"Speak out, for I have no time to lose." "Oh, I'll speak plainly enough," growled the man; "on'y do you like it ?" "Do you mean that a foreign vessel is going to land a quantity of Hollands to-night ?" "Never said nothing o' the sort, Master Orficer.

Why, if I was to come and say a thing like that, and folks ashore knowed on it, there'd be a haxiden." "What do you mean, sir ?" "Some un would run up agin me atop o' the cliff, and I should go over, and there'd be an end o' me." "You mean to say that if it was known that you informed, you would be in peril of your life ?" "No, I don't mean to say nothing o' the kind, master.

I only says to you that there's going to be a drop to be got in a place I knows, and if you care to say to a chap like me--never you mind who he is--show me where this drop of Hollands gin is to be got, and I'll give you--for him, you know--fifty pounds, it would be done." "Look here, my lad, if you have got any valuable information to give, wouldn't it be better for you to speak out plainly ?" "Didn't come twenty mile in my boat and get here in the dark, for you to teach me how to ketch fish, Master Orficer." "Twenty miles!" said the lieutenant sharply; "where are you from ?" "Out o' my boat as is made fast 'longside.

Is it fifty pound or aren't it ?" "Fifty pound is a great deal of money, my man.

Your information may not be worth fifty pence.