pected
that the two parties should see a good deal of each other. Under these
circumstances how were the friends to get away to watch the loading of
the boat?

And then it occurred to Hilliard that here, perhaps, was evidence of
design; that this very difficulty had been deliberately caused by Mr.
Coburn with the object of keeping himself and Merriman under observation
and rendering them harmless. This, he recognized, was guesswork, but
still it might be the truth.

He racked his brains to find some way of meeting the difficulty, and
at last, after considering many plans, he thought he saw his way.
They would as soon as possible take leave of their hosts and return to
Bordeaux, ostensibly to resume their trip east. From there they would
come out to the clearing by road, and from the observation post they had
already used keep a close eye on the arrival of the ship and subsequent
developments. At night they might be even able to hide on the wharf
itself. In any case they could hardly fail to see if anything other than
pit-props was loaded.

So far, so good, but there was a second and more formidable difficulty.
Would Merriman consent to this plan and agree to help? Hilliard was
doubtful. That his friend had so obviously fallen in love with this
Madeleine Coburn was an unexpected and unfortunate complication. He
could, of course, play on the string that the girl was in danger and
wanted help, but he had already used that with disappointing results.
However, he could see nothing for it but to do his best to talk Merriman
round.

Accordingly, when they were smoking their after-breakfast pipes, he
broached the subject. But as he had feared, his friend would have none
of it.

"I tell you I won't do anything of the kind," he said angrily. "Here we
come, two strangers, poking our noses into what does not concern us, and
we are met with kindness and hospitality and invited to join a family
party. Good Lord, Hilliard, I can't believe that it is really you that
suggests it! You surely don't mean that you believe that the Coburns are
smuggling brandy?"

"Of course not, you old fire-eater," Hilliard answered good-humoredly,
"but I do believe, and so must you, that there is something queer going
on. We want to be sure there is nothing sinister behind it. Surely, old
man, you will help me in that?"

"If I thought there was anything wrong you know I'd help you," Merriman
returned, somewhat mollified by the other's attitude. "