We bowed our thanks, and blessed the governor-general, to think that his name made such a difference with his officers.

“We cannot be too careful in this part of the country,” the commissioner said, “whom we trust, we are so liable to imposition.  Our life is a hard one, to make the best of it; and I shall be glad when I am changed to some other location, where jurisdiction is not taken so extensively as at Ballarat.  I have long desired a change.”

Mr. Brown winked with both eyes in a violent manner, as though warning us that the pitch of his regret at being at Ballarat was yet to come.

“One good turn deserves another,” Mr. Sherwin said; and then lowering his voice, he continued, “May I hope that you will remind his excellency that I deserve a better position than the one that I now hold?”

Promises are easily made, (vide politicians in this country, where offices are to be obtained;) and the reader will not wonder, considering the light in which we stood, that we murmured a ready assent to his wishes.  The commissioner looked gratified, while Mr. Brown grinned with delight.

“What shall we do with the wounded man, and this young fellow, Follet?  He has made a strong charge against these gentlemen, and he should be made to give heavy bonds to meet it at the proper time,” said the inspector, pointing to the nephew, who stood trembling, as though already anticipating trouble.

“Well, really,” Mr. Sherwin said, “I don’t see why the old man should not remain under the charge of your friends until his injuries terminate one way or the other.  Suppose you send the government physician to attend him, and a fortnight from to-day I will call the case up, and decide whether to dismiss it or send it to trial.”

“And Follet?  Hadn’t he better be put under heavy bonds for his appearance?” insinuated the inspector.

“Certainly; it is very important to keep him.  Let him be committed to jail until he can find bonds in one thousand pounds;” and with a cheerful wave of his hand, the commissioner left us.

“You see how much you have injured yourself in trying to fasten your crime upon these gentlemen,” Mr. Brown remarked, addressing Follet; “if you will make a free confession, I will endeavor to get you as comfortable a sentence as possible.”

“Will you?” sneered the wretch; “you shall offer better terms than that before I will let them up.  I have the game in my own hands, and my evidence will tell before a jury.”

“Take him away,” cried Mr. Brown, addressing a policeman; and after the prisoner was out of hearing, he continued, “There is too much truth in what he says, and we have work before us to discover who his accomplice is, and bring him to justice.  Even if Mr. Critchet does recover, it is probable that he will not be able to identify his assailants, and in that view of the matter I need not tell you in what a precarious situation you will stand.”