"She's swinging in now. I beat her up on the tug."
"Very well. You may go."
The spotter hastened away and the detectives eagerly read his letter.
It was full of valuable information for which they sent the man and having read the letter they hastened to the pier.
The big trans-Atlantic steamer was just tying up to her dock and the detectives saw the Collector and his inspectors standing on the pier waiting for the passengers to land.
CHAPTER II.
NINE SMUGGLERS.
A scene of great animation and excitement was soon transpiring on the pier.
Passengers were swarming down the gangplank of the big steamer, crowds of friends were waiting to greet them, porters and waiters were landing the baggage on the dock and stevedores were preparing to discharge the cargo.