“The villain!” cried she; “why, if there was any man in whom we thought we could trust, it was—­him;” for Nancy had, in her indignation, nearly pronounced his name.

“Nancy,” said Moggy, “you have to do with the smugglers, I know, for your husband is one of them, if report says true.  Now, I’ve been thinking, that the cutter is no place for my Jemmy, and that with this peak-nosed villain, he will always be in trouble.  Tell me, will they let him in, if he volunteers.”

“I can’t exactly say, Moggy; but this I can tell you, that you may be very useful to them in giving us information, which you may gain through your husband.”

“Ay, and not only through my husband, but from everybody on board the cutter.  I’m yours, Nancy—­and here’s my hand on it—­you’ll see what I can do.  The wagabond, to attempt to flog my own dear, darling duck—­my own Jemmy.  Only tell me what you want to know, and if I don’t ferret it out, my name’s not Moggy.  But hear me, Nancy; I join you now hand and heart, though I gain nothing by it; and when you choose to have him, I’ll bring you my little duck of a husband, and he will be worth his weight in gold, though I say it that shouldn’t say it.”

“Thanky, Moggy; but you shall not work for nothing;” and Nancy laid a gold Jacobus on the table.

“This for your present information.  Be secret and cautious, and no gossiping, and you’ll find that you shall have all you wish, and be no loser in the bargain.  And now, good-night—­I must be away.  You shall see me soon, Moggy; and remember what I have told you.”

Moggy was astonished at the sight of the gold Jacobus, which she took up and examined as Nancy departed.  “Well,” thought she, “but this smuggling must be a pretty consarn; and as sure as gold is gold, my Jemmy shall be a smuggler.”

Nancy turned down the street, and passed rapidly on, until she was clear of the fortifications, in the direction of South Sea Beach.  A few scattered cottages were at that time built upon the spot.  It was quite dark as she passed the lines, and held her way over the shingle.  A man was standing alone, whose figure she recognised.  It was the very person that she wished to find.  Nancy watched him for awhile, and observed him pull out a paper, tear it in two, and throw it down with gesticulations of anger and indignation.  She then approached.

“What’s o’clock?” said Nancy.

“Do you want the right time?” replied the man.

“To a minute,” replied Nancy, who, finding that the password was given correctly, now stopped, and faced the other party.  “Is that you, Cornbury?”

“Yes, Nancy,” replied the man, who, was the same person who went on board of the cutter to give the information.

“I have been seeking you,” replied Nancy.  “There has been some information laid, and the boats were nearly surprised.  Alice desires that you will find out what boats entered the cove, whom they belonged to, and, if possible, how they obtained the information.”