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peering through the eyeglasses he’d brought with him, he could see the boat was otherwise empty.
    Keeping low to the ground, Ross made his way southward until he was directly above where they’d pulled ashore, then crawled closer to the cliff’s edge. He watched as the two sailors secured their boat then moved up the beach. Suddenly, a tall third man wearing a hat and long overcoat stepped out from the shadows. Ross strained to get a glimpse of the man but his face was hidden by the rim of his hat and his up-turned collar.
    The three talked for a few seconds, then the tall man handed over a packet. One of the sailors checked the contents of the envelope then stuck it in his jacket pocket. After a few more seconds, the two sailors stepped back into their skiff while the third man disappeared into one of the caves. Ross knew in that short span of time arrangements had been made concerning the next shipment of opium.
    His heart beat in anticipation. This was the first concrete piece of evidence he’d been able to gather. He knew now there would be another shipment. And he knew where it would come ashore. That was something.
    He watched until the small boat was out of sight and the shore below him deserted, then rose to leave. He looked around, memorizing the landmarks so he knew precisely where to return. With a start, he realized he wasn’t on St. Stephen’s property any longer. He was on Clythebrook land and the caves the smugglers were using to hide their contraband weren’t that far from the orphanage.
    Ross tried to formulate a plan, realizing he’d have to investigate this area closer later. He’d find a reason to come back tomorrow after he’d had a few hours’ sleep and his mind wasn’t so muddled. For now, he’d have to be satisfied with what he’d discovered.
    Ross took one last look over the edge of the cliff to make sure he hadn’t missed anything, then retraced his steps to the north until he was certain he was back on St. Stephen’s property. When he was safely out of sight, he stopped to catch his breath. He’d finally learned at least something that would be useful. Not enough, but at least something.
    A feeling of satisfaction washed through him as he continued on his way home. He’d just entered a grove of trees when something to his left caught his eye. He stopped short.
    He wasn’t sure exactly what it was for a few seconds because the darting figure stayed mostly in the shadows as it rushed through the woods, but he knew eventually it would have to come out into the open. As quietly as he could, he circled behind a large tree and waited.
    For several long, tense moments, time seemed to stand still. The only sound he heard was the gentle slapping of the waves in the distance and the hollow hoot of an owl in the trees. But he knew the fleeting figure was out there, steadily moving closer. He could feel it.
    Leaves rustled to his left and Ross followed the sound. He tried to imagine where the intruder had come from, especially at this hour. The only building near here was the cottage he’d passed not too far back. And, of course, the orphanage.
    Ross stepped further behind the tree and waited. He’d been a fool to leave St. Stephen’s without a weapon to defend himself and swore he’d remember next time.
    He took another breath, then caught it when he heard the sharp snap of a twig close by. The muffled sounds indicated that the midnight traveler was close. All he needed was a glimpse and if the prowler was one of the smugglers, hopefully he’d recognize him and have another part of the puzzle to piece together.
    The intruder was almost on top of him and Ross pressed further into the shadows. The first things he saw were small, booted feet—too small to be a man’s. Then, he saw as well as heard the hushed swish of skirts swirling the leaves. He tried to get a glimpse of the woman’s face but a dark, hooded cloak covered all but a few wisps of the stranger’s light hair. He stepped