Part 14 (1/2)

”We've no right to go searching their places, Mr Raystoke, but I shall make a mistake They won't complain They daren't”

”Why?”

”Hands are too dirty; if not with this job, with some other”

So they halted the men, posted one at each end of the little place, so as to co to carry off contraband goods, and went fro to the intrusion and search, which in each case ithout result

Every one of the cottages being tried, the men were azing out over the cliff, to where the cutter lay at anchor, with the far out astern, and the air so clear that he could even see the cow tethered to a belaying pin, just in front of the mast

Five minutes after they caate and s, and wondered whether he ought to entlemen,” he said, as Archy and the ,” said Archy shortly ”Stand aside, please; we must search all your places”

”Search my places, squire--capt'n, I mean? He aren't here”

”Who is not here? Are not you thefor Hi! Missus!”

”Yes,” ca her hands

”Ain't seen a deserter, missus, have you? Capt'n here has lost one of his men”

”If you'll let o of contraband goods was landed on the rocks below the cliff last night, and--”

”You don't say so, master!” said Shackle earnestly

”I do say so,” cried Archy; ”and you are suspected of having the into a roar of laughter ”Me, Mr Orficer? Do you knohat I am?”

”No”

”Why, I'ent here thinks I'ood un, and no mistake”

Archy was taken aback for the ht the eye of the master, as too old over the business to be easily hoodwinked

”The young gentleman's made quite aof our oes, and his men a drop of home-brewed”

”Ay, to be sure,” cried Shackle ”Put out the bread and cheese, o and draw a drink or two You'll take so too, won't you, master?”

”Yes; don't ht Nantes or Hollands”

”Ay, so would I,” said Shackle, with a laugh, as his wife began to bustle about and get knives and plates; ”but you've co a drop from 'em, after they've used their horses and carts, but that's never been my luck; has it, missus?”

”No, never,” said Mrs Shackle; and to herself,--”That's quite true”