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Rh rascally thieves!" yelled he, as soon as he caught sight of Tregenna. "Your parson and his daughter are in league with the smugglers, damn them!"

"Why, what—what mean you, general?"

"We've searched the house, from garret to cellar; and devil a ghost of a smuggler is there in the place."

Tregenna glanced quickly from the brigadier to the hay-cart, which was just clear of the lane. As he did so, he was on the point of suggesting to the brigadier that he and his soldiers should follow that vehicle, when he was stopped by seeing Ann Price raise her arm, while, at the same moment, she hailed him in a clear voice—

"Sir, one moment! Will you come hither, sir?"

It was plainly Tregenna whom she addressed. It is doubtful whether the brigadier even recognized his charmer of the daylight hours, for the frown did not lift from his brows, neither did he salute her in any way.

Tregenna, with a word to his companion, returned quickly to the woman's side.

"Maybe, sir," said she, in the same low,