Now, that's Domino--that's the dead
finish. I won't go with you, and I won't give you no information.
And I'm sorry too, 'cause you seem a good sort of a young feller--but
I won't do anything that'll mix me up with Peggy any more."
Hugh ground his teeth with mortification. Then he played his next
card.
"There's a man they call Flash Jack--do you know him?"
"Perhaps I do, and perhaps I don't," said the sage in a surly tone.
"Well, he told me to ask you to help us. He said to tell you that
he particularly wanted you to give evidence if you can."
"Want'll be his master, then," snarled the old man.
"He said he would put the police on to a job about some cattle at
Cross-roads," said Hugh.
The rage fairly flashed out of Considine's eyes.
"He said that, did he?" he yelled. "The rotten informer! Well,
you tell Flash Jack from me that where he can put me away for one
thing I can put him away for half-a-dozen; and if I go into gaol
for a five-stretch he goes in for ten. I ain't afraid of Flash
Jack, nor you either. See that, now!"
Hugh felt that his mission had failed. He pulled out the summons
as a last resource, and passed it to the old man.
"What's this?" he said.
"Summons to give evidence," said Hugh.
"Victoria by the Grace of God," read the old man, by the flickering
firelight.
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