“He is, then, a person of some note?”
“He is probably the most efficient man now in the service of the United States government,” returned Lieutenant Winters.
“H’m, yes—I see. You will pardon me for seeming inquisitive, and particularly when you have come to question me, rather than allow me to question you, but are you not comparatively new to the service on the St. Lawrence?”
“Yes, sir; I have been here only a few months,” replied the lieutenant.
“H’m, yes; transferred from the gulf service, I believe?”
“Why, yes, but I was not aware that such knowledge was in your possession.”
“I know a great many things, Lieutenant Winters, that I am not credited with knowing. I know, for instance, that when you were transferred to this part of the country, you were given a letter to be delivered in person to Stanwood Gray, if you chanced to meet him.”
“I—I—why, I beg your pardon, sir, but—”
The lieutenant paused in confusion.
What manner of man was this smuggler chief, who knew so many of the government secrets? No wonder he had been able to so long elude the officials.