'Mrs. Haddon told me how the poor girl was suffering for her father's
villainy, and I was deeply sorry for her. I thought that under the
circumstances my sympathy might strengthen her.'

'God bless you for that, mother' said Harry fervently, and his mother
looked at him sharply, surprised by his tone.

'Shine has been arrested,' she said. 'The police have taken him in to
Yarraman.'

'Taken--Shine taken!'

'He was captured while I was there.' Mrs. Hardy told her son the story of
Shine's arrest, and Harry sat with set teeth and eyes intent for some
minutes after she had finished.

'My boy,' his mother said, placing a hand upon his shoulder, 'this does
not seem to please you.

His head fell a little, and he opened and clenched again the strong hands
gripped between his knees.

'And yet,' she continued, 'it confirms your suspicions. It may mean the
assertion of Frank's innocence.'

'I love her!' he said with some passion.

His mother was greatly startled, and stood for a moment regarding him
with an expression of deep feeling.