The GIRI WHO HELPED NED KELLY

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 751, 26 August 1929, Page 5

The GIRI WHO HELPED NED KELLY

Ky

CHARLES E. TAYLOR

CHAPTER XV.— (Continued) “I want you,” said that official to Jack, “to go up to this man and say, •Your Money or your life!’” Unhesitatingly Briant carried out these instructions. “That’s not ’im!” cried Cleggett. Nita muttered “Thank God!” under her breath, and Costello scowled. “Are you certain?” Hare demanded. “Certain,” replied Cleggett. “E s about the same build, but ’is voice ain’t a bit like.” With a smile on his lips Jack waited for the nex move. It came from the Superintendent. He beckoned Cleggett over and talked earnestly with him for a few minutes. Then he announced: Apparently some mistake had been made. Cleggett is certain that it was not this man who robbed him. ’ “When this robbery place,” said Jack, “I was in bed. With Miss Jacobson I had ridden over to Jackson’s, and we got back about half-past nine. I went straight to bed.” At the mention of Jackson’s name. Superintendent Hare stiffened perceptibly. “1 suppose you know that Jackson is a notorious Kelly sympathiser.” “I know that the police worried him a lot while I worked for him,” Jack responded. “And from your observations would you say he was a Kelly sympathiser?” “It is evident, sir, that you don’t know old Sam Jackson. If you did you would realise that he’s the sort of man who doesn’t tell any more than suits him.” “The police came to his hut one night when Ned Kelly was seen to ride in that direction. They found you and the old couple playing cards. Did Kelly visit them that night?”

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•‘At that time I was a cripple —1 sprained my ankle and couldn t get about much. Of course, the whole gang could have come there without my seeing them, but if I were a betting man—or rather, if I had anything to bet with —I’d lay a shade of odds that they didn’t.” “Constable Costello says that you behaved suspiciously on more than one occasion while he was at Jackson’s.” the superintendent went on. Briant smiled. “Judging by his own behaviour, I should say that Costello is a pretty poor judge of what is suspicious or of anything else. He is one of the bumptious young men who do so much to discredit the police and make Kelly sympathisers all over the country. Hare's eyes widened. "That is a very serious statement to make, young man.” “But. nevertheless true. Still, you needn’t worry very much about that. Within a week Costello will be transferred to some obscure district where his methods will be less mischievous.” A gasp of astonishment went round the room. Hare’s face was a study, and so was Costello's. “What do you mean by that?” demanded the superintendent. “Just what I said. In a few days you will receive notice of Costello’s transfer.” "But —but, who are you, and how do you know what headquarters will do or will not do?” “Jack Briant, tramp, of no fixed address. As to headquarters’ intentions I can only say ‘Wait and see.’ As Mr. Cleggett has definitely stated that I didn't rob him on the Winton road at a time when I was home and in bed, I suppose I may go?” Hare, who was still puzzling over what Briant had said, made no reply. “Is there any reason for my staying