Dr Tom pricked up his ears.
This was a nice little bit of information that might come in handy and do his friend Constable Doonan a good turn some day.
'So Machinson fleeces your leader, does he?' said Dr Tom. 'A nice scandal that is, but no one would believe you fellows.'
'We can prove it,' came from two or three of them.
'Can you, indeed?' said Dr Tom. 'A nice lot of beauties you are to give evidence. No sane man would hang a dog on your evidence.'
They growled at him and used powerful language, but he laughed in their faces.
He left them to attend to Abe Dalton, whom he found still asleep.
Dr Tom remained at Barker's Creek all night, and the next day still saw him there.
He did not leave Abe Dalton until he was out of danger, and even that arrant scoundrel could not help feeling grateful for the attention shown him, although gratitude was a stranger to his nature.