Had the men on the shore been close enough they might have discovered that something was wrong; but, at the distance, as they glanced at the detective, they evidently mistook him for Arbella. The detective did not attempt to slink away--he was too cool and ready-witted. He calmly lit a pipe and wandered around, seemingly in a listless manner; but, at the proper moment, he moved away from the beach and soon disappeared behind some bushes. "Well done!" was the glad exclamation that fell from his lips. Once beyond sight he moved along rapidly, and made for the point where he and Taylor had landed the previous night. Vance reached the spot in safety and stood a moment on the bluff looking for the boat, when he saw a man rowing directly across the bay. "I hope that fellow lands here," was the detective's muttered exclamation. The boat Taylor had left for him was gone, and he had made up his mind to appropriate the boat of the rower, in case a chance offered. He sat intently watching the boat as it came nearer and nearer, and at length a thrill shot through his heart. The danger was passed. He recognized the oarsman--Taylor was in the boat. The latter rowed straight to the beach and glanced around in a cautious manner, when the detective moved down and hailed him, in a low tone. Taylor did not recognize the detective at the first glance, and settled down to his oars as though intending to pull off, when our hero called him by name, and an instant later a full recognition had taken place. "Well;" exclaimed Taylor, "you are safe!" "Yes, I am safe." "What have you discovered?" "The whole business." "And you have not been detected?" "Oh, yes, I was fallen on several times, but I managed to creep out of a hot spot each time; but come, we have no time to spare." "You are a fortunate man." "I shall count in myself a fortunate man if I reach the other side of the bay without accident." "We will go across easy enough; but do you know the 'Nancy' is at her old anchorage?" "Where she lay last night?" "Yes." Taylor was a good oarsman, and in less than an hour the detective was on the mainland. "Have you any friends around here?" he asked. "Yes." "Honest people?" "Yes." "Take me to their house." "Do you wish to find a hiding place?" "No; I've other plans than seeking to hide just now." Taylor led the detective to a friend's house; on the way our hero had partially explained his plans, and had related all the wonderful adventures that had befallen him during the past night. "You have taken long chances." "I am used to taking long chances, and I've often done so and gained nothing, but last night's work pays me for all the risk, and, my good friend, you will come in for a nice bit of money."