"Don't do that," shouted the long-legged wretch, as the blow fell with awful distinctness upon his back. "Darn it all, you hurt."
"I intended that the blow should," replied Maurice, making preparations to repeat it.
"Don't strike, for God's sake don't. I'll tell the truth this time," he yelled.
"How much money did the men have, and what was your share?" repeated Murden.
"I don't know how much they had, but I does know that I got a hundred pounds for my share in the affair. But I didn't kill the men. 'Pon honor I didn't"
"I believe you on that point. Wait a moment, Maurice; I have another question or two."
"I vish that you'd let me hanser 'em vithout bein' tied up," groaned the wretch.
"What became of that young girl who was on her way with a party of friends to join her father at Ballarat, and who was carried off by a gang of bushrangers?" questioned the lieutenant.
"She's dead," replied Steel Spring, dropping his voice and looking around anxiously, as though fearful he should see her ghost in the darkness.
"Who claimed her as a prize?"