The latter rowed straight to the beach and glanced around in a cautious manner, when the detective moved down and hailed him, in a low tone.

Taylor did not recognize the detective at the first glance, and settled down to his oars as though intending to pull off, when our hero called him by name, and an instant later a full recognition had taken place.

“Well;” exclaimed Taylor, “you are safe!”

“Yes, I am safe.”

“What have you discovered?”

“The whole business.”

“And you have not been detected?”

“Oh, yes, I was fallen on several times, but I managed to creep out of a hot spot each time; but come, we have no time to spare.”

“You are a fortunate man.”

“I shall count in myself a fortunate man if I reach the other side of the bay without accident.”

“We will go across easy enough; but do you know the ‘Nancy’ is at her old anchorage?”

“Where she lay last night?”

“Yes.”

Taylor was a good oarsman, and in less than an hour the detective was on the mainland.

“Have you any friends around here?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“Honest people?”

“Yes.”

“Take me to their house.”

“Do you wish to find a hiding place?”

“No; I’ve other plans than seeking to hide just now.”

Taylor led the detective to a friend’s house; on the way our hero had partially explained his plans, and had related all the wonderful adventures that had befallen him during the past night.

“You have taken long chances.”

“I am used to taking long chances, and I’ve often done so and gained nothing, but last night’s work pays me for all the risk, and, my good friend, you will come in for a nice bit of money.”

The two men reached the home of Taylor’s friend, and the detective set to work and went through the operation of a deliberate transform.  With the assistance of Taylor’s friend he secured a complete outfit, and wrought such a marvelous change in his appearance that Taylor and his friend could hardly convince themselves that the man who came forth from the best bedroom was the same man who had entered it a few moments previously.

“You are an extraordinary man,” exclaimed Taylor.

“It’s all a matter of business, my friend.”

“I can well see now why it is you are so willing to take long chances as you call them.”

“Well, yes, I’ve had some experience; but now, friend Taylor, it is not necessary to request you to keep silent concerning my movements, but I want you to watch the movements of the ‘Nancy.’”

“She will probably sail away to-day.”

“Does she usually go away the day following her night-visit to the coast?”

“Usually, yes.”

“She will not sail away to-day, and I want you to watch her and watch any of her crew that may come ashore.”