Part 64 (1/2)
”Yes, yes, of course,” said Vine hastily. ”Look here, my man; you have a boat.”
”Third share master, just going out now. My mates are waiting yonder.”
”In the harbour?”
”Ay. That's their lantern.”
”Look here, Perrow,” said Vine excitedly, as he held the man tightly by the arm, ”you are going fis.h.i.+ng?”
”Going to have a try, master.”
”And you will perhaps earn a pound a-piece.”
”If we are lucky. P'r'aps naught.”
”Perrow,” whispered the old man, with his lips close to the man's face, ”will you do me a service--a great service?”
”Sarvice, sir?--Ay, sure I will.”
”Then look here. Your boat would sail across to France?”
”To France?” said the great bluff fellow, with a chuckle. ”Why didn't some of our mates sail to Spain in a lugger a foot shorter than ours, and not so noo a boot! France, ay, or Spain either.”
”Then look here; take a pa.s.senger over for me to-night; and I'll give you fifty pounds.”
”Fifty pounds, Master Vine?”
”Yes. Be ready; take him safely over, and bring me back word from him that he's safe, and I'll pay you a hundred.”
”Will you shake hands on that, master?”
”Will you do it?”
”Do it for you, Master Vine? Why, sir, bless you, we'd ha' done it for five. But if you tempt poor men wi' a big lump o' money like that--Do it? I should think we will.”
”But your partners?” said Louise excitedly.
”Never you mind about them, miss. I'm cap'n of our boat. Where's our pa.s.senger? Lor', miss, don't do that.”
The man started, for Louise had caught his rough hand and kissed it.
”I'll soon bring him to you,” said the old man, with his voice trembling; ”but look here, my man--you must ask no questions, you will not be put off, you will not refuse at the last moment?”
”Look here, Master Vine, sir,” said the man stolidly, ”I aren't a fool.
Hundred pound's a lot o' money, and of course it's to smuggle some one away on the quiet. Well, so be it.”
”Hah!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Vine.
”It's to 'blige you as I've knowd for a kind-hearted gent these ever so many years, though there was that bit o' trouble 'bout my brother's la.s.s, as I don't believe took that there money.”
”No, no, she was innocent,” cried Louise.