s anything wrong: say I thought there
was from her manner and ask her the direct question. Will that please
you?"

"And get well snubbed for your pains?" Hilliard returned. "You've tried
that once already. Why did you not persist in your inquiries about the
number plate when she told you about the driver's shell-shock?"

Merriman was silent for a few moments, then burst out:

"Well, hang it all, man, what do you suggest?"

During the evening an idea had occurred to Hilliard and he returned to
it now.

"I'll tell you," he answered slowly, and instinctively he lowered his
voice. "I'll tell you what we must do. We must see their steamer loaded.
I've been thinking it over. We must see what, if anything, goes on board
that boat beside pit-props."

Merriman only grunted in reply, but Hilliard, realizing his condition,
was satisfied.

And Merriman, lying awake that night on the port locker of the Swallow,
began himself to realize his condition, and to understand that his whole
future life and happiness lay between the dainty hands of Madeleine
Coburn.

CHAPTER 5. THE VISIT OF THE "GIRONDIN"

Next morning found both the friends moody and engrossed with their own
thoughts.

Merriman was lost in contemplation of the new factor which had come into
his life. It was not the first time he had fancied himself in love. Like
most men of his age he had had affairs of varying seriousness, which
in due time had run their course and died a natural death. But this, he
felt, was different. At last he believed he had met the one woman, and
the idea thrilled him with awe and exultation, and filled his mind to
the exclusion of all else.

Hilliard's preoccupation was different. He was considering in detail his
idea that if a close enough watch could be kept on the loading of the
syndicate's ship it would at least settle the smuggling question. He did
not think that any article could be shipped in sufficient bulk to make
the trade pay, unnoticed by a skilfully concealed observer. Even if
the commodity were a liquid--brandy, for example--sent aboard through a
flexible pipe, the thing would be seen.

But two unexpected difficulties had arisen since last night. Firstly,
they had made friends with the Coburns. Excursions with them were in
contemplation, and one had actually been arranged for that very day.
While in the neighborhood they had been asked virtually to make the
manager's house their headquarters, and it was evidently ex