rd."

"It's a lie."

"Why have we got you, then?"

I was almost dazed by astonishment. Presently, however, I saw that one
of the men was the officer to whom Israel Barnicoat had spoken in the
kiddleywink. This set me thinking. These men would be the tools of Cap'n
Jack. This was the step he had taken to accomplish his purposes
concerning me. If I were convicted of showing a false light on the
headland, I should be punished by death; at least, I imagined so.

"Anyhow," continued the man, "you must go along wi' me."

"Where?"

"To the lockup."

Now, if there was anything I desired it was to keep clear of the
magistrates. I knew that Richard Tresidder would be among my judges, and
that I should receive no mercy. But more than all this, while smuggling
was lightly regarded, there was a strong feeling against the wrecker. It
is true people were glad of a wreck along the coast, and many a valuable
thing had been obtained thereby, but the whole countryside cried out
against those who sought to lure a vessel on to destruction, even while
they did not object to share in the wreckage.

"But why must I go?"

"Because we seed you carr'in' a false light along the coast."

"When?"

"Laast night."

There were three to one, and I could do nothing. So I let them lead me
to the lockup, where I had to wait until the magistrates were ready to
try me.

What happened while I was there I know not. I was too dazed, too
bewildered to tell. While I had been with Naomi Penryn I seemed to be
lifted into heaven, and then within a few hours of our parting all my
hopes were destroyed. I saw nothing before me but cruel imprisonment or
possible death, for I knew that Richard Tresidder would do his worst.

When the time of my trial came on and I entered the court-house, I saw
that several justices sat upon the bench, and among them was Richard
Tresidder, who looked at me triumphantly, as though he rejoiced to see
me there, which I have no doubt he did.

Old Admiral Trefry was the one who spoke to me, however. "It is not long
since you were here, Jasper Pennington," he said, "and I am grieved to
see you."

Then the Clerk read out the charge against me, which was a string of
lies from beginning to end, for, as I have told in these pages, I threw
the lantern over the cliff, and thus kept the light from being shown. I
discovered afterward, too, that the vessel Cap'n Jack had intended to
wreck had landed safe in Falmouth Harbour.

I c