'
The lawyer spoke a few soothing words:
'You deserve the thanks of the community, Mrs. Cox, for the businesslike
way in which you suppressed this diabolical gang. Your method is in
pleasing contrast with the ridiculous effeminacy of the previous
witnesses. I have no doubt you would treat an adult bushranger in exactly
the same way.'
'Or a lawyer either,' said Mrs. Cox, detecting sarcasm.
The case was practically decided when Mrs. Cox stepped down. The bench
desired to have some evidence as to Gable's character, and leading
residents of Waddy described his infirmity, and spoke of him as
unentirely harmless and innocent old man. The case was dismissed; but the
chairman, in acquitting the prisoners, took occasion to remind their
parents that if the excellent example set by Mrs. Cox were followed by
them all, it would probably tend to the moral advantage of the boys and
the benefit of society at large.
The return to Waddy was something in the nature of a triumphal march in
which the late prisoners figured as heroes, but they lost importance
immediately after reaching the township. A new topic of great interest
had sprung up during the absence of the crowd; news had arrived of Harry
Hardy's recovery, and it was known that his injuries were not the result
of a fall of reef, but were inflicted by gold-stealers who had got into
the mine in some mysterious way and had escaped again just as
mysteriously.
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