“You must have seen something of what went on after we started back.”
“No,” said Aleck. “There seemed to be no one there but the women.”
“But you saw them and heard what they said? You heard them talking about him?”
“No, I did not go near the women.”
“Why?” said the officer, sharply.
“Because I was afraid they would think I had something to do with the press-gang coming.”
“Well, he must be found. He’s here somewhere.”
“Is there any possibility of the poor young fellow having been knocked overboard during the struggle?”
“Not the slightest,” replied the officer, shortly. “He may have been knocked down somewhere on the way between the cottages, where we pounced upon the men, and the landing-place. Well, he must be found.”
“Of course,” said the captain, quietly. “You will go up, then, and search the smugglers’ cottages—fishermen they call themselves?”