that driver mightn't have some private game of his own
on--be somehow doing the syndicate?"

"What about your own argument?" answered Hilliard. "Is it likely
Miss Coburn would join the driver in anything shady? Remember, your
impression was that she knew."

Merriman nodded.

"That's right," he agreed, continuing slowly: "Supposing for a moment it
was smuggling. How would that help you to explain this affair?"

"It wouldn't. I can get no light anywhere."

The two men smoked silently, each busy with his thoughts. A certain
aspect of the matter which had always lain subconsciously in Merriman's
mind was gradually taking concrete form. It had not assumed much
importance when the two friends were first discussing their trip, but
now that they were actually at grips with the affair it was becoming
more obtrusive, and Merriman felt it must be faced. He therefore spoke
again.

"You know, old man, there's one thing I'm not quite clear about. This
affair that you've discovered is extraordinarily INTERESTING and all
that, but I'm hanged if I can see what business of ours it is."

Hilliard nodded swiftly.

"I know," he answered quickly. "The same thing has been bothering me. I
felt really mean yesterday when that girl came by, as if I were spying
on her, you know. I wouldn't care to do it again. But I want to go on to
this place and see into the thing farther, and so do you."

"I don't know that I do specially."

"We both do," Hilliard reiterated firmly, "and we're both justified. See
here. Take my case first. I'm in the Customs Department, and it is part
of my job to investigate suspicious import trades. Am I not justified
in trying to find out if smuggling is going on? Of course I am. Besides,
Merriman, I can't pretend not to know that if I brought such a thing to
light I should be a made man. Mind you, we're not out to do these people
any harm, only to make sure they're not harming us. Isn't that sound?"

"That may be all right for you, but I can't see that the affair is any
business of mine."

"I think it is." Hilliard spoke very quietly. "I think it's your
business and mine--the business of any decent man. There's a chance that
Miss Coburn may be in danger. We should make sure."

Merriman sat up sharply.

"In Heaven's name, what do you mean, Hilliard?" he cried fiercely. "What
possible danger could she be in?"

"Well, suppose there is something wrong--only suppose, I say," as the
other shook his head impati