He made up his mind to go to Sydney at once. There were plenty of hands at Mintaro, and his new overseer would look to things. He announced his intention of going next day.
He started in the early morning, arriving at Boonara about eleven o'clock; from there he would take the coach to Bourke. He went to Garry Backham's, and asked him if there was anything he could do for him in Sydney.
"He's mighty polite," thought Garry, "there's some mischief afoot."
They talked for some time, and Craig said. "About the money I lent you to buy this place, I've thought it over; you're welcome to it. You were always reliable when you were with me and did your work well."
"He's changed his tune," thought Garry.
"You can consider yourself free of that debt," said Craig.
"I thought you'd come round to my way of thinking," replied Garry, who knew well enough why he had suddenly become generous.
"It was always my intention to make you a present of it," Craig declared.
"Then why didn't you do it at first?"
"Because I wished to see what sort of man you were, and how you'd take it."