“Of course not,” she said.
After a little she said, “Aleck, if Steve comes he’ll be able to look after you, so I think I’ll go down to Coolongolong for a bit. Mr. Sinclair has often asked me, and I’d like to go—I’ve never seen it yet. They tell me they have a bit of irrigated land, and a garden, and some green trees. I’m dying to see something cool and fresh and green again.”
Aleck was tempted to object strongly, but he caught a glimpse of her face, and suddenly saw that she was looking pale and worn.
“Good notion,” he said briskly. “I’m all right now, and Steve’ll see to me all right. When will you go?”
“Well, when do you think Steve will be here?” she asked.
“Don’t know,” said Aleck. “Soon as he hears he’s clear, I suppose. When did that woman confess to it?”
“This morning,” said Ess. “The sergeant came straight out.”
“Then Steve would most likely hear late to-night,” said Aleck. “He’d have to go down to the township and get a horse, and he’ll be over to-morrow morning, I expect.”
“Mr. Sinclair is to be up to-night or to-morrow morning,” said Ess. “So I think I might go back with him.”
As soon as she could she went off and feverishly packed a few things. She was in a panic at the thought of meeting Steve, and determined if possible to steal away before he came.