Page:Outlawandlawmak00praegoog.djvu/182

170 mind, however, when he saw that Elsie seconded Ina's beseeching look, and the three left together. The other men followed shortly. Blake remained chatting with Lady Horace and Elsie. He told them about his second Goondi election. They discussed his new post, and the responsibilities attaching to it.

"One very serious responsibility you will have, at least," Ina said, laughing. "We shall blame you now, Mr. Blake, if Moonlight bails up any more coaches, or robs any gold escorts. Horace says that the police are in your department, and that you are now Captain Macpherson's chief."

Blake laughed too, a little strangely Ina and Elsie thought.

"Yes, that is so. Odd, isn't it? Odd that I should have to sign the warrant against Moonlight, if it ever comes to that."

"I hope it will never come to that," said Elsie. "I have a curious feeling about Moonlight; I don't know why. I want him to escape. I want him to go away and take his money with him and begin a new life."

"Perhaps," said Blake, "that is what he means to do. Perhaps it is some grim fate which has pushed him into his evil ways; some terrible necessity of his nature which makes the excitement of robbery and adventure an outlet for all his fiercer passions, and his better self may—for all you know, Miss Valliant—be struggling with the baser self, and urging him to flee temptation."

Something in his tone made Elsie look at him wonderingly. He seemed uneasy under her gaze, and got up restlessly, and with a forced laugh added: "It would hardly do to advance these theories, would it, in defence of Moonlight at a meeting of the Executive? Miss Valliant, I see you making a move, may I be permitted to take you home?"

"Thank you," Elsie said simply. "I ought to go now, Ina dear, you should get to bed. Don't bother about the Waveryngs. Leave them to Horace."

She kissed her sister, and presently she and Blake were