192 THE SMUGGLER* 



gentleman had come down a Sir Harry Somebody. But I 

 little thought it was you, till I saw you just now standing 

 looking so melancholy towards Harbourne, and thinking, I dare 

 say, of the old house at Tiffenden. 



" Indeed I was," answered the young officer, with a sigh. 

 " But as to the smugglers, my good friend, I want no infor- 

 mation. I am sent down with my regiment merely to aid the 

 civil power, which seems totally incompetent to stop the daring 

 outrages that are every day committed. If this were suffered 

 to go on, all law, not only regarding the revenue, but even 

 that affecting the protection of life and property, would soon 

 be at an end." 



"That it would, sir," answered the landlord; "and it's 

 well nigh at an end already, for that matter." 



"Well," continued the officer, "though the service is not 

 an agreeable one, and I think, considering all things, might 

 have been entrusted to another person, yet I have but to obey ; 

 and consequently, being here, am ready whenever called upon 

 to support the officers, either of justice or the revenue, both by 

 arms and by advice. But I have no other duty to perform, 

 and indeed would rather not have any information^regarding 

 the proceedings of these misguided men, except through the 

 proper channels. If I had the absolute command of the 

 district, with orders to put down smuggling therein, it might 

 be a different matter; but I have not." 



" Ay, I thought there was a mistake about it," replied 

 Miles; " but here is your horse, sir; I shall see you to-morrow, 

 then?" 



"Certainly," answered the officer; and having paid his 

 score, he mounted and rode away. 



