122 THE JERSEY COAST. 



getting the copper bolts out of an old wreck, when 

 we happened to look up and saw two carriages 

 coming along, up the beach. I spoke to Zeph about 

 it, but as they catne along slowly, we went on with 

 our work, and when we looked up again there was 

 only one. That came on closer and closer till I 

 could tell the horses ; they were two bays of squire 

 Jones' down at the inlet ; they drove right on to- 

 wards us till they were so near that T did not like 

 to stare the people in the face, and looked down 

 again to my work. There were two men, and I saw 

 them so plain that I should know 'em anywhere. 

 Well, I raised my head a second after, and they 

 were gone ; and there never had been any wagon, 

 for Zeph and I hunted all over the beach to find the 

 tracks in the sand." 



" I guess that was another misty day, and you 

 hadn't had your eye-opener," was the appreciative 

 response. 



" No, it was three o'clock in the day, and bright 

 sunshine ; but at that time, as near as can be, Tommy 

 Smith was drowned down at the inlet, and the very 

 next day at the very same hour, the 'Squire's wagon 

 did come up the beach, with the same two 

 men driving, and the body in a box in the back 

 part." 



" Now, Bill," continued the persistent individual, 

 " this is all very well, but it is not the story. Come, 

 out with it ; you know what I mean." 



Bill fell silent, again looking off into the distance 

 as though he saw something that others could not 



