rs of the coats turned up and the addition of
two heavy sticks, the disguise was complete, and the two smart
soldiers would pass anywhere as peasants.

"You had better take your gaiters off, sergeant. You look too neat
about the feet; although that would not be noticed unless you went
into the light. Here is the letter, put it carefully inside your
jacket. There, now, I think you will do."

It was nearly ten when the two soldiers returned. "Here's a letter
sir, from the revenue officer. He quite understands what is wanted,
and will have a boat off the cliffs at daybreak with a well-armed
crew. He does not know where the cutter is at present. She touched
there two days ago, sailing west."

"You met no suspicious characters, sergeant?"

"No, sir. We spoke to no one until we got to the village, beyond
asking a woman which was the turning from the main road. There didn't
seem to be a soul about in the village, and we had to wait about some
time before I could get hold of a boy to tell me which was the revenue
officer's cottage. I left Hogan outside when I went in; but he saw no
one, nor did any one speak to us on our return beyond one or two men
we met passing the time of night, which Hogan answered."

"All the better, sergeant. The great object is secrecy. Now, leave
these things here and put on your caps again. If you go to the bar the
landlord has orders to give you a glass of grog each. Don't say a word
as to where you have been, Hogan, but get back to your quarters. When
you have had your grog, sergeant, look in again before you go."

When the men had gone out Captain O'Connor opened the letter, which
merely confirmed what the sergeant said. When Sergeant Morris returned
Captain O'Connor told him that the company were to parade an hour
before daylight.

"Don't give the order to-night, sergeant; but go round from house to
house yourself in the morning, rouse the men, and tell them to fall in
quietly without beat of drum.

"Everything is going on well, boys," he said when the sergeant had
left, "and I think we have a good chance of laying these scoundrels by
the heels to-morrow. However, we must insure that word is not sent
from the village, when the troops begin to get up. A stir an hour
before the usual time is sure to excite remark, and as it is certain
these fellows will have arranged with some one in the village for
early news of any unusual movement, we must take steps to prevent a
messenger passing. I pr