“I tell you the vessel is the Black Prince, and I know he was to have unloaded her to-night.”
“Anyhow he is not doing so. Not a sign of him.”
“The night is too dirty.”
“Wyvill—” Coppinger knew that the Captain at the head of the coast-guard was speaking. “Wyvill, I heard a pistol-shot. Where is Jenkyns? If you had not been by me I should have said you had acted wide of your orders. Has any one seen Jenkyns?”
“No, sir.”
“Who is that?”
Suddenly a light flashed forth, and glared upon Coppinger. The Captain in command of the coast-guard uttered an oath.
“You out to-night, Mr. Coppinger! Where do you come from?”
“As you see—from Polzeath.”
“Humph! From no other direction?”