Miles Gaffin had long been absent from Hurlston, though he still
retained possession of the mill, which was kept going under charge of
Dusty Dick. The lugger, however, had not again made her appearance, and
it was supposed by some that she had been lost, but others asserted, and
among them Adam Halliburt, that during the war time she had plenty to do
in procuring information from France, as well as in carrying it to that
country from England, for Jacob had told his father of the papers Gaffin
had shown him, and Adam saw no reason why he should keep the matter
secret. If such had been Gaffin's occupation, it for some reason or
other came to an end; probably both parties found that he could not be
trusted, and he, to avoid being hung or shot as a spy, thought it wise
to abandon it, and to betake himself once more to smuggling.
He again appeared one morning at his mill. No one knew whether he had
arrived by land or by water. It might have been supposed from his
manner, when some grist was brought to be ground, that he had never been
absent.
"He will soon be at his old tricks again," observed Adam, when he heard
of his arrival. "He has come here for no good."
The observation was repeated by the dame to Mr Groocock.
"I will tell you what it is, he won't be here long at all events. His
lease is up in a few months, and though the law won't let us turn him
out, it cannot compel us to keep him there longer than we like,"
observed the steward. "He will cease at Michaelmas to be the tenant of
Hurlston Mill, and if we cannot get a more honest man to take it, it
will certainly be hard to find a greater rogue. I have never been quite
satisfied in my mind that he had not something to do with the attack on
Mr Harry."
Gaffin soon made himself acquainted with all that had been going on in
the neighbourhood. Harry's supposed death which he heard as an
undoubted fact, gave him great satisfaction.
"As there is no longer a rival in the case, my son may now have a better
chance than formerly," he said to himself. "I will write and get the
fellow back; girls don't wear the willow all their lives, and though she
may mope and sigh for a time, she will be ready enough to take a
presentable young fellow when he offers himself."
Miles had been left in France, where he was among those who had been
detained when the war broke out. His father, however, knew that he
should have no difficulty in getting him back. Meantime, he found him
useful in obtaining and transmitting information, though the young man
ran no small risk. He had, in the meantime, in his own opinion, become
a polished gentleman, with all the graces and airs of a Frenchman.
Gaffin accordingly wrote for his son to return, though a considerable
time elapsed before he was able to get on board the lugger which had put
in to receive him. At last, he one morning made his appearance at the
mill. The lugger had not come empty, her cargo having been landed
during the night, and stowed away in the vaults. It was not long before
Gaffin found an opportunity for re-opening his favourite project. It
was evident that he had private information relating to May, but of what
nature even his son dared not ask, although his curiosity was more
excited than his enterprise. Gaffin now spoke with the more vehemence,
having been so long frustrated in his purpose, and he hinted that
nothing must now be allowed to stand in his way. Young Miles was
startled by his violent language, and felt the courage oozing out at his
palms. He declared that he did not want to run the chance of putting
his head in a noose for any girl alive, whatever her fortune, but his
father's taunts, as well as the glowing pictures which he drew,
stimulated him to make another venture. The plan arranged by the
smuggler and his son need not be described.
Young Miles appeared so completely changed in appearance and manners
that there was little risk of his being recognised by the inhabitants of
Hurlston.
The day after his interview with his father, a post-chaise which had
come from the neighbouring town, drove up to the Texford Arms. A
Frenchman descended from it. He stated that he was a Royalist who had
been some little time in the country, and that he wished to take
lodgings in the village, his object being to give instruction in French
to the families in the neighbourhood. He was told that there were no
lodgings, but that he could be accommodated at the inn. Saying that he
wished to be quiet, he persisted in searching for them, and after many
enquiries he found that Mrs Brown, whose son sailed as mate of the
_Nancy_, could take him in. She had a neat little room looking out on
the sea, with which he was perfectly satisfied, and at once had his
portmanteau removed to it. His name he told her was Jules Malin. She
was afraid he would not like her English cooking, but he assured her
that he should be perfectly contented with anything she could provide,
for that in making his escape from France he had been inured to so many
hardships, he found himself in a perfect paradise in her quiet cottage.
He seemed somewhat disappointed on hearing that there were but few
families in the neighbourhood likely to take advantage of his
instruction. Some of the better class of farmers might wish their
daughters to learn French. There was also, Mrs Brown said, a young
lady at Downside who might be willing to take lessons, and possibly Miss
Castleton, at Texford, might also become a pupil, although, having had a
French governess she probably understood the language.
Monsieur Malin set out at once with a packet of cards and called on
several of the farmers. His terms were very moderate, and they were
glad of the opportunity of having their daughters instructed in French.
Miss Castleton, at Texford, after speaking a short time to him, asked
him whether he was not a German, and on his assuring her that he was
not, she informed him that as she did not admire either his
pronunciation or idiom, she could not recommend him as a master.
Not in anyway abashed, he made a low bow, and shortly afterwards
appeared at Downside. Miss Jane received him very politely, and begging
him to be seated in the dining-room, said she would take counsel with
her sister on the subject.
"As May has never had the opportunity of speaking to French people,
although she, I doubt not, understands French thoroughly, it will be a
pity not to give her the advantage of receiving instruction," she
observed to Miss Mary.
May was grateful to her friends for their kind intentions, and was
perfectly ready to take lessons. The young Frenchman seemed highly
pleased, and was ready to begin at once.
Miss Jane was present. He behaved with great respect, though May was
somewhat astonished the way he set about giving instruction, for he
seemed to understand nothing about grammar, and she suspected that his
pronunciation was far from correct.
"He may nevertheless be of assistance to you," said Miss Jane, after he
had gone, "and as I promised to let him come to-morrow, we will see how
he then gets on."
And so it came about that the audacious Miles again found himself in the
presence of innocent May. He was so elated by the success of his first
lesson that he could with difficulty maintain his assumed character, and
more than once he inadvertently dropped the French accent and addressed
his pupil in English. May's suspicions were gradually aroused, and as
he grew more familiar in tone she attentively examined his countenance.
Suddenly recognition seemed to flash upon her, and rising quickly she
darted out of the room.
"I have been and made a mess of it again," he muttered to himself,
"still I will try and calm the old lady if she says anything, and set
matters to rights."
Miss Jane was not so easily deceived. May told her her suspicions. She
entered with a stern brow, and the sum she had promised to pay for the
lessons in her hand.
"I do not enquire who you are, but I have to inform you that the young
lady does not wish to receive further lessons, nor do we desire again to
see you here," she said, giving the money.
The pretended French master endeavoured to expostulate, but Miss Jane
only pointed significantly to the door.
At last, finding that he was not listened to, he took his hat with an
ill grace which further betrayed him, and hurried out of the house.
The next day he called intending to apologise, but Miss Jane refused to
admit him.
"But will not Miss Halliburt see me just for one minute?" he asked,
offering Susan half-a-guinea. "They don't pay you very high wages here,
I guess."
"Take yourself off, Master Gaffin, and your money too," exclaimed Susan,
indignantly, putting her hands behind her back. "Do you fancy we don't
know you with all your pretended French airs and gibberish. Let me
advise you not to show your face inside those gates again."
Miles sneaked off without attempting to reply. Recovering his audacity
on his return to his lodgings he for several days made attempts to see
May, who, fearing to meet him out-of-doors, was kept a prisoner within
the grounds.
Miles, foiled in his plan, determined to consult his father, but, not
wishing to be seen near the mill in daylight, he took a stroll on the
Downs, intending to make his way there at dusk.
He had gone some distance, when suddenly the tall figure of Mad Sal,
rising as it seemed out of the earth, stood before him. He started back
and would have hurried away, recollecting her appearance when he had
assisted in the outrage on Jacob Halliburt.
Though others might not have recognised him, she, it was evident, did
so, from the way she addressed him.
"What have you done with the hapless lad I saw you bear away over the
salt sea, salt sea?" she exclaimed. "I have waited long, but in vain,
for his return. Have you sent him wandering far from home and country,
or is he fathoms deep beneath the salt sea, salt sea?"
"I don't know of whom you speak, old dame," answered Miles, mustering up
his courage. "I am a stranger here, and know none of the people. You
mistake me for some one else."
"I take you for the son of the miller of Hurlston," she exclaimed,
laughing loudly. "Go and tell him that I have watched his doings. I
know his goings out and his comings in, and ere long the ministers of
justice will track him down, and consign him to the fate he so richly
merits."
"What have I to do with the miller of Hurlston? He would be a bold man
who would speak to him in that way," answered Miles, trembling with
fear.
"It's false, it's false," shouted the old woman. "You are even now on
your way to him. I saw you leave his door not many nights ago, when you
thought no one was near. Go, tell him to beware of the fate which will
ere long overtake him. Go, I say, go," and she waved her staff wildly
round, compelling Miles to retreat before her. He, at last, having
nothing with which to defend himself, and not daring to seize the staff
whirled about his head, turned round and fled across the heath followed
by the shouts and shrieks of the unhappy creature who seemed to triumph
in his discomfiture. He did not stop till he got out of her sight, when
sitting down to rest, he tried to recover himself before venturing to
enter the mill.
Miles Gaffin listened to his son's account with a contemptuous sneer on
his lips. Another subject was at that moment occupying his thoughts.
He had just received notice from Sir Ralph's steward to quit the mill
the day his lease expired.
"It is old Groocock's doing," he told his son. "Sir Ralph takes no
charge of such matters, though I should expect no favour from his hands.
We are old foes, and though he does not know me, I know him. I would
be revenged on him, and I would burn Texford over his head without
compunction, had I not good reason for preserving the place. Had you
succeeded with Maiden May as she is called, the way would have been
smoother. Fool as you are, you can keep counsel. Now listen. The
_Lively_ will be here again ere long with all her old crew, and a few
other bold fellows we have picked up of late. We will make sharp work
of it--first embark all the goods stored here, then with a strong hand
push on to Texford, take my revenge on Sir Ralph and his chattering old
steward, then set fire to the mill, and get on board the lugger before
half-a-dozen men can collect to oppose us. I think I may trust you
meantime with another piece of work. You shall have half-a-dozen
fellows, and you can surround Downside, and may bring on board either of
the ladies you like. As the girl is supposed to be hard-hearted, you
may secure one of the old ones; I leave that to you."
"Trust me for the one I'll lay my hands on," answered Miles. "If you
will give me the men, you may depend that I will not let her slip this
time."
"Well, I think you have got sense enough to do that, and the _Lively_
will not be here many hours before our plan has been carried out, and we
are away from Hurlston."