'You would laugh to see my hut; it is as neat as a sailor's cabin. I lock my door when I go out, and no one has "cracked the crib" yet. I bought a sea-chest, brass-bound and copper-fastened, which found its way up here on a pack-horse, and am supposed to have gold and jewels and all sorts of valuables therein. Henry Johnson is my purser's name, but the fellows, finding that I know Ballarat, have christened me "Ballarat Harry." 'To turn to business, I think the time has come for my getting over by degrees, and very quietly, as much of my credit balance with your bank as can be safely forwarded. My plan is, of course, to clear out for the most handy port, and put the sea between me and Australia. But there's time to think of that. If you can manage it without risk, send me the portmanteau I left with Jack. It contained letters, and a good many home souvenirs that I should like to see again. My watch and rings are in a small drawer; you can send the key in a letter. If you forward a draft for a thousand, payable at a Melbourne bank to H. Johnson, or bearer, I can get it cashed here and buy gold at a heavy discount. It will be as good a way as any to transfer my share of Number Six hither, till I can transfer myself for good. 'Remember me to Jack and his wife, and kiss Tottie for me. I wonder if I shall ever see her again. 'For the present, adieu.--Yours ever, L. T. 'Address: 'Mr. Henry Johnson, 'Long Plain Creek, 'care of Barker & Jones, 'Storekeepers, 'Omeo.' Here was a discovery!--a revelation! Stirling barely suffered himself to finish it before rushing over to Miss Chaloner with the astounding news. At first he dreaded the effect which it might have upon her, hopeless as she had been of late as to the whereabouts of the lost Lance. Still, he had noted and admired her self-control when he divulged the sad intelligence of his imprisonment. He felt unable to withhold it from her. Leaving the bank entirely to the control of his junior,--a young man to whom goldfield experience had imparted a discretion beyond his years,--he hastened over to Mrs. Delf's, where he met Estelle just about to start for her daily visit to Mrs. Polwarth. She looked up suddenly. 'You have news?' she said. 'I am sure it is not bad tidings. Oh! can it be? Lance found? Is he safe? Does he know I am here?' 'My news is not quite so comprehensive as all that,' he answered, looking admiringly at her fine features, so suddenly illumined with a glow of tenderness, 'but I can say with truth that the good element prevails.' 'You have heard from him then?' 'Yes,' he answered; 'by this morning's post. I have the letter here.' 'And is there--oh! is there anything in it which I should not read? May I--ought I to ask you to show it to me?' she cried.