But Judge Terry's legal mind was struck with the beauty and simplicity of this ruse. "Hold on!" he cried. "If we ship them in a boat, the seizure will be piracy. If they intercept those arms, they're pirates, and we can legally call on the Federal forces--_and they'll be compelled to respond, egad!_" "They're pretty smart; suppose they smell a rat?" asked Miles doubtfully. "Then we'll have the muskets where we want them, anyway. It's worth trying," replied Ware. "I know just the man," put in Terry. "I'll send for him." Shortly appeared a saturnine, lank, bibulous individual known as Rube Maloney. To him Terry explained. He was to charter a sloop, take the muskets aboard--and get caught. "No resistance, mind you!" warned Terry. "Trust me for that," grinned Rube. "I ain't anxious for no punctured skin, nor yit a stretched neck." "Pick your men carefully." "I'll take Jack Phillips and Jim McNab," said Rube, after a moment's thought, "and possibly a few refreshments?" he suggested. Terry reached into his pocket. "Certainly, certainly," said he. "Treat yourself well." There remained only to see that the accurate details should get to the Committee of Vigilance, but in such a manner as to avoid suspicion that the information had been "planted." "Is there anybody we can trust on their rolls?" asked Terry. But it was reluctantly conceded that the Vigilantes had pretty well cleaned out the doubtful ones. Here again, the resourceful Jimmy Ware came to the rescue. "I know your man--Morrell. He'll get it to them. As far as anybody knows, he hasn't taken sides at all." "Will you see him?" asked Terry. "I'll see him," promised Jimmy Ware. LXVIII By this time the Vigilante organization had pretty well succeeded in eliminating the few Law and Order sympathizers who had been bold enough to attempt to play the part of spy by signing the rolls. These had not been many, and their warning had been sufficient. But Morrell had, in a measure, escaped distrust even if he had not gained confidence. He had had the sense not to join the organization; and his attitude of the slightly supercilious, veiledly contemptuous Britisher, scorning all things about him, was sufficient guarantee of his neutrality. This breed was then very common. He left his conference with Jimmy Ware thoroughly instructed, quite acquiescent, but revolving matters in his own mind to see if somehow he could not turn them to his advantage. For Morrell was, as always, in need of money. In addition, he had a personal score to settle with Keith for, although he had apparently forgotten their last interview regarding "loans," the memory rankled. And Morrell had not forgotten that before all this Vigilante business broke he had been made a good offer by Cora's counsel to get Keith out of the way. Cora was now very dead, to be sure; but on sounding Jimmy Ware, Morrell learned that Keith's removal would still be pleasant to the powers that pay.