Harry Hardy found Manager Holden in his office at the Silver Stream when
he called on the following morning.

'Couldn't do it, my lad,' said the old miner; 'but I'll put in a word for
you with Hennessey at the White Crow.'

'I want a job here on the Stream--want it for a purpose,' said Harry.

'There'd be a row. The people at Yarraman would kick up, after the other
affair. I'd be glad to, Harry; but you'd best try somewhere else.'

'Mr. Holden,' said the young man, 'do you believe my brother guilty?'

The manager met his eager eyes steadily.

''Tisn't a fair question, lad,' he answered. 'I always found Frank
straight, an' he looked like an honest man; but that evidence would have
damned a saint.'

'Do you think the gold-stealing has stopped?'

The manager looked up sharply.

'Do you know anything?'

'I know what the men hint at; nothing more. If they could speak straight
they wouldn't do it.'

'Well, to tell you God's truth, Hardy, I believe we are still losing