"
"What will you tell them about me?"
"Oh, I will fix that all right."
"They must not bother me."
"You will not be bothered."
"That's all right; go and see if you can pick up any points."
The detective was left alone; he was really only working the
game to learn all he could about the death of old Tom Pearce,
and all he wished to know was whether the smugglers had killed
the old man or not; if they were innocent, he knew just in
what direction to look for the assassin, and also where to
look for the beautiful Renie.
Meantime the gang were anxiously waiting to hear the result of
Rigby's conference with the man whom they had caught
eavesdropping around the tavern.
Rigby rejoined his friends and customers, who at once crowded
around him.
"Well, who is the fellow?"
"He's all right, boys; you remember what I told you about
strangers being around here on the lookout for Vance!"
"Is that fellow one, then?"
"He's all right."
"Have you seen his credentials?"
"I tell you he is all right."
"Don't like his looks," said one man.
"Don't like his actions," said another.
"The way we found him looks bad," said a third.
"Now you fellows rest quiet; I know who the man is, and he's
all right, the man don't travel who can fool me."
"You are satisfied he's all right?"
"Yes."
"Who were the other two men who were up at the cabin where the
body of old Pearce lies?"
"Those are the fellows you ought to have nipped."
"Was Vance one of them?"
"That we can't tell, but Vance will be here to-night; and if
you men do not spoil the game we can fix things all right.
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