“We cannot take the bail that you offer,” the commissioner said.  “Your partner was arrested for giving vent to treasonable expressions, and after he was taken into custody, on his person was found a dangerous weapon, in the shape of a revolver.”

“Don’t say that the pistol was dangerous to any one but himself,” the colonel cried.  “I dare say that if he had attempted to shoot any one, he would not have known how.”

“There is where you do the gentleman an injustice,” an officer remarked.

“If you did not think him dangerous, you should have met after the scene in our store,” I said, addressing the colonel, and alluding to the blow which Fred had struck him.

“I am not accustomed to meet every pauper that presents himself for battle.  I don’t wish to place him on a level with myself, and therefore will wait until he proves himself a gentleman.”

“There is where you are mistaken, colonel,” said a young gentleman dressed in the uniform of a captain.  “I had the pleasure of meeting both of these gentlemen at a levee of the governor’s, and I know that he spoke very highly of them, and offered to reward them with lucrative positions for their services in destroying two or three bands of bushrangers, who had long been a terror to travellers.  It does not require a patent of nobility to make them gentlemen.”

“Why, Captain Fitz, you had better offer to defend the prisoner, you speak so warmly in his behalf,” sneered the colonel.

“I am not a lawyer, sir, although if I am called upon to give my testimony, I think that I shall say what I please regarding the slaughter of twenty-two miners, whose only crime was protesting against an unjust tax.”

“Say what you please, and welcome; but while you are under my command you must obey my orders or else stand the chances of a court-martial.  I don’t think that the miners agree with you,” the military despot continued, after a moment’s consultation with the commissioner; “I desire that you take command of the escort which is about to start for Melbourne with the prisoners.  You will lose not a moment, but report yourself ready in an hour’s time.”

“I do not require even a moment’s time,” replied the young man; “I am ready now, and am only too anxious to start.”

“As for you, sir,” the colonel said, turning to me, “you can see your friend after he reaches Melbourne, but not before.  He is charged with a serious crime, and those higher in power than myself must deal with him.”

I left the apartment, uncertain what to do or where to go.  Mr. Brown joined me in the ante-room, but read the result of my mission in my face.

“There’s no hope?” he asked.

“None; he goes to Melbourne to-night.”

“So much the better,” answered Mr. Brown, promptly; “now we shall have a fair chance for his freedom; for great things can sometimes be accomplished in that city.”

“But Fred will suffer on the route,” I remarked, “and unless he is cared for, will never reach the city alive.”