"
"Have you any messages to leave?"
"None."
"Who am I to report to in case you are never seen alive?"
"You are taking a serious view of it."
"I am; I tell you it's certain death for a stranger to remain
on this island to-night!"
"Suppose the stranger is not discovered, my good friend?"
"You are certain to be discovered. The whole island will be
patrolled."
"You speak like a man who has had some dire experience."
"I would not remain on this island to-night for the fall value
of it in dollars."
"Why do you specify to-night?"
"Oh, any other night it would be all right, but as you know,
it is a business evening to-night, and they will be all on
guard."
"I must take the chances."
"Well, good-bye; I go now."
"Good-bye; I will call and see you to-morrow and pay you your
reward."
"I hope you may, but I never expect to see you again. What I
recommend is that you guide the cutter to this place--"
"I must first know just where to guide them."
"Come here in force, and with all the knowledge you have you
will soon find the right place."
"I will come here in force in good season, but to-night I take
points alone."
"Good-bye."
"All right, good-bye."
Taylor spoke in a very solemn tone, and wore a solemn look
upon his face as he walked away.
The sun was just on the edge of the horizon when our hero
found himself alone.
"Well, well," he muttered, "I have been a lucky man. I've got
this business right down to the right point, and with the
additional information I shall gain I will be king of the
mystery.
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