“‘Carter!’ When I spoke your name, Mr. Carter, it leaped fiercely from Yasmar’s lips, and was followed by a muffled oath. ‘You’re going to get Nick Carter to dog me about New York?’ “‘If he’ll take the case.’ “‘Then you really think I’m dishonest?’ “‘I think you’re a confidence man, Yasmar; a swindler, a ----’ “Like lightning, his hand, which had been thrust into his pocket and stealthily withdrawn, shot toward my temple. “The hand was armed with a set of murderous knuckles, and the blow laid me half over the rail, silent and motionless. “I was as nearly unconscious as I ever want to be, but I still had some feeling left, and I, as I hung there, half over the boat, I can remember Yasmar looking round to see if the coast was clear. “Quickly he lifted me and pushed me over the rail.” CHAPTER II. TO THE CREDIT OF THE CATBOAT. “The moment I struck the cool water it brought all my senses back with a rush. “I kept myself afloat, and was picked up by two young men in a catboat. These young men were members of a fishing club that had a boathouse on the Sound, and were out for an all-night sail. “They were close at hand when the steamer passed, and I was hurled into the water.” “I see. You do not want your uncle to invest your money in the mine, and he is determined to do it.” “That’s it. Yasmar is a glib talker, and uncle Horace is entirely carried away with him.” “Could you not get a restraining order from the court and thus prevent your uncle from using the money?” “Under my mother’s will, Mr. Carter, my guardian has a free hand. I will do Mr. Montgomery the credit of saying that he has gone into the matter in good faith, and he is usually level-headed. In this instance, however, he is playing directly into Yasmar’s hands.” “It was Monday night when you were picked up by the young men in the catboat. This is Wednesday morning. Where have you been in the meantime?” “At the boathouse on Long Island, where I gave a fictitious name.” “You wish to make it appear to Yasmar that you are dead?” “Yes. I feel that I can fight him better in that way.” “That’s rather clever in one way, Mr. Lansing. In another way, however, it may be a very foolish move.” “How so?” “If you went to your uncle and told him how the villain had attempted your life, you would at once convince him that the Western man was a fraud, and thus prevent the investment in the Royal Ophir.” “You do not know my uncle, Mr. Carter. He is investigating the mining proposition, and, if he is satisfied with the result of his investigations, the money will be invested.” “Headstrong, is he?” “Yes, sir; very much set in his way.” “How did you happen to be on the same steamer with Yasmar?” “I was going to Boston to interview some capitalists there, who are also intending to put money into the mine. By chance, he was on the same boat.” “How is your uncle investigating the Royal Ophir mine?”