No, a chance it should not be. He swore to himself that by hook or by crook, when the great event arrived, the danger of The Vengeance being beaten should not come from the mare Bertha. But how to prevent it?
A dark thought crossed his mind, and not only crossed, but stopped and dwelt there till it had assumed a definite form and shape, and with an inward putting away of all the remonstrance of his better feeling, he resolved—
“I will do it; all’s fair with a scoundrel like him.”
CHAPTER XV
THE PARRAMATTA RIVER
Ruby and Florence, of the Golden Bar, were as pleased as a dog who has found a bone when they overheard Bertha promise a middle-aged, benevolent-looking gentleman, who was a casual frequenter of the house, to go out with him the next day in a boat on the Parramatta River. The next day was Bertha’s day off.
“Well, I never! As though she could not find some one better than that to spark her about! She has got a funny taste, certainly! Some of the boys will be surprised to hear of it!” said Ruby.
“Why, I believe he is only a poor devil of a phrenologist; keeps an office in a back street near George Street—a sort of crank, that has not got a pound to bless himself with!” added Florrie.
“Is that what he is? I thought he was not up to much. Always a small English beer, and never shouts for a soul. What Bertha can see in him I can’t tell. Now you mark my words, with all her cleverness and airs and graces, she will go and make a fool of herself with some poor wretch who has to work for his living!”
And so the two went on, licking this little bone of scandal from all possible points.
On the next day a small rowing boat was well off Cockatoo Island before the lug-sail that had so far been hoisted was taken down, and Professor Norris took up the sculls, Bertha, the old companion of his travels, steering in the stern.