The man was, not a very powerful fellow, fortunately, and the detective easily bore him to the ground. Having secured the man, the detective said: "I am going to lighten my grip on your throat. I wish to ask you a few questions, answer me promptly and truthfully, and you will save your life; but seek to make an outcry, and you are a dead man. Now wink if you mean to keep quiet and save your life?" The mail winked. "All right, old fellow, you know the value of your skin, I see, and mark you don't make any mistake, for as certain as you make the least effort to give an alarm, you are a dead man; do you understand? If so, wink." The man winked: "That's all right," said the detective; and he released his hold on the man's throat. The man kept his word. He was not a very nervy chap, and was terrified almost to death, as it was. "What is your name?" demanded the detective. "Why do you wish to know my name?" The man spoke in a loud tone, when the detective said: "Speak low, old man--very low, or you'll never speak again. Now wink." The man winked, and the detective said: "Now tell me your name?" "My name is Arbella." "Your name is Arbella?" "Yes." "You are one of the crew of the 'Nancy'?" "No." "You are not?" "I am not." "What are you?" "I am the doctor on the vessel. I've nothing to do with their business." "Oh, you're the doctor?" "I am." "Well, doctor, you are a lucky man. I did intend to silence you, but I'll just shut you up temporarily; and now mind; if you make the least noise or attempt to offer resistance, you area dead man!" CHAPTER XXVIII. "I will be silent," the man answered. "I reckon you will, my friend." As our readers will remember, the detective had arranged to carry out a certain plan before he pounced upon the doctor. Our hero had the knack of making little necessary articles, and he had prepared a gag, which he inserted in the man's mouth after having first bound the fellow's hands under him. After inserting the gag, the detective released the man's hands temporarily, until he had removed the prisoner's outer and upper clothing, when a second time he bound him. Indeed, our readers have already detected the officer's plan. He had determined to assume the man's clothes, personate him, and risk the chances of an escape. It was a perilous undertaking, but the officer had been taking perilous chances all along. The change was made, and our detective fancied he had succeeded in making a most excellent "make up" in his "transform," and when all ready he moved toward the door. He had reached a part where the real peril commenced; but, with his hand on the butt of a cocked revolver, he ascended to the upper room. The apartment was deserted. "So far, so good," muttered the bold man, and he peeped out of the door. Again fortune favored him. Two men were stretched out under the bluff asleep, and two more were down close to the shore. "Now or never!" muttered Vance, and he stepped forth.