t him be a
labourer; and if he's a fisherman, let him be a fisherman. Man can't be
two things, and it looks queer."

An argument which did not have much force when self-applied, for Dick
suddenly recollected that he was very skilful with the scissors, and
knew that he was the regular barber of the crew, and as this came to his
mind he took off his cap and gave his head a vicious scratch.

"Never mind the rabbits, lads," cried Gurr angrily; "we want to find Mr
Raystoke."

The men closed up together, and mastered their desire to go hunting, to
make a change from the salt beef and pork fare, and soon after they came
suddenly upon Sir Risdon and his lady, the latter, who looked weak and
ill, leaning on her husband's arm.

Gurr saluted, and stated his business, while the baronet, who had turned
sallower and more careworn than his lot drew a breath full of relief.

"One of your ship boys?" he said.

"A lad, looking like a common sailor, and wearing a red cap."

"No," said Sir Risdon. "I have seen no one answering to the description
here."

"Beg pardon, sir, but can you, as a gentleman, assure me that he is not
here?"

"Certainly," said Sir Risdon. "You have seen no one?" he continued,
turning to Lady Graeme.

The lady shook her head.

"That's enough, sir; but may I ask you, if you do see or hear anything
of such a lad, you will send a messenger off to the cutter?"

"It is hardly right to enlist me in the search for one of your
deserters," said Sir Risdon coldly.

"Yes, sir, but he is not a deserter; and the fact is, we are afraid the
lad has run alongside o' the smugglers, and come to grief."

"Surely!" cried Sir Risdon excitedly. "No, no,--you must be mistaken.
A boyish prank. No one about here would injure a boy."

"Humph!" ejaculated Gurr, looking at the baronet searchingly. "Glad you
think so well of 'em, sir. But I suppose you'll grant that the people
about here would not be above a bit of smuggling?"

Sir Risdon was silent.

"And would run a cargo of brandy or silk?"

"I suppose there is a good deal of smuggling on the coast," said Sir
Risdon coldly, as he thought of his vault.

"Yes sir, there is, and it will go hard with the people who are caught
having any dealings with the smugglers."

Lady Graeme looked ghastly.

"What would you say, sir, if I were to order my men, in the king's name,
to search your place?"

Sir Risdon dared not trust himself to speak, but darted an agonised
gla