“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.