“Eh? Yes,” cried the officer. “What do you know about him?”
“Only that we had a few words together.”
“And you know that he was missed?”
“I did not know till you told me,” said Aleck.
“Didn’t know, I suppose, that there was that struggle over yonder by the cove last night, eh?”
“Yes,” said Aleck, frankly; “I saw some of it.”
“Ah! Then you were with the smugglers, eh?”
“No,” replied Aleck; and he briefly related his experience, including his being awakened by shots.
“Ah, to be sure,” said the officer; “they’re a nice daring set of scoundrels—fired on the King’s men; but we got the rascals who did. Well, sir, what’s become of our officer?”
“How should I know?” said Aleck, staring.