surface and away over the cliffs, shrieking and screaming in
hundreds to add to the din.

The men shouted again, and as soon as the echoes had died out sent forth
a louder roar than ever; but there was no answering cry, and the
lieutenant turned disappointed away.

"He is evidently not here," he said. "Forward, my lads, back up to the
house. We're on the wrong tack, squire," he continued, speaking to
Aleck. "Look here; I'm going back to our boat in the smugglers' cove to
coast along each way as close in as we can get for the rocks. He may
have gone off a rock into deep water during one of the scuffles and then
swum to some nook or cavern, out of which he can't get on account of
deep water."

"That seems likely," said Aleck. "Like me to come and show you some of
the caves?"

"Smugglers' caves?"

"Oh, no; little places where you couldn't row in, but where anyone might
hide."

"Ah, that's better," said the officer. "You'll do that?"

"Of course I will," said Aleck; and after a short visit to the house
Aleck led the boat's crew and their leader across the cliff and down the
rough descent, feeling greatly relieved on finding that there was not a
fisherman's wife in sight, for he was pretty certain that his appearance
in company with their enemies might prove to be a very uncomfortable
thing.

In due time the beach was reached, and the keepers of the sloop's boat
backed in to allow the officer and crew to get aboard, after which there
was an order or two given, and then they rowed out a short distance and,
keeping in as close as possible, visited cave and crevice for about half
a mile, landing wherever it was possible, sometimes climbing over
weed-hung slimy rocks, sometimes wading, and then returning to continue
the search in the opposite direction far past the entrance to the Den,
before rowing back after an exhaustive search.

The officer gave the word to stop as the entrance to Aleck's boat haven
was reached, and, under guidance, rowed and poled up till he could land.

"Thank you for all you've done, youngster," said the lieutenant; "it has
been a barren search, but I shall give up for to-day. Maybe I shall
look you up again. Meantime I hope you'll keep your ears open, and if
you can pick up anything worth having hoist a white tablecloth or sheet
on your boat's mast on the top of the cliff, if it's by day, and if it's
night, burn one of the blue lights I'll leave with you. Neither of
these things wil