“Has the steamer reached her dock yet?”

“She’s swinging in now.  I beat her up on the tug.”

“Very well.  You may go.”

The spotter hastened away and the detectives eagerly read his letter.

It was full of valuable information for which they sent the man and having read the letter they hastened to the pier.

The big trans-Atlantic steamer was just tying up to her dock and the detectives saw the Collector and his inspectors standing on the pier waiting for the passengers to land.

CHAPTER II.

Nine smugglers.

A scene of great animation and excitement was soon transpiring on the pier.

Passengers were swarming down the gangplank of the big steamer, crowds of friends were waiting to greet them, porters and waiters were landing the baggage on the dock and stevedores were preparing to discharge the cargo.

The two Bradys took up a favorable position and calling the purser of the steamer, they induced him to point out several people whose names they mentioned.

These people were the ones whom they had spotted as smugglers.

Presently the owners of the baggage began opening their trunks and valises so the inspectors could examine their effects.

While this was going on the Bradys joined the Collector and spoke to him.  He was startled to discover their identity and remarked: 

“Well, you certainly have the faculty of hiding your identity in the most complete manner.  Have you found any smugglers yet?”

“Several,” replied Harry, quickly.

“Indeed!  Who are they?”

“We’ll show you when your men get through.”

They chatted together until the inspection was finished and all the luggage had been marked and received the pasters to show they were passed.

“Now call your men and get their report, sir,” said Harry.

The Collector did as he was requested.

Out of several hundred passengers only a lace shawl had been captured.

“Is that all you managed to find that was dutiable?” asked Harry, in surprise, as the searchers gathered round them.

They recognized him by his voice and Gibson growled sarcastically: 

“Do you think you can do any better?”

“Oh, my—­yes.”

“Well, I’d like to see you do it.”

“So we shall.  Let us begin with Mrs. Harvey.  Open her trunk again.”

Despite the lady’s protests this was done.

Pointing at the tray, Harry said, coolly: 

“Pick up that cake of toilet soap, cut it in two and you’ll find a very valuable gentleman’s ruby ring and scarf pin buried inside of it.”

Gibson complied with a poor grace.

As Harry said, he disclosed the articles mentioned.

“My!” said the lady, innocently, “I wonder how they got there?”