“Not so long as we are here,” said Jack Pringle; “the smugglers won’t show a head while the revenue cutter is on the look out.”

“Certainly not, Jack,” said Mr. Chillingworth; “I think we have scared them away—­the picture is safe.”

“Yes—­so long as we are here.”

“And longer, too, I hope.”

Jack shook his head, as much as to intimate that he had many doubts upon such a point, and couldn’t be hurried into any concession of opinion of the safety of such a picture as that—­much as he disliked it, and as poor an opinion as he had of it.

“Don’t you think it will be safe?”

“No,” said Jack.

“And why not?” said Mr. Chillingworth, willing to hear what Jack could advance against the opinion he had expressed, especially as he had disturbed the marauder in the very act of robbery.

“Why, you’ll be watched by this very man; and when you are gone, he will return in safety, and take this plaguey picture away with him.”

“Well, he might do so,” said Mr. Chillingworth, after some thought; “he even endangered his own escape for the purpose of carrying it off.”

“He wants it,” said Jack.

“What, the picture?”

“Aye, to be sure; do you think anybody would have tried so hard to get away with it?  He wants it; and the long and the short of it is, he will have it, despite all that can be done to prevent it; that’s my opinion.”

“Well, there is much truth in that; but what to do I don’t know.”

“Take it to the cottage,” suggested Jack.  “The picture must be more than we think for; suppose we carry it along.”

“That is no bad plan of yours, Jack,” said Mr. Chillingworth; “and, though a little awkward, yet it is not the worst I have heard; but—­but—­what will they say, when they see this frightful face in that quiet, yet contented house?”

“Why, they’ll say you brought it,” said Jack; “I don’t see what else they can say, but that you have done well; besides, when you come to explain, you will make the matter all right to ’em.”

“Yes, yes,” said Chillingworth; “and, as the picture now seems to be the incomprehensible object of attack, I will secure that, at all events.”

“I’ll help you.”

“Thank you, Jack; your aid will be welcome; at least, it was so just now.”

“All right, doctor,” said Jack.  “I may be under your hands some day.”

“I’ll physic you for nothing,” said Mr. Chillingworth.  “You saved my life.  One good turn deserves another; I’ll not forget.”

“Thank you,” said Jack, as he made a wry face.  “I hope you won’t have occasion.  I’d sooner have a can of grog than any bottle of medicine you can give me; I ain’t ungrateful, neither.”

“You needn’t name it; I am getting my breath again.  I suppose we had better leave this place, as soon as we conveniently can.”

“Exactly.  The sooner the better; we can take it the more leisurely as we go.”