The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1900-07-12
T A LACK OF PROOF !



speaker, Lieut.. Curwen, of the revenue,
seated on the key in triumph he
looked at the landlord of the Green
Dragon, 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
remark. All night Dick had been OUT
in the Betsy Jane, and though, of
course, being Il mere visitor to this lit
tie seaside inn, he had only gone for
the sake of the sail and the excitement,
it 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 TO
land them. For all Dick cared--or
knew-they might have contained wa
ter. Fourteen went into the country
il the charge of silent men who seemed
TO know their road even by that half
light. One, notwithstanding the re-
monstrances Of the Betsy James skip
per, who declared it dangerous pro-
ceeding, had been placed on a bar
row and wheeled up to the Green
Dragon by Dick and Mr.. 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-which
might contain water. The conse-
quence was that no sooner had they in
stalled the key in this attic than rap
at the door came, followed by the en-
try of Lieut. Curwen and a dozen rev.
enue men. Dick and the landlord were
at once arrested. That was the miser-
able fact. True, Prendergast. before
he lapsed into sullly silence, had con-
veyed TO Dick that the other IA kegs.
after which the lieutenant had sent
ten of his men, We're safe from pursuit.
But there was little consolation in that.
The fact remained that here was the
discriminating key, and the lieutenant
seated upon it in fanatical triumph.
He was only waiting for the retcrn 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 a 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 fell
low was jealous, pointless though his
jealousy was. lie 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 SOP" said Dick, obviously.
''Tew of my men saw yew landing
legs from the lugger; they saw yew
wheel this one in barrow up to tn
inn"
IT'S 'lncommoniy hard work wheel
ing a ban row." said Dick.
"'Twill cot assist yew to make a
mockery of your crime"
"True, my dea~ sir, quite true" said
Dick, feigning a let;ty he did not feel
But you see my COM anton is that
so far as I'm aware-the. is no brandy
in that kcg."
The lieutenant did not Geign to re-
ply, but drummed his heels on the
cask, which gave back gurgling
liquorish sound
Soda water, perhaps" Dick suggest
ed, pleasantly.
A knock was heard at the door, and
the lieutenant said, Coon in" pomp-
ously, Entered Sal Prendergast, with
a tear-stained face.
Ills a letter." she said, diffdently,
'for Mr.. Shen8ton."
May the captive of your spear re-
ceive communicate ns?" Dick asked,
atfQbIy.
"From whom does the letter Gomez"
demanded the lieutenant.
Prom Miss Judy, sur" said Sal, and
his brows contracted angrily. She
was passen and seed me cryen-"
"Thou shalt not mourn for the
wicked" said the lieutenant.
"Not eff 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
superscription. If he had opened it,
as ne seemed half inclined to do,
Dicks crime would have extended to
assault and battery. But he handed
it over, saying, grimly:
cts going beyond my dewties-but
If | know squire, it'll be the last you
get"
"You certainly go beyond your
duties said Dick, opening it tender
IL Eudently Miss Judy had been dis
'vrstful of the duteous lieutenant, for
Fhe note was written in French.
Translated it ran:
Keep he lieutenant in conversa-
ton for 90 minutes from now. Re-