The girl told of the attempt to kidnap her.
"I see it all, Renie, I see it all! But you are safe, and you
shall not come to harm; but tell me, who, is the man who was
brought before me?"
The girl was saved an answer, for the man walked in to answer
for himself.
CHAPTER XII.
Renie was surprised to see the detective enter the cabin.
"Tom Pearce," said our hero, "I am a stranger to you and
yours, but I am your friend. I cannot tell you who I am at
present, but in good time you shall know all!"
"How was it you were suspected of having assailed me?" asked
the old smuggler.
"I was coming to your cabin to ask some questions, when, as a
stranger, who could give no satisfactory account of himself, I
was arrested."
Renie had told her father that the detective had rescued her
from the hands of Garcia and his men.
The old smuggler was not altogether satisfied with the young
man's statement, as a suspicion ran through his mind that he
was, after all, a secret emissary of the Cuban.
"You were coming to see me?" said the old smuggler.
"Yes."
"What is your business with me?"
"I can defer my business to some other time; the fact of your
injury prevents me from troubling you now."
"Never mind my injury, I am all right now. I received many a
worse thump when I was a younger man, but I am an old one now,
and I tell you age will tell; but you can open your business."
"I am your friend, Tom Pearce,"
"Many an enemy claims to be a man's friend.
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