The St. Johns herald., 1900-09-01
] A LACK OF PROOF ]

my handsl" Dick looked at the speaker, Lieut.. Curwen. of the revenue, seated on the keg in triumph; he looked at the landlord of the Green Dragon, a prisoner like himself; at the two revenue men who guarded the door, and he thought dolefully that there was some truth in the lieutenant's s remark. All night Dick had been ou. in the Betsy Jane. and though, of course, being a mere visitor to this lit- tle seaside inn, he had only gone for the sake of the sail and the excitement, 1t was impossible to deny that. when The lugger dropped anchor in the black pool some time before dawn, Is kegs had been landed, and he had helped 10 land them. For all Dick cared-or knew-they might have contained wa ter. Fourteen went into the country in the charge of silent men who seemed 10 know their road even by that half light. One, notwithstanding the re- monstrances of the Betsy Jane's skip per, who declared it dangerous pro- eeeding, had been placed on a bar row and wheeled up to the Green Dragon by Dick and Mir. Prendergast, . landlord of the same. Prendergast was positive that the gaugers had no ink ling of the landing; Dick was content to regard the cask as a cask-whicl might contain water. The conse- quence was that no sooner had they in- stalled the keg in this attic than rap at the door came, followed by the en- try of Lieut.. Curwen and dozen rev. enue men. Dick and the landlord were at once arrested. That was the miser- able fact. True, Prendergast. before he lapsed into sulky silence. had con- veyed to Dick that the other I4 kegs, after which the lieutenant had sent ten of his men, were safe from pursuit. But there was little consolation in that The fact remained that here was the discriminating keg. and the lieutenant seated upon it in fanatical triumph. He was only waiting for the return of his men before he took the prisoners and the spoil up to the squire's.
 Dick looked the miserable fact in the face. The worst of it was that the squire would take the lieutenant's view, for he detested smuggling. No doubt Dick could show the absurdity of pressing such charge against him seriously, but to have been found aid- ing or abetting, even by his presence, would lose him the squire's favor, which he had been at desperate pains to acquire. Probably, too, it would lose him the squire's consent-not yet besought-to the hand of his daugh- ter. Besides, it was this Curwen's tri- umph. The long-faced, fanatical fel- low. was jealous, pointless though his jealousy was. He had waited for his chance against Dick, and seemed to fancy he had got it.
 "The Lord hath delivered yew into my hands," he repeated.
 Think so?" said Dick, dubiously.
 'Tew of my men saw yew landing kegs from the lugger; they saw yew wheel this one in barrow up to tn inn"
 "It's uncommonly hard work wheel ing barrow" said Dick.
 Twill not assist yew to make mockery of your crime"
 True, my dear sir, quite true," said Dick, feigning levity he did not feel. ! But you see my contention is that | so far as I'm aware-there is no brandy i in that keg."
 The lieutenant did not 6eign to re- ply, but drummed his heels on the | cask, which gave back a gurgling, 1 Iiquorish sound.
 "Soda water, perhaps" Dick suggest ed, pleasantly.
 A knock was heard at the door, and ] the lieutenant said, "Coom in," pomp- | olislyr. Entered Sal Prendergast, with a tear-stained face.
 < 4 sF Is -a1Ietter," she said, diffidently, 'fer Mir. Shenston."
 'May the captive of your spear re- eeiye communications Dick asked, afrably.
 From whom does the letter come?" demanded the lieutenant
 From Miss Judy, sur," said Sal, and ! his brows contracted angrily. 'She 1 was passen and seed me cryen-"
 
 said the lieutenant.
 Not ef ma fathers taken by the gaugers an charged O runnen kags?' Sal flashed out. Miss Judy dew not think so, and when I tailed her she said it was a sheame-"
 Peace. girl" said the lieutenant.
 What more did she say?" Dick asked, eagerly.
 "Nothen of importance, said Sal. The lieutenant had taken possession of the note and was examining the If he had opened it. as he seemed half inclined to do, Dicks crime would have extended to assault and battery. But he handed it over, saying, grimly:
 ''It's going beyond my dewties-but II I know squire, it'll be the last you get"
 You certainly go beyond your luties." said Dick, opening it tendps. y. Evidently Miss Judy had been dis rusttul of the duteous lieutenant. for he note was written in French. Translated it raR-
 Keep the lieutenant in conversa- ion for % minutes from now. Re member that-so far as you know here is no brandy in the cask. At the md of that time there will be none -J."
 Dear girl" said Dick to himself. But what on earth she means I can lot make out. If she were to offer to onverse with Curwen or drug him it would be different matter" But here was the keg and Curwen seated n it, and Dick failed to see how the 'randy was to evaporate. Still he vor.ld do T,,I1.s b;l5s-