if you will take my
advice, sir, you will draw off the men and secure the lugger. By
daylight I can, if we find a way up the cliffs, conduct you to the place
they make their rendezvous."

"I repeat, Mr Leigh, that you must consider yourself under arrest,"
said the lieutenant stiffly. "Your plans may be very good, but I have
already made my own."

Hilary said nothing, for he knew his officer of old; and that, while he
would profess to ignore everything that had been said, he would follow
out the advice to the letter.

And so it proved; for, drawing off the men, they were led down to the
boats, the lugger was pushed off, and those of her crew left on board
made to handle the sweeps till she was secured alongside of the cutter,
where the smugglers to the number of eight were made prisoners below.

The men were in high glee, for it proved next morning that there was
still enough of the cargo on board to give them a fair share of
prize-money, and there was the hope of securing more of the cargo at the
old hall of which Hilary spoke.

"I am quite convinced of the existence of that place, Mr Leigh," said
the lieutenant pompously, "and I have been questioning the prisoners
about it. If you give your promise not to attempt an escape, I will
allow you to accompany the expedition under the command of the gunner,
as I shall be obliged to stay on board."

To his intense astonishment, Hilary, who longed to head the party and
try to capture the rest of the smuggling crew, drew himself up.

"Thank you, sir, no," he replied; "as I am a prisoner, I will wait until
I have been before a court-martial. Shall I go below, sir?"

The lieutenant was speechless for a few moments.

"What, sir? go below, sir? and at a time like this when the ship is
shorthanded, and we have eight prisoners to guard? This is worse and
worse, Mr Leigh. What am I to think of such conduct?"

"What you please, sir," said Hilary quietly.

"Then, sir, in addition to deserting, which you try to hide by
professing to have been made a prisoner, you now mutiny against my
orders!"

"Look here, Lieutenant Lipscombe," cried Hilary, who was now in a
passion; "if you want me to take command of the expedition, and to lead
the men to the smugglers' place, say so like a man. If you do not want
me to go, send me below as a prisoner. I'm not going to act under our
gunner."

"Mr Leigh," said the lieutenant, "I shall report the whole of your
insubordinations in