The detective was momentarily taken all aback. The stranger
came upon him suddenly.
One fact was established: the man had been the first to make
the discovery of the presence of the detective, and his good
luck gave him, seemingly, the advantage.
For a moment the two men stood gazing at each other under the
starlight.
The silence was broken by the armed man, who said:
"Well, mister, what are you doing spying around here?"
"Who says I'm spying around here?"
"I do."
"Well, you and I won't quarrel."
The stranger had a dead bead on the detective.
"No, stranger, you and I won't quarrel, it's easy for us to
come to an understanding; just tell me who you are, and what
you're doing around here, or say, your prayers as quick as you
can."
"Why, what do you mean, my good man?--this ain't one of the
South Sea Islands! I haven't fallen in with cannibals right
here in Suffolk County, New York State!"
The detective was coming the innocent dodge, and his little
lead off was most excellent, and displayed great quickness and
readiness of thought.
The smuggler, as later on the stranger proved to be, was set a
little back by the detective's pretended innocence, but in a
moment he recovered his ideas, and said:
"I think you're a thief!"
"You think I'm a thief!"
"Yes, I do."
"Well, this is a great idea, that I should be taken for a
thief!"
"You don't live on the island?"
"No."
"Have you any friends here?"
"No."
"That's just what I thought. And now, give an account of
yourself--what are you doing prowling around here?"
"This is a free country; a man can go where he pleases, I
reckon, without giving an account of himself to every man he
meets."
"If you've got any friends on the island who know you and will
vouch for you, it's all right; otherwise you will give an
account of yourself."
"I reckon it's none of your business what I am doing can the
island. I think you had better give an account of yourself,
coining upon a stranger, after dark, with pistols in your
hands!"
"I can give an account of myself. I am one of a citizens'
committee. Robberies have been frequent on this island of
late, and we compel every stranger to give an account of
himself."
"Oh, that's it, eh?"
"Yes."
"Well, arrest me, and I will give an account of myself to the
proper authorities."
"I am the proper authority."
"I don't recognize your authority."
"You are any prisoner!"
"That's all right," said the detective; and, throwing up his
arms, he walked toward the armed man.
The latter did not know exactly how to act under the
circumstances, the detective was so cool and acted so
strangely.
Our hero, however, knew what he was up to well enough, and,
when within a few feet of the smuggler, he suddenly threw
himself forward and grappled with the ruffian.
A struggle followed. Both were powerful men, but the
detective was the most active and the coolest, and better
prepared to take advantage of all chances.
Exerting himself to almost superhuman efforts, he forced the
ruffian back to a great bowlder, and threw him down with such
force that the man lost consciousness.
Half an hour passed.
The man lay silent and motionless like one dead, and no one
came to the rescue.
The detective moved stealthily from his hiding-place to the
verge of the bluff and glanced over to the spot where the
"Nancy" had been riding at anchor. The boat had disappeared.
A moment Vance stood and considered. He knew that he was
walking upon dangerous ground. He had received an intimation
of the desperateness of the gang. After a review of the
situation he walked back to where the smuggler whom he had
worsted lay. The man was just beginning to show signs of
returning consciousness.
"I reckon I'll render you harmless for the balance of the
night," muttered the detective, and he bound the man hand and
foot.
The man meantime revived, and called for water.
"Ah, you are thirsty, are you?" muttered the detective, who,
after all, was a humane and merciful fellow, and he proceeded
to a running rill near by and got some water in a rubber cup
which he always carried about him.
The man slaked his thirst, and asked:
"Where am I?"
"You are at home, I reckon."
The smuggler, at length, appeared to realize that he had been
bound, and he said:
"Who tied me up this way?"
"I did."
"Why?"
"You were set to shoot me down, and I got the better of you."
"Ah, I remember."
"Yes, you set on me and I was compelled to serve you out."
"Release me now, it's all right."
"Oh, it's all right, eh? well, I don't think so; it's my idea
you are a bad character, and I'm going to keep you here until
I notify the constable or someone else. I think you are a
highwayman or a robber or something of that sort; you're a bad
man anyhow."
"Release me, I live upon the island. I am well known. I am
no burglar or robber. I took you for one."
"Did you? well you were mistaken, and now, Mister Man, what
have you got to say particular before you go to sleep?"
"Before I go to sleep! what do you mean?"
"I mean you will rest here until morning, until I can notify
some of the citizens here, so they can come and take you into
custody; it's my idea you are a bad character."
"You do not mean what you say; you will not leave me here?"
"I will."
"It will cost you your life."
"Will it?"
"I will follow you to the end of the world."
"That's all right, but you won't start out on your journey
until after to-morrow, my friend."
"You certainly do not mean to leave me here tied in this
manner."
"Yes, I do, and I'm going to insert this in your jaw, so you
will rest quiet until morning."
"Hold! release me and I will forgive you."
The detective's answer was the insertion of a gag in the man's
mouth, and at the, same instant footsteps were heard.