Charles went home almost mad. “Lucky thing I called at Warbeck’s apartments to-night,” said Redgill, to himself, as soon as Charles had left him. “What brought that money on _his_ table? Methinks I smell a very large-sized mouse,” said he, with a fiendish smile, drinking wine at a small wine-shop near the theatre. “I managed to abstract it rather neatly, I must confess; his head wasn’t turned more than a minute—and it contains £2,000. What care _I_ if the fool _is_ ruined? I only wish it were Ned Warbeck instead; how my heart would leap with joy—the young viper!” CHAPTER XXII. FEARFUL ENCOUNTER BETWEEN THE SKELETON CREW AND THE SMUGGLERS. “Well, Dolphin, and what news of this new wonder, Wildfire Ned?” asked the Smuggler Chief. “He has joined Lieutenant Garnet, say you?” “He has.” “And what does he intend to do?” “He swears to exterminate the Skeleton Crew.” “So much the better for us, then,” laughed the Smuggler Chief. “If young Ned Warbeck can only rid the seas of such monsters as they are, then there may be some chance of honest folks, like ourselves, getting along a bit farther than we have done of late,” said the Chief, with a dry grin. “Just so, Sea-hawk,” the Dolphin replied; “if he can manage to rid us of such grim devils as they are, all well and good; for, you see, we don’t stand much of a chance with them, for they have played the very devil with us smugglers of late years. And as to Death-wing, I don’t think there is any hope of getting him out of the way, for he seems to be made of cast iron.” “I only hope this young dare-devil, Ned Warbeck, will only let _us_ alone, though,” said the Chief, “because you know he might turn his attention this way after doing the first job.” “That’s just what he _is_ going to do.” “You don’t mean that?” “I do, though. I found out all his plans, as well as his instructions.” “Indeed!—how?” “You remember what I said about the marriage at Walton Abbey, and of Death-wing running away with the young bride?” “Yes.” “Well, Garnet and Wildfire Ned, accompanied by Bob Bertram, and others, started in pursuit.” “Did they overtake the Crew?” “That you will quickly hear.” “For some time, Wildfire Ned and Garnet continued the chase over hedge and ditch; but they went at such a terrific pace, that in less than half an hour they had distanced all who followed them, save Bob Bertram. “But still they could not make out or trace the route taken by Death-wing. “In about an hour, however, they perceived some of the band in the distance. “With swords drawn, they shouted in defiance, and made at them. “But the Skeleton rascals declined the combat. “The chase then continued. “But, as before, they lost sight of them, for the last trick was only a ride to gain time in order that Death-wing and his fair captive might get off clear.” “Clever, artful devils,” said the Chief, with a gruff laugh; “and _did_ they get off clear?” he asked.