Page 467 - for-the-term-of-his-natural-life

CHAPTER XXI. A VISIT

OF INSPECTION.

ne afternoon ever-active semaphores transmitted
Oa piece of intelligence which set the peninsula agog.
Captain Frere, having arrived from head-quarters, with or-
ders to hold an inquiry into the death of Kirkland, was not
unlikely to make a progress through the stations, and it be-
hoved the keepers of the Natural Penitentiary to produce
their Penitents in good case. Burgess was in high spirits at
finding so congenial a soul selected for the task of report-
ing upon him.
‘It’s only a nominal thing, old man,’ Frere said to his
former comrade, when they met. ‘That parson has made
meddling, and they want to close his mouth.’
‘I am glad to have the opportunity of showing you and
Mrs. Frere the place,’ returned Burgess. ‘I must try and
make your stay as pleasant as I can, though I’m afraid that
Mrs. Frere will not find much to amuse her.’
‘Frankly, Captain Burgess,’ said Sylvia, ‘I would rather
have gone straight to Sydney. My husband, however, was
obliged to come, and of course I accompanied him.’
‘You will not have much society,’ said Meekin, who was
of the welcoming party. ‘Mrs. Datchett, the wife of one of
our stipendiaries, is the only lady here, and I hope to have

For the Term of His Natural Life