“I cannot see that,” was the reply. “Of course, he knowed he was likely to meet you when he came to Adelaide; and he was pretty sure what’d happen if you gave him in charge to the police. He knowed well enough they wouldn’t listen to his tale; so, just to keep clear of the prison, he gave you the money, and made up his story just to save hisself. He knowed fast enough as you’d never take more nor your fifty pounds.”
“Ah, but Jacob,” said his master, “you’re wrong there. He had made up the parcel, nuggets and all, and directed it to me long before he saw me. Don’t that show that he intended it all for me, whether he met me or no?”
“Not a bit of it, Mr Frank,” replied Jacob, bluntly. “He knowed precious well how to play his game. I’ll be bound there’s summat wrong about his getting this gold; I’ll ne’er believe he dug it up hisself. I shouldn’t wonder if he hasn’t robbed some poor chap as has worked hard for it; and now he wants to get out of the colony as fast as he can afore he’s found out. And, in course, he’s been carrying this brass lapped up a long time, just in case you should light on him at any time, and he might seem to have a proper tale to tell. But you may be right sure, Mr Frank, as you’d ne’er have seen a penny of it if he could only have got clear out of the colony without coming across yourself.”
“You’re not very charitable, Jacob, I think,” said his master; “but it may be as you say. And yet, why should he be so anxious to go out in the same ship with me? If he wanted to keep his money to himself; why didn’t he keep close till the Sabrina was gone, and then sail by the next vessel?”
“Perhaps he did mean it, Mr Frank, only you happened to light on him.”
“No, that cannot be, for he says he has paid for his own passage.”
“Then, if that’s a true tale,” said the other, “I’ll be bound he’s not done it with any good meaning for you or me. I shall keep both my eyes well open, or he’ll be too much for me. And as for you, Mr Frank, oh, don’t listen to him, or he’ll hook all your brass as he’s given you out of your pocket again, or he’ll lead you back to the drink if he can.”
Frank coloured, and looked troubled, and turned the conversation to another subject.
At last the day of sailing came. The Sabrina, taken in tow by a steam-tug, soon made her way to Holdfast Bay, where she was to lie at anchor till Saturday morning. Hubert and his uncle accompanied Frank Oldfield thus far, and then returned in the steam-tug. Before they parted, Hubert had a long conversation with his friend in his cabin. His last words were of Mary, and Frank’s one special temptation; and they separated with a fervent grasp, and eyes brimming with tears. Yet in neither of their hearts was there hope. Hubert felt that his friend had not satisfied him that he really meant utterly and for ever to renounce strong drink; and Frank felt that he had withheld any positive promise so to abstain, because he knew that the deep-rooted purpose of his heart was to resume the indulgence which would be his ruin, body and soul.
And where was Juniper? No one saw him on deck; and yet assuredly he was on board the vessel, for Jacob had seen him come up the side.