"
"You are a fortunate man."
"I shall count in myself a fortunate man if I reach the other
side of the bay without accident."
"We will go across easy enough; but do you know the 'Nancy' is
at her old anchorage?"
"Where she lay last night?"
"Yes."
Taylor was a good oarsman, and in less than an hour the
detective was on the mainland.
"Have you any friends around here?" he asked.
"Yes."
"Honest people?"
"Yes."
"Take me to their house."
"Do you wish to find a hiding place?"
"No; I've other plans than seeking to hide just now."
Taylor led the detective to a friend's house; on the way our
hero had partially explained his plans, and had related all
the wonderful adventures that had befallen him during the past
night.
"You have taken long chances."
"I am used to taking long chances, and I've often done so and
gained nothing, but last night's work pays me for all the
risk, and, my good friend, you will come in for a nice bit of
money."
The two men reached the home of Taylor's friend, and the
detective set to work and went through the operation of a
deliberate transform. With the assistance of Taylor's friend
he secured a complete outfit, and wrought such a marvelous
change in his appearance that Taylor and his friend could
hardly convince themselves that the man who came forth from
the best bedroom was the same man who had entered it a few
moments previously.
"You are an extraordinary man," exclaimed Taylor.
"It's all a matter of business, my friend.
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