1 40 THE SMUGGLER. 



had better now be recalled; and, by your permission, I will 

 put a few question to them." 



In a few minutes the room was, once more, nearly filled, 

 and the baronet addressed Mowle, in a grave tone, saying, 

 " A very different view of this case has been afforded us, Mr. 

 Mowle, from that which you gave just now. It is distinctly 

 proved, and I myself can in some degree testify to the fact, 

 that Mr. Radford was on the spot accidentally, having been 

 sent for by his father to join him at Ash ford '' 



"At the Ramleys 1 , I suppose you mean, sir," observed 

 Mowle, drily. 



"No, sir; at Ashford," rejoined Mr. Kadford; and Sir Ro- 

 bert Croyland proceeded to say : 



" The young gentleman also asserts that he was persuad- 

 ing the smugglers to submit to lawful authority, or, at all 

 events, not to fire upon you. Was there any more firing after 

 he came up?" 



"No; there was not," answered Mowle. "They all gal- 

 loped off as hard as they could." 



" Corroborative proof of his statement," observed Sir Ro- 

 bert, solemnly. "The only question, therefore, remaining, 

 seems to be, as to whether Mr. Radford, junior, had really 

 anything to do with the placing of his name upon the goods. 

 Now, one strong reason for supposing such not to be the case 

 is, that they were not found near his house, or going towards 

 it, but the contrary." 



" Why, he's as much at home in the Ramleys' house as at 

 his own," said a voice from behind ; but Sir Robert took no notice, 

 and proceeded to inquire, " Have you proof, Mr. Mowle, that 

 he authorized any one to mark these goods with his name?" 



Mr. Radford smiled, and Mowle, the officer, looked a little 

 puzzled. At length, however, he answered: "No, I can't 

 say we have, Sir Robert; but one thing is very certain: it is 

 not quite customary to ask for such proof in this stage of the 

 business, and in the cases of inferior men." 



" I am sorry to hear it," replied Sir Robert Croyland, in a 

 dignified and sententious tone, " for it is quite necessary that in 

 all cases the evidence should be clear and satisfactory to justify 

 the magistrates in committing any man to prison, even for 

 trial. In this instance nothing is proved, and not even a fair 

 cause for suspicion made out. Mr. Radford was there acci- 



