t see 'ow we're going to make much
aht of it."

"Wouldn't his own side pay a goodish cheque? And wouldn't old Van cash
in to have it destroyed."

Dirk grinned very prettily revealing his broken front teeth in all the
glory of the morning sun.

"I get you. A private deal, like, favouring whichever market pays
best."

"That's the idea. There's a fortune in it if we get him tucked away in
some quiet place."

"It's a treat to work with you," said Dirk enthusiastically. "I'll lay
a quart there ain't a finer 'ead piece than yours from 'Oxton to
'Ammersmith."

"Thank you," said Harrison Smith. "Try and remember that and obey
orders quick as you get 'em."

"That's rite, captain, that's the talk. Give me a man wot talks
strite."

A Ford is a marvellous eater up of miles and Harrison Smith did not
spare his engine nor linger upon the way. Evening was falling when at
last they descended the hill into the little fishing village of
Polperro. They ran into the inn yard and tried to bespeak a lodging
for the night but in this they were unlucky for there was no
accommodation to be had. The best obtainable was a shake down in the
stable loft, granted on a promise to refrain from smoking. Having
refilled the petrol tank and assured themselves that the Ford was in
sound running order against the morrow's needs they entered the inn.

"We'll get a snack now," said Harrison Smith, "and after that take a
look round and make a few enquiries."

The schooners of ale provided by mine host to wash down the simple
country fare were entirely agreeable to Freddie Dirk's parched palate.
It had been a long day and, as he pointed out, refreshment had been all
too scarce. Harrison Smith might be, and undoubtedly was, an excellent
fellow but he did not understand the urgent need for beer without which
no good man was at his best. It was all very well going out and asking
questions and poking one's nose into this, that and the other but far
greater advantage was to be won by poking one's nose into deep foaming
tankards of beer. Closing hour came all too soon and it would be time
enough to seek fresh diversion after that unhappy event.

Wishing to remain in the good graces of his companion Harrison Smith
shrugged his shoulders and sallied forth alone in the direction of the
quay. The tide was out and from the mud and sand came the pungent
ozonous smell of rotting sea vegetation. Dazzling white gulls wheeled
and hovered in the