“Well, sur,” said he, without any of the bold expression that usually characterised him, “what can a man do when he’s to be well paid for the job? I do confess that I don’t half like it, but, after all, what have we got to do weth the opinions of owld aunts or uncles? If a gurl do choose to go off wi’ the man she likes, that’s no matter to we, an’ if I be well paid for lendin’ a hand, why shouldn’t I? But it do puzzle me, Mr Tregarthen, to guess how yow did come to knaw of it.”
“That don’t signify,” said Tregarthen sternly. “Do you know who the girl is?”
“I don’t knaw, an’ I don’t care,” said Jim doggedly.
“What would you say if I told you it was Miss Rose Ellis?” said Charlie.
“I’d say thee was a liard,” replied Cuttance.
“Then I do tell you so.”
“Thee don’t mean that!” exclaimed the smuggler, with a blaze of amazement and wrath in his face.
“Indeed I do.”
“Whew!” whistled Jim, “then that do explain the reason why that smooth-tongued feller said he would car’ her to the boat close veiled up for fear the men should see her.”
A rapid consultation was now held by the two as to the proper mode of proceeding. Cuttance counselled an immediate capture of the culprit, and pitching him off the end of Cape Cornwall; but Tregarthen advised that they should wait until Clearemout seized his victim, otherwise they could not convict him, because he would deny any intention of evil against Rose, and pretend that some other girl, who had been scared away by their impetuosity, was concerned, for they might depend on it he’d get up a plausible story and defeat them.