s he turned and
strutted off, making the most of his inches, the giant--for such he was
by comparison--stumbled after him, making the deck echo to the sound of
his great boots.

"Now, sir," said the lieutenant haughtily, "what is your business?"

The man leaned forward, and there was a leer on his bearded face seen by
the dull swinging oil-lamp, as, half covering his mouth, he whispered
hoarsely behind his hands--

"Like Hollands gin, master?"

"What do you mean, sir?" cried the lieutenant. "Speak out, for I have
no time to lose."

"Oh, I'll speak plainly enough," growled the man; "on'y do you like it?"

"Do you mean that a foreign vessel is going to land a quantity of
Hollands to-night?"

"Never said nothing o' the sort, Master Orficer. Why, if I was to come
and say a thing like that, and folks ashore knowed on it, there'd be a
haxiden."

"What do you mean, sir?"

"Some un would run up agin me atop o' the cliff, and I should go over,
and there'd be an end o' me."

"You mean to say that if it was known that you informed, you would be in
peril of your life?"

"No, I don't mean to say nothing o' the kind, master. I only says to
you that there's going to be a drop to be got in a place I knows, and if
you care to say to a chap like me--never you mind who he is--show me
where this drop of Hollands gin is to be got, and I'll give you--for
him, you know--fifty pounds, it would be done."

"Look here, my lad, if you have got any valuable information to give,
wouldn't it be better for you to speak out plainly?"

"Didn't come twenty mile in my boat and get here in the dark, for you to
teach me how to ketch fish, Master Orficer."

"Twenty miles!" said the lieutenant sharply; "where are you from?"

"Out o' my boat as is made fast 'longside. Is it fifty pound or aren't
it?"

"Fifty pound is a great deal of money, my man. Your information may not
be worth fifty pence. Suppose the boat does not come?"

"Why, o' course, you wouldn't pay."

"Oh, now I understand you. If we take the boat with the spirits I am to
give you fifty pounds?"

"Me? Think I'm goin' to be fool enough to risk gettin' my neck broke
for fifty pound? Nay, not me. You'll give it to me to give to him."

"And where is he?"

"Never you mind, master."

"Oh, well, there then; I'll give you the fifty pounds if I take the
boat. Dutch?"

"P'raps. Shake hands on it."

"Is that necessary?" said the lieutenant, glancing with distaste a