164 THE SMUGGLER, 



" There is some reason for that apprehension," replied the 

 young officer, thoughtfully. "You imagine, then, that it is 

 likely to take place to-morrow night, if we keep quiet?'' 



" I have little doubt of it," replied Mowle; " or if not, the 

 night after. But I think it will be to-morrow. Yes; they 

 won't lose the opportunity, if they fancy we are slack; and 

 then the superintendent chose to fall sick to-day, so that the 

 whole rests with me, which will give me enough to do, as they 

 are well aware." 



"Well, then," replied the gentleman to whom he spoke, 

 "leave the business of the beacons to me. I will give orders 

 that they be lighted at every post as soon as application is 

 made for assistance. You will know what ifc means when you 

 see one ; and, in the mean time, keep quite quiet, affect a cer- 

 tain degree of indifference, but not too much, and speak of 

 having partly spoiled Mr. Radford's venture. Do you think 

 he will be present himself?" 



"Oh, not he! not he!" answered Mowle. "He is too 

 cunning for that, by a hundred miles. In any little affair like 

 this of to-day, he might not, perhaps, be afraid of showing 

 himself, to answer a purpose; but in a more serious piece of 

 business, where his brother justices could not contrive to 

 shelter him, and where government would certainly interfere, 

 he will keep as quiet and still as if he had nought to do with 

 it. But I will have him, nevertheless, before long, and then 

 all his ill-gotten wealth shall go, even if we do not contrive 

 to transport him." 



"How will you manage that?" asked the young officer; 

 "if he abstains from taking any active part, you will have no 

 proof, unless, indeed, one of those he employs should give evi- 

 dence against him, or inform beforehand for the sake of the 

 reward." 



"They won't do that," said Mowle, thoughtfully, "they 

 won't do that. I do not know how it is, sir," he continued, 

 after a moment's pause, "but the difference between the es- 

 tablishment of the customs and the smugglers is a very strange 

 one; and I'll tell you what it is: there is not one of these 

 fellows who run goods upon the coast, or carry them inland, 

 who will, for any sum that can be offered, inform against their 

 employers or their comrades ; and there's scarce a custom-house 

 officer in all Kent, that, for five shillings, would not betray his 



