n, when he heard steps.

He lay still, hoping that this might have drawn forth the exclamation,
but for the next few moments he was in agony.

Then came relief.

"That you, Ramillies?"

"Yes, father."

"Well?"

"I think it's all right. Carts are coming, and all the lads are down
the roads."

"All?"

"No. Two of 'em's down by the cove, but they won't send anybody from
the cutter to-night."

"Not so sure of it, my boy,--not so sure. Can't be too careful.
'Tain't as if we were obliged to move 'em to-night. Landing a cargo's
one thing; getting it away another. Well, we'll try. You're sure
they're keeping good watch at the cove?"

"Yes, father."

"What sort of an officer did he seem on the cutter?"

"Little, fat, sleepy chap."

"And the others?"

"Don't seem to be no others, only that cocky-hoopy middy, who came
ashore with the men. I should like to ketch him ashore some day."

One of Archy's legs gave a twitch at the first remark about him, and the
twitch occurred in his right arm at the second.

"Don't chatter. Not very sharp sort of officer, eh?"

"No, father. Sort of chap who'd go to sleep all night."

Archy began wondering. He had thought the boy a dull, stupid-looking
bumpkin, and he was finding out how observing he had been.

"Well, we'll risk it, boy. Come along."

Archy's heart gave a bound.

Here was news! He had been growing dull and disheartened, thinking that
his expedition was foolish and impossible, and here at once he had
learned what he wanted. He knew that now all he had to do was to take
advantage of every wall and tree, even to creep along the ground if
necessary, and he would be able to follow the smugglers to the place
where they had hidden the run cargo, watch them bring it out, and then
track them to the fresh hiding-place.

He would thus learn everything, and be able at daybreak to make his way
to the cliff, signal for a boat, and a grand capture would be made.

His heart beat high as he thought of the lieutenant's delight, and of
the joy there would be amongst the men, for this would mean prize-money,
and perhaps the means of deluding the vessel that had brought the cargo
into a trap, so that it could be captured, and more prize-money as well
as honour be the result.

It did not take him long to think all this; and then he rose cautiously
and dropped down again, for the door was re-opened, and the light beamed
out so that the watcher felt that he must be