stealing over the side of the cutter farthest from the shore, so
that when his boat drifted by it was not likely that his visit on board
would have been seen.

Then turning to Hilary:

"What do you think of it, Leigh?"

"It may be a ruse to get us away."

"Yes, it may be, but I don't think it is. 'Bout ship, there!" he
shouted; and the great boom of the mainsail slowly swung round, and they
sailed nearly out of sight of land by sundown, when the helm was once
more rammed down hard, the cutter careened round in a half circle, and
as the white wings were swelling, they made once more for the coast.

It was about nine o'clock of a deliciously soft night, and the moist
sweet air that came off the shore was sweetly fragrant of flowers and
new-mown hay. The night was cloudy, and very dusky for the time of
year, a fact so much in their favour, and with the watch on the alert,
for the lieutenant would not call the men to quarters in case the
informer did not come, he and Hilary leaned over the side, gazing at the
scattered lights that twinkled on the shore.

An hour and a half had passed away, and the time, which a church clock
ashore had struck, ten, seemed to have far exceeded this hour, when, as
they all watched the mist which hung between them and the invisible
shore, a light was suddenly seen to come as it were out of a bank of
fog, and glide slowly towards them, but as if to go astern.

The cutter had a small lamp hoisted to the little masthead, and the
lieutenant knew that this would be sufficient signal of their
whereabouts, and so it proved, for the gliding light came nearer and
nearer, and soon after a voice they both recognised hailed them.

"Cutter ahoy!"

"Ahoy!"

The light came on nearer and nearer, and at last they could dimly make
out the half-hoisted sails of a small fishing lugger, which was run
cleverly enough close alongside, her occupants holding on by boathooks.

"Mind what you are doing there," cried the lieutenant sharply; "jump
aboard, my man."

"All right, captain."

"Go down and get my sword, Leigh," whispered the lieutenant; "and put on
your own."

It was as if just then an idea had occurred to him that there might be
treachery, and the thought seemed to be communicated to Hilary, who ran
down below, caught up the two swords from the hooks where they hung upon
the bulkhead, and was on his way up, when the lieutenant came down upon
him with a crash, there was the rattling on of the