Then, turning to the captain, he said, shortly:
“I shall have to search your place, sir,” and then rather jeeringly, as if suggesting that it would not matter in the least if the captain objected, he added: “I presume that you will not put difficulties in my way?”
“None whatever, sir,” said the captain. “And as an old commissioned officer in his Majesty’s service should feel it my duty to help in any way I could.”
“Eh? Oh, thank you,” said the officer, changing his manner. “I beg your pardon. I heard the people called you captain, but I supposed that you were captain of some fishing or trading boat.”
The captain bowed coldly.
“Aleck,” he said, “do you know anything about Dunning being intimate with the smugglers?”
“Yes, uncle; I have been suspecting it lately.”
“Oh, Master Aleck!” came from outside. “Me? How can you say such a word! When did you ever know me smuggle anything? Oh, my dear lad, tell the truth; when did you—whenever did you know me smuggle anything?”
“Often,” said Aleck, bluntly.
“What; tea and sperrits and ’bacco and silk?”