Kydd 08 - The Admiral's Daughter by Julian Stockwin

Author:Julian Stockwin
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2011-11-24T19:27:30+00:00

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The Collector of Customs for Penzance closed the curtains of the Long Room. “I’m sorry to have to ask ye to come at such an hour this night. It’ll become clear why later . . .” Kydd and Standish sat together in the front row; Kydd ignored a quizzical look from his first lieutenant and waited patiently. The rest of those in attendance were hard-featured and anonymous-looking individuals, who were not introduced.

Proceedings opened quickly: it seemed that mysterious information had been received of a run in two nights’ time. It promised to be the most daring for months and would involve a degree of deception, but there was apparently one great advantage the Revenue possessed.

“I’ll trouble ye for the lights,” the Collector boomed importantly. One by one the candles were snuffed, leaving the room in heavy darkness. There was the sound of grunts and scraping from the end of the hall, then quiet.

“Stay in your seats, if y’ please. I should explain to ye that we have now a gentleman who’s in with the free traders and has the griff concerning their plans, which he’s agreed to let us know for a consideration. Ye’ll understand, o’ course, that he’ll be requiring to keep his face from ye, so I’ll thank ’ee not to ask questions as will put a name to him. Now, anything y’ may wish to ask?” From the body of the hall a voice called, “Where’s the run, then?” In the blackness nothing could be made out of the man beyond a vague shape.

“Praa Sands.” The voice was deep and chesty, with little attempt at disguise. “That’s where ye’ll see ’em, two nights’ time.”

“Praa Sands? Why, that’s—”

“I didn’t say that’s where th’ cargo’s run ashore, I said that’s where you’ll see ’em.” He paused. “See, they’ll make a showing an’ while youse come athunderin’ along, the tubs are bein’ landed in another place.”

“Where?”

“Stackhouse Cove. Are ye forgettin’ Acton Castle only a couple o’ hundred yards above? An’ at dead low springs there’s a strip o’sand will take a boat easy enough.”

Kydd had no idea of the location or its significance but he would find out more later. “Er, do y’ know aught o’ the signals they’ll use?” he threw into the darkness, an odd sensation.

“Two lights together in Bessy’s window ’n’ the coast is clear o’ the Revenue. Leadin’ lights are two sets o’ spout lanterns in th’ field below the castle. Trouble, pistol flashes. Anythin’ else?”

“What vessels can we expect t’ see?”

“Ah, well, I can’t help ye with that.”

“Who is it organising, do you think?” Standish demanded loudly.

After a slight pause the man replied, “An’ that neither.” It was quickly settled. As the smugglers expected the Revenue at Praa Sands, that was where they would be, while Teazer would lurk offshore at Stackhouse Cove.

Over a convivial draught the Collector pulled out a chart. “The whole stretch o’ coast here—Mount’s Bay east from Perranuthnoe to the Lizard—is nothing less’n a nest o’ thieving scapegallows.

And the worst of ’em you’ll find past Cudden Point here, just on from Stackhouse Cove.

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