The strangers were determined-looking men, and, after a
moment, one for them--who appeared to be the leader of the
party--pointed toward the dead boatman, and said:
"A murder has been committed here?"
"Yes," answered the detective. "We found the old man lying
here murdered, as you see."
"You found him lying there?"
"Yes."
"But that man, but a moment ago, denounced you as the
murderer."
"The man did not know what he was saying."
"You must give an account of yourself."
The man in the rubber coat hastened to say:
"Mine were but idle words."
"Ah! you did not mean what you said?" remarked the leader of
the intruding party.
"I did not."
"You two men are our prisoners."
The man in the rubber coat became greatly excited, and
declared his innocence, and protested against arrest, while
the detective, as usual, was cool and unconcerned.
"What authority have you to make an arrest?" he demanded.
"We do not need any authority. We find you two men alone; we
overheard one of you accuse the other, and that is all the
warrant we need."
"I did not mean what I said!" exclaimed the stranger. "I
found this man here as you found him. I never met him before
an hour ago."
"It makes no difference; you must both give an account of
yourselves."
"You shall not arrest me!" protested the stranger.
"You are already under arrest."
The detective was revolving the matter in his mind. He could.
not afford to be arrested. He could not give an account of
himself; explanations at that moment would be very awkward.
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