"I feel it," I answered; "what's its quarter?"
"Seems to be off the land," said he.
"There is a man!" cried Grace, arresting me by a drag at my arm.
A figure stood at the head of the steps, and I believed it one of our men until a few strides brought us near enough to witness the gleam of uniform buttons, showing by the pale light of a lamp at a short distance from him.
"A douanier," said I. "Nothing to be afraid of, my pet."
"But if he should stop us, Herbert?" cried she, halting.
"Sooner than that should happen," rumbled Caudel, "I'd chuck him overboard. But why should he stop us, miss? We ain't smugglers."
"I would rather throw myself into the water than be taken back," exclaimed my sweetheart. I gently induced her to walk, whilst my captain advancing to the edge of the quay and looking down, sang out:
"Below there! Are ye awake?"
"Ay, wide awake," was the answer, floating up in hearty English accents from the cold, dark surface on which the boat lay.