"The governor and council are mad, if they expect to maintain peace by such means," Fred said; but no notice was taken of his remark.
"But the troops?" asked the inspector, anxiously.
"Will be on their way to Ballarat in less than a fortnight. Even now, munitions of war are packing, and wagons being got ready to forward stores, and accompany the soldiers on their march. Things are working so quietly and effectively that even the officers of the regiment are not aware that they are to leave Melbourne."
"And my instructions?" asked the inspector.
"To play the spy, as usual!" cried a gruff voice, within a few feet of us, on the outside of the building.
CHAPTER XLIX.
CATCHING A TARL AS WELL AS A CASSIOWARY.
We started up in such surprise and rapidity, that the inspector stumbled and fell head foremost against Steel Spring, striking the latter full in his stomach, and sending him, like a cannon ball, out of the back entrance of the store amidst the horses, stabled there in company with Rover, for security.
Before the scamp could gain his feet, the dog, still entertaining a little animosity against his old enemy, flew at him, and with a vigorous bite tore off a portion of his pants, where they were the fullest, and then luckily desisted from further damage, probably not liking the taste.