“And I can’t bear bein’ idle—it distresses me,” said Sweet William.
“This’ll be the last place where they’ll look for us,” remarked Carnac. “You take it from me, they’ll search the diggings first.”
“When they’ve found the unfortunate men, they’ll be rampin’ mad to catch the perpetrators.” This from Dolphin.
A rough, bluff, good-natured digger pushed his way into the middle of the group. “Come on, mates,” he said; “put your names down for a fiver each. It’s got to be done.” And seizing Garstang and Sweet William, he pulled them towards the Town Hall.
“G’arn! Let go!” snarled Garstang.
“Whatyer givin’ us?” exclaimed William, as she shook himself free. “The bloke’s fair ratty.”
“Here! Hi!” Dolphin called to the enthusiastic stranger. “What’s all this about missing men? What’s all the fuss about?—as like as not the men are gone prospecting in the bush.”
“A gold-buyer with 5000 oz. of gold doesn’t go prospecting,” replied the digger. “Come and read the notice, man.”
The four murderers lounged towards the Post Office, and coolly read the Bank Manager’s placard.
“They’ve got lost, that’s about the size of it,” said Garstang.