Chapter 26: The Night Chase and the Mudlark

⁠​​​‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌​​​⁠‘I’ll board her to start with,’ said Hazell, whispering to Racksole. ‘I’ll make out that I suspect they’ve got dutiable goods on board, and that will give me a chance to have a good look at her.’

Dressed in his official overcoat and peaked cap, he stepped, rather jauntily as Racksole thought, on to the low deck of the launch. ‘Anyone aboard?’

Racksole heard him cry out, and a woman’s voice answered.