The Legend of the Phantom Highwayman by Tom McCaughren Page B

‘Rachel and I thought you were very suspicious.’
    â€˜Suspicious? In what way?’
    â€˜Well, it was your woollen gloves really,’ admitted Rachel. ‘We felt you were hiding something.’
    â€˜Well now, hold it,’ said Peppi. ‘Before we go any further, we must make a deal.’
    â€˜What sort of a deal?’ asked Cowlick.
    â€˜You must promise not to give me away.’
    â€˜We won’t blow your cover, really,’ Tapser assured him, anxious to make amends and using a phrase he had heard on television.
    â€˜I’m glad,’ said Peppi. ‘Now, you say you’re looking for the smugglers. So am I. What do you say we join forces?’
    Nothing could have pleased them better, and they heartily agreed.
    â€˜All right then. But remember, secrecy is most important. You mustn’t discuss my activities with anyone. All right? Now, I can’t talk to you here. I’ve work to do and you wouldn’t know who might be listening. So I’ll tell you what. Tomorrow’s Sunday. I’ll call for you after dinner if you like, and you can come up the mountains with me. We can talk then.’
    * * *
    When the girls had gone to bed, Tapser and Cowlick sat up late talking.
    â€˜This is a funny one, isn’t it?’ said Tapser.
    â€˜How do you mean?’
    â€˜Well, when we were investigating the Legend of the Golden Key last summer we knew it was something to do with treasure. You know, something solid. But this business is different.’
    â€˜In what way?’
    â€˜I just wonder sometimes if it’s all in our imagination. I mean, poteen makers and smugglers and phantom highwaymen. It’s like looking for the will-o’-the-wisp in the Cotton Bog back home.’
    â€˜If it’s just our imagination,’ said Cowlick, ‘then Peppi and the police are in the same boat. And talking of boats, don’t forget what we saw at the Castle Spa. That needs some explaining.’
    â€˜But if Max and his men are involved in smuggling poteen,’ said Tapser, ‘what’s that got to do with the phantom highwayman?’
    â€˜I don’t know, except Peppi said that when Hugh Rua is seen on the High Road it’s a sure sign there’s a shipment on the way.’
    â€˜But what is it that’s been seen on the High Road?’ Tapser wondered. ‘It can’t be a phantom. Unless, of course, the police are right and Sam Stephenson and Blind Jack have something to do with it.’
    â€˜Why should they?’
    Tapser shrugged. ‘Maybe they’re trying to get publicity for The Highwayman Inn. Remember, Mr Stephenson said they were thinking of taking the coach up as far as the memorial on daytrips. Maybe they’re even in league with the poteen smugglers.’
    â€˜Why then would they draw attention to the fact that the poteen is on the way?’
    â€˜I don’t suppose it could be Peppi doing it to raise the alarm or something?’
    â€˜On that oul’ horse of his?’ laughed Cowlick. ‘You must be joking. I think it’s time you got some sleep.’
    â€˜You can sleep if you like,’ said Tapser. ‘But I’m going to keep an eye on the High Road. If anything appears on it tonight, I want to see it.’
    So saying, Tapser went over to the window and settled down for a long wait.
    â€˜Well, I’m going to bed,’ said Cowlick, turning off the light. ‘If you see anything give me a shout.’
    Peering out into the night, Tapser could see that a breeze had sprung up. It brought occasional clouds across the moon and moulded the rowan trees on the side of the glen into ever-changing shapes and shadows. Up on the rim of the glen, scraggy hawthorn bushes seemed to have turned their backs to the wind and sea. As the night wore on, he became tired and sleepy and sometimes he imagined that the clouds looked like faces, or horses, or that the bushes looked like