ne that runs to and fro between here and Rockabie."

"Yes," said Aleck, mockingly; "to fetch fishing-tackle and grocery--and
writing paper; eh, uncle?"

The captain nodded, while the young lieutenant went on:

"And to take messages from here to Rockabie."

"No," cried Aleck; but the officer went on, quietly:

"Look here, sir, I am credibly informed that it was your boat that
rescued one of the most daring of the smugglers on the night of an
encounter we had there--a man whom I was holding with my own hands till
I was savagely struck down. It is quite likely that this may be
examined into later on, but my business now is to find my messmate.
Look here, it will save a good deal of trouble, and make things much
easier for you, if you put me up to the place where the prisoner is
hidden."

"Perhaps it would," said Aleck, firmly now; "but I tell you I know
nothing whatever about your young midshipman. If you think he is hidden
somewhere here you are quite wrong."

"Perhaps so," said the officer, sternly, "but we shall see."

Then, turning to the captain, he said, shortly:

"I shall have to search your place, sir," and then rather jeeringly, as
if suggesting that it would not matter in the least if the captain
objected, he added: "I presume that you will not put difficulties in my
way?"

"None whatever, sir," said the captain. "And as an old commissioned
officer in his Majesty's service should feel it my duty to help in any
way I could."

"Eh? Oh, thank you," said the officer, changing his manner. "I beg
your pardon. I heard the people called you captain, but I supposed that
you were captain of some fishing or trading boat."

The captain bowed coldly.

"Aleck," he said, "do you know anything about Dunning being intimate
with the smugglers?"

"Yes, uncle; I have been suspecting it lately."

"Oh, Master Aleck!" came from outside. "Me? How can you say such a
word! When did you ever know me smuggle anything? Oh, my dear lad,
tell the truth; when did you--whenever did you know me smuggle
anything?"

"Often," said Aleck, bluntly.

"What; tea and sperrits and 'bacco and silk?"

"No," said Aleck; "but fruit."

"Oh, fruit!" said the gardener, contemptuously. "What's a bit of
fruit?"

"Perhaps you will have my house and grounds searched at once, sir," said
the captain, waving the gardener back. "The house is small, and--"

"Stop a moment, sir," said the young lieutenant, for such he proved to
be;