ently. "If there is, it'll be on a big scale,
and therefore the men who run it won't be over squeamish. Again, if
there's anything, Miss Coburn knows about it. Oh, yes, she does," he
repeated as Merriman would have dissented, "there is your own evidence.
But if she knows about some large, shady undertaking, she undoubtedly
may be in both difficulty and danger. At all events, as long as the
chance exists it's up to us to make sure."

Merriman rose to his feet and began to pace up and down, his head bent
and a frown on his face. Hilliard took no notice of him and presently he
came back and sat down again.

"You may be right," he said. "I'll go with you to find that out, and
that only. But I'll not do any spying."

Hilliard was satisfied with his diplomacy. "I quite see your point," he
said smoothly, "and I confess I think you are right. We'll go and take
a look round, and if we find things are all right we'll come away again
and there's no harm done. That agreed?"

Merriman nodded.

"What's the program then?" he asked.

"I think tomorrow we should take the boat round to the Lesque. It's a
good long run and we mustn't be late getting away. Would five be too
early for you?"

"Five? No, I don't mind if we start now."

"The tide begins to ebb at four. By five we shall get the best of its
run. We should be out of the river by nine, and in the Lesque by four in
the afternoon. Though that mill is only seventeen miles from here as the
crow flies, it's a frightful long way round by sea, most of 130 miles,
I should say." Hilliard looked at his watch. "Eleven o'clock. Well, what
about going back to the Swallow and turning in?"

They left the Jardin, and, sauntering slowly through the well-lighted
streets, reached the launch and went on board.

CHAPTER 4. A COMMERCIAL PROPOSITION

Merriman was roused next morning by the feeling rather than the sound
of stealthy movements going on not far away. He had not speedily slept
after turning in. The novelty of his position, as well as the cramped
and somewhat knobby bed made by the locker, and the smell of oils, had
made him restless. But most of all the conversation be had had with
Hilliard had banished sleep, and he had lain thinking over the adventure
to which they had committed themselves, and listening to the little
murmurings and gurglings of the water running past the piles and lapping
on the woodwork beside his head. The launch kept slightly on the
move, swinging a l