The Dock Rats of New York | Page 2

at length in a still lower whisper, she said:
"You have been betrayed!"
The young man started, and a slight pallor overspread his handsome face as he caught the girl's delicate arm in his firm grasp, and demanded:
"Who am I?"
"You are Spencer Vance."
The young man could not conceal an expression of extreme astonishment.
"Who told you my name was Spencer Vance?"
"It matters not, but take heed; do not go out on the sea to-night."
"I tell you I must! I will go, but you must tell me what you know of Spencer Vance."
"You are a revenue detective; you are in the employ of the Government; you have been betrayed, and to-night you are to be silenced if you go out on the yacht!"
"Do the men on the yacht know who I am?"
"They do not know your name, but they suspect you are a Government detective, and they have determined to put you out of the way; to-night they will do the deed if you go."
"Someone must have told them I was a Government officer."
"Yes; someone told them."
"Do you know who gave the information?"
"I do."
"Will you tell me?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"I have warned you, now go your way, and save your life! they are desperate men, the waves have already received three of their victims within a year go, and your doom is sealed! Nothing can save you!"
"I shall go!"
"You do not believe my words?"
"I will believe you if you will tell me who betrayed me to the smugglers."
"I did!" came the starring response.
The detective stood the girl off from him at arm's length, and studied her from feet to head.
The girl stood and calmly submitted to the inspection.
"So you are the traitor?"
"No."
"You admit you betrayed me?"
"I am no traitor! I owe nothing to you! I had a right to inform the boys if I saw fit, and I did so."
"And now you come and warn me?"
"Yes."
"Why do you warn me, if you are the one who set them on to murder me?"
"I did not think they would murder you, and now I have come to warn you."
"Are you engaged in the business?"
"NO."
The girl spoke in a scornful tone, and her eyes dashed with indignation.
"Who are you?"
"I do not know who I am."
A strange look came into the detective's eyes as an idea dashed through his mind.
"Are you the child of a wreck?"
"I do not know. I know nothing about myself."
"Whom do you live with?"
"The man who calls himself my father."
"Is he not your father?"
"No."
"Has he confessed to you that he is not your father?"
"No."
"Then how do you know he is not your father?"
"I know he is not."
"Why do you live with him?"
"Where should I go? I have no other home, and he is kind to me."
"Is he a smuggler?"
"It is not fair to ask me that question."
"Why not?"
"I have told you all that was needful to warn you of your own peril; you should not take advantage of my frankness."
The detective looked upon the lovely girl with a deep sense of pity in his heart. Her appearance seemed to tell her tale, and it was sad to think that such wondrous beauty was but the plaything of a gang of rough sailors.
"Are you married?" asked the detective, abruptly:
"No," came the answer, in a quick, decisive tone.
"Will you tell me your name?"
"They call me Renie."
"And your father's name?"
"Tom Pearce."
"The boat-keeper?"
"Yes."
"And you informed the men who I was?" repeated the detective.
"Yes."
"How did you find out that I was a Government officer?"
"I will not tell you."
"How did you find out that the men intended to go for me to-night?"
"I overheard them arranging their plans."
"Do they know that you overheard them?"
"No."
"Then when they discover that I am up to their plans, will they not accuse you of having betrayed them?"
"That is a question I cannot answer."
"I am astonished that you should put me in this peril, and then come and warn me!"
"I tell you I did not think my information would be followed by anything serious."
"But you tell me that three other officers have suffered by them."
"I did not know that until after I had told them who you were."
"Did you tell them directly?"
"No."
"Well, Renie, I am much obliged to you."
"And you will not go off in the yacht to-night?"
"I will think the matter over."
"Promise me that you will not go!" pleaded the girl, in an earnest tone.
"I will not promise; but if I do go, you need have no fear. I can take care of myself, forewarned, you know, is forearmed. Goodnight, Renie."
"I shall never forgive myself if you are injured!"
"Thank you for your interest; but you need have no fear. I can take care of myself; the crew of the yacht 'Nancy' will not toss me to the fishes to-night."
The girl turned and walked away under the moonlight, and a strange impulse caused the detective to follow her.
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