There was nothing in his tone to indicate that he felt any uneasiness over the visit of the revenue men. On the contrary, he appeared to be in particularly jovial spirits, for he fell to laughing and chatting gaily.
Lieutenant Winters and the boys, not to be outdone entered into the spirit of the occasion, and the meal passed off pleasantly, Hoki serving in his best style and earning many golden opinions from his master and the others for his fine cooking.
The meal over, the entire party adjourned to the spacious living-room of the lodge, where, after offering the officer and his men some of the best of his cigars, Mr. Lawrence said:
"Lieutenant Winters, I should be blind, indeed, did I not divine your purpose in visiting Winnsocket Lodge."
"I have no desire, sir, to keep my purpose a secret."
"Well, before we settle the matter that lies between us, let me ask you if you have heard of Stanwood Gray?"
"Many times," returned the officer, rather surprised at the question. "I doubt if there is a man in the United States revenue or secret service who has not heard of him, though I dare say few have seen him."
"He is probably the most efficient man now in the service of the United States government," returned Lieutenant Winters.
"H'm, yes--I see. You will pardon me for seeming inquisitive, and particularly when you have come to question me, rather than allow me to question you, but are you not comparatively new to the service on the St. Lawrence?"
"Yes, sir; I have been here only a few months," replied the lieutenant.
"H'm, yes; transferred from the gulf service, I believe?"
"Why, yes, but I was not aware that such knowledge was in your possession."
"I know a great many things, Lieutenant Winters, that I am not credited with knowing. I know, for instance, that when you were transferred to this part of the country, you were given a letter to be delivered in person to Stanwood Gray, if you chanced to meet him."
"I--I--why, I beg your pardon, sir, but--"
What manner of man was this smuggler chief, who knew so many of the government secrets? No wonder he had been able to so long elude the officials.
Mr. Lawrence suddenly arose. The lieutenant got up just as quickly, and his hand flew instinctively to his belt, where it reposed lightly on the handle of his revolver.