seemed more and more
unattainable. Hilliard continued the laborious conversation.

"We thought there might be some stevedoring to do. You've a steamer in
now and then, haven't you?"

The man admitted it, and after a deal of wearisome questioning they
learned that the Girondin called about every ten days, remaining for
about forty-eight hours, and that she was due in three or four days.

Finding they could get no further information out of him, they left
their bovine acquaintance with a fresh supply of beer, and returning to
the station, took the first train back to Hull. As they sat smoking
that evening after dinner they once more attacked the problem which was
baffling them.

"It seems to me," Hilliard asserted, "that we should concentrate on the
smuggling idea first, not because I quite believe in it, but because
it's the only one we have. And that brings us again to the same
point--the unloading of the Girondin."

Merriman not replying, he continued:

"Any attempt involves a preliminary visit to see how the land lies. Now
we can't approach that place in the daytime; if we try to slip round
secretly we shall be spotted from those windows or from the wharf; on
the other hand, if we invent some tale and go openly, we give ourselves
away if they have our descriptions or photographs. Therefore we must go
at night."

"Well?"

"Obviously we can only approach the place by land or water. If we go by
land we have either to shin up on the pier from the shore, which we're
not certain we can do, or else risk making a noise climbing over the
galvanized iron fence. Besides we might leave footmarks or other traces.
But if we go by water we can muffle our oars and drop down absolutely
silently to the wharf. There are bound to be steps, and it would be easy
to get up without making any noise."

Merriman's emphatic nod expressed his approval.

"Good," he cried warmly. "What about getting a boat to-morrow and having
a try that night?"

"I think we should. There's another thing about it too. If there should
be an alarm we could get away by the river far more easily than across
the country. It's a blessing there's no moon."

Next day the object of their search was changed. They wanted a small,
handy skiff on hire. It did not turn out an easy quest, but by the
late afternoon they succeeded in obtaining the desired article. They
purchased also close-fitting caps and rubber-soled shoes, together with
some food for the night,