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Rh "Yes," agreed Smuff profoundly, "we came away."

"In a hurry," suggested Joe sarcastically.

Collig and Smuff looked uncomfortable. To tell the truth they had been so impressed by the fearful stories they had heard of the house on the cliff that they had stayed no longer than was necessary. They had merely asked a few perfunctory questions of Redhead, had received his explanation of the finding of the cap, and had then hastened from the farm as quickly as was consistent with dignity.

"We've done our duty," declared Chief Collig. "No man can do more."

And with that the boys had to be content.

But they were not satisfied.

"There's some connection between this smuggling outfit and the house on the cliff," declared Frank. "This man Snackley is mixed up in all this, I'm sure."

"Didn't mother say he was related to Felix Polucca?"

"Yes—and isn't it likely that he inherited the Polucca farm after the old miser died? Perhaps that's what encouraged him to move his smuggling operations here."

"Perhaps Snackley was one of the two men we saw at the farm."

"I wouldn't be surprised," said Frank. "But what I'm thinking of is this—where did