Such was the programme that the governor-general and his council laid out, and they supposed that it could be executed; and even Murden labored under the same impression until we convinced him of his error, and advised him by all means to keep out of the conflict if possible, as which ever way the battle went the police would be blamed, and obtain no credit for their exposure or bravery.  The sequel showed that we were right in our premises.  As I said before, the lieutenant was anxious to see the inspector, but did not care about visiting his office; so we despatched a note by a passing policeman, requesting Mr. Brown’s company instantly, and advising him to come alone, as we had two suspicious persons in the store, and we thought that a reward had been offered for their apprehension, which we were desirous of obtaining.  We got Murden’s consent to act in the plot, and by the aid of a wig his disguise was complete.  As for Steel Spring, he was to remain as he was, without disguise, but was to vehemently deny his cognomen, and puzzle Mr. Brown if possible.

The instant the inspector got our note he loaded himself with pistols and started for our store.  By the time that he arrived it was dark, but we had a candle burning that but dimly illuminated the room, and prevented him from distinguishing objects.

“There are some lodgers that we have for to-night,” Fred said, pointing to Murden and Steel Spring, both of whom sat with their faces from the light, as though not desirous of attracting attention.

“I am sure it gives me pleasure to meet friends of yours,” the inspector said, with a grim smile; and he rubbed his hands as though already the capturer of two notorious robbers.

“Who are they?” Mr. Brown asked, in a low whisper, watching every motion of Murden and Steel Spring, as though he expected a manifestation of hostility on their part.

“Don’t know,” replied Fred, in the same tone, “but I suspect that they are bushrangers.”

“Ah, ah, I have no doubt of it,” the inspector said.  “Have your pistols handy, for they may resist when I arrest them.”

Mr. Brown took a seat, and every opportunity that he could get he would scrutinize the half-hidden faces of Murden and Steel Spring; but owing to the light being bad, he was unable to gratify his curiosity.  Fred and myself conversed on various matters, about the yield of gold for the coming year, and whether the prices of goods would decline before the wet set in, but Mr. Brown was too anxious for a capture to join us, and had not the spirit of evil actuated Steel Spring, we should have kept the inspector in suspense for an hour or two.  Steel Spring was too mercurial to remain dormant for any length of time, and with a desire to stir Mr. Brown into activity he said, in a careless sort of way,—­

“By the vay, I ’eard that these ’ere mines vas paying wery vell.”

Mr. Brown started, as I knew that he would recollect the voice, and he hastily glanced towards us to see if we did not mark it also; but we appeared to pay no attention, and continued our conversation.  “You have never been in Ballarat before?” the inspector said, addressing Steel Spring.