MURDEN.

The next day we informed the inspector of Steel Spring’s arrival, and the place where he was domiciled; and the former hinted to his sergeant that the latter should be watched narrowly, but was not to be interfered with unless something criminal was noted, in which case he was to be arrested without delay.  Of course Mr. Brown did not impart to his subordinates what the ex-bushranger was attempting to accomplish, and the matter always remained a secret to them.

We saw nothing of Steel Spring until two days after his arrival, when he paid us a nocturnal visit, disguised as usual, and gave us some information that was of real importance.

“I’se getting along werry slowly,” he said, “’cos I’ve got to creep afore I can walk.  But things is vorking, and no mistake; and I ’spected ven I took that horn of viskey the other night, that it would clear my hideas, and make me find somethin’.”

“Well, what have you found out?” I demanded.

“That the confounded dust gets into my throat, and keeps me dry, and I think will really drive me into a galloping consumption time.  I’se dry now, and I think that if you had some vater here vid the brackishness taken off vid a little somethin’ good, that it would help me.”

We understood the hint, and gratified it; only after we had poured out a tumbler of whiskey, he refused to have it spoiled by adding a drop of water, as he thought that the latter was most too salt to agree with his constitution.  He drained the glass, smacked his lips, and made up such a hideous face that he would have frightened a person of delicate nerves into fits, had his countenance been seen.

“Now, then, for the information!” I cried.

“Vell, then, to business.  I vant some more money.”

“You shan’t have it until you give a good account of yourself, and tell us what you have done with the gold we already gave you.”

“O, werry well,” the mutinous scamp replied, moving towards the door; “ven you get ready to give me the chink, I’ll be ready to vork for you, and not until then.”

He had already got his hand upon the latch, and was making a motion to open the door, when Fred sprang upon him by his collar, and despite of his long, spider-like legs, hurled him to the floor, where he lay for a moment motionless and senseless.  He raised his head, however, after a while, and attempted to get to his feet, but Fred was watching his motions, and grasping him by his neck, choked him, until the impudent fellow was almost black in his face, and was glad to beg for mercy.

“Will you answer our questions now?” Fred asked, giving him a shake.

“I’ll do any thing hereafter,” he gasped, “that you desire; only don’t squeeze the breath entirely out of my body.”

“Now, then, tell us what information you have received, and let us have no more of your impudence; and if you don’t tell a straight story we’ll beat you to death with our horsewhips.”