He racked his brains to find some way of meeting the difficulty, and
at last, after considering many plans, he thought he saw his way.
They would as soon as possible take leave of their hosts and return
to Bordeaux, ostensibly to resume their trip east. From there they
would come out to the clearing by road, and from the observation post
they had already used keep a close eye on the arrival of the ship and
subsequent developments. At night they might be even able to hide on
the wharf itself. In any case they could hardly fail to see if
anything other than pit-props was loaded.

So far, so good, but there was a second and more formidable
difficulty. Would Merriman consent to this plan and agree to help?
Hilliard was doubtful. That his friend had so obviously fallen in
love with this Madeleine Coburn was an unexpected and unfortunate
complication. He could, of course, play on the string that the girl
was in danger and wanted help, but he had already used that with
disappointing results. However, he could see nothing for it but to
do his best to talk Merriman round.

Accordingly, when they were smoking their after-breakfast pipes, he
broached the subject. But as he had feared, his friend would have
none of it.

"I tell you I won't do anything of the kind," he said angrily.
"Here we come, two strangers, poking our noses into what does not
concern us, and we are met with kindness and hospitality and invited
to join a family party. Good Lord, Hilliard, I can't believe that
it is really you that suggests it! You surely don't mean that you
believe that the Coburns are smuggling brandy?"