The Dock Rats of New York | Page 9

matter."
"You remember what I promised you?"
"Yes, yes; but suppose he should come?"
"Who should come?"
The old smuggler had spoken the words in a thoughtful manner, and
the question was really addressed to himself. The old smuggler
recognised that he had made a startling admission and remained silent.
Garcia said:
"I suppose you mean the day might come when someone will appear to
claim the girl, and you will lose a large sum of money?"

"No; no; you do not know what I mean, you have never heard the girl's
strange history."
"I know she is not your child."
"Yes; you forced that confession from me a long time ago."
"Tell me the girl's history."
"I dare not."
"Does she know the tale?"
"No."
"She believes herself your child?"
"I think she has a suspicion that she is not my child, but she loves me."
"Has she ever asked you whether or not she is your child?"
"Never!"
"Nor hinted?"
"No."
"Then why do you say she suspects that she is not your child?"
"Well, from many little things I have been led to suspect that. She
herself has a suspicion of the real truth."
"You must then tell me her history."
"I dare not."
"Listen old man, I am her friend and your friend; this is no place for
Renie; when she was a mere child it was all right, but now it is not safe.
You must give her to me! and listen; should anyone ever come to claim

her, she shall be surrendered, and you will receive any reward that may
be paid!"
"I do not think anyone will ever come for her, but could I solve one
mystery I know where to look."
"For what?"
"Her friends."
CHAPTER VI.
Garcia was evidently, as the listening detective discerned, a very
shrewd, quick-witted man.
He fixed his keen dark eyes on the old smuggler, and said:
"There is something you are keeping back from me; come now, I will
pay you one hundred dollars to tell me Renie's history."
"You will give a hundred dollars?" Pearce exclaimed, in an eager tone.
"Yes, I will."
"You will pay the money right down?"
"Yes."
"I will show the letter."
The old man went down in his pocket, and drew forth the time-stained
letter he had been reading when the detective first looked in upon him,
and drawing closer to the light, said:
"I won't show you the whole letter, but I will read just one portion to
you," and he read as follows:
"DEAR Tom,--There has been one thing on my mind for a long time. I
am getting old, and at any time might die, and I have a secret which I

feet I should share with you in order to guard against accidents. Upon
that terrible night when Renie was placed in my care, there was also
consigned to my keeping a box--a sealed box--which I was never to
open until Renie should reach the age of twenty-one, or be called for by
parties claiming her as their child. I was given to understand that the
box contained proofs of the dear child's birth and parentage, and it was
hinted that some day she would inherit an immense fortune. I never
told you about the box, but when I return I will confide to you the place
where it is concealed, so that you will be prepared to carry out the trust
in case anything should happen to me before Renie becomes of age, or
is claimed by those who placed her in my charge."
The remainder of the letter had no bearing upon the case of Renie, but
was devoted to general matters.
After Tom Pearce had concluded the reading there followed a
momentary silence. The man Garcia appeared to be lost in deep thought.
The old smuggler also appeared to be lost in deep meditation.
After an interval Garcia said:
"From that letter it would appear that the proofs of the girl's identity
were in your wife's possession?"
"Yes."
"Did she keep her promise to you?"
"You mean did she inform me' where the box was hidden?"
"Yes."
"She did not."
"And she died without making the revelation?"
"Yes, she died very suddenly."
"Did you ever search over her papers?"

"I did."
"And never came across the slightest clew?"
"Never!"
"Why was it she did not make a confidant of you?"
"Well, I was a pretty wild sort of man in those days, and it's my idea
that many precious jewels are hidden in that box."
The eyes of the man Garcia glistened as he asked:
"What makes you think so?"
"Well, my old woman let fall many strange hints now and then, and
always said that Renie would be rich some day--immensely rich."
"She meant when claimed