e smugglers, eh?"

"No," replied Aleck; and he briefly related his experience, including
his being awakened by shots.

"Ah, to be sure," said the officer; "they're a nice daring set of
scoundrels--fired on the King's men; but we got the rascals who did.
Well, sir, what's become of our officer?"

"How should I know?" said Aleck, staring.

"You must have seen something of what went on after we started back."

"No," said Aleck. "There seemed to be no one there but the women."

"But you saw them and heard what they said? You heard them talking
about him?"

"No, I did not go near the women."

"Why?" said the officer, sharply.

"Because I was afraid they would think I had something to do with the
press-gang coming."

"Well, he must be found. He's here somewhere."

"Is there any possibility of the poor young fellow having been knocked
overboard during the struggle?"

"Not the slightest," replied the officer, shortly. "He may have been
knocked down somewhere on the way between the cottages, where we pounced
upon the men, and the landing-place. Well, he must be found."

"Of course," said the captain, quietly. "You will go up, then, and
search the smugglers' cottages--fishermen they call themselves?"

"We have searched them thoroughly," said the officer, "and we've come
across now, sir, to search your place--what do they call it?--the Den."

Aleck glanced at his uncle's face, and could see the blood gathering in
his cheeks.

"Search my house, sir?" he said. "Are you so mad as to suppose that I
should entrap one of the King's officers?"

"Possibly, sir," replied the visitor, "on the _quid pro quo_ principle,
to hold on ransom. We've got some of your friends; you have snatched at
one of ours."

"This is the first time, sir, that I've been led to suppose that I was a
friend to the smugglers. Eh, Aleck?"

"What nonsense, uncle!" cried the lad, indignantly.

"Oh, indeed, young gentleman!" said the officer, turning upon him
sharply. "No friends of yours neither?"

"Certainly not," cried Aleck.

"Ho! Then, perhaps you will be good enough to explain how it is that
the gardener here is the smugglers' chief assistant in signalling,
spying, and warning them?"

"He isn't," said Aleck, sharply.

"He is," said the officer. "What is more, I found that cargoes are run
down here in a cove or rift upon your coast, where a handy boat is
kept."

"We've got a boat down the rift," said Aleck.

"Exactly; o