"But did she not act like a woman who possessed: a secret?" The girl was thoughtful for some moments. "I do remember a strange incident that once occurred when I was quite a girl." "Ah! now we are getting down to it. Relate the incident." "My reputed mother is buried in the graveyard on the mainland, beside the grave of her son." "Yes." "Well, once she visited his grave with me, and as she stood weeping, she said, after focusing her eyes on me in a strange manner: "'Renie, some day from that grave may come forth a strange secret; the day may come when I will tell you about it.'" CHAPTER IX. The detective was keenly interested at once. "Were you old enough to consider her remark seriously?" "Yes; I formed an idea as to her meaning." "What was your idea?" "She alluded to the resurrection of the dead. She was what they called a Millerite." "Yes; I have heard of those people--a strange sect, who believed the world was coming to an end about every three months. So you thought she alluded to the resurrection?" "Yes." "Did she visit her son's grave often?" "No." "Did you ever notice that her mind took any particular line of thought after these visits?" "No." The detective was thoughtful a moment, but his meditations were rudely disturbed by the reappearance of the boy Tommy. The little fellow had been running hard, and was almost breathless as he called to Renie: "Come quick! I've something to tell you." The girl stepped aside with the lad, when the latter laid: "They're coming for him." "For whom?" "That man." The lad, pointed toward the detective. "Who is coming?" "The crew of the 'Nancy.' They're all wild drunk, and they're sure to try to hurt him." "How do they know he is here?" "Someone ran in the tavern and told 'em." "Who was it?" "I don't know. I was down there 'laying around' on the watch, when a man ran in and whispered something to the big mate, and then the men all took a 'stiff tin' and with oaths and curses started to go to your daddy's cabin. I ran ahead of them to warn you." "They will not harm me." "No, but they are after him sure!" again the lad pointed toward the detective. "All right, Tommy, you go and watch them, we'll look out." Renie returned to where the detective stood, and said: "Come with me, we've not a moment to spare." "What's the matter now?" "The gang have learned that you are still on the coast; they are all mad drunk, and they're coming for you!" "Which way are the men coming?" "They are going to my father's cabin, and if they do not find you there they will commence a search for you; they're all mad with liquor, and should they find you, no power on earth can save you!" "Nonsense! they cannot harm me. I only fear for you; and now listen, I've other work around here beyond the duty of breaking up the gang of smugglers. I'm going to solve the mystery of your life, fathom the secret of Betsy Pearce, and mark my, words, I'll succeed!"