It was a lucky move on the part of our hero, as he got the remainder of the points needful for the carrying out of his immediate plans.

Rigby had just joined the waiting gang of smugglers, and upon his entrance in their midst, was greeted with the question: 

“What news do you bring from York?”

CHAPTER XLI.

Rigby did not make an immediate reply, but glanced around to see who was gathered in the place.

“Come, old man, give us the news.”

“I am waiting to see if there are any strangers in our midst.”

“There are no strangers present.”

“That’s all right; I expect some strangers.”

“Who do you expect?”

“Well, boys, I’ll tell you; I saw Denman, and he let me, into some secrets, and if luck favors, all will come out right; the Government has only one witness.”

“Vance?”

“Yes; and if that man can be got rid of all will come out right.”

“Did you expect to see Vance here when you looked us over?”

“No; but I expected to see one of the men who was after Vance, and you fellows must go slow if you come across any strangers on the coast.”

“There were two strangers on the coast this night.”

“There were?”

“Yes.”

“Where were they?”

“Up at the Pearce cabin.”

“Aha! that means something; but, I’ll you, I expect two or three men who are to trail Vance and if they ever catch him on this coast, or anywhere else, they’ll down him!”

“Who are the men?”

“Ah! that’s just what no one is going to find out, except the few who are inside of the game; but go slow when you meet a stranger during the next few days.  Meantime, who was the man up at the Pearce cabin?”

“We counted him as Vance.”

“It is possible it may have been Vance.”

“There were two of them.”

“Two of them?

“Yes.”

“Then you can make up your mind that one of these men was was in our interest.”

One of the gang related all that had occurred.

“Aha!  I see it all.  The man in the rubber coat was one of our fellows.  He is on the detective’s track, you bet and it will all be right for Ike and the rest of the boys in the morning.”

The conversation was continued for some time, and the death of old Tom Pearce was discussed in a sort of left hand manner; nothing definite was disclosed, but the detective was led to believe that a little open play on his part might give him a chance to pick up a few facts.

Spencer Vance was afraid of discovery, and was about moving from his hiding place when he became aware of the fact that he had been seen.

A great excitement immediately followed.  He stepped out from his hiding-place, and was at once surrounded by a dozen armed men.

The detective as usual, was cool and easy, and, when an opportunity offered, demanded: