“Why am I treated in this manner?” demanded Follet, hesitating, before he complied with my request.

“Because we think that it is necessary for you to make reparation for wrongs that you have committed during a lifetime.”

“Who accuses me?” he asked, after a pause.

“I do!” said Mr. Critchet.

“I never saw you before in the whole course of my existence!” cried the forger, with a degree of effrontery that was characteristic of the man.

“Do you deny that you married my sister, and that I lent you money, besides taking up your forged paper to save your neck from the common hangman? demanded Critchet, earnestly.

“I do,” replied the prisoner, without a moment’s hesitancy; “and I will also add, that if you think that I am to be robbed with impunity, you are mistaken.  What money I have about me I shall hold on to; and when I do gain my liberty look to yourselves, for there is law to be obtained in Ballarat.”

We consulted apart with Mr. Critchet, and found that he was positive that the man who had wronged him so basely was in our power, and we had too great confidence in the judgment of the old gentleman to believe that he would tell a lie, or endeavor to deceive us in the premises.

“How old was young Follet when his father left London?” Fred asked of Mr. Critchet.

“About sixteen,” was the answer.

“Then we can settle this matter in the morning, without trouble, or further debate.”

“How?”

“By confronting the son with the father.”

We determined to try the experiment at all hazards, and as there was no law by which we could be reached for detaining a supposed criminal without a warrant, I suggested that a pair of irons should be slipped upon his wrists, for the purpose of insuring his security during the night, and that in the morning we should consult with Mr. Brown, and be governed by his advice.

My proposition was accepted, and the matter was communicated to Follet, who swore many strange oaths, and would have resisted, but he found that it was useless; and to add to his terror, Rover sat within a few feet of him, displaying his ivories, and ready to avenge his affront upon the first symptom of hostility.

The stranger at length complied with our terms, and while we provided a bed for him, we did not fail to intimate that Rover was to watch by his side, and give an alarm, in case he meant mischief during the night, of which we were not much afraid.

At daybreak we wore all astir, and ready for business.  We provided a substantial breakfast for our prisoner, and then I sought the presence of the inspector, and laid the whole matter before him.

He agreed with me that it was only right and just that Follet should make reparation for the wrongs that he had inflicted, but thought that it was hardly fair to make the son betray the father.

After studying over the matter some time, the inspector visited the prison, and got the young man to give a description of his parent, and so perfect was the likeness that there could be no doubt of his identity.