Mr. Brown seemed to take fresh courage at the question, and we could see that he was anxious for us to answer in the affirmative.  Had we done so, the commissioner would have been staggered with the coincidence, and our dismissal have followed instantly.

But we disdained to lie even to save ourselves from incarceration, and much to the disgust of Mr. Brown, and the triumph of the commissioner, we replied without a moment’s hesitancy,—­

“Mr. Follet never purchased a knife at our store.”

“Do you wish for more conclusive proof?” asked Mr. Sherwin.

“Proof?” echoed the inspector; “I hope that you don’t call the finding of the knife in that barrel proof.  I do not believe that these young men, the preservers of my life, would commit an outrage of the kind that you charge them with for all the gold in Ballarat.”

“Time will, perhaps, reveal the secret of the affair.  Mr. Critchet may live, and be able to give us a clew to his assailants; and until he recovers or dies, I think that I shall be justified in committing your friends to prison without bail.”

The words of the commissioner fell upon our ears like a thunderbolt.  A dozen different ideas coursed through my brain, yet I was too much bowed down with grief to attempt to form them into tangible shapes.  And even while I was thinking what would become of the store and contents during our imprisonment, Mr. Brown broke the ominous silence.

“This is a case where bail can be readily given, if you will accept of it, and any amount that you may name will be forthcoming,” the inspector said, addressing the commissioner.

“I have concluded not to accept of bail, and I shall not alter my determination, sir.  I leave the prisoners in your hands, and you will render a good account of them to me when I call for them.”

The commissioner bowed coldly, and was about to return to his office when Mr. Brown interrupted him.

“I am not a rich man, as you know,” he said, “but I have a little property, and it can readily be converted into cash.  I will place five thousand pounds in your hands for the appearance of these gentlemen, if you will admit them to bail.”

“And we will deposit half of that sum in addition to insure our appearance,” cried Fred, eagerly.

The commissioner shook his head, and already his foot was on the doorstep, when Mr. Brown detained him.

“I shall be absent from Ballarat for four days,” he said, testily.

“Where do you propose going?” inquired Mr. Sherwin, with a slight indication of curiosity.

“To Melbourne, as fast as horse can carry me.  I start immediately.”

“May I ask for what object?”

“To lay this matter before his excellency the governor-general, and obtain an order for the admission of the prisoners to bail, and the detention of Follet for conspiracy.  Michael, run to my office and bring my best horse.”