I was trying to find out about the smugglers." "And--and--you have not found out anything ?" came in quick, frightened tones.
Archy was silent.
"Why don't you speak, sir ?" "What am I to say?
I am on duty.

Yes, I have found out all I wanted to know." "Ah!" came again out of the darkness, in a low wailing tone.
"I wish you would believe me, that I am in as great trouble about it as you are." "But your men.

They are close here, then, and they frightened these people away." "I suppose so.

I don't know," said Archy.
"Don't they know that you are here ?" "No." "But you will go and tell all you have found out ?" "Yes," said Archy, slowly as he strained his eyes to try and make out the speaker.
"That my father, Sir Risdon Graeme, has smuggled goods here ?" "What else can I do ?" replied Archy sadly.
There was a sound of breath being drawn sharply through the teeth, and then the voice seemed changed as the next words came,-- "Do you know what this means ?" Archy was silent.
"They will put him in prison, and--and--" There was a low burst of sobbing, and the young midshipman felt his own breast swell.
Suddenly the sobbing ceased, and the girl said slowly,-- "You shall not tell.

It is not my father's doing.