“Where’s Allstone?” cried Hilary as he led his men into the desolate-looking hall.
“Hey?”
“I say where’s Allstone, the scoundrel?” shouted Hilary.
“I’m very sorry, but I can’t hear a word you say, young man. I’ve been stone-deaf ever sin’ I came to take care o’ this house five year ago. It’s a terrifying damp place.”
“Where are the men?” shouted Hilary with his lips to her ear.
“Men? No, no; I ar’n’t feared o’ your men,” said the old lady. “They won’t hurt a poor old crittur like me.”
“There, spread out and search the place,” said Hilary. “She’s as deaf as a post. Whistle for help whoever finds the rascals.”
Detaining four men Hilary made his way to the kitchen, and then to the passage by the vault-door and the chapel, to find all wide open; and upon a light being obtained Hilary was about to descend, but, fearing a trap, he left two of his men on guard and went down into the vault, to find it empty. There was some old rubbish and the nets, but that was all. Short as had been the time the smugglers had cleared the place.
He went into the chapel and to Sir Henry and Adela’s rooms, to find the old furniture there, but that was all; and at the end of a good half-hour’s search the party of sailors stood together in the hall, with the deaf old woman staring at them and they staring at each other, waiting their officer’s commands.
“Ar’n’t there not going to be no fight?” growled Tom Tully.