The Argosy, Vol. LXVI

This issue of The Argosy (July 1898) contains "Colonel Fane's Secret" by Sydney Hopkin, serialized at Chapter XXIII. The story concerns Hugh Chetwode, who arrives in Australia to manage his station, Woronga. His overseer Corfield reveals the discovery of gold on the property—he found a substantial nugget while exploring a remote gully and has located additional deposits. Hugh engages a mining expert named Harris to assess the find. The three men travel to the gully and successfully locate multiple nuggets, with Harris confirming the lode is extensive and valuable. Their examination is interrupted when they spot two mysterious mounted strangers observing them from a bluff; the men flee when noticed, raising suspicions of potential claim-jumping or theft. Hugh contemplates returning to England with news of his newfound wealth to marry Vera.