In Biggles in Australia Joe Hopkins was a gold prospector who was an acquaintance of Sergeant Bill Gilson of Broome. Hopkins was formerly a ranger who patrolled the State Barrier Fence (or Rabbit Proof Fence) of Western Australia. After his retirement, he became a "digger" and prospected for gold in the deserts inland of Broome. As Hopkins was due to call in at Broome but had become overdue, Biggles took Gilson to his prospecting camp while on the way to Tarracooma. They found his "wurlie" or bough shelter near a water hole ("soak") at the foot of the MacLaren Hills. Hopkins had been murdered, clubbed and speared to death, it seemed, by Australian aborigines. His rifle and pouch of gold dust had been taken.
Later, Gilson discovered Hopkin's rifle at Tarracooma. It emerged that the murderer was one Charlie, an aborigine who worked for Roth, the owner of Tarracooma and a sleeper of von Stalhein's spy network. Charlie and Roth were taken into custody by Gilson and ended up with long prison sentences.