THE SMUGGLER. 395 



"Pray don't, sir," rejoined Mowle; "for we Lave oilier 

 business to do to-night;" and, sinking his voice to a whisper, 

 he added, " I've got the information I wanted, sir. A part of 

 the goods are certainly at Iladford Hall, and if we can seize 

 them there, that, with the deposition of the men at Wood- 

 church, will bring him in for the whole offence." 



"I shall, very likely, overtake you by the way," replied 

 Lay ton. " But, at all events, I shall be there before four." 



Most such calculations are vain, however. Layton turned 

 aside to the Harris's farm, where he found poor Kate Clare 

 sinking rapidly. The curate of the parish had been sent for, 

 and, by his advice, Mr. Broughton, the magistrate, who had 

 entered the house but two or three minutes before Layton him- 

 self. Though her voice now scarcely rose above a whisper, she 

 made her dying declaration with clearness and accuracy. It 

 is not necessary here to give any of the details; but, as she 

 concluded, she turned her faint and swimming eyes towards 

 Layton, saying, "That gentleman, who has always been such 

 a good friend to me and mine, can tell you more, sir, for he 

 came up to my help, just as they shot me." 



The magistrate raised his eyes, and inquired, in a low tone, 

 "Who is he?" 



" Sir Henry Layton," replied the poor girl, loud enough for 

 that officer to hear; and thinking that she asked for him, he 

 approached nearer, and stood by Harding' s side. Kate raised 

 her hand a little from the bedclothes, as if she would have 

 given it to him, and he took it kindly in his, speaking words 

 of comfort. 



"Thank you, sir; thank you, for all your kindness," said 

 Kate. "I am glad you have come, that I 'may wish you good- 

 bye, and ask you to be kind to poor Harding, too. It will 

 soon be over now; and you had better all leave me. Not 

 you, Harding, not you. You must close my eyes, as my poor 

 mother is not here." 



A groan burst from the stout seaman's breast; and giving 

 way to all his feelings, he sobbed like a child. According to 

 her desire, Layton and Mr. Broughton retired from the room; 

 and the young officer informed the magistrate, that the pri- 

 soners who had been taken were waiting for examination at 

 his house. 



" We shall want your evidence, Sir Henry," said the ma- 



