"
"Yes, I will, surely, in the morning."
"No, sir."
"What are you getting at?"
"I will speak plainly. If you remain here you will never see
the mainland again. I tell you those men are a desperate
lot!"
"But they will not find me."
"The chances are ten to one against you, and that they will
find you. I would not remain here to-night for a hundred
thousand dollars! The danger begins exactly at nightfall."
"You have got it down as fine as that, eh?"
"I have."
"If you take away the boat, you will take from me what chance
I might have for escape."
"You must not remain."
"But I shall!"
"You are determined?"
"I am."
"Very well, I will leave you the boat; by walking about four
miles I can find a way to cross over to the mainland."
"I wish you were a braver man."
"I have a family."
"That settles it!" exclaimed the detective, and he added, "as
you are going away you had better go now."
It was near sundown, and there lay the "Nancy" on the calm
waters of the bay, looking to be as harmless a craft as rested
on a keel.
"Can I not persuade you to go with me?"
"No, sir."
"You cannot fully realize the danger."
"Hang the danger! I've a duty to perform, and I'll stay here
and see that cargo put ashore from the 'Nancy,' even if it
prove the last scene of my life!"
"The chances are that such will prove to be the fact; I warn
you that the danger cannot be denied."
"Well, you had better go if you have four miles to travel
before sundown.
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