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