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He saw that the game had opened, that Renie's warnings were about to be fulfilled but he was cool and easy and determined. It was a terrible moment, but he was as resolute as ever and replied: "That wasn't in the programme, captain." "What wasn't in the programme?" "It wasn't stated that I was to take any oaths or obligations." "I'll admit that, but it's necessary."
"You are sure there has been no acquaintance between the detective and your daughter?" "Yes; I am sure of that." "Why are you sure?" "Well, I've Renie's word, and that gal would die before she would tell a lie; no, sir, she's never spoke to him, and as she never has, she never will, for his accounts will all be cleared tonight! the lads will have a dead open and shut on him."
I supposed the child dead all these years; listen: Renie's mother died when the child was a week old, and a year later I married again; business called me to California, and while I was away I received a letter from my wife announcing the death of my infant child. I remained away one year, and upon my return accepted as true all the circumstances as related to me concerning the death of my child.
"My question came first, and I demand an answer." "I don't care what you demand." "I hold you at my mercy." "Do you think so?" "You are not what you seem," said the stranger. "Nor are you," was the quick response. "Who have I claimed to be, sir?" "Renie's father." "And you deny that I am her father?" "I do." "Who am I?" "That is for you to tell." "Who do you think I am?"
The detective had come prepared. He found several officers at the door, who took possession of the house and the villain Garcia. Our hero heard Renie's story while taking her to a place of safety, and after leaving her, he proceeded to the hotel to meet the gentleman named Selton, whom he had season to believe had a strange story to tell.
"For what?" "Her friends." Garcia was evidently, as the listening detective discerned, a very shrewd, quick-witted man. He fixed his keen dark eyes on the old smuggler, and said: "There is something you are keeping back from me; come now, I will pay you one hundred dollars to tell me Renie's history." "You will give a hundred dollars?" Pearce exclaimed, in an eager tone. "Yes, I will."
The old smuggler was a listener to the foregoing conversation, and he said: "Renie is tender-hearted." "Yes; but, Tom, Renie must go away." "Yes; she is going away." "Have you a place for her?" "Yes." "Will you tell me who assailed you?" "Ike, I can't tell you all; but I was assailed on Renie's account." "You were assailed on Renie's account?" "Yes." "This is a strange story!"
"I cannot recall, but there is something in your face that strikes me as very familiar." The detective laughed in an easy manner, and answered "Well, you'll have to depend upon your own recollections, I can't aid you to a recognition." As the detective spoke he remembered Renie's warning words, "Sol Burton, I fear, has his suspicions aroused."
"Well, it's time he was here." The answer caused a laugh. Rigby saw that the men were not satisfied, and he sought to change the subject. He said: "So old Pearce is dead?" "He is." "Where's the girl?" "That's more than we'll tell you." "I always thought Renie's good looks would bring trouble to someone sooner or later," said Rigby.
"You know she has been debarred of certain rights?" "Yes." "How is it you have let her remain here so many years?" "I believed her dead." "When did you hear that she was living?" "I was summoned a few weeks ago to the dying bed of a notorious criminal. The dying man told me that he had been employed to run away with my child." "Ah!" interrupted the detective, "you are Renie's father?"
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