"Good morning, Mr. Wallace," she exclaimed, "I've looked in as I was passing, to inquire what is the latest news about the scoundrels. Have they got them yet? Is there any word of my papers?"
"Have you not heard? Has no one——"
"Heard? Heard what? Heavens about us, man, you're not going to tell me my papers have been destroyed?"
"Oh, no, I'm not going to tell you that, Mrs. Burke. As the news is all over the place, I fancied you must have heard it also. I forgot you were away in the bush. Taloona was stuck up last night and burnt to the ground; old Mr. Dudgeon was shot and is lying dangerously ill, while Mr. Durham had his skull fractured and is at death's door."
Mrs. Burke reeled.
"Oh, my God!" she gasped.
Before Wallace could reach her she lurched heavily forward and fell, striking her face against the edge of the counter.
Rushing to the door leading to the house, Wallace called to Bessie.
"Come quickly," he cried, "Mrs. Burke has fainted."
He was raising her from the floor as Bessie came.