"Nonsense!" cried Archy angrily. "Absurd! Who ever heard of a phantom lobster-boat?"

d.i.c.k shook his head, and then sat playing with the handle of his oar.

"You d.i.c.k," cried Archy, "you're a goose! There, it will not be safe to land, my lads. Here, you two jump ash.o.r.e as we back in. Mind, just as the sea's off the ledge; and run up and have a good look round."

The boat was turned, backed in, and, seizing the right moment, the men jumped on to the rock just as the water was only ankle-deep, had a good search round, and came back, to be picked up again safely, though the boat was within an ace of being capsized.

But they had seen nothing. There was no boat, and they searched along some distance east, turned back to the ledge and went west, still without elucidation of the mystery; then they went as close under the cliffs as they dared go, in the hope of finding some cavern or pa.s.sage through the rocks that escaped notice from outside.

All in vain, and, obeying the signal now flying on the cutter, the boat was rowed back.

"Well, Mr Raystoke, where's the boat?"

"Don't know, sir. We never got sight of her."

"Then you must have been asleep," cried the lieutenant angrily. "There, breakfast, my lads, and be smart."

After the meal, Gurr was left in the charge of the cutter, while the lieutenant accompanied Archy to search for the high cliff which contained the old quarry, and they rowed east for a couple of miles in vain. But, after pulling back to the starting-point, and making for the other direction, they had not gone four hundred yards under the cliff before the midshipman exclaimed excitedly,--

"There; that's the place: there!"

"Then why didn't you say so when we were on deck? You could have seen it there."

"I could not tell without seeing it close in, sir; and besides it looks so different from right out yonder."

"But are you sure this is right?"

"Oh yes, sir. Look, that's the place--where there is that narrow rift, and if you look high up there is a hole. There, I can see it plainly."

"Humph! Can you? Well, I cannot!"

"But you can see that broad ledge, sir, about two hundred feet up.

That's where I climbed down to, and we had the struggle--that boy and I."

"No, I can't see any ledges, Mr Raystoke. There may be one there, but if you had not been upon it, I don't believe you would know that there was one."

Archy looked up at the towering pile of rock, and was obliged to own that he was right. He shivered slightly as he swept the face of the cliff for the various points that had helped him in his descent, and, as he gazed out there in cold blood, it seemed to have been an extremely mad idea to have attempted the descent.

"Well, it is impossible to land here," continued the lieutenant. "You are certain that this is the place?"

"Certain, sir."

"Good. Then we'll go back to the cutter, and this evening a strong party shall land. I'll lead them myself, and we'll try and surprise them. It's quite likely that the signals I saw last night may mean business for to-night. If so, we shall be on the spot."

"Won't you go at once?" Archy ventured to observe.

"No, certainly not; what would be the good? We would be watched, of course, and the scoundrels would signal from hill to hill, and our every step would be known. This evening, my lad, at dusk. Now, my lads, give way."

The boat was rowed rapidly from under the shadow of the mighty cliff, and the midshipman could not repress a shudder as he noticed how swiftly the current ran right out to sea, and fully realised what would have been the consequences to any one who had tried to swim along the coast if he had managed to descend in safety to the cliff foot.

Back on board the cutter there was a fair amount of bustle and excitement among the men, for, after months of unfruitful hanging about the coast, chasing luggers which proved to be empty, following false leads to get them off the scent or out of the way when contraband goods were to be landed, here was genuine information at last, the smugglers having, after such long immunity, placed themselves in the hands of the King's men.

Consequently cutla.s.ses were being filed up, pistols carefully examined as to their flints and nicked off to see that they threw a good shower of sparks into the pans, and the men sat and talked together as eagerly as if they were about proceeding upon a pleasant jaunt, instead of upon a risky expedition which might result in death to several, and certainly would in serious injury.

"Yes," the lieutenant said, "rats will run away as long as they can, but when driven to the end of their holes they will fight."

"But will they dare, do you think, sir?" said Archy.

"Dare! Yes, my lad. You had a bit of a taste of it the other night when they were surprised in the lane. They will be more savage in their holes, and therefore, as you are so young, I should like you to go with the men, show them the way, and then leave them to do the work."

Archy stared at him.

"Yes: I mean it. Of course as an officer you cannot shrink from your duty, but, as you are a mere boy, it is not your duty to go and fight against strong men who are sure to get the better of you."

"But they are not all men there, sir," said the midshipman, with a look of disappointment getting heavier in his face. "There's a boy there-- that young rascal who came after the cow. I owe him such a thrashing that I must have a turn at him."

"Ah, that's different," said the lieutenant; "and it will keep up appearances. But take care to confine yourself to fighting with him.

And--er--I would not use my pistol, Raystoke."

"Not shoot, sir?"

"Well--no. I want to destroy this wasps' nest, but in as merciful a way as possible. I have given orders to the men, and I wish you to mind too--I don't want to kill the wasps, but to make them prisoners."

"Yes, sir, I see."

"They are not French wasps, or Dutch wasps, but English. You understand?"

"Quite, sir."

"That's right. Another hour and you may be off. You think you can find the place?"

"I do not feel a doubt about it, sir."

"Well, it's going to be a dark night, and you and Mr Gurr will have to be careful over your men. You had better keep as close to the cliff as you can, for, of course, the entrance must be somewhere near. I have given Mr Gurr full instructions. You are to search and find the place, and if found hold it, but if you do not find it you will be back on board by daybreak, and another expedition must be made by day. If we can surprise them by night, when they think all is safe, it may save bloodshed. If we are obliged to go by day, they will have good warning, and be prepared to receive us, though they may be now. I wish I was going with you, but that cannot be."

CHAPTER THIRTY SIX.

Everything was arranged on board, so that no watcher armed with a gla.s.s who scanned the ship should suspect that an expedition was on hand; but as soon as it was dark the men were ordered into two boats, one commanded by Gurr, with whom was Archy, the other by the boatswain, only leaving a very small crew on board with the lieutenant. Then they pushed off, rowing with m.u.f.fled oars, and keeping right away from the cliffs, so that any watcher there should have no indication of their pa.s.sing.

The quiet little cove was still a couple of miles away, when Archy suddenly touched the master's arm as he sat there holding his cutla.s.s.

"Yes; what is it?"

For answer the midshipman leaned forward, and pointed to where, far back and apparently opposite to the cutter, a couple of faint lights could be seen high up and away from the cliff.

"Humph! Lights," said Gurr; "but they may be up at some cottage. What do you think?"