I could not tell whether Kinlay had carried on his illicit traffic
whilst my father was alive, but I guessed that this was so; and
believing that my father was the only man who knew his secret, I
saw reason sufficient for enmity. My father's death had removed the
one great obstacle in the way of Carver's carrying on the smuggling
unsuspected. It had also enabled him to become a pilot--a position
which gave unusual opportunity to a man so unscrupulous. As pilot
he was able to board any vessel that entered the Orcadian waters,
and in the case of ships which came over from the Continent or from
the north of Scotland with contraband goods, a transfer of cargo
could be boldly effected without exciting suspicion. And here in
the cave I saw before me a part of the smuggler's store.
Having explored the cavern by the light of my lantern, I was forced
to believe that Thora was not there. I returned once more to the
kegs of spirits before departing.
Tom was still sound asleep. Approaching him, I turned the light
upon him and knelt down, shielding the light from his closed eyes.
Suddenly I was alarmed by hearing the noise of voices at the outer
part of the cave--the voices of many men. I blew out the light of
my lantern, rose to my feet, and slipped into the shadow to watch,
for I did not doubt that these were the smugglers.
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