Then I moved up, by invitation, to a chair between the Major and his wife, and had a long private and confidential conversation with them.
"How," I began, "is Tom Troubridge ?" "Tom is perfectly well," said the Major.

"He still carries on his old chronic flirtation with Mary; and she is as ready to be flirted with as ever." "Why don't they marry ?" I asked, peevishly.

"Why on earth don't they marry one another?
What is the good of carrying on that old folly so long?
They surely must have made up their minds by now.

She knows she is a widow, and has known it for years." "Good God! Hamlyn, are you so ignorant ?" said the Major.

And then he struck me dumb by telling me of all that had happened latterly: of George Hawker's reappearance, of his identity with the great bushranger, and, lastly, of his second appearance not two months before.
"I tell you this in strict confidence, Hamlyn, as one of my oldest and best friends.