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44
THE GREAT SECRET.

he shall order his works with judgment, for he shall not be moved for ever.

"The just man shall be in everlasting remembrance; he shall not be afraid of evil report.

"He hath dispersed abroad, he hath given to the poor, his justice endureth for ever and ever."

Yes, he had done his best to be merciful and just, and he had dispersed abroad, and now he did not mind evil reports, for he would soon be past all that, and with her whom death had made his friend for ever and ever. It was not hard to die when he had renounced the events of his life; not hard even if he had gone alone—a boon to go with such a friend.

He had seen a man once killed suddenly in the full flush of health and joy. This young man had been laughing and jesting with a girl when the stroke fell which killed him. His laughing face was turned towards her as he fell and rolled over, a corpse with the smile still on his lips. That young man had found it easy to go. Perhaps his experience would be a similar one.

He glanced towards the captain and the men who stood around him. They did not know the remorseless fiends who had captured the Rockhampton or they might not have waited so calmly on their coming.

"Philip, my friend," murmured the soft voice at his ear. Yes," replied Philip.

"Are you going to fight when they come?"

"Of course. I could not do less, as an Englishman."

"Ah, then, we shall be parted at the last."

She sighed gently as she spoke, a sigh that filled him with delight.