He crept to it, guided by the cold air which came in, and had just reached it when he heard rapid footsteps, and some one panted,-- "Where's the skipper ?" "Here.

What is it ?" whispered Shackle, who seemed close to where the midshipman stood.
"Jemmy Dadd--came from the cove.

Boat's crew landed." "Run down and tell them all to come back," said Shackle hoarsely.
"I did, and they're coming.

I met first man." "Right! Get all back in quick!" As he finished speaking, Archy could hear the dull, soft steps of laden men returning, and more and more kept coming, and it was soon evident that they were quickly and silently replacing the kegs they had been carrying down hill to where tumbrils were waiting for a load.
The midshipman stood a little way back from the window, seeing nothing, but drinking all this in, and in imagination grasping the whole scene which went on for the next quarter of an hour or so, by which time the last load seemed to have been brought back.
As he listened, he wondered what boat's crew it could be that had landed, as no arrangement had been made for any help to be sent till he either signalled from the cliff or went down to the cove at twelve the next day, where a boat would be about half a mile out, with two men in her fishing.
He could not understand it; all he could tell for certain was that the smugglers had been alarmed, and that they would not remove the cargo that night, for all at once he heard the sharp snap of a great lock beneath his feet; this was followed by the closing of a door, and directly after there was the shuffling of feet, and Shackle's voice was heard in a hoarse whisper,-- "Got the lanthorn, boy ?" "Yes, father." "Off you go then--all.

Scatter!" "You won't try again to-night ?" "Try?
No," said the farmer savagely.