_ CHAPTER XXIII
The detective's friend, Taylor, appeared disinclined to remain; he said:
"I only promised to point out to you the rendezvous.
"Have you done so?"
"Yes."
"I do not know where the landing is made."
"Off yonder point."
"Around in the cove?"
"Yes."
"You can remain with me?"
"No, I cannot."
"Why not?"
"Well, this is no place for strangers; we are in peril every moment we stay here."
"We are all right, so long as the crew of the 'Nancy' remain on their boat."
"Not to-night; we are not safe."
"Why not?"
"Because the 'Nancy' is there. Why, sir; we do not know what moment someone may spring upon us! All their spies are out and on guard to-night; everything is watched as a cat watches a mouse-hole!"
"If you leave me, how am I to get over to the mainland?"
Taylor did not make an immediate reply, and the detective repeated his question.
"I did not think you intended remaining."
"What did you think?"
"I thought you would mark down the bearings and come here in force."
"But, as I've an opportunity to get the whole business down fine, I propose to remain."
"Then you will need a boat."
"Yes, I will, surely, in the morning."
"No, sir."
"What are you getting at?"
"I will speak plainly. If you remain here you will never see the mainland again. I tell you those men are a desperate lot!"
"But they will not find me."
"The chances are ten to one against you, and that they will find you. I would not remain here to-night for a hundred thousand dollars! The danger begins exactly at nightfall."
"You have got it down as fine as that, eh?"
"I have."
"If you take away the boat, you will take from me what chance I might have for escape."
"You must not remain."
"But I shall!"
"You are determined?"
"I am."
"Very well, I will leave you the boat; by walking about four miles I can find a way to cross over to the mainland."
"I wish you were a braver man."
"I have a family."
"That settles it!" exclaimed the detective, and he added, "as you are going away you had better go now."
It was near sundown, and there lay the "Nancy" on the calm waters of the bay, looking to be as harmless a craft as rested on a keel.
"Can I not persuade you to go with me?"
"No, sir."
"You cannot fully realize the danger."
"Hang the danger! I've a duty to perform, and I'll stay here and see that cargo put ashore from the 'Nancy,' even if it prove the last scene of my life!"
"The chances are that such will prove to be the fact; I warn you that the danger cannot be denied."
"Well, you had better go if you have four miles to travel before sundown."
"Have you any messages to leave?"
"None."
"Who am I to report to in case you are never seen alive?"
"You are taking a serious view of it."
"I am; I tell you it's certain death for a stranger to remain on this island to-night!"
"Suppose the stranger is not discovered, my good friend?"
"You are certain to be discovered. The whole island will be patrolled."
"You speak like a man who has had some dire experience."
"I would not remain on this island to-night for the fall value of it in dollars."
"Why do you specify to-night?"
"Oh, any other night it would be all right, but as you know, it is a business evening to-night, and they will be all on guard."
"I must take the chances."
"Well, good-bye; I go now."
"Good-bye; I will call and see you to-morrow and pay you your reward."
"I hope you may, but I never expect to see you again. What I recommend is that you guide the cutter to this place--"
"I must first know just where to guide them."
"Come here in force, and with all the knowledge you have you will soon find the right place."
"I will come here in force in good season, but to-night I take points alone."
"Good-bye."
"All right, good-bye."
Taylor spoke in a very solemn tone, and wore a solemn look upon his face as he walked away.
The sun was just on the edge of the horizon when our hero found himself alone.
"Well, well," he muttered, "I have been a lucky man. I've got this business right down to the right point, and with the additional information I shall gain I will be king of the mystery."
The detective was highly delighted with his prospective success, and with wonderful patience under all the circumstances, he awaited the approach of night.
From his position on the bluff, he commanded a full view of the smuggler yacht, and it was with a sweet unction to his soul that he remembered his words to Denman and his crew: "I shall see you again!"
He felt that he would come upon the smugglers at the proper moment, like an apparition fresh from a new-made grave. The men he knew believed him dead, and he well remembered the proverbial superstition of sailors, and it struck him that the time might come when it would stand him in hand to take advantage of the startling shock that would certainly attend his reappearance before that murderous crew.
Night fell, and the detective strained his eyes to watch the movements on board the "Nancy."
The men, as he discovered, were playing their game well; at the proper hour their lights were set, and all the necessary precautions taken for a vessel which proposed to lay at anchor all night in a water way.
The detective was still on the watch, while the hours slowly glided away until near midnight, when he saw certain movements on board the boat that warned him she was about to change her position.
The detective, who had been lying on the grass rose to his feet, prepared to follow the movements of the "Nancy," when he was suddenly confronted by an armed man. _