G. B. Lancaster

“ We—er—we can always outlive the follies of youth, and return in penitence to the beaten track."
The soul in Lutwyche winced, for well it knew the desolate nakedness of the beaten track to one who has sown no seeds of honour there. Blindly and with stumbling feet he had come back to it after that lesson which had brought, not penitence, but rather a dogged desire to inflict daily punishment on himself. That he had found the means on a stool in the office of Bowden and Joynt would have possibly surprised these gentlemen rather more than they deserved, considered Lutwyche. ”

“ And, as he reached trembling hands for the cards, that thing in his soul which he had believed slain sprang to life again, man-high and demon-strong, and through eager lips he heard it calling him—calling him—that old undying devil of the thousand lures that snare man's feet. ”

“ It isn't once in twenty times I meet a man who can give me such a doing as you have done."
The man opposite him leaned back. He was quiet and wiry as the backswoodsmen are, and he had the Australian's love of sport for sport's sake.
"I've brought a horse down for you to handle, Rick the Rider," he said. "A devil, if ever there was one. I'll play you double or quits for your share of the gate-money—that is, if you're game to back him. There's not too many would be."
Balestier laughed again. Drink had dulled his senses, and he was less quick than usual in answering. Lutwyche looked up. ”

“ A few pearling-luggers were becalmed beyond the curve of the beach, and their owners spent the days drinking and playing cards in the one hotel. Life had nothing else to offer them in this backwater of man's desolation. Balestier played that night, as always, and Lutwyche watched, also as always. ”

“ The punishment which had dropped on him was greater than he had thought possible, and through those twenty minutes under the stars he learned that it would not be for money's sake, nor yet for the sake of that gambler spirit which he would never entirely quench, that he was going to set himself, body and soul, to bring Boy Bailey back to a clean man's honour once more.
But in the weeks that followed Lutwyche ate bread in the sweat of the spirit many times. ”

“ The drover laughed unpleasantly. He had lost more than he could consider with equanimity by the light of day.
"Well, he told me you'd spent good years in teaching him," he said. "Suppose you're findin' out that it ain't so easy for a man to undo what he's once done, eh? Same here. I've lost my horse. I done it, an' I'm sorry I done it. But that won't put things straight."
He stooped to gather up the cards, and Lutwyche stood still, staring out before him. But he was seeing something which was making the courage in him crumble and fall away. ”

“ That the whole of him revolted from using his knowledge to persuade another man to forsake those wild, deadly joys which tear in memory at a man's heart in his latter days would, perhaps, have surprised them more. ”

“ By the way, don't ask for Balestier—say you want Rick the Rider. He is doing an elopement act with the Little Living Wonder, too. Take care that he doesn't marry her."
Lutwyche walked across to the tent in the belief that this business was going to be one in which only such as young Joynt could meddle with impunity. Balestier, if he had any sense of humour, would laugh at Joynt. But he would not be able to laugh at Lutwyche, and therefore he would certainly resent interference as Lutwyche himself would have resented it. ”

“ Bowden rubbed his broad jowls reflectively, but his brain was working with the vivid clarity of lightning.
"Arthur is too young," he said. "We must send a man who has been there himself. We must send Lutwyche, Joynt."
"Lutwyche! But he doesn't know Northern Queensland, even if——"
"Sho! He knows life, if his reputation and his eyes go for anything, and this young Balestier evidently needs strong handling. We'll send Lutwyche, on the principle of 'set a thief to catch a thief,' and he must fight it out as he can. Shall we have him in at once?" ”