The missing links in his own secret chain, what if these were about to be given to him by a miracle, who had discovered so much already by sheer chance! It seemed impossible; yet his instinct convinced Langholm of the nature of that which was to come.

Without another word he stood until he could trust himself to speak carelessly, while the colonist made traditional comparisons between the old country as he found it and the one which he wished he had never left.
"I know you," said Langholm, when he paused.

"You're the man I saw 'knocking down your check,' as you called it, at an inn near here called the Packhorse." "I am so!" cried the fellow, with sudden savagery.

"And do you know where I got the check to knock down?
I believe he's a friend of yours; it's him I've come to talk to you about to-night, and he calls himself Steel!" "Isn't it his real name ?" asked Langholm, quickly.
"Well, for all I know, it is.

If it isn't, it ought to be!" added Abel, bitterly.
"You knew him in Australia, then ?" "Knew him?
I should think I did know him! But who told you he was ever out there?
Not him, I'll warrant!" "I happen to know it," said Langholm, "that's all.