Brack must have discovered Hector in Torquay, and hidden him until he could get him on the _Sea-mew_. Where had he found him? That story was to be told. They were only just in time; Ben thought what might have happened had they missed the _Sea-mew_ and had to return to Torquay, and shuddered. He vowed again that Hector should not be recaptured; no, not if he had to sail the _Sea-mew_ half the world round, and fight for him. It would be weeks, perhaps months, before the fever-stricken man became well, and there was no better hiding-place than the _Sea-mew_, and no better doctor than the sea and its attendant breeze. Brack, rowing from the _London Belle_, saw the _Sea-mew_ moving slowly toward the entrance to the bay. "He's safe; they'll never part with him. Brack, you're not such a bad sort after all! I wonder where's Hackler got to--perhaps he didn't follow us," thought the old boatman. He lay on his oars and watched the _Sea-mew's_ lights until they disappeared. "There's a boat comin' now--wonder if it's him?" he said with a chuckle. "I'm ready for him, anyway." CHAPTER IX LENISE ELROY "You'll have to hurry," said Hackler impatiently as the seaman slouched round for his boat. "That's my craft over there; I'll have her alongside in a bit," said the man. "Can't we take this boat?" "No, I'll get my own; besides, I'm used to her." It seemed a long time to Carl before the man brought the boat alongside and he was seated in her. "Row faster!" said Carl. "Wait until we're out of the harbor; it's rather dark." "Go ahead, pull!" The man obeyed. He was not such a skillful pilot as Brack; as they reached the wall he pulled hard with his right and the boat crashed into the stonework. Carl shot forward, bruising his face; there was a sound of splintering timber; the boatman fell forward. When they recovered, Carl cursed him for a blundering fool. The man found the boat leaked badly; there was nothing for it but to row back as fast as possible and take another. This caused a delay and enabled Brack to put Hector aboard the _Sea-mew_ and row round by the _London Belle_ in time. "Who goes there?" shouted Brack. Carl was sick of the whole business; he was glad to hear Brack's voice. He had been to the _London Belle_, his story was correct. What a fool he, Carl, had been for his pains! There was no answer to Brack's hail. Carl said to the man: "Keep on rowing; never mind him." This did not suit Brack's purpose. He had no desire for Carl to go on board the _London Belle_; that would upset everything. Brack went after the boat, quickly overtaking it. By the dim light he saw who was in it. "You again!" he said with a laugh. "What yer scouring the bay at this time o' night for? Looking for pirates?" "No, smugglers!" said Carl. "Hope ye'll catch 'em. Where do they hail from? I thought the days of smuggling in Torbay were over. Better come with me; I'll row you back quicker than him," said Brack.