Most unwillingly the woman remained;—­but did so fearing lest worse evil might betide her.  Then there had arisen quarrels about the money between the two females, and between Crinkett and Adamson.  It was in vain that Crinkett showed that, were he to share with Adamson, there would be very little of the plunder left to him.  Adamson demanded a quarter of the whole, short of a quarter of the expenses, declaring that were it not paid to him, he would divulge everything to the police.  The woman, who had got her money in her hand, and who was, in truth, spending it very quickly, would give back nothing for expenses, unless her expenses in England also were considered.  Nor would she give a shilling to Anna Young, beyond an allowance of L2 a week, till, as she said, they were both back in the colony again.  But Anna Young did not wish to go back to the colony.  And so they quarrelled till the trial came and was over.

The verdict had been given on the 20th July, and it was about the middle of September when the newspapers made public all that Shand and Bagwax between them had said and done.  At that time the four conspirators were still in England.  The two men were living a wretched life in London, and the women were probably not less wretched at Brighton.  Mrs. Smith, when she learned that Dick Shand was alive and in England, immediately understood her danger,—­understood her danger, but did not at all measure the security which might come to her from the nature of Dick’s character.  She would have flown instantly without a word to any one, but that the other woman watched her day and night.  They did not live under the same roof, nor in similar style.  Euphemia Smith wore silk, and endeavoured to make the best of what female charms her ill mode of life had left to her; while Young was content with poor apparel and poor living,—­but spent her time in keeping guard on the other.  The woman in silk knew that were she to leave her lodgings for half a day without the knowledge of the woman in calico, the woman in calico would at once reveal everything to the police.  But when she understood the point which had been raised and made as to the postmark,—­which she did understand thoroughly,—­then she comprehended also her own jeopardy, and hurried up to London to see Crinkett.  And she settled matters with Young.  If Young would go back with her to Australia, everything there should be made pleasant.  Terms were made at the Brighton station.  Anna Young was to receive two thousand pounds in London, and would then remain as companion with her old mistress.

In London there was a close conference, at first between the two principals only.  Crinkett thought that he was comparatively safe.  He had sworn to nothing about the letter; and though he himself had prepared the envelope, no proof of his handiwork was forthcoming that he had done so.  But he was quite ready to start again to some distant portion of the earth’s surface,—­to almost any distant portion of the earth’s surface,—­if she would consent to a joining of purses.  ’And who is to keep the joint purse?’ asked Mrs. Smith, not without a touch of grand irony.