"
"Why?"
"The people around here are not taking well to strangers.
They entertained one lately, and he got them into a great deal
of trouble."
"How so?"
"He proved to be a Government spy, and every stranger that
comes on the coast is watched."
"This is a strange statement you are making to me."
"I am warning you."
"You are making sport of me, I fear."
"I am not."
"Are you an honest man?"
"I am."
"I should judge so, if what you tell me is true. A rogue
would not warn me."
"What I tell you is true; and because I am an honest man I
warn you."
"If you will lead me to the cabin of Tom Pearce all will be
well."
"Is the old boatman a friend of yours?"
"Yes."
"Have you seen him lately?"
"No."
"You have not seen him for a long time?"
"I have not seen him for twelve or thirteen years."
A weird suspicion flashed across the detective's mind, and he
determined to have some further talk with the man in the
rubber coat before he told him where old Tom Pearce resided.
"Is it Tom Pearce you want to see?"
"Yes."
"I will take you to where you can find him."
"To his house?"
"No."
"Where?"
"To a tavern where he resorts."
"I would prefer to see him at his house."
"Do you wish to see him or his daughter?"
The man gave a perceptible start, and demanded:
"Why do you ask that question?"
"I thought it was a good time to put it to you."
"I wish to see Tom Pearce."
"Then you do not care to see his daughter?"
"Has he a daughter?"
"He has a girl living with him.
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