For answer, Stone asked, "Did you hear about the murder at the Beaver Hills?" "Yes; my mate was telling me all about it only last night." "Old Robson and his two sons made a plucky stand, but the band was too strong for them." "Were all three of them killed?" "They set fire to the homestead, and when the flames at length compelled them to fly they were shot down like rabbits." "What became of the two women?" "They were fortunately away on a visit to a friend at Wolseley, and did not return that night." "They succeeded in driving away about forty head of cattle, which have been traced into the neighbourhood of the Touchwood Hills." "But," said Sam, after a pause, "what has this to do with the two men we were talking about?" "Everything," responded Stone. "Perhaps you have heard of the Warple Band?" "To be sure I have." "Well, the Warple Band are believed to have been for some time located in the ’Touchwood’; and now I feel certain about it, for the description you gave of the two men who were here answers exactly to that which I have obtained of the two leaders, from one of whom it gets its name." "Do you think so?" "I don’t think at all about it—I’m certain!" added Stone, as he brought his fist down on the table with a thump. "Well, what will be your next move then?" "Ah! that remains to be seen," he added, with a far-away look in his eyes. "Well, certainly appearances are deceiving, for I should never have taken the two fellows, who, as I told you, looked like trappers, to be the desperate characters you say they are." "No; and yet they are wanted for some of the foulest and darkest of crimes." "What are you going to do to-night?" asked Sam. "I shall return at once to Wolseley and report." Calling to Langham, he bade that worthy have his horse saddled and brought round at once; and, having settled his score, bade good-night to the friends he was leaving, and taking a good look round the drinking-bar as he passed through, he mounted his horse, and rode off into the fast gathering darkness. *CHAPTER XVI.* *THE WARPLE BAND.* "These high wild hills, and rough uneven ways, Draw out our miles, and make them wearisome."— _Richard II._, Act. II. sc. iii. In the course of the ensuing week the farmers and ranchers for miles round had notice from the police of the district of their intention to raid the Touchwood Hills, in search of a nest of robbers believed to be hiding there. The settlers were directed to assemble at a point named, at a certain hour, on a given day, with all the able-bodied men they could muster capable of bearing arms, and to be prepared for what might probably prove a stiffish job.