MR. BROWN'S DISCHARGE FROM THE POLICE FORCE.--BILL SWINTON'S CONFESSION.
Mr. Brown, who had interested himself so successfully in Mr. Critchet's
affairs, to be sure that Follet did not return to his stock-house, sent
two men, old and experienced shepherds, to take charge of the stock and
exercise a general supervision over the property until Mr. Critchet was
disposed to sell it for the most that he could get, and he did not have
to wait long for an offer; for one day the old gentleman astonished us
by imparting the information that he had got a letter from a person in
Melbourne who was anxious to buy, and desired an interview immediately.
Our friend left the same day in the stage line, but before he went he
made us a present of his claim, and a munificent gift it was.
We saw the old gentleman no more in Australia, but when in London, on
our way home, via the overland route from China and the Indies, we had
the satisfaction of once more shaking his hand, and fighting our battles
over. His daughter was as handsome as she was accomplished, and her
gratitude towards us for the kindness which we had shown her parent
would undoubtedly have caused her to look with some degree of favor upon
our suits, had we been disposed to demand the sacrifice. Fred was too
modest, and I lacked confidence, and between us both we left London
without daring to propose for the lady's hand. She is still unmarried,
and her father writes me that she shows no disposition for matrimony. If
I was not fearful of meeting with a rebuff, there would he one bachelor
less in the world, or, as the stage heroes say, I would "perish in the
attempt."
"I am tired of this," the inspector said, one day, entering the store,
and throwing his weary form upon a mattress. "For nearly a week I have
hardly had an opportunity to close my eyes, and my men are in the same
exhausted condition as myself. I have warded off the blows as long as
possible. But now I see no way of escaping a collision."
"What do you intend to do?" Fred asked.
"Resign my position, and let the commissioner take the responsibility. I
have written thrice, asking to be exchanged, but at head-quarters they
appear to be deaf to my prayers. You may think that it is cowardly to
thus attempt to escape my share of the work, but you have been in too
many exciting frays not to know me better, and to feel that where a blow
is to be struck in a good cause I am never backward."
We assured the inspector that we never entertained a doubt of his
courage, and that whatever course he decided on would meet with our
approval.
"I cannot stay here and order men to fire upon miners whom I have known
for many months, and whom I entertain a sincere regard for. Besides,"
and here the inspector lowered his voice and whispered confidentially,
"the miners are in the right, and I don't blame them for standing out
against a tax that is levied upon all without regard to the amount of
gold obtained."
"Had you not better remain as long as possible, and perhaps delay will
enable the government to see the suicidal course that they are
attempting. If you leave, and Mr. Sherwin is allowed full sway, I will
not answer for peace twenty-four hours," Fred said.
"I have already made more sacrifices to my sense of dignity and manhood
in the vain attempt to keep Mr. Sherwin within bounds and moderation
than the country will ever give me credit for; and yet I am blamed, and
accused of not doing my duty, because I do not fill the prison, and load
with chains every person who utters a word against the government. If I
had a sensible man to deal with instead of the commissioner, I think
that this storm would blow over, or at least be delayed for some months,
until advices could be received from the Home Secretary. But as it is--"
Mr. Brown stopped talking suddenly; and when I looked up to learn the
cause, I saw, to my surprise, that Mr. Sherwin had entered the store
unperceived, and had probably heard a portion of the conversation.
There was an embarrassing silence for a few moments; although Mr. Brown
did not look at all frightened by the presence of his superior officer.
I expected a scene, and I was not disappointed, for ill feeling had long
been engendered between them, partly owing to the mining tax, which Mr.
Sherwin was supposed to have induced government to believe was just and
equitable, and partly owing to conciliatory measures instead of harsh
ones, which Mr. Brown had judged best to adopt for the purpose of
keeping Ballarat quiet.
"I need not suggest," said Mr. Sherwin, with one of his most sarcastic
smiles, "that this store is hardly the place to squander time in when so
many disloyal men are plotting against the government, and when an
outbreak is threatened every hour."
"You are, undoubtedly, addressing your conversation to me," Mr. Brown
exclaimed, with a lazy yawn, and a good-natured smile.
"I certainly am," was the short rejoinder, accompanied by a look of
surprise.
"And I suppose that you think I am not doing my duty, simply because I
am resting my weary form?" Mr. Brown asked, still maintaining his
composure.
"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.
"One word before you go. You acknowledge that I am no longer your
subordinate officer, do you not?"
The commissioner bowed stiffly, but did not deign to make reply.
"A few minutes since," Mr. Brown went on to say, "I was accused of
squandering time. I wish to ask whether I was ever known to squander
money belonging to the government?"
Had Mr. Brown fired a pistol at the head of the commissioner, the latter
could not have been more astonished. He stared upon his questioner with
a bewildered air; and I could see his swarthy cheeks turn pale, as
though impeachment stared him in the face for malfeasance while in
office. I knew that there were dark hints of his corruption, and that be
had, in some manner not known to the public, made a fortune while he
held the office of commissioner.
"What do you mean?" demanded Sherwin at length; and even while he spoke
his voice was husky and tremulous.
"I asked a simple question, and it requires some time and consideration
on your part to make an answer, it appears. I will repeat the question.
Did you ever know me to squander money belonging to the government, and
fail to give an account of it?"
"Do you dare insinuate aught against me in my official capacity?" cried
the commissioner, stepping towards his late officer with a threatening
brow.
"Have I said a word that should cause you to feel aggrieved? Do my words
apply to you in any way or form?" Mr. Brown exclaimed, without flinching
from the withering look that was cast upon him.
"I know what you mean; and if you dare to accuse me of peculation while
in office; I will brand you as a liar!"
The belligerents were not more than five feet apart; and I expected to
see some brisk work for a few minutes, but Fred passed between them, and
prevented a collision that seemed inevitable.
"You have met in the store," said Fred, "on what we call neutral ground,
and therefore we cannot permit this quarrel to go any farther. If you
have, unfortunately, differences which must be settled, do not involve
us, for remember, we are friends to both."
"You speak wisely," Mr. Sherwin said, after a moment's thought, during
which time he recovered his composure; "I was foolish to get angry at
any words that might be addressed to me by that gentleman. I have known
him long, and suffered severely from his vindictive temper. His claws
are now cut, and he is powerless."
"But I have a tongue, and know how to use it like an Englishman!" cried
Mr. Brown, proudly; "you may triumph now, but I warn you that before
many days, you will be stripped of your title and honors, and inquiries
instituted which will bring to light many secrets that you little dream
of. I have watched your course in Ballarat, and the report I shall have
to make is not a creditable one, believe me."
"I cannot prevent people from playing the spy upon my actions, and
neither do I wish to. I am honest in my deeds, and care not who knows
them; and if I am to be injured, it must be by some person who is ready
to perjure his soul for the sake of revenge."
I thought that Mr. Brown would rush upon his opponent, and strike him to
the floor, he looked so indignant. His small form swelled with
ill-concealed rage at the accusation; but before an outbreak took place,
I placed my hand upon his shoulder, and led him into the private room,
and during his absence, Mr. Sherwin hurried off.
"The mean, cowardly wretch!" exclaimed Mr. Brown, grinding his teeth
with suppressed rage; "to think that the very man whose peculations and
stealings I have helped to cover up, for fear that disgrace should be
brought upon the police department, now dares to place me upon a level
with a spy, and to proclaim that the government will feel rejoiced at my
loss, is sufficient to test the fortitude of a Christian. D---- him,--I
would shoot him, if that would not deprive me of the satisfaction of
seeing him disgraced."
We did not interrupt his ravings, and at length he cooled down, and
smiled at his past folly.
"I am glad that I am now out of the force," he continued, "because, as I
have always contended, there will be no honor gained when blows are
struck, and much condemnation will follow. Government will shuffle the
blame upon some poor devil of an employé, and contend that instructions
were exceeded. Many letters will be written on the subject, and a rigid
investigation held--pounds of printers' ink will be shed, and the
newspapers will be lively with discussions, and in the end the miners
will triumph, and the tax will be abolished."
"And what do you intend doing? stay here in Ballarat, or go to
Melbourne?" demanded Fred.
"I have hardly made up my mind. I shall write to the captain of police a
true statement of my situation, and the manner in which I was
endeavoring to conduct affairs to avoid an eruption; and although I am
not very desirous of the office, yet I will lay a wager that I am
reinstated in some other locality, and that I take a higher rank in my
profession."
The prognostication was correct; for Mr. Brown was removed from the
Ballarat district, and did duty for many months in Melbourne as a
lieutenant, and ranked next after Murden.
Just then a few customers entered the store, and we hastened to attend
upon them, and after their wants were supplied, and the place cleared of
eavesdroppers, Mr. Brown drew his chair up to ours, and asked,--
"Which of you would like to accompany me on a short journey, and be
absent for a week or two, eh?"
"We have not time to spare for that," I said.
"But one of you can go as well as not; that fellow, Barney, whom I see
hanging around here, waiting for Smith, can be made to assist the one
who remains in the store."
"Where do you propose going?"
"I will tell you," replied Mr. Brown, hitching his chair still nearer,
and dropping his voice to a whisper; "I am going to make search for a
buried treasure!"
We started, and pricked up our ears. Here was something worth listening
to.
"Do you think that one of you can go?" Mr. Brown continued, with a sly
wink.
"Well, you have altered our minds slightly, already; but to have our
free consent, state the case frankly."
"I will. You remember when we made an excursion into the country some
three months since, that we had a brush with a party of bushrangers, and
that we captured a number, and among them Bill Swinton, the leader?"
We nodded. We began to comprehend him. Mr. Brown continued, after first
glancing around the room to see that no one was listening save
ourselves,--
"You will also recollect, if you tax your mind, that I endeavored to get
Bill to make some revelations concerning a quantity of dust which he
helped rob a guard of many months since."
We remembered the circumstance, and also the furious manner in which
Bill had refused to divulge his knowledge of the transaction.
"I told him then that I should learn in what part of the country he had
buried his share of the treasure, but if I am not mistaken, I was
laughed at and defied."
We confirmed Mr. Brown's words in that respect.
"Well," continued the ex-officer, "poor Bill has taken leave of this
world, and I hope has gone to a better one. He was hardly suited for
this bustling sphere, and I think his cares were too much for him."
"When did he die?" I inquired.
"Last night."
"Did he make a confession? who was with him when he died?" we asked,
eagerly.
"Softly; you would hardly have required me to bother the poor fellow
with questions, when his breath was scant, and his thoughts were on
things not of this earth. I was with him, but he spoke not, excepting to
utter the words,--
"'I am going--remember the _shadow_!'"
"To what did he refer?"
"That is precisely what the watcher, who was with Bill when he breathed
his last, wanted to know."
"He was probably wandering in his mind, and knew not what he said."
"I think that he was sensible of what was going on around him, and
uttered the expression to convince me of his sincerity."
"Make us your confidant, and we will endeavor to think as you do."
"I will, because in the first place I owe my life to your devotion on
that day, and therefore you shall share in all the benefits that are
likely to arise from Bill's death; and in the second place it is
necessary for me to have a companion to prosecute my searches for the
treasure."
"Then the bushranger revealed the secret?" we eagerly asked.
"Listen, and you shall judge. When we had Bill in custody that day, I
thought from his boastful style of talking, that he had money buried
somewhere, and I determined to obtain it if possible, for I reasoned
that gold would do me much more good than the cold earth."
"With this idea I visited Bill frequently while in prison, and each time
gave him some little luxury, that the rules of the institution prevented
his getting, unless money was plenty, and the fellow was destitute. I
put off his trial on one pretext and another, and always gave orders in
his hearing, that he should be treated kindly, and have as much freedom
as the place afforded."
"At first my interviews with him were like attempting to tame an enraged
bull, and all my advances were rejected. Other men might have got
disgusted, but not so with me. I persevered, and gradually softened his
rugged nature, but it was like water wearing away stone. At length I
perceived that confinement was telling on the prisoner, and then I
hinted how much better it would be for my welfare if I was rich and
independent of the police force; and although at first my insinuations
were rejected with scorn, yet time and an even temper effected my
purpose; and one day after Bill had had a bad attack of fainting fits
and convulsions, he told me his whole history, and ended with a
confession that the dust which he had stolen, was buried, with other
treasure, near the banks of the Lodden, within sight of Mount
Tarrengower. That there was only one way to reach it, for quicksands
surrounded the spot where the money was hid, and that I could find it by
searching precisely at the hour of twelve o'clock in the evening, when
the moon was full, for then Mount Tarrengower threw a shadow upon the
edge of the spot, and no mistake could occur. In fact, he gave me such
explicit directions, that I do not fear failure."