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Rh smuggled goods were stowed away here; but much does not come this way now," with a sigh.

"It goes to Red Hall instead," said Rebow. "Ah! if you were there, your life would be a merry one. There! take the keg. I have had trouble enough bringing it here. You stow it away where you like, yourself; and draw me a glass, I am dry."

He flung himself in the chair again, and let the old woman take up and hug the keg, and carry it off to some secure hiding-place where in days gone by many much larger barrels of brandy and wine had been stored away. She soon returned.

"I have not tapped this," she said. "The liquor will be muddy. I have drawn a little from the other that you gave me."

Elijah took the glass and tossed it off. He was chuckling to himself.

"You will say a word for me to Glory."

"Rely on me, Elijah. None has been so good to me as you. None has given me anything for my chill but you. But Mehalah will find it out, I reckon; she suspects already."

He paid no heed to her words.

"So she is not mine, nor the house, nor the marshes, nor the saltings, nor the fish and fowl!" he muttered derisively to himself.

"I paid eight hundred pounds for the Ray and all that therein is," he continued, "let alone what I paid the lawyer." He rubbed his hands. Then he rose again, and took his gun.

"I'm off," he said, and strode to the door.

At the same moment Mehalah appeared at it, her face clear and smiling. She looked handsomer than ever.

"Well!" snarled Rebow, arresting her, "what did he give you?"

"That is no concern of yours," answered the girl, and she tried to pass. He put his fowling piece across the door and barred the way.

"What did he give you?" he asked in his dogged manner.

"I might refuse to answer," she said carelessly, "but I do not mind your knowing; the whole Ray and Mersea,