"Yes, ask me, sir. My offence? Well, like a number of other hot-headed young men, I thought to make myself a patriot and free Ireland. That was my crime." "Tell me," said Bayle, after a time, "did you ever encounter a prisoner named Hallam?" "Robert Hallam--tall, dark, handsome man?" "Yes; that answers the description." "Sent over with a man named Crellock, for a bank robbery, was it not?" "The same man. Where is he now?" "He was up the country as a convict servant, shepherding; but I think he is back in the gangs again. Some of them are busy on the new road." "Was he--supposed to be innocent out here?" "Innocent? No. It was having to herd with such scoundrels made our fate the more bitter. Such men as he and his mate--" "His mate?" "Yes--the man Crellock--were never supposed to be very--" He ceased speaking, and began to write quickly, for a door was opened, and an attendant requested Bayle to follow him. He was ushered into the presence of an officer, who apologised for the governor being deeply engaged, consequent upon the arrival of the ship with the draft of men. But the necessary passes were furnished, and Bayle left. As he was passing out with the documents in his hand he came suddenly upon Captain Otway and the Lieutenant, both in uniform. The Captain nodded in a friendly way and passed on; but Eaton stopped. "One moment, Mr Bayle," he said rather huskily. "I want you to answer a question." Bayle bowed, and then met his eyes calmly, and without a line in his countenance to betoken agitation. "I--I want you to tell me--in confidence, Mr Bayle--why Mrs Hallam and her daughter have come out here?" "I am not at liberty, Lieutenant Eaton, to explain to a stranger Mrs Hallam's private affairs." "Then will you tell me this? Why have you come here to-day? But I can see. Those are passes to allow you to go beyond the convict lines?" "They are," said Bayle. "That will do, sir," said the young man with his lip quivering; and hurrying on he rejoined Captain Otway, who was standing awaiting his coming in the doorway, in front of which a sentry was passing up and down. Bayle went back to the hotel, where Mrs Hallam was watching impatiently, and Julia with her, both dressed for going out. "You have been so long," cried the former; "but tell me--you have the passes?" "Yes; they are here," he said. "Give them to me," she cried, with feverish haste. "Come, Julia." "You cannot go alone, Mrs Hallam," said Bayle in a remonstrant tone. "Try and restrain yourself. Then we will go on at once." She looked at him half angrily; but the look turned to one of appeal as she moved towards the door. "But are you quite prepared?" he whispered. "Do you still hold to the intention of taking Julia?" "Yes, yes," she cried fiercely. "Christie Bayle, you cannot feel with me. Do you not realise that it is the husband and father waiting to see his wife and child?"