“Aye. I’ll be careful,” Annie replied, although she wondered how any of the barrels could get wet, cracked or not. They were specifically stored in the driest spot in the whole warehouse.
When all the barrels were stacked, the head dock loader handed Annie the bill of lading, which she signed and handed back. She and Mr. Haines went back into the office where she made an entry in the ledger and then closed it. “I think everything is taken care of here. May I leave?”
Mr. Haines raised an eyebrow and smiled. “You certainly seem to be in a hurry to go today.”
Even though he hadn’t again mentionedmeetingsomeone, the unspoken implication was there. What kind of a woman did he think she was? She grimaced since the honest answer to the question would destroy her reputation. She drew a deep breath. Her secret was safe, but it would not do to have Mr. Haines think poorly of her. “I just wanted to spend the day outdoors. ’Tis too pretty to waste such fine weather.”
Haines nodded. “You can leave in a few minutes. I just want to secure the warehouse first.”
He had just gone out when the front door opened again. Two men she didn’t recognize came inside. Neither one was dressedformally, although the taller of the two wore a morning coat and long trousers. The other had on breeches with knee-high boots and a heavy woolen fisherman’s knit sweater.
“I am Miss Ferguson, the office manager,” Annie said. “Can I help ye?”
“Aye,” the taller one answered. “I am David MacQuarrie, magistrate. This is Tevis Shaw, a revenue man.” Mr. MacQuarrie looked around. “Is Archibald Haines here?”
“Aye. He is in the warehouse,” Annie answered. “I will get him for ye.”
“Just take us there instead.”
Annie nodded. “Follow me, then.”
Mr. Haines turned as she led the men inside. He must have recognized at least one of the men because his eyes widened. “What do you want?”
The magistrate removed several pieces of paper from his vest and held one out. “I am authorized to inspect the shipment you just received.”
“Why?” Haines asked, not taking the paper. “It is only tobacco from Virginia.”
“That may well be,” the magistrate answered. “My orders are to inspect it.”
Mr. Haines grabbed the paper. He read it quickly, his lips tightening into a straight line. “Very well. Pick a barrel and I will open it for you.”
Tevis Shaw pointed to a barrel in the middle of the stack. Mr. Haines looked as though he wanted to argue, but then motioned for several of the warehouse workers to start removing the top barrels. They were clearly curious. Annie was too, but as much as she wanted to ask what was going on, she managed to keep silent.
Soon large, flat tobacco leaves were strewn over the floor. Both the magistrate and the revenue man peered inside.
“There. The barrel is empty,” Mr. Haines said. “Are you satisfied?”
The magistrate stepped back, but the revenue man didn’t. Instead, he picked up a crow bar and started poking around, tapping the sides and bottom.
“Now see here,” Mr. Haines said. “If you crack the sides, the barrel will be worthless.”
Instead of answering, the man hooked one of the boards and pulled, causing a loud splintering noise.
“Stop that!” Mr. Haines shouted and moved forward, only to be restrained by the magistrate while the revenue man tipped the barrel over.
Gold coins splattered and rolled across the floor.
Annie stared at them. What in the world…? She looked quickly at Mr. Haines.
He was staring at the money too. “How did those get there?”
“Why don’t you tell us?” the magistrate asked.
“What do you mean?” An indignant expression crossed Mr. Haines’ face. “You cannot think I knew anything about this!”
MacQuarrie looked at him speculatively. “I do not think it likely someone would put gold in a false barrel bottom unless it was intended for the receiver.” He glanced at the paperwork he still held. “According to this, you purchase barley and trade it for tobacco, which you then have processed by local cigar shops.”
Haines narrowed his eyes. “There is nothing wrong with that.”
