“A murder has been committed here?”

“Yes,” answered the detective.  “We found the old man lying here murdered, as you see.”

“You found him lying there?”

“Yes.”

“But that man, but a moment ago, denounced you as the murderer.”

“The man did not know what he was saying.”

“You must give an account of yourself.”

The man in the rubber coat hastened to say: 

“Mine were but idle words.”

“Ah! you did not mean what you said?” remarked the leader of the intruding party.

“I did not.”

“You two men are our prisoners.”

The man in the rubber coat became greatly excited, and declared his innocence, and protested against arrest, while the detective, as usual, was cool and unconcerned.

“What authority have you to make an arrest?” he demanded.

“We do not need any authority.  We find you two men alone; we overheard one of you accuse the other, and that is all the warrant we need.”

“I did not mean what I said!” exclaimed the stranger.  “I found this man here as you found him.  I never met him before an hour ago.”

“It makes no difference; you must both give an account of yourselves.”

“You shall not arrest me!” protested the stranger.

“You are already under arrest.”

The detective was revolving the matter in his mind.  He could. not afford to be arrested.  He could not give an account of himself; explanations at that moment would be very awkward.

The leader of the three men whispered to one of his companions, and the man addressed withdrew from the cabin.  Our hero discerned the purpose of his absence.  He had been sent for reenforcements, and it was necessary that he should make a strike at once.  He waited for the man who had been sent away, to get beyond hearing, when, in a deliberate manner, Vance said: 

“I want you men to get out of this cabin!”

“What right have you to order us out?”

“The same right that you have to declare an arrest.”

“Make no attempt to leave this cabin,” said the leader.

CHAPTER XL.

It was a critical moment, but the detective had been in worse positions a hundred times.  It would have been but a play spell to him had he wanted a scrimmage, but such was not his desire; all he wished was to get out of the place and get away before reenforcements arrived.

“You have no right to threaten me,” said Vance.

“We take the right; you are both under arrest, and we will turn you over to the county authorities on the charge of murder.”

The detective, unobserved, seized hold of a piece of broken oar, and the moment he had the club in his possession he leaped forward; his attack was so sudden and unexpected he had knocked over both men before they had any idea of his intentions.