hwith make out the order for your committal to prison."

"Please, your worship, before you do that, I must beg you to examine the
keg I was carrying, for if it contains spirits I am ready to go; but if
not, I claim in justice the right to be set at liberty."

"Have you examined the keg, men," said the squire, "to ascertain if it
contains spirits?"

"No, your worship, we would not venture to do that, seeing that t'other
day when one of the coastguard broached a keg to see whether it had
brandy or not he got into trouble for drinking the spirits."

"For drinking the spirits! He deserved to be," exclaimed Sir Reginald.
"However, that is not the point. Bring the keg here, and if you broach
it in my presence you need have no fear of the consequences. There can
be little doubt that we shall be able to convict this fellow, and send
him to gaol for twelve months. I wish it to be understood that I intend
by every means in my power to put a stop to the proceedings of these
lawless smugglers, who have so long been carrying on this illegal
traffic with impunity in this part of the country."

Jack Cope, who had kept a perfectly calm demeanour from the time he had
been brought up to the table, smiled scornfully as Sir Reginald spoke.
He said nothing, however, as he turned his glance towards the door. In
a short time a revenue man appeared carrying a keg on his shoulders.

"Place it on the table," said Sir Reginald. "Can you swear this is the
keg you took from the prisoner?" he asked of the constable.

"Yes, your worship. It has never been out of our custody since we
captured it," replied the man.

"And _I_, too, can swear that it is the same keg that was taken from
me!" exclaimed the bold smuggler in a confident tone.

"Silence there, prisoner," said Sir Reginald, "You are not to speak
until you are desired. Let the cask be broached."

A couple of glasses and a gimlet had been sent for. The servant now
brought them on a tray. One of the officers immediately set to work and
bored a couple of holes in the head and side of the cask. The liquid
which flowed out was bright and sparkling. The officer passed it under
his nose, but made no remark, though I thought his countenance exhibited
an odd expression.

"Hand it here," said Sir Reginald. "Bah!" he exclaimed, intensely
disgusted, "why, it's salt water."

"I told you so, your worship," said Jack Cope, apparently much inclined
to burst into a fit of laughter. "Y