"We will be pursued and tracked," said the stranger. "Not after we once get across the bay." "Can you get us across?" "I should say I could." "You are a brave and determined man." "What did you mean by accusing me of the murder?" "I did not mean it when I accused you; I only wished to learn how you would receive the accusation." The detective led the way to a little cove where a boat rocked in the tide. "Can you row?" "Yes." "There is a boat; get over to the mainland as quick as you can." "Will you not go?" "No." "Why not?" "It is not necessary for me to explain to you." "But I have need of your services." "We may meet again." "We must meet again." "I can be of no service to you." "You can." "Never, until you tell me the whole story about Renie. Meantime, you haven't a moment to spare." "But it is equally dangerous for you to remain here." "No. I can take care of myself; but I would not be answerable for you." "Go with me." "You will remain here until you are, captured. Those men will scour the coast." "They will find you." "No." "Then you must be one of them, that you do not fear them." "I do not fear them. But you must go at once. Listen! they are already on our track." "Dare you remain?" "Yes, yes; but you go." "When shall I see you again?" "Do you desire to see me?" "Yes." "Where do you stay in New York?" The stranger gave the name of a hotel. "Your name!" "Selton." "I will call at your hotel to-morrow." "I can depend upon you?" "Yes." "Your name?" "King." "I will look for you. Come and see me, and you will make your fortune." "I will come; and now you hasten away." The stranger entered the boat, and the detective glided away in the darkness. Vance had gone but a short distance, when he saw several men moving along over the sand, and they were moving toward the cove. As it proved, Mr. Selton was a good oarsman, and was out of sight when the men reached the beach. The detective crept down and listened to what the men said. The fellows had lanterns with them, and discerning the tracks of two men on the beach, they argued that both had gone off in the boat. "They have got away," said one of the men. "That's dead sure; and we've lost a good chance." "What's your idea?" "The man who beat us was that fellow Ballard. We had him sure, but now it's all day. He's gone off, and he has no further call to the coast." "What brought him here to-night?" "He came to find the girl Renie." "Did you expect him?" "Yes; Denman sent word to look out for him; our captain knew he would be coming to visit the cabin of old Tom Pearce." "Who could have murdered Pearce?" "That's the mystery. I learned to-night that the girl had not been seen on the beach for a number of days; whoever killed old Pearce carried off the girl." "Sol Burton had a grudge against Tom Pearce and, his daughter." "Yes, but Burton was away on the 'Nancy.' He had nothing to do with it." "Do you suspect anyone?" "Yes." "Who?"