It required several minutes to find the trap in the roof, and it was no slight job to displace it.When he had accomplished this much, however, it was but a moment's work to clamber out upon the roof in the pouring rain and replace the door."Py shimminy, dot vas a hard storm," he soliloquized. "Der ocean grunts as uff she vas got der dispeppersy. Now der next t'ing ish somedings else. Der roof vas slippery ash von soap ladle, und first I know der vil pe a dead Dutchmon spilled someveres over t'e ground."That portion of the main roof of the building was quite steep, and the eaves were at least twenty-five feet from the ground.Not fancying the idea of a drop of that distance, the young detective crawled to the ridge, to reconnoiter.On the other side of the ridge, the roof sloped down to meet a gable, from where the gable's roof took another descent, so as to bring the eaves about seven feet nearer to the ground.Aside from this there was no possible way of reachingterra firma."Eighteen feet! I don'd know vedda I can stand dot or no. I must try it, however, or Hal Hartly vas a dead codfish sure."Using extreme caution, he slid from one ridge to the other, and then from that to the eaves, from where he was to drop."Vel, here's der blace vere I don'd vas so much tickled. But pizness vas pizness, und a veller don'd vas can rise in der vorld vidout dropping sometimes; so here goes!" he muttered.And clinging to the eaves for a second, he let himself drop.Down—down he went, with great velocity,and finally struck upon something softer than mother earth, from which he tumbled end over end to the ground.The following instant a wild, unearthly howl rent the night."Och! murther—murther!" shrieked a man's voice; "I'm kilt! I'm kilt! Och! Holy Vargin Mary save me!"It was the Irishman's voice. It was upon him that Fritz had first alighted, and he was probably badly jarred up, for he continued to hop around and yell at the top of his voice.To make matters worse, the door of the house opened, and Gregg and his followers came pouring out.CHAPTER VI.ON THE SCENT.Fritz had been stunned a little, even after tumbling off from the yelping Irishman; still, he had sense enough to struggle to his feet on seeing the smugglers rush from the building."Shut oop!" he cried, addressing Grogan. "The smugglers are upon us! Draw your wippons, if you have any, and fire!""Dom tha wippons!" Grogan howled, refusing to hear to reason. "Och! holy Vargin! it's kilt sure I am ontirely!""Helloo! what the devil is the matter here?" the captain shouted, waving his lantern on high. "Who is it that's making all this noise?""Spies—detectives!" suggested one of his companions. "Shoot 'em down!""Hurrah! Death to the spy!" cried a third, and then they made a rush forward and seized upon Pat, despite his lively use of his "bit o' buckthorn" on the defensive.Perceiving that he was not seen, Fritz crawledsoftly away to a safe distance, and then paused to gaze back.The yelling had ceased in the vicinity of the house, and the lantern light had disappeared from view, leaving naught but blank darkness and the pouring rain, which came down monotonously but heavily."I'll bet a half-dollar dot they've choked der life oud off dot duke's son-off-a-gun," Fritz muttered, creeping under the cover of a dense tree. "I vonder off I proke any of his pones ven I lit on him. By shimminy! he must haff a gonstitution like a mule, or I'd 'a' smashed him all to sausage meat."Evidently something was to pay, for, except the sound of the storm and the dashing of the ocean against the bluff, all was quiet. The smugglers had either killed Grogan on the spot or taken him back into the house with them.And poor Hartly—what had become of him?That was the question which troubled Fritz far more than the fate of the lean man from Kilkenny."He vas a gone-up goose now anyhow, und I don'd suppose id vil do some great deal off good to vorry apoud him, only I vish I could haff saved him," he mused.It was a wild night at the best, and Fritz heartily wished that he was back in Philadelphia, sitting in the old pawnbroker-shop, beside his girl, Rebecca.Still, he would not willingly have given up what he had learned in reference to the smugglers' league for a good deal, and he was resolved to hang to the matter attentively, until he should be able to trip and trap the rogues and break up their existence as an organization.Knowing of no other available shelter in the vicinity, he resolved to linger under the tree until the smugglers should leave the building, when he would once more take possession.The night was well advanced, however, when he heard them leave in a body, and start off down the lonely road.On first thought, he was tempted to follow them, but a cold blast of wind from off the ocean warned him that he was wet to the skin, and the best thing he could do would be to get under roof and dry off.He accordingly went back into the deserted house, and sat down in the lower hall. Though not cowardly, he had no desire to keep further company with the grinning skull of thelate lamented Budge, whoever he may have been.Rolling up one end of the old carpet he converted it into a sort of pillow, and lay down, out of the draft.Sleep soon came to his relief, and he slept soundly until morning, when he was awakened by the sun shining in his face, through a rear hall window.Rising, he went out-of-doors to reconnoiter, and consider what was best to do next.It was a clear, glorious morning after the storm; the sun shone brightly, and a soft salt breeze blew off from the ocean, which was at once refreshing and invigorating.But it was not this sort of refreshment that Fritz now yearned for. He had had nothing to eat since the previous morning, and was decidedly hungry and faint."Dose fellers don'd vas can live a good vays from here, vot I saw, last night," he mused, "but, ten to one uff I ask 'em for somedings to eat, dey bounce me oud."He advanced to the northern edge of the bluff, and took a look in that direction.To his surprise he saw, not more than a half mile away, a little village, nestling near the beach.This village, for charity's sake, we will call Millburg, as that name will answer quite us well as any other.There might have been a hundred buildings, all told, and it was evidently a fishing hamlet, as a number of small boats, and smacks, were drawn up along the beach.Just outside the breakers, an ocean steamship, of small size and trim build, was anchored. Upon her sides was painted in large letters the word, "Countess.""I don'd know petter I go down there, or not," Fritz muttered, gazing down upon the village. "I don'd vas know, neider, vich job I better look to, first—der smuggler pizness, or der girl pizness. For der latter I haff der bromise of five t'ousand dollars—for der former, I like ash not get paid off mit a proken head. Still I don'd vant to leave dis blace ondil I trip und trap der game, und turn id over to der law, for dis is der whole game, sure!"After some deliberation he decided to go down to the village. The people would not offer him any molestation, probably, unless he gave them cause to suspect him, and he resolved to be constantly upon his guard.Descending from the bluff, he walked along the beach, and finally entered the little burg.It was rather a rough-looking place, built up of weather-worn wooden shanties, a few stores, and a sort of tavern.There were, however, two imposing residences, on opposite sides of the only street, which were built of stone, and set down in large shaded lawns.Passing up the street, Fritz was the target for many curious glances of rough-looking men, who sat in their doorways, but, paying no attention to them, he entered the tavern and purchased his breakfast, to which he was able to do full justice.Afterward he came out in the bar-room and sat down.A half a dozen rough-looking fellows were lounging about, who, to judge from their looks, were in the habit of ingulfing more grog than was good for them.Then the landlord, who kept a close watch over them, was the fattest specimen of manhood Fritz had seen; his girth was something enormous. He was not a villainous-looking man, like the rest, and this fact impressed Fritz more favorably than anything else he saw about the premises.During the forenoon a well-dressed, fine-looking man, with iron-gray hair and mustache, galloped up to the tavern on horseback. He looked as if he had been reared in luxury, for there was that haughtiness of mien that betokened the arrogant aristocrat."Good-morning, John," he said, as the tavern-keeper waddled to the door. "Will you send up a basket of champagne during the day, and a barrel of good ale—the champy for her ladyship, the countess, you know, and the ale for the villagers. Going to have a sort of a jollification at the lawn to-night, you know, in honor of the arrival of the countess, and want you all to turn out."Then he galloped on, quite as airily as he had come."Who vas dot big-feelin' rooster?" Fritz asked, when John re-entered the tavern."That? Why, that's Honorable Granby Greyville," the fat man replied—"the rich haristocrat who owns most of the land hereabouts. A right big-feeling man, too, as you say.""Granby Greyville, eh?" Fritz commented, under his breath. "Vel, dot ish funny. I thought sure dot was Captain Gregg, der smuggler, und I don'd vas so much foolishedapoud it yet. I'll pet a half-dollar I find oud somedings pefore I leave der blace."Resolved to remain a few days in the village for the purpose of prospecting, Fritz made himself at home about the hotel.One suspicion after another was gradually occurring to him, and he was not slow to give them a thorough consideration prior to putting them to test.Of all things, he was desirous of attending the "jollification," as the horseman had termed it, with a view of seeing the countess, who, he learned, had lately arrived from England, in her own steamship, for a few weeks' stay upon the Atlantic coast, and a visit to her prospective husband, Greyville.During the afternoon a man entered the tavern, who evidently had "blood in his eye." His whole appearance seemed to indicate that he was anxious to have a fight with some one, and was not particular who it was.He was a large, raw-boned fellow, with great muscular development; his face was large, with a bristling stubble of black beard upon the lower portion; his eyes were dark and wild, his hair silvered with broad streaks of white, and worn in a shaggy, unkempt mass.His mouth was large, and his teeth projected beyond his lips, in a horrible manner.His attire, too, was ragged and greasy, with clumsy, stogy boots upon his feet, and a dilapidated hat upon his head.On entering the room, he paused and glared around him, as if in search of some one on whom to vent his wrath."Well, Bully Jake, what'll ye have!" the tavern-keeper demanded, with a frown, for the ruffian was evidently an unwelcome intruder."Waal, I don't keer ef I do take a drap o' likker!" the man growled, glaring around."You to blazes! I mean, what d'ye want here?" Fat John grunted."A fureigner—a fureigner! Ye know I'm death on 'em, an' thar can't none o' 'em can stay around hyar, while I hev thingsmyway.""What foreigner is there here, now?""A Dutch cuss, blarst his eyes! Thar he sets," and he indicated Fritz who was tipped back in one corner. "Oh! but I'll go through him, though! I'll pulverize and sow him to the seven winds of the earth."Then, with a tragic stride, he made for Fritz, pausing but a few paces away from him, and shaking his fist fairly in his face."You, look!" the ruffian cried. "D'ye know who I am?""Vel, I dinks I don'd vas haff made your acquaintance!" Fritz replied, retaining his seat, but on guard for an attack, if one was made."Ho! ho! I reckon not, an' ye'll wish ye never had, afore I git through with yer!" Bully Jake declared. "Behold in me, my furin rooster, Jake Jogagog, commonly known as Bully Jake, the Terror o' ther Coast. I'm a cyclone, I am. Then, I'm prime minister ter his honor, Granby Greyville, an' from him I hev orders to demolish every furin craft wot sots anchor in his domains. Therefore, ef ye wanter escape teetotal annihilation, I'd advise ye tergit! Ef ye ain't seen goin' in less'n two seconds, I'll stamp ye out o' existence.""Vel, when I gits ready to go, den I vil go, und not pefore!" Fritz retorted. "Uff you makes me any droubles, I plack your eye for you!""Oh! ye wull, hey? Oh! snortin' walrusses an' white-haired whales!" roared the bully, and sprung savagely upon the young detective, as if bent on his certain destruction, Fritz clinched with him.It was to be a struggle of brute strength now.CHAPTER VII.THE STRUGGLE.Both were strong, active men, Fritz in particular being well supplied with all the necessary muscle and agility of the prize-fighter, although he by no means looked as if he was an "ugly customer" to handle.After clinching the two men soon tripped and fell to the floor, where the struggle literally began in all its meaning."Oh! I'll show ye how ther howlin' porpoise fights!" Bully Jake roared, endeavoring to get a bite at Fritz's nose. "I'll chaw ye all up like a dish o' hash!""Vil, you, dough!" Fritz cried, finally getting his hands free, and clinching them around the bully's throat tightly. "I'll pet yoost a half-dollar you von't do noddings off der kind," and now getting the ruffian under him he gradually shut off his wind."Hold on! hold on! no chokin'!—no chokin', I say; it's ag'in' ther moral rules o' fightin'!""I don'd vas see id dot vay," Fritz said. "Eider you vas got to ax my parding for assaulting me, or I vil choke off your breathe so you vil haff none to use.""No choke, I say! Let me up, an' I'll fight ye accordin' ter book.""Not a let oop!" was the young detective's reply. "Ven you come foolin' around mit der Dutchman you pet your life you get left. Apologize, I dells you, or I turns de throttle, und shuts der sdeam off your logermotiff. I mean pizness—no 'pology, no breathe. Vas you understand?"The man began to wince as Fritz closed his terrible gripe."Oh, let me up, an' we'll call et squar'," the man gurgled."Ven you dells me 'I ax your humble parding'—den I let you up!""But I won't!""Den I vil squeeze your windpipe, so!""I ask your pardon. Oh! yes, I do. Thar, now, let me up!"Fritz obeyed, and let the ruffian rise from the floor, but just as soon as he was on his feet Bully Jake drew a long knife."Oho! I didn't say what I'd do next!" hehowled, brandishing the blade, threateningly. "I'll cut your cussed heart out now.""Vil you, dough? Vel, I'll pet you yoost apout a half-dollar, on dot, I vil!" Fritz cried, drawing and cocking his revolver. "Now, you coome on, uff you vant to get der whole dop off your head plowed off. I can do der job vid greatest of pleasure."The sight of the revolver caused the big loafer to pause."Ye wouldn't shoot, when I'm only in fun, would you?" he asked, incredulously."Well, just try me and see, dot's all," was the retort. "Your funniness vas entirely too t'in, mine friendt; I don'd vas like it. So I'll giff you one minnit der git oud. If you don'd vas gone py dot time, I vil shoot you so quicker ash I vould von leedle cat. One! Got ready, all der vile! Swi! High time you vas skinnin' oud! Three! Ven I hollers dot, if you don'd vas gone I spot you!""Then, tearfully and sadly, I must tear myself away from you," the ruffian declared, with a grimace, as he stalked toward the door, "I'll allow ye hold ther grip now, but thet ain't sayin' ye'll allus hold it."Then he took his leave.Fritz was not sorry. He did not want to hurt any one unless forced to, and yet was bound to defend himself.Toward evening the loungers, one by one, quitted the tavern, until Fritz and Fat John were the only ones in the bar-room.Then it was that the latter spoke."I say, young feller," he said, "you're a hextrordinary chap, and if it wouldn't be haskin' too much, I'd like to inquire what brings you here?""Vel, pizness, I dinks," Fritz replied, "und judgin' py der latest demonstrations, I vil haff lots off id.""You had better look out sharp for Number One, I tell you, for though this ain't counted no hard town, they ginerally pitch onto a stranger and try to bulldoze him into leavin' by settin' Bully Jake onto him.""I vas tumbled to dot already," Fritz replied; "but der virst one vot attempted it didn't make so much success.""No; but that ain't saying you'll have as big luck next time. You see, his honor, Mr. Greyville, owns most of the property hereabouts, an' he's as big feeling as a duke, and won't allow no one around 'cept what bows to his will.""Vel, ve vil see apoud dot," Fritz muttered. "I dinks dey don'd vas make mooch bulldozing me. I vant to ask you von question—don'd this man Greyville be Captain Gregg, der smuggler?"The fat host of the Lion's Paw gave a start. The question was evidently something of a surprise to him."Why, no, of course not! What ever put such an idea into your head, young man? Gregg the smuggler is said to be one of the worst characters along the Atlantic coast, and at the same time, the most successful in his line of business. Greyville is a man who would scorn to stoop tosuchwork; and, moreover, he is said to be immensely rich in ready cash, though his landed property is mortgaged for its full value."Fritz accepted this explanation without reply, but his mind was but little changed in the matter."I dinks Gregg und Greyville vas one und der same parties," he muttered, "und shall not giff up dot opinion until I can haff furder proof von vay or der odder."As soon as the gloaming of evening began to settle over the quiet little hamlet, he left thetavern, and sauntered down the street toward the Honorable Granby Greyville's residence, whither most of the villagers had already wended their way.On arriving at the front of the handsome lawn, with its winding walks, large shade trees, beds of flowers, and attractive residence, Fritz paused to survey the scene that was spread out before him.Here and there dotted about among the shade trees were tables spread with tempting viands, to which the villagers were freely helping themselves, and to the flowing pitchers of ale that were passed around by several of the village maidens.A couple of Italians were making music upon violin and harp, which sounded weird and enchanting; children were playing and romping about the grounds; Chinese lanterns were strung about among the lower branches of the trees, and altogether it was a festive and attractive scene.From his position outside the fence Fritz could see nothing of either Greyville or the alleged countess, and he resolved to enter the grounds for that purpose, which he accordingly did, and sauntered about leisurely, as if he had a perfect right there by invitation.Although many curious glances were leveled at him, he paid no attention to them, and after walking around awhile, he leaned up against a tree and looked on, studying every face within the reach of his gaze.Presently there was a shout among the assembled villagers, and upon this, the door of the mansion opened, and Mr. Greyville came forth upon the grounds, with the countess leaning upon his arm.His honor, was attired in a suit of immaculate white duck, with a massive gold chain strung across his vest and a superb diamond pin upon his shirt front.The countess was a Frenchwoman, of some three-and-thirty years, with a thin, angular face, bead-like black eyes, and hair to match, and a thin compressed mouth, which when she laughed showed two rows of pearly teeth. She also wore an abundance of paint and powder upon her face, and what with her rich attire of silk, lace, and diamonds, was a striking and peculiar-looking personage—a woman who looked crafty, and capable of mischief.As soon as she and the Honorable Greyville advanced upon the lawn, the villagers arose from the tables, and the women courtesied low,while the men swung their hats and sent up a rousing cheer.The countess and her escort then moved about here and there, with a pleasant word for all, and a bidding for them to continue their feast.As they passed near where Fritz stood leaning against the tree, Greyville gave him a sharp, stern glance, and said:"Ah! who are you, and what do you want here, sir?""Nothing in particular," Fritz replied, returning his stare, calmly. "I only see vot you vas haff a pic-nig, und I come in to look on.""Then begone, sir, at once! I allow no loafers around here. Go, I say!" and then they passed on.Fritz did not go, however, but retained his position, in defiance."Shorge Vashingdon made dis a free coundry, und I von'd go dil I gits ready," he muttered.It was not long, however, before he was hastily approached by a man, and that man no less a person than the same flashily attired individual who had taken the young woman, Madge, away from the hotel, at Atlantic City!"Hello! get out of this, you loafer!" he cried seizing Fritz by the shoulder, roughly. "How many times do you have to be told to go? The guv'nor said go—now, if you don't light out, I'll make your heels break your neck.""Vilyou, dough!" Fritz grinned, wrenching loose, and standing on the defensive. "Yoost you keep your hands off vrom me, Griffith Gregg, or I vil knock der whole top off your nose off.""What! you vagabond! you compare me with the smuggler's son? I'll thump your skull for that piece of impudence."And he was as good as his word, for, raising a stout cane he carried, he brought it heavily down upon the young detective's head.For a moment Fritz was nearly stunned, but he quickly recovered, and sprung at his assailant, pluckily."Oh! you snoozer!" he cried, "I vil plack your eye mit plue, for dot."And he did deal the honorable's son two severe whacks between the eyes, in rapid succession, which had the effect to land him on his back on the ground."Thump me on der head, vil you?" Fritz cried, standing over him, ready to give him anotherrap, if he attempted to rise. "I'll pet you a half-dollar you vil got left, on dot.""Let me up, you dastardly loafer!" young Greyville raved, not daring to rise under the existing circumstances. "I'll murder you, for this, I—I'll—""Got your head proke, off you come mit your foolishness around me!" Fritz cried. "I'll let you oop, dough, ash I must go!"He saw a half a dozen of the village roughs coming toward the spot, and knew he was ill-prepared to battle with all of them. So with a few dextrous bounds he leaped away out of the yard, and ran swiftly down to the beach.Finding that they did not follow him, he soon after made his way up the street again, to the tavern, and went to the room which had been assigned him."I'll pet der vil pe some droubles before I got t'rough mit dis pizness," he muttered, "but I vas der man who vil come oud der winner."He was soon off in a sound sleep, from which he, hours later, awakened, with a violent start.The scene was changed.He was not in the tavern, on the bed, but instead, was bound hand and foot, and lying in the bottom of a boat!CHAPTER VIII.ADRIFT.At first Fritz had no idea of what could have happened, but it did not take him long to come to one conclusion on the matter, that he had been captured at night, thrust into the frail boat, and sent adrift on the ocean. Who had been the authors of the job? There could be no doubt in his mind about that.The Greyvilles—or the Greggs, as he believed they were—were anxious to have him leave the neighborhood, and had probably, through their agents, caused his removal in this very promiscuous manner.By an effort he sat up in the little boat and gazed around him. He was now some distance from the beach, beyond the white-capped breakers, and, as the tide was receding, the frail craft was of course drifting farther and farther from land each moment, a reflection that might have caused any one a start, while to Fritz, bound and helpless, it was the next thing to being alarming."Vel, py shimminy dunder!" was his exclamation, as he gazed dolefully around him. "Off I don'd vas in a duyfel off a fix, den I don'd vant a cent. They've come von cute game ofer me, und I'll bet a half-dollar I go down der same throat vot Jonah did—der w'ale's. Vonder vich von off dem vellers put up der shob on me? I'd like to punch his nose. Reckon id vas dot veller whose eyes I placked mit Jersey plue up at der pig-nic. I vonder vot der plazes a veller can do, anyhow?"There was a sorry prospect for his being able to do anything much toward helping himself from the unenviable situation in which he had been placed. He was unable to use his hands or feet, and was, therefore, helpless and at the mercy of the wild waters over which he was drifting.Did he have the use of hands and feet he was not yet out of danger, for the boat was without oars and the distance to the land was so great as to make it a daring attempt to breast the outgoing tide in a struggle to reach the shore by swimming.Still, it seemed the only hope for him, if by any way he could free himself of the straps which bound him, and he was not the one to despairwithout first proving to his satisfaction that it was the only thing left for him to do.Therefore he set to work industriously in an attempt to loosen the bonds from his hands. Luckily they were not bound behind his back, which was one advantage, as he could use his teeth upon them.But, being leather straps, he made slow headway, nibbling at the strap around his hand; but little by little it yielded, so that after awhile a violent wrench broke it asunder, and his hands were free."Py shimminy, dot ish goot, anyhow," he muttered, making haste to unloosen his feet. "Now, der next t'ings is somedings else. How ish I going to got pack mit der shore?"It was an all-important question.The boat was perhaps a mile farther from shore than when he first had estimated the distance."I don'd know vedder I can swum dot furder or not," he muttered, doubtfully. "But subbosin' der whale, or der duyfel-fish, catch 'old mit mine pootleg, und suck me in under der vater. Vot a duyfel o' a fix I'd be in den. Off I only had some paddles, I vould haff no droubles getting to shore vid der poat."He was in the midst of these reflections when he heard a shout farther out at sea, and for the first time beheld dimly a dusky object floating in the water not far ahead of him."Hello! who you vas, und vot you vant?" Fritz shouted, in answer."I am a poor devil more or less drowned, and can't hang on to this barrel much longer. Be you man or devil, for Heaven's sake hurry along with your boat.""All righd. I vil pe dere in der sweedness py-und-py. Keep a stiff upper lip, und I'll got you soon," the young detective replied, heartily. "Dere's nodding like hang-on at der critical minute."Kneeling, and leaning over the front part of the boat, he used his hands as propellers, and in this way was able to improve the slow progress of his light craft to some extent, and in a few moments was alongside the barrel, on top of which a drenched human was balancing himself.At a glance Fritz perceived who it was."Hartly!" he exclaimed, in surprise."Yes, what's left of me," the sentenced smuggler replied, clambering into the boat. "Thank Heaven you came along just as youdid, for my gripe wouldn't hold out much longer.""Vel, I should dink not. I'd giffen you up ash dead. How ish it dot you don'd vas kilt by der smugglers?""It is no fault of theirs," Hartly replied, grimly. "They chucked me under night afore last, miles out at sea, supposing my hands and feet were bound, and a heavy stone tied to my head. But while they were rowing me out, I contrived to loosen up matters, so that I was really free the minute I struck water. But I went under all the same to deceive them. When they headed for shore I arose to the surface, and after swimming about until nearly exhausted, I caught onto this empty cask, which has in one sense been my salvation. By the tides I have been carried quite near to the shore, but my lower limbs being numb by remaining so long in the water, I dared not attempt to swim ashore, and the outgoing tide has carried me out again—not so far as it would, however, if I had not struggled shoreward constantly. But how come you out here, in this frail shell, without even oars?"Fritz explained as far as he had known, and Hartly scowled."There'll be a reckoning for some one," he said, "if I ever succeed in getting ashore. But there's not much prospect of that, unless we can get some oars, or something to pull ashore with. The tide will begin to ebb in before a great while, too.""I haff von idea," Fritz said. "Uff ve can got der parrel apart, we might do somedings vid der staves—vot you t'ink apouddot?""Good idea. We can easily get the staves."Hartly drew the barrel up alongside the boat, and soon had it knocked to pieces, and four of the staves secured."Now, then, for shore," he cried. "When we get there, I will leave you, on business, for a few hours, after which I will join you, and we will work together against the Gregg gang. We will paddle to land on the lower side of the bluff, as it wouldn't be particularly healthy for me to land in front of the village. You can, and in fact, had better keep shady, in the vicinity of the old rookery on the bluff, and I will join you, as soon as possible."Accordingly they paddled as rapidly toward the beach as their strength would permit. By the time it was daybreak they had landed below the bluff.Here they drew the light boat up on the beach, and Hartly said:"I'll leave you now, but will return, in the course of a few hours.""All righd. I vil remain in der neighborhood," Fritz replied, and then the young smuggler clambered up the side of the bluff, and was soon gone from view."I vonder vot dot veller ish oop to, now," Fritz muttered, after he had gone. "Der is somet'ing he vas goin' to do, vot he ain'd purticular apoud my knowing somedings apoud. I have haff a notion dot he ain'd vos so nice a veller vot I firsd t'ought, und I vouldn't pe much surprised if he vould give me avay off he got a chance. But, oh! I'll keep watch of him! I've got der smugglers und der kidnapper spotted, und I'll bet a half-dollar id don'd vas be some centuries till I get 'em trapped. In der meantime, der is somet'ing I vant to investigate."This was something he had noticed as he and Hartly had paddled in to the shore from the ocean.In about the center of the bluff, at the water's edge, as it faced the open Atlantic, was a dark hole of considerable size, which looked as if it might lead to a cavern in the hill.If Hartly knew of its existence, he had kept it a secret, but our German detective had noticed it, and resolved to see where the aperture led to.Under any other circumstances he would not have given it a second thought, but the fact that the smugglers held out in this vicinity—of which he now had no doubt—gave that hole in the bluff more than ordinary significance.Jumping into the boat he paddled off once more into the water, and headed toward the front of the bluff.Not knowing what danger he might unexpectedly run into, he had drawn his revolver, which, strangely enough his captors had not taken from him, and placed it on the stern seat beside him.Working silently but steadily along the face of the bluff, which was quite perpendicular, he soon came before the aperture, and headed his boat into it.Mr.—or, as he styled himself, Honorable—Granby Greyville sat in his private study this same morning, engaged in smoking a cigar, as he rocked in an easy-chair and gazed outthrough an open glass door upon the pretty lawn.That his thoughts were of an unpleasant nature was evident by a frown which disfigured his florid countenance.And this frown did not lessen, but rather increased as there suddenly appeared in the doorway no less a wild-looking personage than Silly Sue, whom Fritz had encountered upon the beach.She made a grimace and sort of a jerky bow as she saw his honor, and then stood staring at him in a strange manner."Well!" he growled, angrily, "what brings you here?""What allus brings me?" she replied, with a chuckle. "I want to come back and play up high-cockolorum, like my big-feelin' sister. S'pose that's silly, too, ain't it, daddy?""No more so than your accursed obstinacy, you fool!" was the severe reply. "You well know the only terms that can ever restore you as a member of my family.""But I won't accept 'em!""Then clear out. You shall never be anything to me till you surrender the stolen money.""Bah! it ain't yours! You're a bad, wicked man, and you got it wickedly, and get all your wealth wickedly, and the more you get the wickeder you get. Get out! I'd cut my head off, silly's I am, before I'd give you up the money.""Curses on your mulishness!""Ha! ha! I know you cherish the most fatherly regard for me. If it wasn't for the hope that I will some day restore you your lost ten thousand you'd had me drowned months ago. By the way, old man, what have you done with my feller?""Your fellow?""Yes—Hal Hartly.""How should I know anything about him?""Who should know better? Oh! you wicked monster!""Take care, girl!""No, I won't take care!" and her eyes flashed in defiance of his anger. "I ain't a bit afraid of you, because I can outrun any dog in the town. I know what's become of Hal. Your tools took him out and chucked him under. But, ha! ha! he's all right!"Greyville started a little."What foolishness is this of yours?""Oh! only silliness, of course," and she laughed loudly. "But Hal's all right, and, now that his scruples have had a pickle, I allow he'll come around to my cherished plan, and we'll make it warm for you!""What! you dare to threatenme?""Didn't I tell you I'd go for you if you didn't reform? Well, I must be off. How's my stately sister? How's the countess? Ha! ha! ha! shoot her. She's an old hag, with a glass eye and false teeth. The future Mrs. G! Bah! and such a model private excursion steamer, too! Still, it serves its purpose. I'm off now—just come up to spice your breakfast. Better mend your ways. The way of the transgressor is hard. By-by! Yours, truly, Silly Sue!"And then, with a wild laugh, she vanished.CHAPTER IX.FRITZ'S DISCOVERY.Let us return to our ventriloquist detective and his venturesome expedition.In heading the boat into the opening in the bluff, he had no idea how his venture would terminate, but was urged on by a great curiosity to explore the spot, feeling sure that it had some connection with the smugglers' league.The height of the aperture was insufficient to admit the passage of the boat with him sitting up; so putting the boat under headway he lay down and thus glided in.In high tide, this opening, he concluded, was covered by water, while in extreme low water the beach must be bare in front of the bluff, as the water at this juncture now was quite shallow.He almost immediately emerged into a cave in the heart of the bluff.It was as large as a couple of good-sized rooms, and looked as if the waters of many years had eaten it out.The work of man, however, was seen in the planks overhead, which, resting on wooden supports, held the roof in place.The water reached about midway into the chamber, and from its edge the pebbly ground ascended to the farther side of the cave, where a narrow aperture branched off—evidently cut as a passageway by the hand of man.Grounding his boat, Fritz stepped out and took a survey of his surroundings."Dis don'd look ash if id vas a healthy blace at high tide, but I reckon dot id vas der blace vere dey run in smuggled goods," he mused. "Dot passage probably leads to a higher und dryer place."Holding his revolver ready for use in case of emergency, he stole softly toward the subterranean passage, with a view to exploring it.It was a dark, uninviting tunnel, of just sufficient width and height to admit of a person's passage, and looked as if it might have no connection with any other chamber, as he could see no light to indicate its terminus.Nothing daunted, however, he entered it and walked along softly, ready for any surprise.A score of steps he went, and then emergedinto what he concluded was another large subterranean chamber, but where all was of Stygian darkness.Luckily he had a close metal pocket-box of matches with him, and lighting one after another he discovered a half dozen lamps in brackets around the chamber side.One of them he soon lit, when he proceeded to inspect his situation.As before stated, the sides of the cavern were walled up like a cellar; and in size it was a hundred and fifty feet square, by ten or twelve in height.The ceiling overhead was planked, and these supported by rude pillars resting upon the ground floor, as in the outer cave.Here and there, scattered about, were heaps of straw, pieces of wooden boxes and canvas, and occasionally a bottle, or a piece of damaged silk or lace.At the opposite side of this chamber was a round hole in the ceiling, similar to a well, down through which hung a rope ladder to the floor.This seemed to indicate that either there was another chamber, overhead, or else this was a means of access to the open air.In the stone wall, at either side of the room, were doorways supplied with strong, grated iron doors, which were fastened with padlocks and chains."Vel, I be jiggered off dis don'd vas yoost like a regular brizon," Fritz ejaculated; "und dis pe der blace vere der smugglers unpack deir goods. I t'ought I vould discoffer somet'ings, off I come here. Vonder uff dey haff got somepody shut up mit dem cells? Dot vouldn't pe so much off a 'sell,' neider, off I am any shudge."Taking down the lamp, he proceeded to inspect the matter. Approaching the right-hand dungeon, he peered in.The place, evidently, was empty.Crossing the cavern to the door of the other, to his surprise he saw that this dungeon was occupied.Upon a rude cot bed, a woman was stretched, apparently fast asleep.As her face was turned from his view, he could not tell whether she was young or old, pretty or ugly, but he was strangely impressed. Her size—form—clothing, all aroused his suspicions that it really was the Leadville man's runaway daughter—Madge Thornton, or Thurston,as she had called herself. He was staggered a moment by the very thought."Hello! vake oop—who you vas?" he shouted, rattling the door.The woman gave a violent start, and sat up on her cot, with a gasp: it was indeed the speculator's lost daughter!"Goot! dot vas a nest egg for me!" was the thought that flashed through his mind, as he remembered the offered reward."Who are you?—what do you want?" the bride of Major Atkins demanded, eagerly, as she arose from her bed, and stepped falteringly toward the door."Vel, I am Fritz! You remember der chap Fritz, don'd you?""Oh! yes! yes! You are a friend to me—oh! say that you are, and that you have come to rescue me and take me back to papa!""Vel, I should snicker dot dot vas apoud der size off der circumstance," the young detective grinned. "You don'd vas like dis hotel, den?""Oh! no! no! I shall die if I remain here. Open the door—take me from this terrible place! Oh! please do this, sir, and I will always love you.""Nixy! You mustn't do dot," Fritz replied, with a serious expression, "or you vil haff mine gal, Rebecca, in your vool. She's shealous, is Rebecca, und id makes her madder ash a hornet bee, uff I even looks sweed at a potato pug—dot ish a fact. But I vil get you oud all der same, if I can, vich I don'd know so much apoud, ash der door vas fastened tighter ash a brick. You see, your old dad he vas send me down dis vay to look vor you, und I dells him I find you, yoost like a pook. I vas a reg'lar snoozer at findin' dings vot don'd pelong to me.""My father sent you? Oh! joyful news! Tell me—tell me, where is my father?" and she clasped her hands, her face and eyes aglow with eagerness.There was evidently nothing dazed or somnambulistic about her now."Vel, der last I see'd your old man, he vas at der blace vere you got married. But he left for Long Branch to rustygate und keep a vedder eye out for you, vile I took der rear trail, und skeer'd up der game. You see der old man dells me off I vind you und der money vot you stole vrom him, he vould giff me five t'ousand dollars. How vas dot? He vas yoost derman I haff pen vantin' to meed, vor a long vile. But, how apoud der money?""It is where no earthly hands but mine can find it, except I give the directions!" the girl replied, with evident enthusiasm over the fact. "When I left home, to come East and marry Major Atkins, I was in a state of half insanity, or somnambulism, they called it, and took the money, and when I came to my senses found it in my possession. It seems, as I have learned since, that before his leaving for the East, and at the same time when I was in my dazed state Atkins said that he had a large roll of money in my father's safe, and that when I came, I should bring it. And to my surprise, I have also since learned that it was not the first somnambulistic theft I have been guilty of. Upon discovering the large sum upon my person, I put it in a place where it would be safe, and came on to marry Major Atkins, whom I imagined myself to be in love with. We met—it was he who took me away from the hotel—and we were married, as I supposed, at the time, but it has since been proved a base deception. Almost immediately after your departure he demanded the money of me.""Vel, you guff it oop to him, I subbose?""No, I did not," she replied, with an exhibition of spirit. "I told him I didn't have it—which was true—but he wouldn't believe that, saying that he had learned I had the money in my possession on leaving home. Then I got angry and told him I wouldn't give it to him, if I did have it. This in turn enraged him, and he declared the marriage to be a sham, and that if I didn't surrender the money he would kill me. I defied him, and dared him to do it, whereupon he and the bogus minister seized upon me, and searched me, but failed to find the money. The monster, Atkins, then knocked me down, and I became insensible. When I awoke, it was in this terrible underground place. He has been here several times, and threatened me, and alternated the matter by promising to make me his wife in reality, and the mistress of a princely home if I would give up the money. But, having found out what a villain he is, I have firmly refused.""Dot vas right! Ve will giff him der duyfel von off dese days—or, at least, I vil, for smuggling. I don'd know vedder I can got you oud off here or not! I ought der haff some tools, as id don'd vas some leedle shob preakin' iron mit a veller's hands.""Oh! do try and release me, in some way—I do so want to get free!""Und I know dot. But, you see, id vas harder ash breakin' der consditution to preak dis chain."It was no easy job, indeed.The chain was several feet in length, and made of short, stout welded links. The padlock, too, was a formidable affair, such as could not easily be broken, and Fritz did not have any keys with him.He was stuck for once, in not knowing how to proceed, and was just cogitating over what was best to do, when he noticed something that caused him to start.On glancing toward the rope-ladder, he perceived that it was moving!Some one was descending it!Did he remain here, discovery was inevitable, and discovery would probably destroy all possibility of rescuing Madge.These thoughts occurred to him like a flash."'Sh! some one is coming, and I must hide!" he said to Madge, in a whisper; then he hurried softly across the chamber, into the dark passage, where he paused at a point where he could see without being seen."I'll bet dot id vas der veller whose eye I blacked," he muttered.And, sure enough, he was right.A moment later, Major Atkins,aliasyoung Greyville,aliasGriffith Gregg, came down the ladder into the cavern, his eyes yet showing unmistakable evidence of the power of Fritz's shoulder-hits."What the devil's all the noise down here?" he demanded, approaching the door of Madge's dungeon. "I thought I heard voices conversing.""You probably heard me singing, Sir Monster!" Madge retorted, sarcastically. "You know I am in good humor for vocalism.""The devil take you! It wasn't singing—it was talking I heard.""Ah! perhaps you heard me saying over threats of what I'll do, when I get free!""Now, what will you do?""I'll claw your eyes out—then I'll tie you and give you a thrashing with a bull-whip.""Bah! threaten what you like. I'll guarantee you'll remain here until I get your amiable dad's swag.""But you will never get it!""Won't I? When you begin to rot in yourdungeon, and your tongue hangs out of your mouth for want of food and water, I fancy you'll come to terms.""But I won't, though!""Oh! we shall see. I won't argue with you. At the present moment I want to find out who it was I heard you conversing with!"And to her horror he made for the dark passage.Fritz, too, was considerably concerned, and began to make a rapid and stealthy retreat to the other chamber.On arriving there, another thing startled him.The tide had set in, and the hole in the face of the bluff was so nearly filled as to make escape with the boat impossible.CHAPTER X.A DIVE FOR LIFE.There was but one choice left for Fritz—that of standing his ground and meeting young Greyville boldly; for there was apparently no avenue of escape for him now.Consequently, with his revolver drawn, ready for use, he positioned himself at the water's edge, facing the aperture, and waited.He had not long to wait.In a few seconds Griffith Gregg—as we shall henceforth call him—came striding into the chamber, and uttered a violent oath at sight of Fritz."Hello! by the Satanic I thought I was not mistaken. The Dutchman we left adrift, for sure!"Fritz did not speak, or allow himself to move a particle, but stood glaring at his enemy like one turned to stone."Hello! why the devil don't you answer?" Gregg demanded; apparently not feeling positivethat Fritz was in the flesh. "If you don't answer, I'm hanged if I don't drown ye."No answer from Fritz.But from directly over the villain's head seemed to come the words, in a hoarse voice:"Villain, behold the reflection of your crime!""Bah!" Gregg cried, with a start, glaring about him. "You can't play any tricks on me, you Dutch blunderbuss! In some way you've escaped the trap, and now I'll pay you a grudge I've got against you."And with a long knife in hand which he had drawn from his belt, he dashed fiercely at Fritz, regardless of the drawn revolver.Leveling his pistol at his opponent's breast, the young detective pulled the trigger.The weapon missed fire.Gregg was almost upon him now.There was but a moment to act, and yet, in that time, Fritz hurled the weapon with great velocity at the villain's head, and somersaulted backward into the water, the toe of one of his boots catching Gregg in under the lower jaw.This, with the stinging blow of the pistol, dropped him like a log to the ground, where he lay for an instant, howling with pain and rage.Fritz, landing in the water, swam through the almost submerged entrance, and soon was outside the cavern, at the edge of the bluff.To swim around to the southern side was the work of but a few moments, and he was once more onterra firma, at his starting-point.Here he sat down upon the beach to collect his thoughts.So strange had been his experience within the last few hours that he was really more confused than he had yet been since entering upon his profession as a detective."Now den, let me see apoud somet'ings," he muttered. "In der virst blace, dis be a reg'lar ruffian seddlement, vere id don'd vas healthy vor such ash I, und id would puzzle me to do der shob all alone. I must haff some help. Off der ish a delegraph office near here, den I must find id, und delegraph to Philadelf vor assistance. Der ish no doubt but I haff discovered der smugglers, und der next t'ing is to cabture dem. Und I don'd dink id vas healthy for me to go down mit der cave again, undil dis matter keeps shady. I vonder vot haff pecome off der gal vot called herself Silly Sue?""Here she is—what do you want of her?" a merry voice cried, and the elfin danced, laughing,out from behind a huge bowlder at Fritz's rear, where she had been concealed, evidently playing the spy. "What do you want of Silly Sue, Irishman?""I vas no Irishman!" Fritz retorted. "I am a Dutchman.""Get out! You're pure Irish. But that ain't the point. What do you want of me?""I vanted to inquire how far it ish to der nearest delegraph station?""Oh! a good ways inland. The road you see in front of the old house on the bluff leads direct to it. If you want to send a message, I'll send it for you.""You vil?""Yes. I'll hook one o' dad's horses from the pasture, and ride to town. Guess I know what ye propose doing.""Vot?""You are a detective, and you have discovered that my dad and his smugglers live around here, and you want to send for help to arrest them!""How vos you know all dot?""Oh, I'm silly enough to guess it, and I hope you'll do it. They're a hard gang, and a wicked gang, and they hate me worse thanpoison, because I'm honest, unlike the rest of them.""Captain Gregg und Honorable Granby Greyville are der same persons, not?""Yes. You're mighty cute to find that out, when some o' the villagers don't even suspect it. I'mhisgal.""Ishdota fact?""Yes, but he don't own me, because I denounce his dishonesty. Ha! ha! an old man was found dead on the beach once. The next day my papa had a big sum of money in his possession. I smelled foul play. I stole the money from him and burned it up. Ha! ha! Then he whipped me unmercifully, and turned me adrift. But, pooh! I don't care! I get along famous, and I'll make fun for the smugglers yet. So if you want me to go to the telegraph station for you, and will give me a few shillings, I'm ready.""I'll giff you five dollars!" Fritz assured."Bully!" the girl assented. "Now, just tell me what you want, and I'm yours.""Vel, I vant you to go to der delegraph office und send a message to Tony Fox, care of Police Headquarters, Philadelphia, telling him to fetch a half-dozen men der dis village at once. Can you remember dot?""Well, you bet I can! I don't forget things easily. Give us your money, and I'm off for a wild horseback ride."Fritz accordingly gave her a V-note, and then, after again instructing her what to do, she took her departure by clambering up the bluff.Fritz then lay down upon the sand in the warm sunlight, little dreaming that his plans had been overheard.The Irishman, Pat Grogan, had been concealed behind another bowlder, and had over heard every word of Fritz's conversation with Silly Sue.Shortly after her departure, and when sure Fritz was not watching, he stole softly from his place of concealment and up the side of the bluff.Once on top of the bluff, he quickened his pace, descended the opposite side, and hurried toward the village. At the residence of Granville Greyville he paused, and entered the spacious lawn.His honor and the countess were seated upon the lawn in front of the house, enjoying the shade of a great tree, and Grogan tipped his hat as he approached them."Sure, sur, it's mesilf as has made a discovery, sur," he said, with a huge grin of satisfaction."Ah! indeed! I thought you might be of some use!" his honor replied, complacently. "What is the nature of your discovery, Grogan?""Sure, sur, it's consarnin' the girl you set me to watchin'.""As I expected—curse her! What new devilment has she been up to?""Sure I did kape a civil eye on her, as yez told me to, and a bit ago she met a Dutchman on the beach, an' it's a grand plot tha be afther organizin'. The loikes av the Dutchman he ha wanted to ba sindin' a tiligraph missage to Philadelphia for tha detectives, an tha gal she did till him for a V she would stale a horse forninst your pasture an' be carryin' the missage for him hersilf, whereat he forked over the cash, and she skipped, bedad!"His honor listened, his face growing purple with passion."May all the furies seize that obstinate and meddlesome little wretch!" he hissed. "She seems determined to ruin me. No amount of whippings have ever served to make her like other girls. Why didn't you stop her, Pat?""Sure, it was yersilf as told me to be doin' naught else but watchin' her.""True, I had forgotten. She has probably gone so far that it would be next to useless to attempt to overhaul her now. Do you think you could mount a horse and overtake her, Pat?""Bedad, no. It's sorry a horse I can ride, yer honor.""Then ascertain from the ostler the location of the pasture, and when she returns capture her. I'll give you ten dollars for the job.""Bad 'cess to me if I don't do it. An' what shall I be doin' to her after I cotch 'er?""Then take her to the old mansion on the bluff and wait until I come.""Och! howly murther, I'll not go in where the skelegon is—nary a time!""Nor need you. What time intervenes between your arrival and mine you can spend outside. But look sharp she don't escape you.""Sure, it's mesilf as will ba doin' that same!"Then Grogan executed a grotesque bow and took his departure toward the stable, while Greyville turned toward the countess."The devil will be to pay now. As I suspected, that Dutchman is a spy, and havingsuspicioned or ferreted out some knowledge concerning the league, has sent for his fellow watch-dogs. In less than two days we shall be in the clutches of the law, unless we make a break for liberty at once.""Oh! there is no particular reason for hurry. When we find there is danger, we can easily escape," the countess said, calmly."How? If we wait until their arrival, it will be too late.""By no means. My steamboat lies out but a short distance, and we can board it and sail forla belleFrance, in defiance.""What! without unloading?""Bah! what are a few thousand dollars to life? Besides, the goods will sell again, for full value, at Havre."
It required several minutes to find the trap in the roof, and it was no slight job to displace it.
When he had accomplished this much, however, it was but a moment's work to clamber out upon the roof in the pouring rain and replace the door.
"Py shimminy, dot vas a hard storm," he soliloquized. "Der ocean grunts as uff she vas got der dispeppersy. Now der next t'ing ish somedings else. Der roof vas slippery ash von soap ladle, und first I know der vil pe a dead Dutchmon spilled someveres over t'e ground."
That portion of the main roof of the building was quite steep, and the eaves were at least twenty-five feet from the ground.
Not fancying the idea of a drop of that distance, the young detective crawled to the ridge, to reconnoiter.
On the other side of the ridge, the roof sloped down to meet a gable, from where the gable's roof took another descent, so as to bring the eaves about seven feet nearer to the ground.
Aside from this there was no possible way of reachingterra firma.
"Eighteen feet! I don'd know vedda I can stand dot or no. I must try it, however, or Hal Hartly vas a dead codfish sure."
Using extreme caution, he slid from one ridge to the other, and then from that to the eaves, from where he was to drop.
"Vel, here's der blace vere I don'd vas so much tickled. But pizness vas pizness, und a veller don'd vas can rise in der vorld vidout dropping sometimes; so here goes!" he muttered.
And clinging to the eaves for a second, he let himself drop.
Down—down he went, with great velocity,and finally struck upon something softer than mother earth, from which he tumbled end over end to the ground.
The following instant a wild, unearthly howl rent the night.
"Och! murther—murther!" shrieked a man's voice; "I'm kilt! I'm kilt! Och! Holy Vargin Mary save me!"
It was the Irishman's voice. It was upon him that Fritz had first alighted, and he was probably badly jarred up, for he continued to hop around and yell at the top of his voice.
To make matters worse, the door of the house opened, and Gregg and his followers came pouring out.
ON THE SCENT.
Fritz had been stunned a little, even after tumbling off from the yelping Irishman; still, he had sense enough to struggle to his feet on seeing the smugglers rush from the building.
"Shut oop!" he cried, addressing Grogan. "The smugglers are upon us! Draw your wippons, if you have any, and fire!"
"Dom tha wippons!" Grogan howled, refusing to hear to reason. "Och! holy Vargin! it's kilt sure I am ontirely!"
"Helloo! what the devil is the matter here?" the captain shouted, waving his lantern on high. "Who is it that's making all this noise?"
"Spies—detectives!" suggested one of his companions. "Shoot 'em down!"
"Hurrah! Death to the spy!" cried a third, and then they made a rush forward and seized upon Pat, despite his lively use of his "bit o' buckthorn" on the defensive.
Perceiving that he was not seen, Fritz crawledsoftly away to a safe distance, and then paused to gaze back.
The yelling had ceased in the vicinity of the house, and the lantern light had disappeared from view, leaving naught but blank darkness and the pouring rain, which came down monotonously but heavily.
"I'll bet a half-dollar dot they've choked der life oud off dot duke's son-off-a-gun," Fritz muttered, creeping under the cover of a dense tree. "I vonder off I proke any of his pones ven I lit on him. By shimminy! he must haff a gonstitution like a mule, or I'd 'a' smashed him all to sausage meat."
Evidently something was to pay, for, except the sound of the storm and the dashing of the ocean against the bluff, all was quiet. The smugglers had either killed Grogan on the spot or taken him back into the house with them.
And poor Hartly—what had become of him?
That was the question which troubled Fritz far more than the fate of the lean man from Kilkenny.
"He vas a gone-up goose now anyhow, und I don'd suppose id vil do some great deal off good to vorry apoud him, only I vish I could haff saved him," he mused.
It was a wild night at the best, and Fritz heartily wished that he was back in Philadelphia, sitting in the old pawnbroker-shop, beside his girl, Rebecca.
Still, he would not willingly have given up what he had learned in reference to the smugglers' league for a good deal, and he was resolved to hang to the matter attentively, until he should be able to trip and trap the rogues and break up their existence as an organization.
Knowing of no other available shelter in the vicinity, he resolved to linger under the tree until the smugglers should leave the building, when he would once more take possession.
The night was well advanced, however, when he heard them leave in a body, and start off down the lonely road.
On first thought, he was tempted to follow them, but a cold blast of wind from off the ocean warned him that he was wet to the skin, and the best thing he could do would be to get under roof and dry off.
He accordingly went back into the deserted house, and sat down in the lower hall. Though not cowardly, he had no desire to keep further company with the grinning skull of thelate lamented Budge, whoever he may have been.
Rolling up one end of the old carpet he converted it into a sort of pillow, and lay down, out of the draft.
Sleep soon came to his relief, and he slept soundly until morning, when he was awakened by the sun shining in his face, through a rear hall window.
Rising, he went out-of-doors to reconnoiter, and consider what was best to do next.
It was a clear, glorious morning after the storm; the sun shone brightly, and a soft salt breeze blew off from the ocean, which was at once refreshing and invigorating.
But it was not this sort of refreshment that Fritz now yearned for. He had had nothing to eat since the previous morning, and was decidedly hungry and faint.
"Dose fellers don'd vas can live a good vays from here, vot I saw, last night," he mused, "but, ten to one uff I ask 'em for somedings to eat, dey bounce me oud."
He advanced to the northern edge of the bluff, and took a look in that direction.
To his surprise he saw, not more than a half mile away, a little village, nestling near the beach.
This village, for charity's sake, we will call Millburg, as that name will answer quite us well as any other.
There might have been a hundred buildings, all told, and it was evidently a fishing hamlet, as a number of small boats, and smacks, were drawn up along the beach.
Just outside the breakers, an ocean steamship, of small size and trim build, was anchored. Upon her sides was painted in large letters the word, "Countess."
"I don'd know petter I go down there, or not," Fritz muttered, gazing down upon the village. "I don'd vas know, neider, vich job I better look to, first—der smuggler pizness, or der girl pizness. For der latter I haff der bromise of five t'ousand dollars—for der former, I like ash not get paid off mit a proken head. Still I don'd vant to leave dis blace ondil I trip und trap der game, und turn id over to der law, for dis is der whole game, sure!"
After some deliberation he decided to go down to the village. The people would not offer him any molestation, probably, unless he gave them cause to suspect him, and he resolved to be constantly upon his guard.
Descending from the bluff, he walked along the beach, and finally entered the little burg.
It was rather a rough-looking place, built up of weather-worn wooden shanties, a few stores, and a sort of tavern.
There were, however, two imposing residences, on opposite sides of the only street, which were built of stone, and set down in large shaded lawns.
Passing up the street, Fritz was the target for many curious glances of rough-looking men, who sat in their doorways, but, paying no attention to them, he entered the tavern and purchased his breakfast, to which he was able to do full justice.
Afterward he came out in the bar-room and sat down.
A half a dozen rough-looking fellows were lounging about, who, to judge from their looks, were in the habit of ingulfing more grog than was good for them.
Then the landlord, who kept a close watch over them, was the fattest specimen of manhood Fritz had seen; his girth was something enormous. He was not a villainous-looking man, like the rest, and this fact impressed Fritz more favorably than anything else he saw about the premises.
During the forenoon a well-dressed, fine-looking man, with iron-gray hair and mustache, galloped up to the tavern on horseback. He looked as if he had been reared in luxury, for there was that haughtiness of mien that betokened the arrogant aristocrat.
"Good-morning, John," he said, as the tavern-keeper waddled to the door. "Will you send up a basket of champagne during the day, and a barrel of good ale—the champy for her ladyship, the countess, you know, and the ale for the villagers. Going to have a sort of a jollification at the lawn to-night, you know, in honor of the arrival of the countess, and want you all to turn out."
Then he galloped on, quite as airily as he had come.
"Who vas dot big-feelin' rooster?" Fritz asked, when John re-entered the tavern.
"That? Why, that's Honorable Granby Greyville," the fat man replied—"the rich haristocrat who owns most of the land hereabouts. A right big-feeling man, too, as you say."
"Granby Greyville, eh?" Fritz commented, under his breath. "Vel, dot ish funny. I thought sure dot was Captain Gregg, der smuggler, und I don'd vas so much foolishedapoud it yet. I'll pet a half-dollar I find oud somedings pefore I leave der blace."
Resolved to remain a few days in the village for the purpose of prospecting, Fritz made himself at home about the hotel.
One suspicion after another was gradually occurring to him, and he was not slow to give them a thorough consideration prior to putting them to test.
Of all things, he was desirous of attending the "jollification," as the horseman had termed it, with a view of seeing the countess, who, he learned, had lately arrived from England, in her own steamship, for a few weeks' stay upon the Atlantic coast, and a visit to her prospective husband, Greyville.
During the afternoon a man entered the tavern, who evidently had "blood in his eye." His whole appearance seemed to indicate that he was anxious to have a fight with some one, and was not particular who it was.
He was a large, raw-boned fellow, with great muscular development; his face was large, with a bristling stubble of black beard upon the lower portion; his eyes were dark and wild, his hair silvered with broad streaks of white, and worn in a shaggy, unkempt mass.
His mouth was large, and his teeth projected beyond his lips, in a horrible manner.
His attire, too, was ragged and greasy, with clumsy, stogy boots upon his feet, and a dilapidated hat upon his head.
On entering the room, he paused and glared around him, as if in search of some one on whom to vent his wrath.
"Well, Bully Jake, what'll ye have!" the tavern-keeper demanded, with a frown, for the ruffian was evidently an unwelcome intruder.
"Waal, I don't keer ef I do take a drap o' likker!" the man growled, glaring around.
"You to blazes! I mean, what d'ye want here?" Fat John grunted.
"A fureigner—a fureigner! Ye know I'm death on 'em, an' thar can't none o' 'em can stay around hyar, while I hev thingsmyway."
"What foreigner is there here, now?"
"A Dutch cuss, blarst his eyes! Thar he sets," and he indicated Fritz who was tipped back in one corner. "Oh! but I'll go through him, though! I'll pulverize and sow him to the seven winds of the earth."
Then, with a tragic stride, he made for Fritz, pausing but a few paces away from him, and shaking his fist fairly in his face.
"You, look!" the ruffian cried. "D'ye know who I am?"
"Vel, I dinks I don'd vas haff made your acquaintance!" Fritz replied, retaining his seat, but on guard for an attack, if one was made.
"Ho! ho! I reckon not, an' ye'll wish ye never had, afore I git through with yer!" Bully Jake declared. "Behold in me, my furin rooster, Jake Jogagog, commonly known as Bully Jake, the Terror o' ther Coast. I'm a cyclone, I am. Then, I'm prime minister ter his honor, Granby Greyville, an' from him I hev orders to demolish every furin craft wot sots anchor in his domains. Therefore, ef ye wanter escape teetotal annihilation, I'd advise ye tergit! Ef ye ain't seen goin' in less'n two seconds, I'll stamp ye out o' existence."
"Vel, when I gits ready to go, den I vil go, und not pefore!" Fritz retorted. "Uff you makes me any droubles, I plack your eye for you!"
"Oh! ye wull, hey? Oh! snortin' walrusses an' white-haired whales!" roared the bully, and sprung savagely upon the young detective, as if bent on his certain destruction, Fritz clinched with him.
It was to be a struggle of brute strength now.
THE STRUGGLE.
Both were strong, active men, Fritz in particular being well supplied with all the necessary muscle and agility of the prize-fighter, although he by no means looked as if he was an "ugly customer" to handle.
After clinching the two men soon tripped and fell to the floor, where the struggle literally began in all its meaning.
"Oh! I'll show ye how ther howlin' porpoise fights!" Bully Jake roared, endeavoring to get a bite at Fritz's nose. "I'll chaw ye all up like a dish o' hash!"
"Vil, you, dough!" Fritz cried, finally getting his hands free, and clinching them around the bully's throat tightly. "I'll pet yoost a half-dollar you von't do noddings off der kind," and now getting the ruffian under him he gradually shut off his wind.
"Hold on! hold on! no chokin'!—no chokin', I say; it's ag'in' ther moral rules o' fightin'!"
"I don'd vas see id dot vay," Fritz said. "Eider you vas got to ax my parding for assaulting me, or I vil choke off your breathe so you vil haff none to use."
"No choke, I say! Let me up, an' I'll fight ye accordin' ter book."
"Not a let oop!" was the young detective's reply. "Ven you come foolin' around mit der Dutchman you pet your life you get left. Apologize, I dells you, or I turns de throttle, und shuts der sdeam off your logermotiff. I mean pizness—no 'pology, no breathe. Vas you understand?"
The man began to wince as Fritz closed his terrible gripe.
"Oh, let me up, an' we'll call et squar'," the man gurgled.
"Ven you dells me 'I ax your humble parding'—den I let you up!"
"But I won't!"
"Den I vil squeeze your windpipe, so!"
"I ask your pardon. Oh! yes, I do. Thar, now, let me up!"
Fritz obeyed, and let the ruffian rise from the floor, but just as soon as he was on his feet Bully Jake drew a long knife.
"Oho! I didn't say what I'd do next!" hehowled, brandishing the blade, threateningly. "I'll cut your cussed heart out now."
"Vil you, dough? Vel, I'll pet you yoost apout a half-dollar, on dot, I vil!" Fritz cried, drawing and cocking his revolver. "Now, you coome on, uff you vant to get der whole dop off your head plowed off. I can do der job vid greatest of pleasure."
The sight of the revolver caused the big loafer to pause.
"Ye wouldn't shoot, when I'm only in fun, would you?" he asked, incredulously.
"Well, just try me and see, dot's all," was the retort. "Your funniness vas entirely too t'in, mine friendt; I don'd vas like it. So I'll giff you one minnit der git oud. If you don'd vas gone py dot time, I vil shoot you so quicker ash I vould von leedle cat. One! Got ready, all der vile! Swi! High time you vas skinnin' oud! Three! Ven I hollers dot, if you don'd vas gone I spot you!"
"Then, tearfully and sadly, I must tear myself away from you," the ruffian declared, with a grimace, as he stalked toward the door, "I'll allow ye hold ther grip now, but thet ain't sayin' ye'll allus hold it."
Then he took his leave.
Fritz was not sorry. He did not want to hurt any one unless forced to, and yet was bound to defend himself.
Toward evening the loungers, one by one, quitted the tavern, until Fritz and Fat John were the only ones in the bar-room.
Then it was that the latter spoke.
"I say, young feller," he said, "you're a hextrordinary chap, and if it wouldn't be haskin' too much, I'd like to inquire what brings you here?"
"Vel, pizness, I dinks," Fritz replied, "und judgin' py der latest demonstrations, I vil haff lots off id."
"You had better look out sharp for Number One, I tell you, for though this ain't counted no hard town, they ginerally pitch onto a stranger and try to bulldoze him into leavin' by settin' Bully Jake onto him."
"I vas tumbled to dot already," Fritz replied; "but der virst one vot attempted it didn't make so much success."
"No; but that ain't saying you'll have as big luck next time. You see, his honor, Mr. Greyville, owns most of the property hereabouts, an' he's as big feeling as a duke, and won't allow no one around 'cept what bows to his will."
"Vel, ve vil see apoud dot," Fritz muttered. "I dinks dey don'd vas make mooch bulldozing me. I vant to ask you von question—don'd this man Greyville be Captain Gregg, der smuggler?"
The fat host of the Lion's Paw gave a start. The question was evidently something of a surprise to him.
"Why, no, of course not! What ever put such an idea into your head, young man? Gregg the smuggler is said to be one of the worst characters along the Atlantic coast, and at the same time, the most successful in his line of business. Greyville is a man who would scorn to stoop tosuchwork; and, moreover, he is said to be immensely rich in ready cash, though his landed property is mortgaged for its full value."
Fritz accepted this explanation without reply, but his mind was but little changed in the matter.
"I dinks Gregg und Greyville vas one und der same parties," he muttered, "und shall not giff up dot opinion until I can haff furder proof von vay or der odder."
As soon as the gloaming of evening began to settle over the quiet little hamlet, he left thetavern, and sauntered down the street toward the Honorable Granby Greyville's residence, whither most of the villagers had already wended their way.
On arriving at the front of the handsome lawn, with its winding walks, large shade trees, beds of flowers, and attractive residence, Fritz paused to survey the scene that was spread out before him.
Here and there dotted about among the shade trees were tables spread with tempting viands, to which the villagers were freely helping themselves, and to the flowing pitchers of ale that were passed around by several of the village maidens.
A couple of Italians were making music upon violin and harp, which sounded weird and enchanting; children were playing and romping about the grounds; Chinese lanterns were strung about among the lower branches of the trees, and altogether it was a festive and attractive scene.
From his position outside the fence Fritz could see nothing of either Greyville or the alleged countess, and he resolved to enter the grounds for that purpose, which he accordingly did, and sauntered about leisurely, as if he had a perfect right there by invitation.
Although many curious glances were leveled at him, he paid no attention to them, and after walking around awhile, he leaned up against a tree and looked on, studying every face within the reach of his gaze.
Presently there was a shout among the assembled villagers, and upon this, the door of the mansion opened, and Mr. Greyville came forth upon the grounds, with the countess leaning upon his arm.
His honor, was attired in a suit of immaculate white duck, with a massive gold chain strung across his vest and a superb diamond pin upon his shirt front.
The countess was a Frenchwoman, of some three-and-thirty years, with a thin, angular face, bead-like black eyes, and hair to match, and a thin compressed mouth, which when she laughed showed two rows of pearly teeth. She also wore an abundance of paint and powder upon her face, and what with her rich attire of silk, lace, and diamonds, was a striking and peculiar-looking personage—a woman who looked crafty, and capable of mischief.
As soon as she and the Honorable Greyville advanced upon the lawn, the villagers arose from the tables, and the women courtesied low,while the men swung their hats and sent up a rousing cheer.
The countess and her escort then moved about here and there, with a pleasant word for all, and a bidding for them to continue their feast.
As they passed near where Fritz stood leaning against the tree, Greyville gave him a sharp, stern glance, and said:
"Ah! who are you, and what do you want here, sir?"
"Nothing in particular," Fritz replied, returning his stare, calmly. "I only see vot you vas haff a pic-nig, und I come in to look on."
"Then begone, sir, at once! I allow no loafers around here. Go, I say!" and then they passed on.
Fritz did not go, however, but retained his position, in defiance.
"Shorge Vashingdon made dis a free coundry, und I von'd go dil I gits ready," he muttered.
It was not long, however, before he was hastily approached by a man, and that man no less a person than the same flashily attired individual who had taken the young woman, Madge, away from the hotel, at Atlantic City!
"Hello! get out of this, you loafer!" he cried seizing Fritz by the shoulder, roughly. "How many times do you have to be told to go? The guv'nor said go—now, if you don't light out, I'll make your heels break your neck."
"Vilyou, dough!" Fritz grinned, wrenching loose, and standing on the defensive. "Yoost you keep your hands off vrom me, Griffith Gregg, or I vil knock der whole top off your nose off."
"What! you vagabond! you compare me with the smuggler's son? I'll thump your skull for that piece of impudence."
And he was as good as his word, for, raising a stout cane he carried, he brought it heavily down upon the young detective's head.
For a moment Fritz was nearly stunned, but he quickly recovered, and sprung at his assailant, pluckily.
"Oh! you snoozer!" he cried, "I vil plack your eye mit plue, for dot."
And he did deal the honorable's son two severe whacks between the eyes, in rapid succession, which had the effect to land him on his back on the ground.
"Thump me on der head, vil you?" Fritz cried, standing over him, ready to give him anotherrap, if he attempted to rise. "I'll pet you a half-dollar you vil got left, on dot."
"Let me up, you dastardly loafer!" young Greyville raved, not daring to rise under the existing circumstances. "I'll murder you, for this, I—I'll—"
"Got your head proke, off you come mit your foolishness around me!" Fritz cried. "I'll let you oop, dough, ash I must go!"
He saw a half a dozen of the village roughs coming toward the spot, and knew he was ill-prepared to battle with all of them. So with a few dextrous bounds he leaped away out of the yard, and ran swiftly down to the beach.
Finding that they did not follow him, he soon after made his way up the street again, to the tavern, and went to the room which had been assigned him.
"I'll pet der vil pe some droubles before I got t'rough mit dis pizness," he muttered, "but I vas der man who vil come oud der winner."
He was soon off in a sound sleep, from which he, hours later, awakened, with a violent start.
The scene was changed.
He was not in the tavern, on the bed, but instead, was bound hand and foot, and lying in the bottom of a boat!
ADRIFT.
At first Fritz had no idea of what could have happened, but it did not take him long to come to one conclusion on the matter, that he had been captured at night, thrust into the frail boat, and sent adrift on the ocean. Who had been the authors of the job? There could be no doubt in his mind about that.
The Greyvilles—or the Greggs, as he believed they were—were anxious to have him leave the neighborhood, and had probably, through their agents, caused his removal in this very promiscuous manner.
By an effort he sat up in the little boat and gazed around him. He was now some distance from the beach, beyond the white-capped breakers, and, as the tide was receding, the frail craft was of course drifting farther and farther from land each moment, a reflection that might have caused any one a start, while to Fritz, bound and helpless, it was the next thing to being alarming.
"Vel, py shimminy dunder!" was his exclamation, as he gazed dolefully around him. "Off I don'd vas in a duyfel off a fix, den I don'd vant a cent. They've come von cute game ofer me, und I'll bet a half-dollar I go down der same throat vot Jonah did—der w'ale's. Vonder vich von off dem vellers put up der shob on me? I'd like to punch his nose. Reckon id vas dot veller whose eyes I placked mit Jersey plue up at der pig-nic. I vonder vot der plazes a veller can do, anyhow?"
There was a sorry prospect for his being able to do anything much toward helping himself from the unenviable situation in which he had been placed. He was unable to use his hands or feet, and was, therefore, helpless and at the mercy of the wild waters over which he was drifting.
Did he have the use of hands and feet he was not yet out of danger, for the boat was without oars and the distance to the land was so great as to make it a daring attempt to breast the outgoing tide in a struggle to reach the shore by swimming.
Still, it seemed the only hope for him, if by any way he could free himself of the straps which bound him, and he was not the one to despairwithout first proving to his satisfaction that it was the only thing left for him to do.
Therefore he set to work industriously in an attempt to loosen the bonds from his hands. Luckily they were not bound behind his back, which was one advantage, as he could use his teeth upon them.
But, being leather straps, he made slow headway, nibbling at the strap around his hand; but little by little it yielded, so that after awhile a violent wrench broke it asunder, and his hands were free.
"Py shimminy, dot ish goot, anyhow," he muttered, making haste to unloosen his feet. "Now, der next t'ings is somedings else. How ish I going to got pack mit der shore?"
It was an all-important question.
The boat was perhaps a mile farther from shore than when he first had estimated the distance.
"I don'd know vedder I can swum dot furder or not," he muttered, doubtfully. "But subbosin' der whale, or der duyfel-fish, catch 'old mit mine pootleg, und suck me in under der vater. Vot a duyfel o' a fix I'd be in den. Off I only had some paddles, I vould haff no droubles getting to shore vid der poat."
He was in the midst of these reflections when he heard a shout farther out at sea, and for the first time beheld dimly a dusky object floating in the water not far ahead of him.
"Hello! who you vas, und vot you vant?" Fritz shouted, in answer.
"I am a poor devil more or less drowned, and can't hang on to this barrel much longer. Be you man or devil, for Heaven's sake hurry along with your boat."
"All righd. I vil pe dere in der sweedness py-und-py. Keep a stiff upper lip, und I'll got you soon," the young detective replied, heartily. "Dere's nodding like hang-on at der critical minute."
Kneeling, and leaning over the front part of the boat, he used his hands as propellers, and in this way was able to improve the slow progress of his light craft to some extent, and in a few moments was alongside the barrel, on top of which a drenched human was balancing himself.
At a glance Fritz perceived who it was.
"Hartly!" he exclaimed, in surprise.
"Yes, what's left of me," the sentenced smuggler replied, clambering into the boat. "Thank Heaven you came along just as youdid, for my gripe wouldn't hold out much longer."
"Vel, I should dink not. I'd giffen you up ash dead. How ish it dot you don'd vas kilt by der smugglers?"
"It is no fault of theirs," Hartly replied, grimly. "They chucked me under night afore last, miles out at sea, supposing my hands and feet were bound, and a heavy stone tied to my head. But while they were rowing me out, I contrived to loosen up matters, so that I was really free the minute I struck water. But I went under all the same to deceive them. When they headed for shore I arose to the surface, and after swimming about until nearly exhausted, I caught onto this empty cask, which has in one sense been my salvation. By the tides I have been carried quite near to the shore, but my lower limbs being numb by remaining so long in the water, I dared not attempt to swim ashore, and the outgoing tide has carried me out again—not so far as it would, however, if I had not struggled shoreward constantly. But how come you out here, in this frail shell, without even oars?"
Fritz explained as far as he had known, and Hartly scowled.
"There'll be a reckoning for some one," he said, "if I ever succeed in getting ashore. But there's not much prospect of that, unless we can get some oars, or something to pull ashore with. The tide will begin to ebb in before a great while, too."
"I haff von idea," Fritz said. "Uff ve can got der parrel apart, we might do somedings vid der staves—vot you t'ink apouddot?"
"Good idea. We can easily get the staves."
Hartly drew the barrel up alongside the boat, and soon had it knocked to pieces, and four of the staves secured.
"Now, then, for shore," he cried. "When we get there, I will leave you, on business, for a few hours, after which I will join you, and we will work together against the Gregg gang. We will paddle to land on the lower side of the bluff, as it wouldn't be particularly healthy for me to land in front of the village. You can, and in fact, had better keep shady, in the vicinity of the old rookery on the bluff, and I will join you, as soon as possible."
Accordingly they paddled as rapidly toward the beach as their strength would permit. By the time it was daybreak they had landed below the bluff.
Here they drew the light boat up on the beach, and Hartly said:
"I'll leave you now, but will return, in the course of a few hours."
"All righd. I vil remain in der neighborhood," Fritz replied, and then the young smuggler clambered up the side of the bluff, and was soon gone from view.
"I vonder vot dot veller ish oop to, now," Fritz muttered, after he had gone. "Der is somet'ing he vas goin' to do, vot he ain'd purticular apoud my knowing somedings apoud. I have haff a notion dot he ain'd vos so nice a veller vot I firsd t'ought, und I vouldn't pe much surprised if he vould give me avay off he got a chance. But, oh! I'll keep watch of him! I've got der smugglers und der kidnapper spotted, und I'll bet a half-dollar id don'd vas be some centuries till I get 'em trapped. In der meantime, der is somet'ing I vant to investigate."
This was something he had noticed as he and Hartly had paddled in to the shore from the ocean.
In about the center of the bluff, at the water's edge, as it faced the open Atlantic, was a dark hole of considerable size, which looked as if it might lead to a cavern in the hill.
If Hartly knew of its existence, he had kept it a secret, but our German detective had noticed it, and resolved to see where the aperture led to.
Under any other circumstances he would not have given it a second thought, but the fact that the smugglers held out in this vicinity—of which he now had no doubt—gave that hole in the bluff more than ordinary significance.
Jumping into the boat he paddled off once more into the water, and headed toward the front of the bluff.
Not knowing what danger he might unexpectedly run into, he had drawn his revolver, which, strangely enough his captors had not taken from him, and placed it on the stern seat beside him.
Working silently but steadily along the face of the bluff, which was quite perpendicular, he soon came before the aperture, and headed his boat into it.
Mr.—or, as he styled himself, Honorable—Granby Greyville sat in his private study this same morning, engaged in smoking a cigar, as he rocked in an easy-chair and gazed outthrough an open glass door upon the pretty lawn.
That his thoughts were of an unpleasant nature was evident by a frown which disfigured his florid countenance.
And this frown did not lessen, but rather increased as there suddenly appeared in the doorway no less a wild-looking personage than Silly Sue, whom Fritz had encountered upon the beach.
She made a grimace and sort of a jerky bow as she saw his honor, and then stood staring at him in a strange manner.
"Well!" he growled, angrily, "what brings you here?"
"What allus brings me?" she replied, with a chuckle. "I want to come back and play up high-cockolorum, like my big-feelin' sister. S'pose that's silly, too, ain't it, daddy?"
"No more so than your accursed obstinacy, you fool!" was the severe reply. "You well know the only terms that can ever restore you as a member of my family."
"But I won't accept 'em!"
"Then clear out. You shall never be anything to me till you surrender the stolen money."
"Bah! it ain't yours! You're a bad, wicked man, and you got it wickedly, and get all your wealth wickedly, and the more you get the wickeder you get. Get out! I'd cut my head off, silly's I am, before I'd give you up the money."
"Curses on your mulishness!"
"Ha! ha! I know you cherish the most fatherly regard for me. If it wasn't for the hope that I will some day restore you your lost ten thousand you'd had me drowned months ago. By the way, old man, what have you done with my feller?"
"Your fellow?"
"Yes—Hal Hartly."
"How should I know anything about him?"
"Who should know better? Oh! you wicked monster!"
"Take care, girl!"
"No, I won't take care!" and her eyes flashed in defiance of his anger. "I ain't a bit afraid of you, because I can outrun any dog in the town. I know what's become of Hal. Your tools took him out and chucked him under. But, ha! ha! he's all right!"
Greyville started a little.
"What foolishness is this of yours?"
"Oh! only silliness, of course," and she laughed loudly. "But Hal's all right, and, now that his scruples have had a pickle, I allow he'll come around to my cherished plan, and we'll make it warm for you!"
"What! you dare to threatenme?"
"Didn't I tell you I'd go for you if you didn't reform? Well, I must be off. How's my stately sister? How's the countess? Ha! ha! ha! shoot her. She's an old hag, with a glass eye and false teeth. The future Mrs. G! Bah! and such a model private excursion steamer, too! Still, it serves its purpose. I'm off now—just come up to spice your breakfast. Better mend your ways. The way of the transgressor is hard. By-by! Yours, truly, Silly Sue!"
And then, with a wild laugh, she vanished.
FRITZ'S DISCOVERY.
Let us return to our ventriloquist detective and his venturesome expedition.
In heading the boat into the opening in the bluff, he had no idea how his venture would terminate, but was urged on by a great curiosity to explore the spot, feeling sure that it had some connection with the smugglers' league.
The height of the aperture was insufficient to admit the passage of the boat with him sitting up; so putting the boat under headway he lay down and thus glided in.
In high tide, this opening, he concluded, was covered by water, while in extreme low water the beach must be bare in front of the bluff, as the water at this juncture now was quite shallow.
He almost immediately emerged into a cave in the heart of the bluff.
It was as large as a couple of good-sized rooms, and looked as if the waters of many years had eaten it out.
The work of man, however, was seen in the planks overhead, which, resting on wooden supports, held the roof in place.
The water reached about midway into the chamber, and from its edge the pebbly ground ascended to the farther side of the cave, where a narrow aperture branched off—evidently cut as a passageway by the hand of man.
Grounding his boat, Fritz stepped out and took a survey of his surroundings.
"Dis don'd look ash if id vas a healthy blace at high tide, but I reckon dot id vas der blace vere dey run in smuggled goods," he mused. "Dot passage probably leads to a higher und dryer place."
Holding his revolver ready for use in case of emergency, he stole softly toward the subterranean passage, with a view to exploring it.
It was a dark, uninviting tunnel, of just sufficient width and height to admit of a person's passage, and looked as if it might have no connection with any other chamber, as he could see no light to indicate its terminus.
Nothing daunted, however, he entered it and walked along softly, ready for any surprise.
A score of steps he went, and then emergedinto what he concluded was another large subterranean chamber, but where all was of Stygian darkness.
Luckily he had a close metal pocket-box of matches with him, and lighting one after another he discovered a half dozen lamps in brackets around the chamber side.
One of them he soon lit, when he proceeded to inspect his situation.
As before stated, the sides of the cavern were walled up like a cellar; and in size it was a hundred and fifty feet square, by ten or twelve in height.
The ceiling overhead was planked, and these supported by rude pillars resting upon the ground floor, as in the outer cave.
Here and there, scattered about, were heaps of straw, pieces of wooden boxes and canvas, and occasionally a bottle, or a piece of damaged silk or lace.
At the opposite side of this chamber was a round hole in the ceiling, similar to a well, down through which hung a rope ladder to the floor.
This seemed to indicate that either there was another chamber, overhead, or else this was a means of access to the open air.
In the stone wall, at either side of the room, were doorways supplied with strong, grated iron doors, which were fastened with padlocks and chains.
"Vel, I be jiggered off dis don'd vas yoost like a regular brizon," Fritz ejaculated; "und dis pe der blace vere der smugglers unpack deir goods. I t'ought I vould discoffer somet'ings, off I come here. Vonder uff dey haff got somepody shut up mit dem cells? Dot vouldn't pe so much off a 'sell,' neider, off I am any shudge."
Taking down the lamp, he proceeded to inspect the matter. Approaching the right-hand dungeon, he peered in.
The place, evidently, was empty.
Crossing the cavern to the door of the other, to his surprise he saw that this dungeon was occupied.
Upon a rude cot bed, a woman was stretched, apparently fast asleep.
As her face was turned from his view, he could not tell whether she was young or old, pretty or ugly, but he was strangely impressed. Her size—form—clothing, all aroused his suspicions that it really was the Leadville man's runaway daughter—Madge Thornton, or Thurston,as she had called herself. He was staggered a moment by the very thought.
"Hello! vake oop—who you vas?" he shouted, rattling the door.
The woman gave a violent start, and sat up on her cot, with a gasp: it was indeed the speculator's lost daughter!
"Goot! dot vas a nest egg for me!" was the thought that flashed through his mind, as he remembered the offered reward.
"Who are you?—what do you want?" the bride of Major Atkins demanded, eagerly, as she arose from her bed, and stepped falteringly toward the door.
"Vel, I am Fritz! You remember der chap Fritz, don'd you?"
"Oh! yes! yes! You are a friend to me—oh! say that you are, and that you have come to rescue me and take me back to papa!"
"Vel, I should snicker dot dot vas apoud der size off der circumstance," the young detective grinned. "You don'd vas like dis hotel, den?"
"Oh! no! no! I shall die if I remain here. Open the door—take me from this terrible place! Oh! please do this, sir, and I will always love you."
"Nixy! You mustn't do dot," Fritz replied, with a serious expression, "or you vil haff mine gal, Rebecca, in your vool. She's shealous, is Rebecca, und id makes her madder ash a hornet bee, uff I even looks sweed at a potato pug—dot ish a fact. But I vil get you oud all der same, if I can, vich I don'd know so much apoud, ash der door vas fastened tighter ash a brick. You see, your old dad he vas send me down dis vay to look vor you, und I dells him I find you, yoost like a pook. I vas a reg'lar snoozer at findin' dings vot don'd pelong to me."
"My father sent you? Oh! joyful news! Tell me—tell me, where is my father?" and she clasped her hands, her face and eyes aglow with eagerness.
There was evidently nothing dazed or somnambulistic about her now.
"Vel, der last I see'd your old man, he vas at der blace vere you got married. But he left for Long Branch to rustygate und keep a vedder eye out for you, vile I took der rear trail, und skeer'd up der game. You see der old man dells me off I vind you und der money vot you stole vrom him, he vould giff me five t'ousand dollars. How vas dot? He vas yoost derman I haff pen vantin' to meed, vor a long vile. But, how apoud der money?"
"It is where no earthly hands but mine can find it, except I give the directions!" the girl replied, with evident enthusiasm over the fact. "When I left home, to come East and marry Major Atkins, I was in a state of half insanity, or somnambulism, they called it, and took the money, and when I came to my senses found it in my possession. It seems, as I have learned since, that before his leaving for the East, and at the same time when I was in my dazed state Atkins said that he had a large roll of money in my father's safe, and that when I came, I should bring it. And to my surprise, I have also since learned that it was not the first somnambulistic theft I have been guilty of. Upon discovering the large sum upon my person, I put it in a place where it would be safe, and came on to marry Major Atkins, whom I imagined myself to be in love with. We met—it was he who took me away from the hotel—and we were married, as I supposed, at the time, but it has since been proved a base deception. Almost immediately after your departure he demanded the money of me."
"Vel, you guff it oop to him, I subbose?"
"No, I did not," she replied, with an exhibition of spirit. "I told him I didn't have it—which was true—but he wouldn't believe that, saying that he had learned I had the money in my possession on leaving home. Then I got angry and told him I wouldn't give it to him, if I did have it. This in turn enraged him, and he declared the marriage to be a sham, and that if I didn't surrender the money he would kill me. I defied him, and dared him to do it, whereupon he and the bogus minister seized upon me, and searched me, but failed to find the money. The monster, Atkins, then knocked me down, and I became insensible. When I awoke, it was in this terrible underground place. He has been here several times, and threatened me, and alternated the matter by promising to make me his wife in reality, and the mistress of a princely home if I would give up the money. But, having found out what a villain he is, I have firmly refused."
"Dot vas right! Ve will giff him der duyfel von off dese days—or, at least, I vil, for smuggling. I don'd know vedder I can got you oud off here or not! I ought der haff some tools, as id don'd vas some leedle shob preakin' iron mit a veller's hands."
"Oh! do try and release me, in some way—I do so want to get free!"
"Und I know dot. But, you see, id vas harder ash breakin' der consditution to preak dis chain."
It was no easy job, indeed.
The chain was several feet in length, and made of short, stout welded links. The padlock, too, was a formidable affair, such as could not easily be broken, and Fritz did not have any keys with him.
He was stuck for once, in not knowing how to proceed, and was just cogitating over what was best to do, when he noticed something that caused him to start.
On glancing toward the rope-ladder, he perceived that it was moving!
Some one was descending it!
Did he remain here, discovery was inevitable, and discovery would probably destroy all possibility of rescuing Madge.
These thoughts occurred to him like a flash.
"'Sh! some one is coming, and I must hide!" he said to Madge, in a whisper; then he hurried softly across the chamber, into the dark passage, where he paused at a point where he could see without being seen.
"I'll bet dot id vas der veller whose eye I blacked," he muttered.
And, sure enough, he was right.
A moment later, Major Atkins,aliasyoung Greyville,aliasGriffith Gregg, came down the ladder into the cavern, his eyes yet showing unmistakable evidence of the power of Fritz's shoulder-hits.
"What the devil's all the noise down here?" he demanded, approaching the door of Madge's dungeon. "I thought I heard voices conversing."
"You probably heard me singing, Sir Monster!" Madge retorted, sarcastically. "You know I am in good humor for vocalism."
"The devil take you! It wasn't singing—it was talking I heard."
"Ah! perhaps you heard me saying over threats of what I'll do, when I get free!"
"Now, what will you do?"
"I'll claw your eyes out—then I'll tie you and give you a thrashing with a bull-whip."
"Bah! threaten what you like. I'll guarantee you'll remain here until I get your amiable dad's swag."
"But you will never get it!"
"Won't I? When you begin to rot in yourdungeon, and your tongue hangs out of your mouth for want of food and water, I fancy you'll come to terms."
"But I won't, though!"
"Oh! we shall see. I won't argue with you. At the present moment I want to find out who it was I heard you conversing with!"
And to her horror he made for the dark passage.
Fritz, too, was considerably concerned, and began to make a rapid and stealthy retreat to the other chamber.
On arriving there, another thing startled him.
The tide had set in, and the hole in the face of the bluff was so nearly filled as to make escape with the boat impossible.
A DIVE FOR LIFE.
There was but one choice left for Fritz—that of standing his ground and meeting young Greyville boldly; for there was apparently no avenue of escape for him now.
Consequently, with his revolver drawn, ready for use, he positioned himself at the water's edge, facing the aperture, and waited.
He had not long to wait.
In a few seconds Griffith Gregg—as we shall henceforth call him—came striding into the chamber, and uttered a violent oath at sight of Fritz.
"Hello! by the Satanic I thought I was not mistaken. The Dutchman we left adrift, for sure!"
Fritz did not speak, or allow himself to move a particle, but stood glaring at his enemy like one turned to stone.
"Hello! why the devil don't you answer?" Gregg demanded; apparently not feeling positivethat Fritz was in the flesh. "If you don't answer, I'm hanged if I don't drown ye."
No answer from Fritz.
But from directly over the villain's head seemed to come the words, in a hoarse voice:
"Villain, behold the reflection of your crime!"
"Bah!" Gregg cried, with a start, glaring about him. "You can't play any tricks on me, you Dutch blunderbuss! In some way you've escaped the trap, and now I'll pay you a grudge I've got against you."
And with a long knife in hand which he had drawn from his belt, he dashed fiercely at Fritz, regardless of the drawn revolver.
Leveling his pistol at his opponent's breast, the young detective pulled the trigger.
The weapon missed fire.
Gregg was almost upon him now.
There was but a moment to act, and yet, in that time, Fritz hurled the weapon with great velocity at the villain's head, and somersaulted backward into the water, the toe of one of his boots catching Gregg in under the lower jaw.
This, with the stinging blow of the pistol, dropped him like a log to the ground, where he lay for an instant, howling with pain and rage.
Fritz, landing in the water, swam through the almost submerged entrance, and soon was outside the cavern, at the edge of the bluff.
To swim around to the southern side was the work of but a few moments, and he was once more onterra firma, at his starting-point.
Here he sat down upon the beach to collect his thoughts.
So strange had been his experience within the last few hours that he was really more confused than he had yet been since entering upon his profession as a detective.
"Now den, let me see apoud somet'ings," he muttered. "In der virst blace, dis be a reg'lar ruffian seddlement, vere id don'd vas healthy vor such ash I, und id would puzzle me to do der shob all alone. I must haff some help. Off der ish a delegraph office near here, den I must find id, und delegraph to Philadelf vor assistance. Der ish no doubt but I haff discovered der smugglers, und der next t'ing is to cabture dem. Und I don'd dink id vas healthy for me to go down mit der cave again, undil dis matter keeps shady. I vonder vot haff pecome off der gal vot called herself Silly Sue?"
"Here she is—what do you want of her?" a merry voice cried, and the elfin danced, laughing,out from behind a huge bowlder at Fritz's rear, where she had been concealed, evidently playing the spy. "What do you want of Silly Sue, Irishman?"
"I vas no Irishman!" Fritz retorted. "I am a Dutchman."
"Get out! You're pure Irish. But that ain't the point. What do you want of me?"
"I vanted to inquire how far it ish to der nearest delegraph station?"
"Oh! a good ways inland. The road you see in front of the old house on the bluff leads direct to it. If you want to send a message, I'll send it for you."
"You vil?"
"Yes. I'll hook one o' dad's horses from the pasture, and ride to town. Guess I know what ye propose doing."
"Vot?"
"You are a detective, and you have discovered that my dad and his smugglers live around here, and you want to send for help to arrest them!"
"How vos you know all dot?"
"Oh, I'm silly enough to guess it, and I hope you'll do it. They're a hard gang, and a wicked gang, and they hate me worse thanpoison, because I'm honest, unlike the rest of them."
"Captain Gregg und Honorable Granby Greyville are der same persons, not?"
"Yes. You're mighty cute to find that out, when some o' the villagers don't even suspect it. I'mhisgal."
"Ishdota fact?"
"Yes, but he don't own me, because I denounce his dishonesty. Ha! ha! an old man was found dead on the beach once. The next day my papa had a big sum of money in his possession. I smelled foul play. I stole the money from him and burned it up. Ha! ha! Then he whipped me unmercifully, and turned me adrift. But, pooh! I don't care! I get along famous, and I'll make fun for the smugglers yet. So if you want me to go to the telegraph station for you, and will give me a few shillings, I'm ready."
"I'll giff you five dollars!" Fritz assured.
"Bully!" the girl assented. "Now, just tell me what you want, and I'm yours."
"Vel, I vant you to go to der delegraph office und send a message to Tony Fox, care of Police Headquarters, Philadelphia, telling him to fetch a half-dozen men der dis village at once. Can you remember dot?"
"Well, you bet I can! I don't forget things easily. Give us your money, and I'm off for a wild horseback ride."
Fritz accordingly gave her a V-note, and then, after again instructing her what to do, she took her departure by clambering up the bluff.
Fritz then lay down upon the sand in the warm sunlight, little dreaming that his plans had been overheard.
The Irishman, Pat Grogan, had been concealed behind another bowlder, and had over heard every word of Fritz's conversation with Silly Sue.
Shortly after her departure, and when sure Fritz was not watching, he stole softly from his place of concealment and up the side of the bluff.
Once on top of the bluff, he quickened his pace, descended the opposite side, and hurried toward the village. At the residence of Granville Greyville he paused, and entered the spacious lawn.
His honor and the countess were seated upon the lawn in front of the house, enjoying the shade of a great tree, and Grogan tipped his hat as he approached them.
"Sure, sur, it's mesilf as has made a discovery, sur," he said, with a huge grin of satisfaction.
"Ah! indeed! I thought you might be of some use!" his honor replied, complacently. "What is the nature of your discovery, Grogan?"
"Sure, sur, it's consarnin' the girl you set me to watchin'."
"As I expected—curse her! What new devilment has she been up to?"
"Sure I did kape a civil eye on her, as yez told me to, and a bit ago she met a Dutchman on the beach, an' it's a grand plot tha be afther organizin'. The loikes av the Dutchman he ha wanted to ba sindin' a tiligraph missage to Philadelphia for tha detectives, an tha gal she did till him for a V she would stale a horse forninst your pasture an' be carryin' the missage for him hersilf, whereat he forked over the cash, and she skipped, bedad!"
His honor listened, his face growing purple with passion.
"May all the furies seize that obstinate and meddlesome little wretch!" he hissed. "She seems determined to ruin me. No amount of whippings have ever served to make her like other girls. Why didn't you stop her, Pat?"
"Sure, it was yersilf as told me to be doin' naught else but watchin' her."
"True, I had forgotten. She has probably gone so far that it would be next to useless to attempt to overhaul her now. Do you think you could mount a horse and overtake her, Pat?"
"Bedad, no. It's sorry a horse I can ride, yer honor."
"Then ascertain from the ostler the location of the pasture, and when she returns capture her. I'll give you ten dollars for the job."
"Bad 'cess to me if I don't do it. An' what shall I be doin' to her after I cotch 'er?"
"Then take her to the old mansion on the bluff and wait until I come."
"Och! howly murther, I'll not go in where the skelegon is—nary a time!"
"Nor need you. What time intervenes between your arrival and mine you can spend outside. But look sharp she don't escape you."
"Sure, it's mesilf as will ba doin' that same!"
Then Grogan executed a grotesque bow and took his departure toward the stable, while Greyville turned toward the countess.
"The devil will be to pay now. As I suspected, that Dutchman is a spy, and havingsuspicioned or ferreted out some knowledge concerning the league, has sent for his fellow watch-dogs. In less than two days we shall be in the clutches of the law, unless we make a break for liberty at once."
"Oh! there is no particular reason for hurry. When we find there is danger, we can easily escape," the countess said, calmly.
"How? If we wait until their arrival, it will be too late."
"By no means. My steamboat lies out but a short distance, and we can board it and sail forla belleFrance, in defiance."
"What! without unloading?"
"Bah! what are a few thousand dollars to life? Besides, the goods will sell again, for full value, at Havre."