Unconscious of the bo’sun’s melancholy reflections, Jack was hurrying toward the village. There he again hired the gig, and drove once more over the same road, leaving Middleton so as to reach the neighborhood of Luscombe about dusk. With him he took the iron steps. He made his way with great caution to Gumley’s cottage. This time he did not hail the old sailor from the roadway, but got over the fence and tapped at the window. When he was admitted, he announced without preliminary the object of his visit. "I want you to come and lend a hand, Gumley." "Might I axe how and wherefore, sir?" "I’ll tell you that as we go along." "’Tis not to go back on old messmates, sir?" "Your old messmates have gone back on you. But ’tis not that, and, anyway, I call upon you, Joe Gumley, in the king’s name—" "Oh, if you put it like that, sir, I don’t axe no questions. The king’s name is enough for me." "I know it. Come along, and bring Comely with you." The three set out, Gumley curiously eying Jack’s bundle. "We’re bound for Congleton’s Hollow, Gumley." "Ay, ay, sir." "Any news since I saw you last?" "Nary much, sir. Young Bill Gudgeon haven’t bin seen since. And the preventives have bin paying surprise visits down in the village." "That’s well. The smugglers won’t have dared to remove their cargo." "Ah! I knowed as how they’d made another run." "How did you know that? You keep yourself to yourself, you know." "True, sir. But old Gudgeon’s chimbleys do be uncommon foul, to be sure." "What’s that to do with it?" "Why, sir, I were thinking that’s the only thing I’ve seed to-day. But he’ll soon be leaving off fires. Be you gwine to the Hollow by the lane, sir?" "Yes. ’Tis a little longer way round, but I don’t want to meet anybody." "True, sir. Comely will give us good notice if any one is about." They came at length to the Hollow. Jack led the way through the trees to within a hundred yards of the tower, and searched the neighborhood thoroughly to make sure that no one was on the watch. "Now, Gumley, I’m going up to the room at the top. Not through the door, but up the outside with the help of these steps." He opened his bundle. "See, they fit into holes in the wall. Are you sailor enough still to come up after me and bring down the steps when I’ve got to the top?" "Try me, sir. True, I’ve only one leg, but that’s sound; and my arms—look at ’em, sir." "That’s all right. When you’ve got the steps, hide in the bushes with Comely until you hear me whistle. Then you’ll come and take charge of a man I think you’ll find here." "Ay, ay, sir." Jack mounted, Gumley after him. The latter removed the steps and disappeared into the thicket, while Jack closed the trap-door, and sat on the rickety chair, waiting.