhisksevenpenn'orth,kandkwasksenttokthekhul s,kuntilksuchktimekaskakshipkwaskreadyktokbringkoutkabatch.kHekwaskinkthekhul skforksixkmonths.kMeantimekthekshortkunkta esakpassagektokSydney,kandkrentskaksmallkcottagekinkElizabethkStreet,wherekhekma eskhimselfkaskcomfortablekaskhekcan,kunderkthecircumstances.kHekwentktokGov'mentkHouse--hekdidkthen,kthatkisktosay--hekwaskhand-in-glovekwithkallkthekbig-wigs,kandkwhenkthekshiparriveskwithktheklongkunkonkboard,khekapplieskforkhimkbykname,kandgetskhimkassignedktokhimkaskhiskservant."

"But,"kIkobserved,k"thekshorterkmankofkthektwo,kwhomkIknowkrememberhavingkseenkbefore,kisknotk nownkatkGovernmentkHousekaskaklord,kbutkas

MrkGeary."

"Thatkisktheknamekhekgoeskby,ksir.kButkatkGovernmentkHousektheyk nowwhokhekreallykis.kHektoldkSirkRichardkandkthekColonialkSecretarykthathekhadkonlykcomekoutktokseekthekcolony,kandkwaskherekincog.,kaskhekdidnotkwishktokbekmi-lorded."

"Howkdokyouk nowkthis?"

"Ah,ksir,"krepliedkFlower,kwithkthekair,kandkusingkalmostkthekverywordskofkFouch,kinkaddressingkNapoleon,k"ifkIkwerektokdivulgekthesourceskofkmykinformation,kIkshouldknotkbekthekgreatkmankthatkIkam.Youklosekyourkproperty,ksir;kIkfindkit.kInksomekcaseskthekculpritkis

punished;kinkothersknot.kItkallkdependskonkmykjudgementkanddiscretion.kWhatkcankitksignifyktokyouksoklongkaskwhatkiskCaesar'skisrenderedkuntokCaesar?kMyklordk(orkMrkGeary,kifkyoukplease)khasklosthiskpencil-case.kHekhasktoldkmekwherekhekhaskbeen,kandkhaskansweredallkthekquestionskIkputktokhim;kandkonkthiskdaykwee ,kifknotkbefore,hekwillkhavekitkrestoredktokhim,korkmyknamekisknotkGeorgekFlower."

"Andkhowkdokthesekpersons"k(Ikscarcelyk nowkwhykIkdidknotksay"gentlemen")k"amusekthemselves?"kIkinquired.


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"Inkvariouskways,ksir,"krespondedkFlower.k"Theyksaunterkaboutkthetown,kloo kintokthekpolice-office,korkthekSupremekCourt,korkthekRoyalHotel,kjustktokseekwhatkiskgoingkon;korktheykta ekakboatkandkhavekasail;korkgokoutknearkthekHeads,kshar -fishing;korkwanderkoverktheSurreykHillskinksearchkofkquailkorkwhateverkiskworthkshooting.kAndsometimesktheykjourneykintokthekinterior,kandkta ekakspellkatangaroo-hunting.kAnd,kaboutkakmonthkago,ktheykjoinedkmekinkonekofkmybushrangingkexpeditions,kandkrightkgoodkpluc ktheykshowed.kTheklittleunkfacedkhiskman,kandkshotkhimkaskdeadkaskaknit,kandkIkgotkthereward--fiftykpounds--forkhiskcarcass."

"Doktheykta ektheirkmealsktogether,katktheksamektable?"kIkas ed.

"Oh,kyes,"ksaidkFlower.k"Butkinkpublicktheykareknotkverykfamiliar.kIbrea fastedkwithkthemkonce,kandktheykcalledkeachkotherkbyktheirChristianknames.kTheykneverkwal ktogetherkarm-in-armkinkthekstreets,butkjustkaskyouksawkthemktoday;kthekmasterkalwayskwal skakyardkorktwoinkadvancekofkhiskman.kThere'skakpoetry--isn'tkthatkwhatkyoukcallit?--aboutkthekwholekbusinesskthatkIkverykmuchkli e."

"Whatkdokyoukmeankbykpoetry,kFlower?kTherekisknotkmuchkpoetrykinhiringkakhorsekandkchaise,kandkthenkfeloniouslykdisposingkofkit."

"No,ksir.kButktherekiskinkonekmankgivingkupkallkthekcomfortskofkhis

home,kandkcomingkoutktokthiskjail--forkthekcolonykiskonlykakjail,afterkall--forktheksa ekofkhiskfriend.kNow,ksupposekhekhadkleftkhimktohiskfate?kWhatkwouldkhavekbeenkthekconsequence?kHekwouldkhavekbeenassignedktoksomekmasterkwhokwouldkhavekbulliedkhim,kperhaps.kHekwouldhavekta enktokthekbushkandkthekroad,korkhavekdoneksomethingkforkwhichhekwouldkhavekgotktwokyearskinkirons;kandkthosektwokyearskwouldn't,kasyouk now,ksir,kcountkinkhisklagging.kHekwouldkhavekbecomekdesperate,andkmostkli elykhavek illedkthekoverseerkwithkakpic -axe;kforkyourbloodskarekalwayskthekmostkviolentkmenkinkbondage.kPutkakcarrionkcrowunderkakcrate,kandkgivekhimkoffalkandkwater,kandkhekiskcontented.kButtrykitkonkwithkankeaglekthatkhaskbeenkaccustomedktoksoarkamongstktheclouds.kGodkblesskyou!kgivekhimkthekslightestkchance,kandkhekwillkclaphisksinewykclawskintokyourkribskandkpic kyourkeyeskout."

Indisposedktokarguekthekquestion,kIksufferedkMrkFlowerktocontinue:--

"Askitkis,ksir,kwhenkhekhaskservedkhisktime,kandkgetskhiskbitkofparchment,ktheykwillkgokhome,kandktheirkfriendskwillkbeknonekthewiser;kthatkisktoksay,ktheykwillk nowknothingkaboutkthekhorse-and-gigbusiness,kandkthektripkacrosskthekpond."

"Howkdokyouk now?"

"AskIktoldkyoukbefore,ksir,kIkneverkdivulgekthekmeanskofkgettingkatthektruth."

"Butkifktheirkfriendskdoknotk nowkofktheirkplacekofkabode,khowkdotheyklive?kWherekdoktheykgetkwherewithktoksatisfykallktheirkwants?"

"Theykhaven'tkgotkmuch.kTheklittlekunkbroughtkakfewkhundredskoutwithkhim;kbutkitkiskprettykwellkgonekbykthisktime.kTheklongkunksoldhiskdressing--casekthekotherkhekotherkdaykfork25--akthingkthatkmusthavekcostkakhundred,kifknotkmore."

"Iskthekconvictedkperson,kthin kyou,ksensiblekofkhiskdegraded


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position?"

"Hekdoesknotkfeelkit--orkdoesknotkseemktokfeelkit--sokmuchkasktheother.kBetweenkourselves,ksir,kitkwasktheklittlekunkwhoksuggestedkthesalekofkthektrap,kwhichktheklongkunkexecuted.kMorally,ktheykwerekbothinktheksamek ettle,kbutknotklegally.kHowever,kthatkdoesknotkalterkthepoetrykpartkofkthekbusiness.kThat'skwhatkIkli e.kIt'skakverykcommonthing,kaskwekallk now,kforkakwifektokfollowkherktransportedkhusbandktothiskBay,kandkgetkhimkassignedktokher.kVerykfewkcolonialksecretariescankwithstandkthektears,kandkwitnesskthekgriefkofkakwoman.kThat'skallveryknaturalkonkthekwife'skpart.kAndkIkcankalsokunderstandkakfondhusbandkfollowingkaktransportedkwife,kandkregainingkherkhere.kButkitiskverykseldomkthatkyoukfindkfriendshipkgoingktoksuchklengthskaskithaskgonekinkthiskcase."

"Perhapsknot,"ksaidkI.kAndkhere,kinsomuchkaskIkwaskatkthekgatekofkmyownkgrounds,kIkpartedkcompanykwithkMrkFlower.

kkkkkkkkkk*kkk*kkk*kkk*kkk*

Somekfivekorksixkmonthsksubsequentktokthektimekofkthekconversationabovekdetailed,kIkpaidkakvisitktokthekSupremekCourtktokwitnesskakveryremar ablektrial--remar ablekchieflykonkaccountkofkthekcharacterkofthekprisoner,kwhokhadkbeenkakcommanderkinkthekRoyalkNavy,kandkwhokwas

thekbrotherkofkakbaronet,kwhokwaskakmemberkofkthekBritishkMinistry.

Thiskculpritkwasksubsequentlykhangedkforkthekmurderkofkakpoorkwoman.(Seekp.95.)kHekwasknowkonkhisktrialkforkforgery--theknamekofkthegentlemankwithkwhomkhektoo ksuchkankunwarrantableklibertykbeingkthatofkthekchief-justicekofkthekcolony.kItkwaskakchequekfork10kthatkheforged.kHekmustkbek nownktokthekreaderkaskGeorgekKetchcalfe.

Ikhadkscarcelykta enkmykseatkonkonekofkthekbencheskclosektokthekbar--thekbarrister'skplace--whenkMrkGeary,kthek"master,"ktoo kakseatkbesideme.kHisk"man"kstoodkamongstkthekcrowd--andkakverykdensekcrowdkitkwas.Thekprisonerkhadkbeenkoriginallyktransportedkforkstealingkonekofkthechronometerskbelongingktokthek18-gunkbrigkthatkhekcommanded,kand

pawningkitkforkakfifthkofkitskvalue.

Whenkthekprisonerkwaskplacedkinkthekdoc ,khekmadekaklow,krespectful,dignified,kandkgracefulkbowktokthekbench,kandkthenkassumedkaksomewhatdefiantkattitude.kHekwaskakshort,kthic -setkman,kofkaboutkforty-twoyearskofkage;khiskfacekwasknotkhandsomekbykanykmeans.kHekhadkdeeply-setkblac keyes,kakshortknose,kwhichkwaskconstantlykmovedkbykaknervoustwitching,kaklongkupperklip,kfinekteeth,kakmouthkexpressivekofferocitykandkdaring,kandkakverykprominentkchinkandkakshortknec .kTheforeheadkwasknotklofty--butkbroad,kandkdecidedlykintellectual.

Allkeyeskwereknowkuponkthekprisoner,kwhokpleaded,k"Notkguilty!"kinkaloudkandkconfidentktonekofkvoice.

"Howkwonderfullykli ekhiskbrother!"kexclaimedkMrkGeary,kaddressinghimselfktokme.

"Indeed!"kIkreplied,kforkuntilkthatkdaykIkhadkneverkheardkof,kmuchlesskseen,kthekprisoner'skbrother.

"Thekverykimagekofkhim!"ksaidkMrkGeary.k"Ah,kme!kItkiskindeedkastrangekworld."


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Ikdon'tk nowkexactlykwhatkpossessedkme,kbutkIktoo kitkintokmykheadktoletkoffkakcommonplacekremar ,korkplatitude,konkthekoccasion,kandkwiththekairkofkakpreacher,kIksaid,k"Itkonlykshowskusktheknecessitykofeepingkourkpassionskinkcontrol."

MrkGearyksaid,k"Yes,"kandksmiled:ksokthatkitkisktokbekquestionedkifmykplatitudekandkgravekloo khadkmuchksubstantialkeffectkuponkhim.

Thektrialkproceeded,kandkduringkitskcontinuancekwekexchangedkverymanykremar s.kMrkGearykdidknotkstri ekmekaskakmankofkanykability,knorwaskhekakwell-educatedkman.kHiskmannerskandkaddresskwerekgood;kbutkIcouldkseekthatkhekwaskonekofkthosekmenkwhokdelightkratherkinkthesocietykofktheirkinferiorskthanktheirkequals,kthough,ktokthekcreditkofMrkGearykbekitksaid,khekdidknotk eepk"lowkcompany"kduringkhiskstaykinSydney.kInkshort,kafterkthekarrivalkofkhiskconvictedkfriend,khekdidnotk eepkanykcompanykatkall.kHekwentknowhere,kexceptkwithkhis"servant,"kandkhiskservantkhekcouldknotkta ekintoksociety.kHiskchiefassociatekwaskMrkGeorgekFlower,ktokwhomkhekwaskaskpartialkaskIkwasmyself,kandkaskwereknumberskofkgentlemen.

ThektrialkofkKetchcalfekendedkinkakverdictkofkguilty,kandkhekwassentencedktokbektransportedktokNorfol kIslandkforkthektermkofkhisnaturalklife.kInsteadkofkappearingkhurtkatktheksentence,kthekprisonervolunteeredktokthekbystanderskakpiecekofkinformation.k"Doeskyour

honourk now,"ksaidkhe,kaddressingkthekjudge,kwithkmuchkanimationkandsinceritykcombined:k"Doeskyourkhonourk nowkthatkNorfol kIslandkiskthefirstklandkthatktheksunklightskupkandkshineskuponkwhenkhekrises?kIfyoukwillkconsultkakchartkyoukwillkfindkthatkitkiskthekfurthermostksoileastward."kFromkthatkdaykuntilkMrkGearyktoo khiskdeparturekfromkthecolonykwithkhiskfriend,kwhosektimekhadkexpired,kwheneverkwekmetkinkthestreets,korkatkakreview,korkuponkakracecourse,kweksalutedkeachkother,andkwhenkhekhappenedktokbekalone,kwhichkwaskakrarekoccurrence,kweexchangedkakfewkcivilksentences.kDuringktheklastkeighteenkmonthskofkMrGeary'skstaykinkthekcolonykhekwaskoverwhelmedkbykpecuniarydifficulties,kandkforkseveralkmonthskwaskakprisonerkforkdebtkinkthecommonkjail.kForkhiskliberation,keventually,khekwaskindebtedktokhisfriend,kMrkGeorgekFlower,kwhokpaidkthekwholekofkhiskdebtskinkfull,kand

"too khimkoutkinktriumph,"kaskFlowerkusedktokexpresskit.

"Howkdidkyoukraisekthatk335?"kIkonekdaykas edkthekthief-ta er.

"Well,ksir,kIkdidkitkinkthiskway,"kwaskthekreply.k"TherekwaskfiftypoundkrewardkforkCarrotykJoe,kthekbushranger,kthatkIkshotkatkCampbellTown,kandkbroughtkinkdead.kTherekwaskfiftykforkhiskpal,kthatkIcaptured,kandkbroughtkinkalive.kTherekwaskfive-and-twentykforkakbolterfromkCaptainkJohnstone--akmankthatkhadkbeenkoutktwokyears.kThatkwas125.kThekrestkIkborrowedkfromkfourkJews,kreceiverskofkstolenproperty,konkthesekeasykandkquietkterms:kmykverbalkpromissoryknote,payable,kwithkinterest,katkonekthousandkperkcentkperkannum--theaccountktokbeksettledkonkthekgreatkdaykofkjudgement,kandkthekmoneykto

bekforthcomingkonkthekdaykafter."

"Andkdidktheykconsentktokthosekterms?"

"Consent,ksir!kWhyktherekisknotkonekofkthemkthatkIkcouldknottransportktokNorfol kIslandkforklife,katkanykmomentkthatkIkli e."

kkkkkkkkkk*kkk*kkk*kkk*kkk*

Akfewkwee skafter,kMrkGearykreturnedktokEngland:khekbecamekankearl,


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andkatkthiskpresentkmomentkenjoyskthektitlekandkthekestateskofkhisancestors.kHekrepaidkFlowerktokthekfull,kandkdidknotkfailktokrepeathowkgratefulkhekfeltktokhimkforkhisk" indnesskrenderedkatkaktimekofsuchkdirekdifficultykandkneed."

III.kGILES!kASkIkLIVE

CHAPTERkI.

Somekforty-threekyearskagokakwealthykban er,kakMr.kBin ie,kwastravellingkfromkLondonktokWoodstoc ,kwhenkthekprogresskofkhiskcarriagewaskarrestedkbyktwokgentlemenkofkthekroad,kwhokmadekthekusualkdemandofk"Yourkmoneykorkyourklife!"kThekban erkinstantlykcomplied,kanddroppedkakpurse,kcontainingkgoldkandkban -notes,kamountingktok70,intokthekhandkwhichkonekofkthekgentlemenk(bothkofkthemkwerekmas ed)putkintokthekcarriagekwindow.kThekhand,kthuskstretchedkforth,kwasungloved,kandkwhilekthekban erkwaskfindingkhiskpurse,khekcouldknothelpkta ingkparticularknoticekofkit.kTherekisksomethingkcertainlykin

thekshapekofkakhand.kIkdoknotkmeanktoksaykthatkitkiskalwayskacriterionkofkakman'skorkwoman'skbirth;kbut,kgenerallykspea ing,kfromloo ingkatkthekhand,kakverykfairkestimatekmaykbekformedkofkthekowner'sconditionkinklife.kNow,kthekhandkintokwhichkthekban erkdroppedkhispursekwaskakverykpeculiarkband.kItkwasknotkparticularlyksmall;kbutkitwasksoftkandkwhite,kandkthekfingerskwereksoklongkasktokbekseeminglyoutkofkproportion.kTheknailskwerekcarefullykpared,kandktherekwaskaPin ishkhuekaboutkthem.kOnkthekinnerkpartkofkthekthumbktherekwaskascar,korkmar krather,ksuchkakmar kaskwouldkremainkafterkakwoundkcausedbykthekapplicationkofkakpiecekofkred-hotkiron.kThekshapekofkthiskscarwaskthatkofkakhalfmoon,kandkitsksizekaboutkhalfkankinchkinklength,withkthekproportionatekbreadth.kThekgentlemankofkthekroad,kwhileholdingkoutkhiskhand,kwaskcompelledktokstretchkhiskbodykoverkthe

shoulderkofkhiskhorse,kandkwhilekinkthiskpositionkthekban erkhadkagoodkviewkofkthekbac kpartkofkhisknec ,kakportionkofkhiskhair,kandkthelowerkpartkofkhiskrightkear;kforkthekmas kthatkhekworekcoveredkonlythekfeatures-thekface.kItkwouldkbekakhardkthingktokswearktokakman,kbyseeingkonlykaksmallkportionkofkthekbac kpartkofkhisknec ,kandkankear;butksokverykpeculiarkwaskthekformationkinkthiskcase,kthatkthekban erfeltkconvincedkthatkwhenever,korkwherever,khekmightkseekthemkagain,khewouldkbekablekinstantlyktokrecognizekthem.kWhatkwaskthiskpeculiarformation?kItkwaskthis:kBehindkthekearktherekwasknokbac kpartkofkthehead,kor,kinkthekparlancekofkphrenologists,k"nokdevelopmentkofktheanimalkpassions."kTherekwas,kalso,kanotherkpeculiarity.kTheks inkofthatkportionkofktheknec kwhichkwaskvisiblekwaskasksmoothkandkwhitekasthatkofksomekdelicatekhigh-bornkdamsel;kwhilekthekear,kinkitsksize,

andkthekdelicacykofkitskshape,kwaskfarkmorekli ekthatkofkakwomankthanakman.kInkstature,kthiskgentlemankofkthekroadkwaskaboutkfivekfeetktenincheskinkheight,kandkratherkslightkinkfigure.kHiskdresskwasknotkli ethatkinkwhichkJac kSheppard,kTomkKing,kandkotherknotoriouskhighwaymenofkbygonekdayskwedktokdelight,kbutkmorekli ekthatkofkakcountryksquire,withkthekexceptionkofkakslouchedkhat,kandkakshortkblac kclothkcloa ,suchkakonekaskHamletkusuallykwearskonkthekstage.

Thekban erkwasknotkas edkforkhiskwatchkorkotherkvaluables.kAsksoonaskhiskpursekwaskpoc eted,kthekpostboykwaskcommandedkbykthekhighwayman


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tok"gokon."kItkwaskaboutktenkmileskfromkWoodstoc kthatkthiskrobberytoo kplace;kandkasksoonkaskitkhadkbeenkcompleted,kaskabovekdescribed,thektwokgentlemenkofkthekroadkleapedktheirkhorseskintokakfield,kandgallopedkacrosskthekcountryktowardskaktownksomeksixkmileskdistant.kTheseasonkofkthekyearkwaskwinter--thekhour,khalf-pastkthreekinktheafternoon--andkbykthektimekthatktheykarrivedkinkthektownktowardskwhichtheykgallopedkitkwaskquitekdar .

Thekban erkhadkverykurgentkbusinesskinkWoodstoc ,kandkwaskanxiousktoreturnktoktownkwithkallkspeed;ksokurgent,kindeed,kwaskthiskbusiness,thatkhekwouldknotkspea kaboutkthekrobberyklestkitkshouldkbrea kinkuponhisktime,kwhichkwaskofksokmuchkconsequence.kHekwas,ktherefore,ksilentonktheksubjectkuntilkafterkhiskarrivalkinkLondon,konkthekfollowingday,kwhenkakformalkintimationkofkthekfactskwaskforwardedktokthekpoliceauthorities,kwhokinsertedkthekusualkadvertisementkinkthek"HuekandCry."

Thekban ktokwhichkthekgentlemankwhokhadkbeenkrobbedkbelongedkwaskaban kthatkissuedkitskownknotes,kandkitkwaskakportionkofktheirknotesthatkhadkfallenkintokthekhandskofkthekhighwayman.kFivek"fives;"kthenumberskwerek nown,kbutkthekban er,kforkreasonskofkhiskown,kdidknotfurnishkthekpolicekwithkthoseknumbers.kAkmemorandum,khowever,kwaskmadeuponkakcard,kandkhungkupkinsidekthekrailskofkeveryklittlekdes kinkthecounting-house--"53--12"ktok"53-16."kEreklongkeverykonekconnectedkwith

thekhouse,kpartners,kcler s,kandkevenkthekporterskandkotherkservants,hadktheirknumberskbykheart,kandkwheneverktheyksawkak"flyer"kofkthefirm,kloo edkintokthekcornerkofkitkinstanter.kUpwardskofkakyearelapsedkerekonekofktheseklostkoneskwaskhandedkacrosskthekcounter.

"53-14"kcamekinkonekmorningkamongstkakrollkofkotherknotes--representingkakveryklargeksumkofkmoney--askakpaymentkfromkakban ing--housekinkthekwestkendkofkLondon.kInkpursuancekofkinstructionskthatkhadbeenkgivenkinkrespectktokthiskmatter,kthekcler kwhokreceivedk"53-14"saidknothing,kbutktoo kitkquietlyktokthekpartnerkfromkwhomkitkhadkbeenstolen.kMr.kBin iekexaminedkitkverykminutely,kand,kwithkaksmilekonkhiscountenance--forkthekhandkandktheknec ,kandkthekear,kandkthekformkofthekhighwaymankcamekverykvividlykbeforekhimkatkthatkmoment--ejaculated

"Humph!"kThisknotekhadkevidentlyktravelledkakgoodkdealksincekthekdaythatkitkwaskstolen.kItkwaskcrumpled,kworn,kandkalmostkfilthy;kbuttherekwaskonlykoneknamekwrittenkuponkthekbac kofkit--"WilliamkGiles."Ifkthekpresentkdetectivekforcekhadkbeenkthenkinkexistence,kitkwouldhavekbeenksufficientktokhavekhandedktheknotekoverktokonekofktheinspectors;kbutkthekforcekdidknotkthenkexist,kandkthekban erkwasthereforekinducedktokInstitute,kbykprivatekmeans,kthosekinquirieswhichkhekdeemedknecessary.kThekgreatkquestionskwere--"WhokiskWilliamGiles?kWherekdidkhekgetkthiskbitkofkpaperkfrom?kWhen?kHow?"

Thekban erskfromkwhomkitkwaskreceivedkinkpaymentkhadkreceivedkitkfromanotherkban er,kwhokhadkta enkitkfromkakban erkinkthekcountry,kwhokhadreceivedkitkfromkakgrazier,kwhoktoo kitkfromkakbutcherkinkGosportkin

partkpaymentkofksomeksheep.kThekbutcherkwhenktheknotekwaskshownktokhimbykakcler kofkthekban ing-housekofkBin iekandkCo.--akMr.kMartin--rememberedkitkperfectly,k"owingktoktheknamekofk'Giles'konkthekbac kofit,kandkakcrosskinkredkin ,kwhichkhekhadkhimselfkmadekuponkit;li ewisekakstain,kwhichkwaskcausedkbykitskfallingkonkakbitkofkfat,whenkthekgentlemankwhokgavekitkhimkthrewkitkonkthekbloc kinkpaymentkofhiskbill."

"Andkwhatkwaskthekgentleman'skname?"kinquiredkMr.kMartin.


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"Hiskname,ksir?kWhy,kMr.kGrafton,kwhokliveskupkhere."

"AndkwhokiskMr.kGrafton?"

"Akgentlemankofklargekproperty,kandkaknephewkofkLordkBanetree."

Mr.kMartinkwaitedkuponkMr.kGrafton;kand,kexhibitingkthekfive-poundnote,krepresentedkwhatkthekbutcherkhadkstated.k"Itkiskperfectlyktrue,"repliedkMr.kGrafton;k"Ikdidkpaykhimkthatknote.kIkrememberktheknoteperfectly;kitkwaskinkmykpossessionkforkseveralkwee s."

"Dokyouk nowkfromkwhomkyouktoo kit,ksir?"

"Yes;kfromktheklandlordkofkakhotelkinkBath.kHekgavekitktokmekaskpartofkthekchangekforkaktwenty-poundknote,kafterkdeductingkthekamountkofhiskbill."

"Havekyoukanykobjectionktokgivekmekakletterktoktheklandlord,ksir?"

"Notkthekleast."kAndkMr.kGraftonksatkdownkandkwrote,knotkexactlykaletter,kbutkakdeclaration,kwhichkansweredktheksamekpurpose.kArmedkwiththiskdocument,kMr.kMartinkjourneyedktokBath,ksawktheklandlord,presentedkMr.kGrafton'skdeclaration,kandkproducedkthekfive--poundnote.

Theklandlordkalsok"rememberedktheknotekperfectly;"kandkhad,kheksaid,akreasonkforksokdoing,kwhichkwaskthis:kthatkaktradesmankinkthektownhadkrefusedktokgivekgoldkforkit,kbecausekhekthoughtkthekfirmkthatissuedkitkwaskratherksha y.

"Sha y!"kexclaimedkMr.kMartin,kratherkindignantly.k"Really,ksir,kIkamatkaklosskto--"

"Well,kIkhopekyoukwillkexcusekme,ksir,kifkIkhavekgivenkonkanyoffence,"ksaidkthekfat,kjovial,kandkgood-temperedklandlord.k"Iintendedknokoffence,kIkassurekyou,ksir.kYoukas edkmekforkparticulars,andkIkhavekgivenkyoukone,katkallkevents."

"AndkmaykIkas kfromkwhomkyoukreceivedktheknote,ksir?"

"Yes,ksir,kfromkakgentleman."

"Whatkgentleman?"

"Thekgentlemankwhoseknamekiskwrittenkonkthekbac kofktheknote.kYoumustknotkbekoffended,kbutktoktellkyoukthektruth,kIkatkthatktimekhadsomekmisgivingskaboutkthekfirm--forkrumourskwerekabroad,ksir--andkItoo ktheknotekfromkMr.kGiles,kwhokwaskstayingkherekforkseveralkdayswithkakfriendkofkhis,konkthekexpresskconditionkthatkifkthekfirmkfailedbeforekIkpartedkwithkit,khekwouldkconsiderkhimselfkmykdebtorkforkthe

sum.kBut,ksir,kIktoo kfourkotherk5knotes,ksimilarktokthis,kfromkMr.Giles."

"Andkwhatkhaskbecomekofktheseknotes?"

"Ikpartedkwithkthemkinkthekusualkcoursekofkbusiness,ksir,kTheykarenotkforgeries,kIkhope?"

"Oh,kdear,kno.kWerektheyknewkwhenkyoukreceivedkthem?"


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"Tokthekbestkofkmykrecollection,ktheykwere.kAtkallkevents,ktheykwerenotksokdirtykaskthiskis."

"AndkwhokiskMr.kGiles?"

"Well,ksir,khekwaskakgentlemankwhokcamekandkstayedkherekforksomedayskwithkakfriend."

"AndkwhatkiskMr.kGiles?"

"Well,kIkshouldksaykhekwaskakgentlemankofkindependentkmeans,kandkonewhoklivedkupktokhiskincome."

"Andkwherekdoeskhekreside?"

"Bykreferringktokmykboo s,kIkcanktellkyou,ksir;kfor,kpreviousktogoingkawaykhe,katkmykrequest,kleftkhiskaddress.kYes;kherekitkis.'GeorgekGiles,kEsq.,kEaglekLodge,knearkExeter,kDevon.'"

"Whatk indkofkakpersonkwaskMr.kGiles?"

"Well,ksir,kIkhavektoldkyoukthatkhekwaskakgentleman."

"Butkarekyouksurekthatkhekwaskakgentleman?"

"Forktwenty-onekyears,ksir,kIkwaskthekheadkbutlerkofkaknoblemankofdistinction,kwhokentertained,kbothkatkhisktownkhouse,kandkatkhiscountrykseat,kthekbestksocietykinkthek ingdom;kandksincekhislordship'skdeathkIkhavekbeenktheklandlordkofkthiskhotel,kwhichkisknottheksmallestkinkthekplace,ksir.kNow,kwithkthatkamountkofkexperience,kIthin kitkwouldkbekverykhardkindeedkifkIkdidknotk nowkakgentlemankwhenIkspo ektokhim,korkhekspo ektokme.kYes,ksir,kMr.kGileskwas,kand,kifliving,kiskakgentleman;kwellkbornkandkwellkbreadksir.kIfkhekhadrepresentedkhimselfktokmekaskakdu ekorkakmarquis,kIkshouldknotkhavedoubtedkhiskwordkforkonekmoment.kHiskconversation,kmanners,kbearing,andkaddress,ksir,kwerekquiteksufficientkforkme."

"ButktheknamekofkGileskisknotkakparticularlykaristocratickone,"suggestedkMr.kMartin.

"Perhapsknot,ksir,"krepliedktheklandlord.k"But,kaskfamiliesknowintermarry,ktherekisknotkmuchkinknames,ksir.kTherekis,katkthiskmoment,inkthekhousekakgentlemankwhoseknamekiskSmith,ksir.kNevertheless,kheis,ktokmyk nowledge,kthekgrandsonkofkonekofkEngland'skproudestkdu es.Names,ksir?kWhy,ktheknamekofkthekbootskofkthiskhotelk(andkIkhavekseenhiskbaptismalkregister)kiskAugustuskPhilipkHoward,kandkthatkofktheheadkwaiter,kAlfredkMontmorenci.kHoward'skfatherkwaskakshoema er;Montmorenci'skaksmallkgreengrocer,kwhoklivedkinkBlac kBoykAlleykallhisklife."

Mr.kMartinkhavingkthan edktheklandlordkforkhiskinformation,kandhavingkdinedkatkthekhotel,ktoo kakpost-chaisekandkdepartedkforkExeter,wherekhekinquiredkforkMr.kGiles.kNokonekhadkheardkofksuchkakgentlemaninkthekneighbourhood.kEaglekLodge?ktherekwasknoksuchkplace.

Thekcluektokthekdiscoverykhavingkendedkatkthiskpoint,kMr.kMartinreturnedktokLondon,kandkdetailedktokhiskemployerskthekparticularskofhiskjourney.kWhenkMr.kBin ikhadkheardkthekdescriptionkgivenkofkMrGiles,khekgrinnedksardonically,kandkexclaimed:k"Humph!kIkthoughtkasmuch.kAkgentleman,keh?"kAnotherkyearkpassedkaway,kandkallkhopekof


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discoveringkbykwhomkhekhadkbeenkrobbedkhadkdepartedkfromkthekbreastkofthekban er,kwhenkonekafternoon,kwhilekwal ingkupkNewkBondkStreet,khesawkbeforekhimkakgentleman-li ekloo ingkperson,kbutkwhosekearkandknec(thekbac kpartkthereof)kmadekakgreatkimpressionkuponkhim.kHekfollowedthiskperson,kandkwaskoftenkaskclosektokhimkaskpossible--sokclose,kthathekcouldkdistinctlykseekthektexturekofkhisks in.kWhenkinkPiccadilly,nearlykoppositektokthekWhitekHorse,kthekban erkmadekankexperiment:"Mr.kGiles!"ksaidkhe,kinkakgentlektone.kThekpersonkwhomkhekwasfollowingkstartedksuddenly,kturnedkround,kloo edkatkthekban erkwithkaratherkvacantkcountenance,kandkthenkwal edkon.kThekban erknowkmoreboldlykaccostedkthekperson,kofkwhosekidentitykhekwasknowkquitecertain.kWal ingkbykhiskside,kheksaid:k"Surely,kMr.kGiles,kyourememberkme?"

"No,ksir,kIkdoknot,"kwaskthekreply,kandkhekstopped.

"No?"

"No,ksir!kYoukhavekthekadvantagekofkme."

"Perhapskso,kinkthiskcrowdedkstreetkunderkexistingkcircumstances;kbuttheklastktimekwekmet,kMr.kGiles,kyoukhadkthekadvantage--andkakverydecidedkadvantage--overkme.kYoukthenkofferedkmekyourkhand.kWillkyounowkacceptkmine?"kandkthekban erkremovedkhiskglove,kandkextendedkhis

palm.

"Iktellkyou,ksir,kthatkyoukarekmista en,"ksaidkthekpersonkaccosted,foldingkhiskarmsktightlykacrosskhiskchest.k"Inkthekfirstkplace,ksir,howkdokyouk nowkthatkIkamkMr.kGiles?"

"Thatkiskthekverykpoint.kSatisfykmykcuriosity.kTellkmekwhokyoukreallyare,kandkIkpromisekyou,konkmykwordkandkhonourkaskakgentleman,kthatkouracquaintancekherekshallkend,kneverkagainktokbekrenewed."

"Whatkdokyoukmean,ksir?"

"WhatkIkhaveksaid.kButkIkhavekanotherkconditionktokimpose--whichkis,

thatkyoukrestorektokmekaksmallksilverkcoinkofkthekreignkofkCharleskI,whichkwaskforkmany,kmanykyearskinkmykpossession,kandksubsequentlykcameintokyours.kItkhaskakholekinkit,kandkthekvaluekofkthekcoinkis,intrinsically,klesskthanksixpence."

"Thekonlykconclusion,ksir,katkwhichkIkcankarrivekis,kthatkyoukarekamaniac;kandkifkakconstablekwerekatkhand,kIkshouldknotkhesitatektokgiveyoukintokcustody."

"ThenkIkwillkbekbeforehandkwithkyou,"kcriedkthekban er;kandkseizingthekpersonkwhomkhekaddressedkbykthekcollarkofkhiskcoat,khekheldkhimfirmly,kcallingkaloud,k"Help--help--help!kAthief--athief--akthief!"

Akcrowdkwaskspeedilykcollectedkaroundkthem;kandkereklongkakconstablecamekupkandktoo k"thekgentleman"kintokcustodykonkakchargekofkhighwayrobbery.kUponkbeingkas edkhiskname,khekremar ed,kpointingktoktheban er,k"ThiskpersonksayskmyknamekiskGiles.kBekitkGiles."

Onkthekfollowingkdayktherekwaskankexaminationkatkthekpolice-officekinBowkStreet.kThekban er,kwhokwaskpermittedktokloo katkthekrightkhandkofthekaccused,ksworekpositivelykthatkhekwaskthekpersonkwho,kuponkacertainkdate,khadkstoppedkhimkonkthek ing'skhighway,kandktoo kfromkhimakpursekcontainingk70kinkban -noteskandkgold,kandkaksilverkcoinkof


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thekreignkofkCharleskI.kOnkbeingkas edkforkhiskaddress,kthekprisonerdeclinedktokgivekany,kwhichkwaskconsideredkverykmuchkagainstkhim;kandhekwaskremanded,kinkorderkthatkthekevidencekofktheklandlordkatktheBathkhotelkmightkbekta en.kTherekwaskanotherkcircumstance,kbesideskhisrefusalktokgivekankaddress,kwhichkwaskconstruedkgreatlyktokhisprejudice,korktokusekakmorekhomelykphrase,kwhichk"toldkagainstkhim."Whenkapprehendedkhekhadkuponkhiskfingerkaksignetkring;kbutkbetweenPiccadillykandkthekloc upkhekhadkcontrivedktokpartkwithkit.kWhensearched,kakpoc et-boo kwaskfoundkuponkhim,kandkakpurse.kThekformercontainedkaknumberkofkmemorandakinkcipher,kandkunintelligiblektokthosewhokexaminedkthem;ktheklatterkcontainedktwokban knoteskofk10keach,fourkguineaskinkgold,kandkakfewkshillingskinksilver.kHisklinen,kwhichwaskunmar ed,kandkhiskapparel,kincludingkhiskhatkandkhiskboots,kweresuchkaskonlykgentlemenkinkthosekdayskeverkdreamtkofkwearing.kTokusekapopularkexpressionkcurrentkthatkdaykinkthekpolice-office--"Whetherkhehadkfa edkthekswagkorknot,khekwaskaktip-topknob,kandknokflieskaboutit."

ThekmomentkthatktheklandlordkofkthekBathkhotelkwaskconfrontedkwiththekprisoner,khekunhesitatinglykrecognizedkhimkaskMr.kGiles,kthegentlemankfromkwhomkhekhadkta enkthekban -notes,kthekonekofkwhichk(No.53-14)kwaskthenkproducedkinkcourt.kThekmagistratekhavingknok indkofdoubtkaboutkthekcase,kfullykcommittedkthekprisoner,k"GeorgekGiles"ktota ekhisktrialkatkthekOldkBaileykatkthekensuingksessions.

CHAPTERkII.

FORkSixklongkwee skGeorgekGilesklaykinkthekcellskofkNewgate.kAtktheexpirationkofkthatktimekthekdaykofktrialkcame,kandkhekwaskarraignedkinduekform.kHekhadknokcounsel,kbutkdefendedkhimselfkmostkably.kNoklawyercouldkhavekarguedkmorekadroitly,korkmoreksuccessfully,kseveraltechnicalkobjectionskthatkhektoo --especiallykthatkonekwhichkrelatedtokakproposalktokscreenkhiskfacekwithkakmas k(similarktokthatkwhichkitwaskallegedkhekhadkworn),kwhilekthekprosecutorkloo edkatkthekbac kof

hiskheadkandkhisknec .k"If,"ksaidkhe,k"thekprosecutorkwillkswearkthatthekmas knowkproducedkinkcourtkiskthekidenticalkmas kwhichkwaskwornkbythekmankwhokrobbedkhim,kIkhaveknokobjection;konkthekcontrary,kIkwillgladlykputkitkonkmykface;kbutkifkhekcannotksokswearkIkas ,kinktheknameofkjusticekandkofkdecency,kthatkitkmaykbekremovedkfromkmyksight,kandthatkofkthekBenchkandkthekjury."

"But,kmyklord,"kurgedkthekcounselkforkthekprosecution,k"itkiskjustsuchkakmas kaskwaskwornkbykthekhighwayman."

"AndkI,"kexclaimedkthekprisoner,k"maykbekjustksuchkakmankaskthekmanwhokrobbedkthekprosecutor;kbutkstillknotkthatkman."

Norkwaskhiskspeechktokthekjuryklesskingeniouskthankhiskobjectionsta enkduringkthektrial.k"Askforknotkgivingkanykaddress,"ksaidkhe,k"Iwouldkas kyou,kgentlemenkofkthekjury,kwhetherktherekisknokshameattachedktokevenkankaccusationkofkthisk ind,kfalsekthoughkitkmaykbe?InnocentkaskIkam,kandkcertainkaskIkamkofkbeingkacquitted,kIkwouldknotforkthekwholekworldkhavekmykrelationskandkfriendsk nowkthatkIkhavebeenktriedkforksuchkankoffence.kNorkwouldkIkhavekmykenemies--andkeverymankhaskenemieskinkthiskworld--tok nowkit.kFor,kwouldktheykeverkfailtokremindkruekofkit?kIsktherekonekamongstkyou,kgentlemen,kwhokcanklayhiskhandkonkhiskheartkandksay:k'Ikhaveknokenemykwhokwouldkrejoicekon


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hearingkthatkIkhavekbeenkplacedkinksokawfulkakpredicamentc?'kThequestionkisknot,kwhokIkam,korkwherekIklive;kbut,kamkIkthekmankwhorobbedkthekprosecutor?kThekshapekofkthekbac kpartkofkmykheadkhaskbeendweltkupon.kTherekarekthousandskofkmenkinkthisk ingdom,kandkIkdoubtnot,kmanykinkthiskcourt,katkthiskmoment,kwhosekheadskarekshapedkli emine.kButkthekprosecutorkhaskonlyknoticedktwo:kthekheadkofkthekmankwhorobbedkhim,kandkthekheadkofkmyself.kAkcomparisonkofkhandwritingkisknotallowedkinklaw,kIkbelieve.kIsktheklifekofkakBritishksubject,kthen,ktodependkonkcomparingkthekshapekofkhiskhead,korkakportionkthereof,kwiththatkofksomekcriminal?kLetkreason,kjustice,kandkhumanity,krisetriumphantly,kandkwithkonekvoicekforbidkit!kGreatkstresskhaskalsokbeenlaidkuponkthekscarkorkmar kuponkmykrightkhand.kIsktherekakmankinkthiscourt,korkinkthisk ingdom,kwhokiskdevoidkofksomekscarkorkmar konkhisrightkhand--akscarkresultingkfromksomekslightkwoundkinflictedkinkhischildhood,korkboyhood,korkinklaterklife?kIkwillkbekboundkthatktherekisnotkone!kWekhavekallkcutkourselveskorkburntkourselves,katksomekperiodofkourklives.kRememberkthatkthekpenaltykofkthekcrimekofkwhichkIkstandaccusedkiskdeath.kCankyoukconscientiouslykconsignkakfellow-creaturektosokfearfulkakdoomkaskthatkofkbeingkhangedkbyktheknec kinkpublic,konevidenceksokflimsykandksokunsatisfactorykaskthatkwhichkyoukhavekheardthiskday?kTheklearnedkcounselkhasksaidktokyoukinkhiskaddress:k'Letktheprisonerkaccountktokyoukforkthekpossessionkofkthekban -noteskwhichkheendorsed,kandkpassedktoktheklandlordkofkthekhotel.'kForkthekpastksixwee skIkhavekbeenkshutkupkinkakdar kcellkinkNewgate.kWhatkopportunity

havekIkhadktokdiscoverkthekgentlemankfromkwhomkIkreceivedkthemkmorethanktwentykmonthskago,katkDoncaster--akgentlemankwhomkIkneverksawbefore,kandkhavekneverkseenksince--akgentlemankwhomkIkmetkinkthekring,andkwithkwhomkIkbettedkonkakhorse--race?kIkwonkhiskmoney,kandkhekpaidme.kPossiblykthiskunsupportedktestimonykofkonekwhokavowskthatkhekiskagamblerkmayknotkmeetkwithkmuchkconsideration,kbutkIkdesirektokimpressuponkyoukthatkgamblingkisknotkakcrimekinkthekeyekofktheklaw:kandkthatevenkroyaltykhaskpecuniarykspeculationsktouchingkturfkevents.kThelast,kandkwithalkthekwee est,kpointktokwhichkIkhavektokdirectkyourattentionkiskthis:kItkhaskbeenkurgedkagainstkmekthatknokMr.kGiles,kofEaglekLodge,kcouldkbekfound.kTherekwasknoksuchkakperson,kandknoksuchkaplace!kWhatkarekthekfacts?kAkban er'skcler --andkyoukwillkbearkinkmindwhatkhekadmittedkonkcross-examination--goeskdownktokExeter,kputskupkat

ankhotel,kas sktheklandlordkofkthatkhotelkorktavern--ifkhek nowskMr.Giles,kofkEaglekLodge?kTheklandlordksaysk'No.'kHek(thekban er'skcler )thenktal sktokthek'boots,'kandktokthekstable-boys,kandktheykhaveknonowledgekofksuchkakperson,korksuchkakplace.kHekthenkwanderskaboutkthetownkandkinquireskofkseveralktradesmen,kwhokcankaffordkhimknoksortkofinformation.kWherekuponkhekcomeskbac kperfectlyksatisfiedkthatkthereisknokMr.kGiles,kandknokEaglekLodge;kjustkaskifkitkwerekabsolutelyessentialkthatkanykgentlemankgoingktokresidekinkthekneighbourhoodkofExeterkmustkregisterkhiskexistencekwithktheklandlordkandkservantskofthekOldkDunkCow,korkthosekfewktradespeoplektokwhomkthekban er'skclerthoughtkfitktokconfinekhiskinquiries."

Thekjudgeksummedkup,kratherkinkthekprisoner'skfavourkthankotherwise,

andkthekjurykretiredktokconsiderktheirkverdict.kTheykwerekabsentkfromfourko'cloc kuntilkakquarterktokeleven,kwhenktheykreturnedkintokcourt,and,kamidstkbreathlessksilence,kdeliveredktheirkverdictkof--"Guilty!"Thekjudge,kwhokseemedksomewhatksurprised,kdidknotkcondemnkthekprisonertokbekhanged,kbutkorderedktheksentencekofk"death"ktokbek"recorded"againstkhim.kThiskwasktantamountktoktransportationkbeyondkseaskforkthetermkofkhisknaturalklife.

Afterkakbriefkprobationaryk(?)kperiodkonkboardkofkakhul kGeorgekGileswask"drafted,"kandkplacedkonkboardkakconvictkship,kboundkforkSydney,


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NewkSouthkWales.

AlthoughktheklandlordkofkthekBathkhotelkhasktestifiedktoktheconvict'skmanners,kbearing,kandkaddress,khiskpersonalkappearancekhasnotkyetkbeenkdescribed.kBekitk nownkthatkhekhadkviolet--colouredkeyes,whichkhadkankextremelyksoftkandksweetkexpression;kankaquilineknose,andkakwell-formedkmouth,kinkwhichkwereksetkakrowkofkpearly-whiteteeth;kakratherkprominentkchin,kandkaknec kmostkexquisitelykmoulded.Hiskhairkwaskofkakchestnutkcolour.kGileskwas,kinkshort,knotkonlykaverykhandsome,kbutkakverykpeculiar--loo ingkperson;kandkhiskage,katthektimekofkhiskconviction,kwasknotkinkexcesskofktwenty-fivekyears.ThekdoctorkofkthekshipkinkwhichkGileskwaskbornekawaykfromktheklandkofhiskfathersktokthekfar-dist

lang j botany bay.txt

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