"But what am I to do with my prisoners?" Mr. Wright asked, with a perplexed look.
"Iron them securely, and send them to Melbourne, under an escort of your most trusty men," replied Mr. Brown.
"Yes, I can do that, but there's the other party—the women. What can I do with them after you are gone?"
"Send them to Melbourne also. They will be needed as witnesses, and will be well cared for during their stay. After the men are hanged they can go where they please. That's the only course that is left for you to pursue."
"I will leave a note for the ladies with the lieutenant of police in Melbourne, and he will see that they are properly cared for," I remarked.
"Perhaps you had better give it to me," Mr. Wright said, thoughtfully.
"Why?"
"Because I think that business will call me to the city in a day or two, and I will accompany the expedition, and see that the women have all that they desire on the route. I don't like to trust them with my men, for I don't know how the latter would act when no longer under my supervision."
"The very best course you can take," cried Mr. Brown and myself in a breath, glad to think that the ladies were to be well protected.
"If you think that plan is a good one, I shall adopt it," Mr. Wright remarked, a little confused, although I didn't suspect at the time that the youth and tears of the widow had made an impression upon his heart, and that he desired to be as near her as possible, so as to condole with her on her misfortunes.