“No, I can’t say that I ’ave.  My time has been so much occupied vid other duties that I ’ave not been able to visit all the places I’d vish to.”

“Perhaps you would have no objection to inform the company of the manner in which your livelihood is and has been obtained?” the inspector asked, nervously handling a pair of pistols in his coat pocket.

“O, I’ve been in the travelling line,” the long-limbed wretch replied, with a grin.

“Then perhaps you will have the kindness to travel with me, Mr. Steel Spring,” cried the inspector, suddenly starting from his seat, and covering the persons of Murden and his servant with a pair of horse pistols that carried sixteen to the pound.

Neither of the parties moved or showed surprise, but we were astonished when we heard the inspector utter a shrill whistle, and before it died away half a dozen blue-coated policemen rushed into the room, armed with pistols and swords.

“You see that resistance is useless,” the inspector said, addressing Steel Spring and Murden; “I know both of you, and bigger rascals never went unhanged.”

“If you know me, pray tell me my name,” Murden said, in as gruff a tone as he could assume.

“I can’t mention your name at present, but from your looks I’ve no doubt that you are some murdering scoundrel.  Any jury would convict you without hesitancy.”

Fred and I exploded with laughter, and even Steel Spring, fortified as he was with the protection of Murden, and a full pardon for all past offences, roared with glee.

Mr. Brown looked astonished and indignant, but he did not give up his hostile attitude.  Even his men lost their savage glare, and waited for an explanation, which we were in no hurry to give.

“Put up your pistols, Mr. Brown,” I said; “you have no use for them here.”

“But what is the meaning of this?” he demanded.

“Send your men to the station-house, and we will explain.”

“But these—­”

He pointed to the supposed bushrangers.

“We will go bail for their appearance to-morrow morning,” I replied.

The inspector made a sign to his men, and they rather reluctantly dispersed.  They were as anxious to know the secret of the mystery as their chief.

“Now, gentlemen,” Mr. Brown said, with some severity, “I am waiting to hear an account of your strange conduct.”

“Do you recollect,” Fred asked, “of being disguised as an old man, and of asking two Americans what they thought of the annexation question?”

“Pshaw, that was a joke,” he returned, pettishly.

“Do you recollect that you laughed quite heartily when we promised to retaliate, and ‘sell’ you on the first favorable opportunity, and that we were defied to do it?” Fred continued.  Mr. Brown nodded.

“Well, then we are even,” I said.

“I don’t see that you are,” the inspector, cried.  “Here are two notorious criminals who should be safely locked up, and yet you ask me to spare them until morning.  I know them both, and will pledge my word that they have stolen more gold dust than any other two parties in Australia.”