In that time he could take some one into his confidence, probably Blackton and his wife.

In fact, as he thought the circumstances over, he saw the necessity of confiding in the Blacktons that very night.
He left the station, growing a bit nervous.

Was it right for him to take Joanne to his cabin at all?
He had a tremendous desire to do so, chiefly on account of Quade.

The cabin was a quarter of a mile in the bush, and he was positive if Joanne was there that Quade, and perhaps Culver Rann, would come nosing about.

This would give him the opportunity of putting into execution a plan which he had already arranged for himself and old MacDonald.