I thought it was as well to let him know that I had a pistol handy, though he didn't look as if he intended mischief.

I suppose after this I had better not come here so often, though I have not the remotest idea in the world why I should annoy any one more by standing here than if I was standing on the cliff in front of Dover Castle.

However, it certainly is a lonely place, and I should have precious little chance if two or three men took it into their heads to attack me here." "They are queer people these Irish peasants of yours, O'Connor," Ralph said as they sat at dinner that evening.
"What's the matter with them now, Conway ?" "One can't even go and look at the sea from their cliffs without their taking it amiss," and Ralph related the conversation he had had with the peasant, adding that he was convinced he had been watched whenever he went there.
"It is curious, certainly," the captain said when he had finished.

"No doubt they think you are spying after something; but that would not trouble them unless there was something they were afraid of your finding out.

Either there has been something going on, or there is some hiding-place down there on the face of the cliff, where maybe they have a still at work.