"Your thoughts are perhaps right on that point. Time is all that we desire now until the troops arrive, when we can deal with these foolish men as we please, and as the best interests of the country demand."
"I don't think that I distinctly understand you," the inspector remarked. "Do you wish me to break up the meetings which the miners are holding, and make arrests for every dissatisfied word that is uttered?"
"Such a course would meet my approbation, and, I think, the approval of the governor and his advisers. You may take a different view of the matter."
"And if I should venture to differ with you, what then?" demanded Mr. Brown, his cheeks flushing slightly.
"A resignation placed in my hands would be instantly forwarded to the proper quarter, and I have no doubt that it would be accepted," was the curt rejoinder.
"I feel quite grateful to you for the hint, and to show that I can act on it, will lose no time in drawing up such a paper."
Mr. Brown walked quietly to our desk, helped himself to a sheet of paper, wrote a few lines, signed his name with a flourish, and handed the document to the commissioner. The latter cast his eyes over it, and a grim smile mantled his dark face as he did so.
"You have done well, sir, and I think that the government will be obliged to me for thus bringing matters to a crisis; you are no longer a member of the police force at Ballarat."
Mr. Sherwin turned to depart, but Mr. Brown, still calm and quiet, detained him.