--By gum! and that reminds me I come 'ere special to see you to-night.

Bin gettin' a bit moonstruck, I reckon,"-- and he clapped on his hat.
Drawing a sheaf of papers from an inner pocket, he selected one and offered it to Mahony.

Mahony led the way indoors, and lighting a kerosene-lamp stooped to decipher the letter.
For some weeks now he had been awaiting the delivery of a load of goods, the invoice for which had long since reached him.

From this communication, carried by hand, he learnt that the drayman, having got bogged just beyond Bacchus's marsh, had decamped to the Ovens, taking with him all he could cram into a spring-cart, and disposing of the remainder for what he could get.

The agent in Melbourne refused to be held responsible for the loss, and threatened to prosecute, if payment for the goods were not immediately forthcoming.