'I know a better way'n that,' said the boy, after a thoughtful pause.
'Mother wants some things from Yarraman. I'll get her to let me go fer
'em this afternoon.'

'Yes, yes; that is clever. But you won't tell.'

'Not a blessed soul.'

'And when you get back it will be late--bring the things to me as
secretly as you can. The troopers would be suspicious if they saw you--be
careful of them.'

Dick had no doubt of his ability to deceive the whole police force of the
province, and undertook the mission without a misgiving, his only regret
being that it was making no great demands upon his courage and ingenuity.

'Dickie,' said Chris, kissing him again at parting, 'I hope some day,
when you are older, it will be a great happiness to you to think you
helped a poor heartbroken girl in a time of terrible trouble.'

The boy would have liked to have framed a fine speech in answer to that,
but he could only say softly and earnestly:

'I'm fearful glad now, s'elp me!'

Mrs. Haddon was easily deceived, and Dick caught the three-o'clock coach.
The Waddy coach took two hours to do the journey to Yarraman and did not
start back till after eight, but this was not the first time the boy had
made the journey alone, and his mother had no misgivings.