_ CHAPTER XIII
Without another word the detective departed from the cabin; a little distance across the sand he saw a figure. He recognized Renie and went toward her.
"I did not know you," said the girl.
"You may not know me the next time we meet."
"This is wonderful."
"I am a detective, I have made a study of the art of disguise; my success and my safety ofttimes depend upon my skill in changing my appearance at a moment's notice; but now, let me thank you for saving my life!"
"Saving your life!"
"Yes."
"It was for me you put your life in jeopardy."
"No, no, I am carrying out my own designs."
"You saved me from that man Garcia!"
"And you saved me from being hanged by those men."
"You will leave the coast now?"
"Leave the coast?"
"Yes."
"Well, I reckon not. I've just got down to business."
"You will be discovered; you will be in worse peril as the Government detective than you were as the supposed assailant of my father."
"I can take care of myself."
"And you will remain?"
"I will remain."
"You invite your doom."
"Well, well, I've often done the same thing before; I am in the way of duty. Renie, understand me, I am your friend. I will risk anything to guard you from evil, but it is my duty to break up this gang of smugglers, and I shall do my duty at any cost!"
"But I have betrayed you."
"Yes, I know all about it; your betrayal was not intentional; you are a brave noble girl! tell me, are you in any way connected with the smugglers?"
"I am not."
"Then fear nothing."
"But my father?"
"Your father is not actively engaged as a smuggler now, and I will not get him into trouble, but I must do my duty, and now answer me frankly, are you against me?"
"How against you?"
"I have decided to remain and do my duty, I am the enemy of the gang! Are you their friend? Will you stand between me and them?"
"Never! but I know you will never leave the coast alive! those men will not rest day or night until they run you down, and I cannot aid you, as I have already earned their enmity, and they have demanded that I be sent away!"
"That is all right."
"The girl laughed and said:
"It is easy enough to say 'that is all right,' but where shall I go?"
"Go with Tom Pearce."
"Tom Pearce will not leave the coast."
"Yes, he will."
"Did he tell you so?"
"No, but I will persuade him. I will show him very soon that it is best for him to go. He will go, never fear!"
"You will never persuade him."
"I will use an argument you do not dream of, my, girl; and now, mark me, I am your friend. I have promised to solve the mystery surrounding your commission to the care of the Pearces many years ago. I will learn all about you, I will find the box."
"What box?"
The detective smiled as he remembered that the girl knew nothing about the box, and he said:
"Ah, that is a way we detectives have of speaking! the secret of your life is boxed somewhere, we would say, and I will unravel the mystery."
"Why should you take such an interest in me?"
"Did you not save my life?"
"But did you not imperil your life in my behalf?"
"No; I was in the way of duty when I fell into the hands of the smugglers under such peculiar circumstances; but never mind, we will not discuss that matter. I have seen fit to make you a promise, and I will make my promise good."
"Never! if you decide to remain on the coast."
"I shall remain! and now, Renie, as we are friends, let us arrange so as to guard against future perils. I may appear here under many disguises, it is necessary for both of us that you should always know and recognize me; but you must never betray your recognition; to you in the presence of others I must always be a stranger; your safety and my own demands it, but all will come out right in the end."
"Never! Never! those men will kill you!"
"I shall go to sea with those men before to-morrow's sunset."
"You will never return."
"Oh, yes I will; and now listen."
The detective proceeded and arranged a number of secret signs and signals with the girl. He instructed her in a private finger code, and found her a ready and apt scholar. He gave her also a written chart for future study, telling her that if she mastered it, they could converse in the presence of others, and none would be the wiser.
Having concluded his instructions, he said:
"Go now to your father. I may not see you for two or three days, but always be on your guard."
"Against whom?"
"Garcia."
"Do you think he will dare return?"
"That man may have secret agents among the smugglers."
"None of the men would betray me to him."
"We cannot tell what money may accomplish; but I do not anticipate danger for a few days, or I would not leave, you; still you must be on your guard."
"Where go you now?"
"To Rigby's,"
"To Rigby's?" ejaculated the girl.
"Yes; why not?"
"You go at your peril!"
The detective laughed and said:
"Never fear for me; good-night!"
Without waiting to listen to further words of warning the detective walked rapidly away.
Renie returned to the cabin; the girl was disturbed and thoughtful. The dream of her lonely life was opening up to her, but alas! the picture was fringed with dark surroundings.
Upon entering the cabin the girl was addressed by her father, who asked:
"Renie, what do you think of that fellow?"
"He is a mysterious man, father, but he appears to be friendly to us."
"He has spoken nothing but the truth, so far, my child. Garcia is a villain! it was he who assailed me."
"How was it he came to assail you, father?"
"My child, that man has designs against you; it is time that I told you all I know concerning yourself!"
"Do so, father."
The old smuggler proceeded and related to Renie all that he had told to Garcia, and also stated the Cuban's proposition.
The girl was silent, but deeply interested, and the one thought that ran through her mind was the knowledge that Spencer Vance had overheard the revelation when made to Garcia.
The old man had just concluded his narrative when an intruder walked into the cabin. _