, Hilary found that they were on the wrong side, a fact which
necessitated wading, though he went over dry-shod, Tom Tully insisting
upon carrying him upon his back.

Another couple of miles along the winding course brought them to the
mill, where a heavy-looking man stood watching the unwonted appearance
of a dozen well-armed sailors; but neither party spoke, and after a bit
of a rest for the discussion of a few biscuits, Hilary prepared for his
advance to the old hall.

They were just about to start when the heavy-looking man lounged up.

"Going by Rorley Place?" he said.

"Rorley Place?" said Hilary; "where's that?"

"Yon old house," was the reply. "Don't go in; she's harnted!"

"Oh! is she?" said Hilary.

"Ay, that she be," said the man. "She's been empty this hundred year;
but you can see the lights shining in the windows of a night, and hear
the groans down by the gate and by the little bridge over Rorley
stream."

"Thank you," said Hilary, "we'll take care. Now, my lads, forward.
Now, Tom Tully, what's the matter?"

"I'm a man as 'll fight any man or any body any day," said the big
sailor; "but if we're going again that there place I'm done. I can't
abide ghosts and them sort o' things."

"Stuff!" said Hilary. "Forward. Why, what are you thinking about, man?
That's where I was shut up night after night."

"And did you see 'em, sir?"

"See what?" replied Hilary.

"Them there as yon chap talked about, sir."

"I saw a good many very substantial smugglers, and I saw a cellar full
of kegs and packages, and those are what we are going to get."

Tom Tully seemed a bit reassured, and tightening his belt a little, he
kept step with the others, as Hilary led the way right across country,
so as to come out of the wood suddenly after a curve, just in front of
the entrance to the narrow bridge over the moat.

Hilary managed well, and his men following him in single file, he led
them so that, apparently unseen by the occupants of the old hall, they
were at last gathered together in the clump of trees, waiting the order
to advance.

The moat, as Hilary knew, was too deep to think of wading, and there was
the old bridge quite clear, temptingly offering itself as a way to the
front of the old house; but this tempting appearance rather repelled the
young officer. He was no coward, but he was good leader enough to
shrink from subjecting his men to unnecessary risk.

The smugglers would be, under the pr