“Is there a man in your company named Rigby?”

Silence followed the detective’s question.  He received no immediate answer, and he once more called out: 

“Is there a man in your midst named Rigby?”

The detective spoke in broken English.  Rigby answered himself by asking: 

“What do you want of Rigby?”

“Is there such a man here?”

“If there is, what difference does it make to you?”

“I have a message for him.”

“A message?”

“Yes.”

“Who from?”

“I’ll tell Rigby.”

“See here, my man, don’t you go independent, or you will get into trouble.”

“I can’t get into any trouble if Rigby is around.”

“My name is Rigby.”

“Can I see you alone?”

“Anything you have to say can be spoken right out; we are all one company here.”

“That would not be according to instructions.”

Rigby really wanted to talk alone with the man, but did not wish to make it so appear.

“What do you say, boys, shall I let him see me alone?”

“Certainly,” came the answer.

“Come along, my friend,” commanded Rigby.

The detective followed the proprietor of the tavern inside the house, and was led to a rear room.

“Now what have you got to say?”

“You are Rigby!”

“Yes, I am Rigby.”

“I must not make a mistake.”

“You are not making a mistake.”

“All right, then you are to give me your aid?”

“Give you my aid?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I am on the lay for Vance.”

“Aha! that’s the racket!”

“Yes.”

“Who sent you here?”

The detective mentioned the name of a man Rigby, had not spoken of during his talk with the smugglers.

“Do you know Denman?”

“The captain of the Nancy?”

“Yes.”

“I never saw him.  I took no orders from him.”

“Do you expect Vance down here?”

“I know he is coming.”

“When?”

“He may come tonight.”

“What is his game?”

“He is going to investigate the death of Tom Pearce.”

“Aha! does he know Pearce is dead?”

“Yes.”

“How did he get that information?”

“It was carried to him.”

“By whom?”

“That I cannot tell.”

“He really knows the old boatman is dead?”

“Yes.”

“Will he come alone?”

“No.”

“Who comes with him?”

“Half a dozen other detectives.”

“Then how will you have a chance to catch him?”

The detective was silent a moment.  He looked Rigby all over in a supercilious manner, but at length answered: 

“Don’t you know how detectives work?”

“I’d like to have you tell me.”