"I don't think they can arrest you," said Jimmy, "but they may arrest me. And anyhow, there are other things to consider besides arrests. There's your reputation, Mrs. Eames, and Uncle Evie's, and the bishop's, and—well, all the people who've been down here, patrons of the pageant and so forth. When this scandal comes out——"
Even Mrs. Eames, though conscious of complete innocence, saw that a scandal would be most unpleasant for everyone, and very damaging for men like Sir Evelyn and the bishop.
"But Jimmy has a plan," said Beth. "If only Uncle Timothy will agree to it. Jimmy, what is your plan?"
Jimmy explained a simple but promising scheme. The examination of the cave and the seizure of the smuggled goods would not take place until the next day. If, in the meanwhile, all the brandy, wine and silk could be removed from the cave the Customs officers would find no smuggled goods. There would therefore be no evidence that contraband goods had been landed or that any smuggling had actually been done. Whatever suspicions might be entertained there would be no sort of proof.
"But we can't get the things out of the cave with a policeman on guard," said Beth. "Unless—— Oh, Jimmy, the hole from the church into the cave! Could we?"
"We can," said Jimmy, "if the vicar will let us."
"I won't have poor darling Timothy mixed up in it," said Mrs. Eames. "He's never done anything wrong in his life."
"I don't think this is very wrong," said Beth.
"It's helping a fraud," said Mrs. Eames, "and that is wrong. What is it called? Accessory after the fact or something. Anyhow it's wrong and Timothy mustn't do it. They can arrest me if they like and put me in prison, but I won't have Timothy dragged into it."
She put her arm round his neck and stood beside him, her free hand tightly clenched, the fire of defiance in her eyes.