other to take a share in a little fleet of fishing smacks,
of which my father was part owner. I think you know to which side I
inclined, but that now is neither here nor there; and, though you did
not tell me, as you went along the shore you were more intent on handing
backwards and forwards in your mind your own affairs, than of what
should happen at Theddlethorpe. And so you did not hurry as you went,
and, as things happened, you came to Faddo's house almost at the same
moment with Lancy Doane and two other mounted coast-guards.

"You stood in the shadow while they knocked at Faddo's door. You were so
near, you could see the hateful look in his face. You were surprised
he did not try to stand the coast-guards off. You saw him, at their
bidding, take a lantern, and march with them to a shed standing off a
little from the house, nearer to the shore. Going a roundabout swiftly,
you came to the shed first, and posted yourself at the little window
on the sea-side. You saw them enter with the lantern, saw them shift a
cider press, uncover the floor, and there beneath, in a dry well, were
barrels upon barrels of spirits, and crouched among them was a man whom
you all knew at once--Laney's brother, Tom. That, Cousin Dick, was Jim
Faddo's revenge. Tom Doane had got refuge with him till he should reach
his brother, not knowing Lancy was to be coast-guard. Faddo, coming back
from Mablethorpe, told Tom the coast-guards were to raid him that night;
and he made him hide in this safe place, as he called it, knowing that
Lancy would make for it.

"For a minute after Tom was found no man stirred. Tom was quick of brain
and wit--would it had always been put, to good purposes!--and saw at
once Faddo's treachery. Like winking he fired at the traitor, who was
almost as quick to return the fire. What made you do it I know not,
unless it was you hated treachery; but, sliding in at the open door
behind the coast-guards, you snatched the lantern from the hands of one,
threw it out of the open door, and, thrusting them aside, called for
Tom to follow you. He sprang towards you over Faddo's body, even as you
threw the lantern, and, catching his arm, you ran with him towards the
dyke.

"'Ready for a great jump!' you said. 'Your life hangs on it.' He was
even longer of leg than you. 'Is it a dyke?' he whispered, as the shots
from three muskets rang after you. 'A dyke. When I count three, jump,'
you answered. I have read somewhere of the great l