"No, no; let us send them to Melbourne, where a long imprisonment and low diet will be the fate of each."
The colonel was about to make some observation, when an officer touched his elbow, and called his attention to me.
"Hullo, by G——d, sir, how long have you been in this room?" he roared.
"I should judge about five minutes," I replied, calmly.
"And your business here?" he demanded, fiercely; and I saw that he had not forgotten the blow which Fred dealt him the day before.
"My business is not with you, sir, but with this gentleman," I replied, turning to the commissioner.
"Well, transact it, and be off. If that sergeant admits another grocer, I'll hang him before morning."
I did not notice the sneer, but turned towards the commissioner, upon whom I hoped to make a favorable impression.
"I have called, sir, to see if I could not make arrangements for the release of my friend, who was taken into custody to-night, and who is innocent of any connection with this rebellion."
"What arrangement do you wish to make?" the commissioner asked.