Page 148 - A Little Bush Maid

"Well, T’ve seen no such man," said Mr. Linton decidedly--"of course,
though, T don’t see all the ’travellers’ who call. Perhaps Mrs. Brown can help

you."

"Not me sir," said Mrs. Brown, with firmness. "There ain’t been no such a
person--and you may be sure there ain’t none T don’t see! Fact is, when T
saw as ’ow the murderer was supposed to be in this districk, T made

inquiries amongst the men--the white hands, that is--and none of them had
seen any such man as the papers described. T reckon ’e may just as well be

in any other districk as this-- T s’pose the poor p’lice must say ’e’s
somewheres!"

She glared defiantly at the downcast trooper.

"Wish you had the job of findin’ him, mum," said that individual. "Well, sir,
there’s no one else T could make inquiries of, is there?"

"Mrs. Brown seems to have gone the rounds," Mr. Linton said. "T really
don’t think there’s any one else--unless my small daughter here can help

you," he added laughingly.

But Norah had slipped away, foreseeing possible questioning.

The trooper smiled.

"Don’t think T need worry such a small witness," he said. "No, T’ll just move
on, Mr. Linton. T’m beginning to think T’m on a wild-goose chase."