“Nothing like making sure,” observed he.

“Why, what the devil do you want?” exclaimed Vanslyperken, rather alarmed; while Snarleyyow walked round and round the thick calves of the man’s legs, growling, and in more than two minds to have a bite through his blue worsted stockings; and the peculiar obliquity with which he carried his head, now that he surveyed with only one eye, was by no means satisfactory.

“Take your cur away, and let us proceed to business, for there is no time to lose,” said the man coolly, taking a chair.  “Now there can be no eavesdropping, I trust, for my life may be forfeited, if I’m discovered.”

“I cannot understand a word of all this,” replied Vanslyperken, much surprised.

“In a few words, do you want to put some five thousand pounds in your pocket?”

At this question Vanslyperken became attentive.  He beat off the dog, and took a chair by the side of the stranger.

“Ah! interest will always bring civility; so now to the point.  You command this cutter, do you not?”

“I do,” replied Vanslyperken.

“Well, you are about to cruise after the smugglers?”

“Yes.”

“I can give information of a cargo to be landed on a certain night worth ten thousand pounds or more.”

“Indeed!” replied Vanslyperken.

“Yes, and put your boats in such a position that they must seize the whole.”

“I’m very much obliged to you.  Will you take something, sir, any scheedam?” said Vanslyperken, unlocking one of his cupboards, and producing a large stone bottle, and a couple of glasses, which he filled.

“This is very good stuff,” observed the man; “I’ll trouble you for another glass.”

This was one more than Mr Vanslyperken intended; but on second thoughts, it would make his new acquaintance more communicative, so another was filled, and as soon as it was filled, it was emptied.

“Capital stuff!” said he of the rubicund face, shoving his glass towards Vanslyperken, by way of hint; but the lieutenant would not take the hint, as his new guest had already swallowed as much as lasted himself for a week.

“But now,” observed Vanslyperken, “where is this cargo to be seen, and when?”

“That’s tellings,” replied the man.

“I know that; but you have come to tell, or what the devil else?” replied Vanslyperken, who was getting angry.

“That’s according,” replied the man.

“According to what?”

“The snacks,” replied the man.  “What will you give up?”

“Give up!  How do you mean?”

“What is my share to be?”

“Share! you can’t share—­you’re not a king’s officer.”

“No, but I’m an informer, and that’s the same thing.”

“Well, depend upon it, I’ll behave very liberally.”

“How much, I ask?”

“We’ll see to that afterwards; something handsome, depend upon it.”