“I am,” laughed Sir John, folding long cloak about him—“especially to-night!”
“Umph-humph!” exclaimed Sir Hector, and strode forth of the inn.
CHAPTER XXV
TELLETH HOW SIR JOHN BEHELD THE GHOST
Down a dark and narrow lane Sir Hector led them, across a wide meadow, over a dim stream spanned by footbridge, along a glimmering road overhung by rustling trees, through a gate and so to a grassy, wind-swept upland crowned by a hedge with a mystery of trees beyond; a desolate gloom full of ghostly stirrings, with mournful sighs and groanings in every wind-gust. Here Sir Hector paused suddenly and stood very still and silent.
“And, pray, what now?” questioned Sir John.
“Whisht, lad! Can ye no’ see I’m listenin’?”
“Aye, but why are you here? What do you purpose, Hector?”
“Wull ye no’ be still, John?”
“Not until I know why you run such needless risk. If the preventive officers discover us we shall be apprehended as accessories. If you attempt to stay them in their duty, you will be branded as a smuggler yourself——”