Of course
there was a risk, for he knew his wife was a determined woman;
still, while she was driving in the darkness down the hill, if he
took her by surprise he would be able to stun her with a blow and
get possession of the nugget. Then he could hide it in one of the
old shafts of the Black Hill Company until he required it. As to the
possibility of his wife knowing him, there would be no chance of
that in the darkness, so he could escape any unpleasant inquiries,
then take the nugget to Melbourne and get it melted down secretly.
He would be able to make nearly twelve hundred pounds out of it, so
the game would certainly be worth the candle. Full of this brilliant
idea of making a good sum at one stroke, Mr Villiers went home, had
something to eat, and taking with him a good stout stick, the nob of
which was loaded with lead, he started for the Black Hill with the
intent of watching Marchurst's house until his wife left there, and
then following her down the hill and possessing himself of the
nugget.
The afternoon wore drowsily along, and the great heat made everybody
inclined to sleep. Pierre had demanded by signs to be shown his
bedroom, and having been conducted thereto by a crushed-looking
waiter, who drifted aimlessly before him, threw himself on the bed
and went fast asleep.
Old Simon, in the dimly-lit back parlour, was already snoring, and
only Miss Twexby, amid the glitter of the glasses in the bar and the
glare of the sunshine through the open door, was wide awake.
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