Page:In the Roar of the Sea.djvu/125

Rh chill out of your stomach and the damp out of your chest."

But Coppinger did not wait to decline the offer. He turned at once, left the house, and dashed the door back as he stepped out into the night. He had not gone a hundred paces along the road before he heard voices, and recognized that of Mr. Scantlebray—

"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?"

"I'll trouble you to let me pass."

Coppinger thrust the Preventive man aside, and went on his way.

When he was beyond ear-shot, Scantlebray said—"I trust he did not notice me along with you. You see, the night is too dirty. Let him bless his stars, it has saved him."

"I should like to see Jenkyns," said the officer. "I am almost certain I heard a pistol-shot; but when I sent in the direction whence it came, there was no one to be seen. It's a confounded dark night."

"I hope they've not give us the slip, Captain?" said Wyvill.

"Impossible," answered the officer. "Impossible. I took every precaution. They did not go out to-night. As Mr. Scantlebray says, the night was too dirty."

Then they went on.

In the meantime Coppinger was making the best of his way to the downs. He knew his direction even in