"
"I know she is not your child."
"Yes; you forced that confession from me a long time ago."
"Tell me the girl's history."
"I dare not."
"Does she know the tale?"
"No."
"She believes herself your child?"
"I think she has a suspicion that she is not my child, but she
loves me."
"Has she ever asked you whether or not she is your child?"
"Never!"
"Nor hinted?"
"No."
"Then why do you say she suspects that she is not your child?"
"Well, from many little things I have been led to suspect
that. She herself has a suspicion of the real truth."
"You must then tell me her history."
"I dare not."
"Listen old man, I am her friend and your friend; this is no
place for Renie; when she was a mere child it was all right,
but now it is not safe. You must give her to me! and listen;
should anyone ever come to claim her, she shall be
surrendered, and you will receive any reward that may be
paid!"
"I do not think anyone will ever come for her, but could I
solve one mystery I know where to look."
"For what?"
"Her friends."
CHAPTER VI.
Garcia was evidently, as the listening detective discerned, a
very shrewd, quick-witted man.
He fixed his keen dark eyes on the old smuggler, and said:
"There is something you are keeping back from me; come now, I
will pay you one hundred dollars to tell me Renie's history."
"You will give a hundred dollars?" Pearce exclaimed, in an
eager tone.
"Yes, I will."
"You will pay the money right down?"
"Yes.
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