Our hero had the knack of making little necessary articles,
and he had prepared a gag, which he inserted in the man's
mouth after having first bound the fellow's hands under him.
After inserting the gag, the detective released the man's
hands temporarily, until he had removed the prisoner's outer
and upper clothing, when a second time he bound him.
Indeed, our readers have already detected the officer's plan.
He had determined to assume the man's clothes, personate him,
and risk the chances of an escape. It was a perilous
undertaking, but the officer had been taking perilous chances
all along.
The change was made, and our detective fancied he had
succeeded in making a most excellent "make up" in his
"transform," and when all ready he moved toward the door.
He had reached a part where the real peril commenced; but,
with his hand on the butt of a cocked revolver, he ascended to
the upper room. The apartment was deserted.
"So far, so good," muttered the bold man, and he peeped out of
the door.
Again fortune favored him.
Two men were stretched out under the bluff asleep, and two
more were down close to the shore.
"Now or never!" muttered Vance, and he stepped forth.
Had the men on the shore been close enough they might have
discovered that something was wrong; but, at the distance, as
they glanced at the detective, they evidently mistook him for
Arbella.
The detective did not attempt to slink away--he was too cool
and ready-witted.
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