"You may not know me the next time we meet."
"This is wonderful."
"I am a detective, I have made a study of the art of disguise;
my success and my safety ofttimes depend upon my skill in
changing my appearance at a moment's notice; but now, let me
thank you for saving my life!"
"Saving your life!"
"Yes."
"It was for me you put your life in jeopardy."
"No, no, I am carrying out my own designs."
"You saved me from that man Garcia!"
"And you saved me from being hanged by those men."
"You will leave the coast now?"
"Leave the coast?"
"Yes."
"Well, I reckon not. I've just got down to business."
"You will be discovered; you will be in worse peril as the
Government detective than you were as the supposed assailant
of my father."
"I can take care of myself."
"And you will remain?"
"I will remain."
"You invite your doom."
"Well, well, I've often done the same thing before; I am in
the way of duty. Renie, understand me, I am your friend. I
will risk anything to guard you from evil, but it is my duty
to break up this gang of smugglers, and I shall do my duty at
any cost!"
"But I have betrayed you."
"Yes, I know all about it; your betrayal was not intentional;
you are a brave noble girl! tell me, are you in any way
connected with the smugglers?"
"I am not."
"Then fear nothing."
"But my father?"
"Your father is not actively engaged as a smuggler now, and I
will not get him into trouble, but I must do my duty, and now
answer me frankly, are you against me?"
"How against you?"
"I have decided to remain and do my duty, I am the enemy of
the gang! Are you their friend? Will you stand between me
and them?"
"Never! but I know you will never leave the coast alive!
those men will not rest day or night until they run you down,
and I cannot aid you, as I have already earned their enmity,
and they have demanded that I be sent away!"
"That is all right.
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