This was the first time that Archie had ever dared to cross Mrs Villiers’ wishes, and she stared in amazement at the unwonted spectacle.  This time, however, McIntosh found an unexpected ally in Vandeloup, who urged that Villiers should be prosecuted.

‘He is not only guilty of robbery, Madame,’ said the young Frenchman, ’but also of an attempt to murder you, and while he is allowed to go free, your life is not safe.’

Selina also contributed her mite of wisdom in the form of a proverb:—­

‘A stitch in time saves nine,’ intimating thereby that Mr Villiers should be locked up and never let out again, in case he tried the same game on with the next big nugget found.

Madame thought for a few moments, and, seeing that they were all unanimous, she agreed to the proposal that Villiers should be prosecuted, with the stipulation, however, that he should be first written to and asked to give up the nugget.  If he did, and promised to leave the district, no further steps would be taken; but if he declined to do so, his wife would prosecute him with the uttermost rigour of the law.  Then Madame dismissed them, as she was anxious to get a little sleep, and Vandeloup went to the office to write the letter, accompanied by McIntosh, who wanted to assist in its composition.

Meanwhile there was another individual in Ballarat who was much interested in Villiers, and this kind-hearted gentleman was none other than Slivers.  Villiers was accustomed to come and sit in his office every morning, and talk to him about things in general, and the Pactolus claim in particular.  On this morning, however, he did not arrive, and Slivers was much annoyed thereat.  He determined to give Villiers a piece of his mind when he did see him.  He went about his business at ‘The Corner’, bought some shares, sold others, and swindled as many people as he was able, then came back to his office and waited in all the afternoon for his friend, who, however, did not come.

Slivers was just going out to seek him when the door of his office was violently flung open, and a tall, raw-boned female entered in a very excited manner.  Dressed in a dusty black gown, with a crape bonnet placed askew on her rough hair, this lady banged on Slivers’ table a huge umbrella and demanded where Villiers was.

‘I don’t know,’ snapped Slivers, viciously; ’how the devil should I?’

‘Don’t swear at me, you wooden-legged little monster,’ cried the virago, with another bang of the umbrella, which raised such a cloud of dust that it nearly made Slivers sneeze his head off.  ’He ain’t been home all night, and you’ve been leading him into bad habits, you cork-armed libertine.’

‘Hasn’t been home all night, eh?’ said Slivers, sitting up quickly, while Billy, who had been considerably alarmed at the gaunt female, retired to the fireplace, and tried to conceal himself up the chimney.  ‘May I ask who you are?’

‘You may,’ said the angry lady, folding her arms and holding the umbrella in such an awkward manner that she nearly poked Slivers’ remaining eye out.