The two men were intimate. Vance was operating directly under
the orders of the attorney, and the latter was not surprised
to see him appear under any guise.
"Well, Vance," exclaimed the district attorney, extending his
hand, "I'm glad to see you. What news?"
"Good."
"Aha, I'm glad to hear it; you've struck a trail, eh?"
"Yes."
"A good one?"
"Pretty good," answered the detective, dryly.
"Well, let's hear all about it."
"I've collared the whole business."
"What?" ejaculated the Government attorney.
Vance repeated his declaration.
"You collared the whole business?"
"Yes."
"What do you mean?"
"All that the words imply."
"Tell me all about it."
The detective in a rapid manner related his adventures, and as
he proceeded the Government attorney opened his eyes wider and
wider, and when the of officer had concluded the attorney
exclaimed:
"This is wonderful."
"It's a pretty good thing for us."
"I should say so. But, you must bear a charmed life!"
"No, no, I'm only a little watchful against accidents; and
sudden surprises."
"And you have the master of the 'Nancy' up in Ludlow Street?"
"He's there sure."
"How does he take the thing?"
"He's all done over."
"Inclined to talk?"
"I reckon you can make him talk."
"I'll visit him at once."
"Not so soon; what you want to do is to capture the 'Nancy'
and place a guard over the warehouse."
"You're right."
"You will have to secure a special train; and now when will
you be ready?"
"In two hours."
"All right. I will be at the train."
The attorney went away to make all the arrangements for a
grand seizure. He had the names of all the principals, who
were first put under surveillance, under the "shadow" of a
number of Government officers, and then all the other
arrangements were completed.
It was seven o'clock in the evening when the special train ran
out of the depot, carrying twenty armed men besides the United
States attorney, and our hero, who was in command of the
party.
Four hours later the party were ready to embark across the bay
to the island.
Our hero met his friend Taylor.
"Well, old man, what have you to report?"
"The 'Nancy' weighed anchor only half an hour ago.
"Were you on the track of any of the crew to-day?"
"They were around the village."
"Did they drop anything?"
"Not a word."
The party were soon landed on the island. Taylor did not
accompany them, as the detective did not desire to involve his
confederate in any future trouble.
The party were marched toward the rendezvous, and had gone but
a short distance when the detective, in a low tone, ordered a
halt. He had discovered one of the smuggler sentinels, toward
whom he advanced.
The man commanded our hero to halt.
The detective came to a halt, and said:
"What do you want?"
"Where do you go?"
"Is there a war round here, that you send out sentinels to
stop quiet people?"
"Who are you and where do you go?"
"That's none of your business!"
"I give you two minutes to answer."
"Only two minutes?"
"One!" called the man.
"You're crazy!" said the detective.
"Two!" called the man.
The detective uttered a signal-whistle call, and seven or
eight men sprung forward.
The sentinel stood paralyzed.
"Why don't you call three?" demanded Vance.
The man made no reply.
"I had an idea that war had been declared, so I brought my
troop this way."
The man made a movement as though about to run away, when
Vance said:
"Don't move, my friend, or you will be dropped."
The detective advanced toward the fellow, who saw at once that
resistance was in vain.
The man was disarmed and a pair of handcuffs were slipped on
his wrists.
"The jig's up," muttered the smuggler.
"Yes, my friend, the jig is up."
The party moved on and soon came in sight of the smugglers,
who were running out goods to be put on board of the "Nancy."
The detective advanced straight into their midst.
The smugglers were taken all aback, and some of them started
to move away, when the detective called out:
"The first man that moves will be shot down!"
The men did not move.
If there had been under a leader they might have shown fight,
but as they did not know exactly what force had been brought
against them, they were afraid to open a scrimmage.
The Government attorney at a signal stepped forward, and
announced that all the men were prisoners to the United States
Government, and the wholesale handcuffing of the crew of the
"Nancy" followed.
The men did not offer any resistance, but submitted like
lambs.
A boat load of men pulled out and took possession of the
"Nancy," and the work of Vance in that direction was at an
end.
We will not dwell upon the mere formal movements that followed
the "closing-in" on the smugglers. A guard was placed over
the warehouse, a guard remained on the "Nancy," and, three
hours later, the detective and the district attorney were
returning to New York on a special train.
We will merely state that the whole affair was turned over to
the Collector of the Port of New York. A revenue cutter was
dispatched to the island; and, later on, all the goods were
formally condemned, and removed to the city.
The detective had covered himself with glory, and had ascended
to the first rank of Government specials; but, after all, the
hardest part of his duties remained to be accomplished.
Spencer Vance was detained in New York all of the day
following the seizure at the island; but, upon the following
evening, he started for the fishing village down on the coast,
where he had parted from the lovely Renie under such strange
and startling circumstances.
Our hero had not forgotten the strangely beautiful girl, nor
the thrilling and romantic incidents attending her career; and
having performed his whole duty to the Government, and having
practically made an immense fortune at one stroke, he felt at
liberty to devote a little time to private detective work.
He was determined to find the missing box which was supposed
to contain the testimonies and proofs as to the girl's
parentage. It was a difficult duty, and many thrilling
adventures attended its performance.