“Jump in then, all of you,” said the lieutenant.
We wanted no further asking, and the men pushed off and rowed straight for the little bay, where in due time we arrived in face of the caves.
“And a good snug place too,” said the lieutenant. “Good sandy bottom for running the lugger ashore. Nice game must have been carried on here. Come, Captain Duncan,” he continued in a jocular tone, “you knew of this place years ago.”
“I give you my word of honour, sir,” replied my father coldly, “that I was quite unaware of even the existence of the caverns till a few days ago; and even then I did not know that they were applied to this purpose.”
“Humph! And you so near!”
“You forget, sir, that my house is two miles and a half along the coast, and I have only lately purchased the Gap.”
My father was evidently very much annoyed, but as a brother officer he felt himself bound in duty to put up with his visitor’s impertinences, and accordingly he said very little that was resentful.
The men rowed on steadily, and as my father grew more reserved in his answers the officer turned to Bob Chowne.
“So you were there when the cargo was landed, were you?” he said.
“Yes,” replied Bob coolly.