"Two second, Dalby," said Hil, following close behind him.
As the train started May laughed and said:
"Probably in Brisbane still. We ought to have returned good for evil, and wired them where Wyck has gone; but I think they had better find out for themselves, as they fancy themselves so much."
"I wonder what our lady detectives are doing," said Reg to Hal, lighting his pipe.
"In bed, asleep, I suppose, dreaming of Wyck."
"We ought to have wired them at Sydney, and given them a hint."
"No, not at all. It would be ridiculous to think of women in this country. But where's the stick, Reg?"
"It's in my swag. I had to cut it in two, but I reckon now that we have that, we shall soon have the owner, and when we do, God help him."
"Yes, he'll stand in need of all the help he can get," said Hal, looking musingly at Reg's resolute face.
The railway station at Dalby presented an unusually animated appearance on their arrival, for the word had been given that a large number of non-union shearers were coming to take the place of those on strike, and the latter had collected to give the newcomers a warm welcome. As soon as the train stopped a crowd gathered round the carriage in which the boys and the girls travelled.
"Here they are," shouted a burly, red-headed fellow, who appeared to be their leader.
"What's your game, gentlemen?" asked Hal, boldly stepping out, followed by Reg and the girls.
"Because we heard some black-legs were coming. That's all."
Two of the passengers were injudicious enough to say they were shearers, one of them calling out--"I'm a shearer, and I'm going to work, for I've a wife and family to keep. D--n your unions."
With a war-whoop the whole body, headed by the red-headed bully, made for the two men, who, in spite of the presence of six constables, were doomed to be knocked about severely, if not in danger of being killed, when Hil, in an impulsive moment, rushed forward to their rescue.
"Stand aside, you cowards," she called out, producing a revolver. "I shoot the first man that touches them again." Then the crowd fell back for a moment.
"You dirty cowards," said Hal, coming forward with Reg.
"Who the devil are you?" said the red-headed leader.
"I'm a man, and I'll see fair play. What right have you to kick these fellows?"