, in addition to Archer, could be involved? There were, of course,
Beamish, Bulla, Benson, and Henri. There was also a man, Morton, whose
place in the scheme of things had not yet been ascertained. He, Willis
realized, must be found and identified. But were these all? He doubted
it. It seemed to him that the smuggling system required more helpers
than these. He now understood how the brandy was got from the ship to
the distillery, and he presumed it was loaded at the clearing in the
same manner, being brought there in some unknown way by the motor
lorries. But there were two parts of the plan of which nothing was yet
known. Firstly, where was the brandy obtained from originally, and,
secondly, how was it distributed from the distillery? It seemed
to Willis that each of these operations would require additional
accomplices. And if so, these persons might also have been implicated in
Coburn's death.

He thought over the thing for three solid hours before coming to a
decision. At the end of that time he determined to return to London
and, if his chief approved, lay the whole facts before the Customs
Departments of both England and France, asking them to investigate
the matter in their respective countries. In the meantime he would
concentrate on the question of complicity in the murder.

He left Hull by an afternoon train, and that night was in London.

CHAPTER 17. "ARCHER PLANTS STUFF"

Willis's chief at the Yard was not a little impressed by his
subordinate's story. He congratulated the inspector on his discovery,
commended him for his restraint in withholding action against Archer
until he had identified his accomplices, and approved his proposals for
the further conduct of the case. Fortified by this somewhat unexpected
approbation, Willis betook himself forthwith to the headquarters of the
Customs Department and asked to see Hilliard.

The two men were already acquainted. As has been stated, the inspector
had early called at Hilliard's rooms and learned all that the other
could tell him of the case. But for prudential reasons they had not met
since.

Hilliard was tremendously excited by the inspector's news, and eagerly
arranged the interview with his chief which Willis sought. The great
man was not engaged, and in a few minutes the others were shown into his
presence.

"We are here, sir," Willis began, when the necessary introductions had
been made, "to tell you jointly a very remarkable story. Mr. Hillia