As the man Garcia spoke a figure darted in through the
door-way, and with a cry of joy Renie exclaimed: "You have
come at last!"
"Yes; I am here."
Garcia rose to his feet, a look of terror upon his face. He
recognized the intruder at a glance; it was Vance, the
Government detective. The latter but exchanged a word with
Renie, when he drew a pair of handcuffs and advanced toward
Garcia. The latter recoiled and demanded:
"What would you do?"
"Arrest you as a smuggler."
"Approach me at your peril," exclaimed the felon, and he
raised his hand in a threatening manner.
Vance had no time to spare, and Garcia was quickly overpowered
and handcuffed.
Vance led Renie from the room.
The detective had come prepared. He found several officers at
the door, who took possession of the house and the villain
Garcia.
Our hero heard Renie's story while taking her to a place of
safety, and after leaving her, he proceeded to the hotel to
meet the gentleman named Selton, whom he had season to believe
had a strange story to tell.
Upon reaching the hotel Vance was shown to a handsome suite of
rooms, and a few moments later, was joined by the gentleman
whom he had met under such strange circumstances at the coast.
The meeting was cordial, and Mr. Selton said:
"I have been waiting for you."
"Well, sir, and here I promised to call and I have kept my
word."
"Now, sir, one word. Have you learned any of the
circumstances surrounding the death of old Tom Pearce?"
"He was murdered."
"And the murderer has been discovered?"
"Yes he has been arrested."
"Will you tell me all the circumstances?"
The detective told him the details of Garcia's arrest.
Mr. Selton showed a great deal of agitation as he asked: "And
the girl Renie?"
Vance assumed a grave look as he said:
"Mr. Selton, you must satisfy me that you have an honest right
to inquire about that girl before I answer your question."
"I have a right."
"State the facts, sir."
"First tell me your own interest in the girl."
Vance told the real facts of his meeting with Renie, and when
he had concluded, Mr. Selton said:
"So you are Vance the great Government detective!"
"I am."
"I can confide in you; had you told me who you were, I Should
have been pleased to have told my story, sooner."
"Better late than never."
"My tale is briefly told. Renie is my daughter."
"Your daughter?"
"Yes."
"How came you to place her in the hands of old Tom Pearce?"
"I never did. I supposed the child dead all these years;
listen: Renie's mother died when the child was a week old,
and a year later I married again; business called me to
California, and while I was away I received a letter from my
wife announcing the death of my infant child. I remained away
one year, and upon my return accepted as true all the
circumstances as related to me concerning the death of my
child.
"The years sped on, and another child, a son, was born
to me; the latter lived to be fifteen a year ago. He died,
and then my wife was taken sick, and on her death-bed she made
to me a terrible confession. She told me bow she had employed
a man to carry my child away, and lose it so that the infant's
identity could never be discovered. She told me that her
motive was to secure my whole fortune for her unborn child.
Before she died she told me the name of the man to whom she
had committed the business. I spent a year searching for the
man; I found him a few weeks ago, a convict for life. He told
me how he had disposed of the child, and I came here to search
for her, and you know all the rest."
When Mr. Selton had concluded, Vance said:
"I am satisfied, sir, that you have told me a true tale."
"Yes, sir, my tale is true, and now, please tell me of my
Child."
"Your child is safe."
"You have found her?"
"I have."
"Where is she? lead me to my child at once."
"No sir, that will not do, I must prepare her for the meeting;
but first let me tell you of her."
Vance proceeded and related all the facts concerning Renie,
and when the father learned that his child was educated to her
rightful position in life he was rejoiced.
"Yes," said Vance, "your child is fitted to adorn any station
in life; but you must see her and judge for yourself. I will
go and tell her the strange revelations that have come from
your lips."
Vance proceeded to the place where he had left the girl, and
by degrees prepared her for the wonderful announcement. The
girl listened to the story calmly, and when the detective had
finished his tale, she said:
"I am not surprised; I had hoped some day to know both father
and mother, but I am happy in having found a father."
"Will you go to your father?"
"I will."
"When?"
"Now, at once."
The two entered a carriage, and half an hour later father and
daughter were clasped in each other's arms.
The father had a little surprise for Vance. He had removed
certain little disguise appliances, and when father and
daughter stood side by side, a most striking resemblance was
apparent.
We will not attempt to describe all that passed between father
and child, but the facts of their relationship were fully
established, and the mystery of the box containing the
supposed jewels was explained.
The convict who had committed the child to Mrs. Pearce had
given her the box, and had represented that it was filled with
costly jewels; but his statement was a lie, and the old lady's
imagination had aided her in swelling the value of the
contents of the box.
Mr. Selton proved to be a very wealthy man, living in a
Western city, and Renie was taken to her grand home.
Meantime, Vance remained in New York to appear as a witness
against the band of conspirators, and the result of his labors
was the breaking up of one of the best organized smuggling
schemes that was ever attempted in America.
When our hero's duties were over, upon invitation he went to
pay a visit to Mr. Selton and his daughter, and there's a
certain rumor in the air; but as yet we are not permitted to
record that another of our heroes has hooked on to one of our
heroines; but we will say that the chances very much favor the
prospect that when Vance met the "Wild Girl of the Coast" upon
that night, he met his future wife.