'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 gold.'
'Send me below, then, an' by Heaven I'll spot the true thieves if they're not more cunning than the devil himself. You think Frank guilty, so do most people; it's what we ought to expect, I s'pose.' Harry's hands were clenched hard—it was a sore subject. 'We don't, Mr. Holden; we believe his story, every word of it. Give me half a chance to prove it. You were our father's mate; stand by us now. Put me on with the same shift as Frank worked with.'