‘Now, my lad,’ he said sternly, ’after that man.  Take me the nearest track to the quarry you spoke of as quick as you can cut, and don’t make noise enough to wake a cat or I’ll hand you over to him when we get there.’

Dick did as he was bid; and they were in time to overlook Rogers as he searched amongst the stones, and to overhear some of the language that announced his failure.  At this stage the detective, who had retained his grip of Dick’s wrist, whispered: 

’You can go now, but you must take a message from me to Harry Hardy.  Go straight to his house and say, ’Downy says ‘Ready.’’ Can I trust you?’

Dick nodded.

You’re a plucky lad,’ said Downy, ’and I’ll take your word.  Off you go, but make no noise.’

Dick crept quietly along the grass till he was well beyond hearing, and then ran down by Wilson’s ploughed land and out into the open country.  He understood that the career of Joe Rogers as a gold-stealer was drawing to a close, and the knowledge brought him a certain sense of relief in spite of the fact that he quite realised Shine’s danger, and was more than ever devoted to the searcher’s daughter, more than ever pleased with the idea of her hearing some day how faithful and bold he had been, how true a knight to his liege lady.

He burst into the room where Mrs. Hardy and Harry and Mrs. Haddon were seated, hatless and breathless, and filled his friends with alarm.

’Please, Harry, Downy says ‘Ready!’’ blurted Dick.

Harry sprang to his feet and made for the door.

‘That mens he’s discovered something important, mother.’ he said as he passed out.

Dick followed, leaving the women astonished and curious, slipped away around the fence enclosing Harry’s home, and made off towards the other end of the township.  His intention was to warn Ephraim Shine of the danger that threatened.  He did not doubt but that Rogers, if he fell into the hands of the troopers, would tell all.

There was a light burning in Shine’s skillion, and Dick’s knock was answered by Miss Chris, who wore her hat and was on the point of leaving for her home at Summers’.

‘I want your father,’ said Dick quickly.  ’The troopers ‘r’ after him.  Tell him to bolt.’

‘Dickie—­Dickie, whatever do you mean?’ cried Christina, greatly agitated.

The next moment she was thrust aside and Shine appeared, showing a drawn gaunt face, the skin of which looked crinkled and yellow in the candle light, like old parchment.

‘What’s that?’ he gasped.  ‘Who wants me?’

‘You’re found out,’ said Dick, drawing back, shocked by the ghastly appearance of the man.  ’They’re after Rogers.  They’ve got him by this, I expect, an’ they’ll soon have you if you don’t make a bolt fer it.’

Shine uttered a wailing cry and Dick turned and fled again, afraid of being seen in the vicinity of the searcher’s abode by Downy or any of his men.  Looking back he saw that the house was now in darkness, and surmised that Ephraim had taken advantage of his warning to escape into the bush.