"But there es, Maaster Tresidder. Not a week agone a boat-load of sperits was landed at Polventor." "At Polventor! Why, I thought you kept a sharp look-out there. Besides, only fisher folk live there." "'Iss, but tes they fishermen that do do et. Ye see, they go out so they zay to catch fish, and then afore mornin' they do come across the big smugglers' boats, and taake the things to the coves they do know 'bout. They be all of a piece, Maaster Tresidder." "Well, keep a sharp look-out, Grose, and bring them before me, and I'll see that they don't do any more smuggling for a few months." "I'm glad we've 'ad this 'ere talk, sur, you bein' a majistraate. But we must be off, sur." "Good-afternoon. By the way, if you call at Pennington to-night about ten I shall be glad to see you. You will perhaps be able to report progress by that time." "Thank 'ee kindly, sur. Good afternoon." Richard Tresidder and his son Nick then sat down on a rock near, and both began to smoke, and then, when the Preventive officers were out of sight, they laughed merrily. "I wonder if they know that the grog they have drunk at Pennington was made of smuggled brandy?" asked the father. "Not they. Why, you are noted for your hardness on law-breakers." "Just so. By the way, you have heard no more about Jasper, I suppose? I heard last night he was hiding in Granfer Fraddam's Cave, that was why I got those fellows to search for the place." "Nothing definite. It's believed that he's around here somewhere, but where I don't know. The fellow is mad, I think. It would be better for him to clear off altogether. The sentence is a flogging and then another trial, isn't it?" "Yes; but nothing is being done. I believe if he were caught he would be allowed to go free. I don't believe they want to catch him." "You see, the people think he's been badly treated, and Lawyer Trefry has blabbed about old Pennington's will. Everybody says now that you've done your utmost to keep him poor. Why in the world didn't grandmother get him to give it you out and out? If the beggar should have a stroke of luck he might get it for a few thousands." "But where can he get them now? His last chance is gone. What can a lad, without money, home, or friends, do? That's settled all right." "I don't know about that. He's clever and he's determined. Why did he continue to stay around here? He must have something in his mind." "He's a fool, that's all. He has a savage sort of idea that by watching me he's taking care of his own interests. That shows what a short-sighted fellow he is. If he'd brains he'd have acted otherwise. You will see, he'll get himself in the clutches of the law again, and then--I'll manage him." "But if we can't find him? I tell you Jasper isn't a fool, and he knows our purposes by this time."