We have for some time left Mr.Stark and Leonard Lester to themselves. But it must not be supposed that they had been idle during the sojourn of Carlos Conrad, alias Karl Zikoff, at Dalton.

In fact, they had been very busy.

On a certain morning, in the month of March, we behold them seated together in the private office of the detective engaged in earnest conversation.

“Everything is working well,” said Mr.Stark. “The train is almost ready to ignite that will make the biggest blow-up that has ever been witnessed in our circles for some time.”

“Yes,” replied Leonard, “Luke Felton is prepared to give his testimony. It seems that, when a mere boy, he received some elementary instruction in a deaf and dumb school, but, on account of poverty, his parents were unable to continue him there. After that he was buffeted about the world, and saw some pretty hard times. At last he fell into the clutches of Roake and Snags, who found it very convenient to have one at Rocky Beach who could hear nothing, and who could not tell what he saw. But since we kidnapped him, and sent him to the asylum, he has learned with wonderful rapidity, and can now communicate his ideas in writing.”

“And he is positive that he could recognize the so-called ‘Boss’ on meeting him face to face?”

“Yes; he has seen him frequently, in disguise, and on two occasions he followed him to a lonely spot in the woods near Rocky Beach, and saw him lay aside the mask and resume his own attire.”

“Luke Felton was not so dull as the villains thought.”

“No; his eyes and his wits were at work, though his ears were useless and his utterance fettered. He has given me in writing a minute description of the mysterious person, and it answers exactly to Haywood’s appearance. Besides there will be Jessup’s evidence.”

“Ay,” said Mr.Stark; “and you now see that Iwas right in keeping Jessup’s agency in the matter a secret from Carlos Conrad. Had your cousin known of his presence and mission in Dalton, he might have seriously retarded his progress. Jessup, alone and unaided, has followed Haywood up, has learned that he has some secret connection with Jake Heath, and that Jake Heath visits Rocky Beach in the night and takes away goods, concealing them in bales of wool that are shipped to Jacob Rush, of Jersey City.”

“Yes,” said Leonard, “the man whose card was found in the yacht in which Imade my escape.”

“We have learned,” continued Mr.Stark, “that Rush has frequent communication with Haywood, occasionally sending him large sums of money. And further my secret agents have bought laces, and other fine goods of foreign manufacture, of Rush, at prices considerably below the market rates.”

“It now remains,” said Leonard, “to get another witness to the identity of Haywood with the ‘boss,’ so that we can descend with an avalanche of testimony that will be irresistible, and capture Snags.”

“Jessup will manage the first point, Iam sure. He is now morally certain, as well as we all are, that Haywood is the man. He has seen him visit Rocky Beach repeatedly, but never yet when any goods were being run in. It is certain, from what Luke Felton declares, that Haywood is occasionally there at such times, and the one desirable thing is for Jessup to be witness of the fact with his own eyes.”

“His post of observation is a good one,” said Leonard.

“Yes, from the top of the old tree he can see everything that goes on below. No one can enter the cavern or come out of it and escape his view. The plan is this: Arevenue cutter will take notice of any strange craft that hovers about Rocky Beach or the coast in its vicinity, and any discovery that is made will be telegraphed to Jessup at Dalton. He will then keep an extra watch on Haywood’s movements, noticing whether he receives any message from Roake. If any such message is delivered, Jessup will telegraph to me, and Iwill dispatch the revenue cutter Porter to the spot, in readiness for a chase and a fight. In the evening Jessup will repair to his post on the summit of the Rocks, and if he makes satisfactory discoveries, will give the signal for the Porter to attack the smugglers’ ship. Then there will be lively work and a big haul!”

“All this is well planned, so far as the smuggling business is concerned,” said Leonard; “but do you think it will result in the vindication of Carlos?”

“I have my own ideas on that point,” said Mr.Stark, “and they amount to positive convictions. First, when Haywood is arrested, and sees the hopelessness of his case, he will give up and admit that Snags committed the murder. Or, if he does not admit it, your own testimony of Snag’s confession to you will be sufficient. For Haywood’s character will be shown in its true light, and your own instrumentality in the exposure of the smuggling business will tell greatly in your favor. Secondly, as to Snags. It is true that he has disappeared from Rocky Beach, and that no trace of him can be found. It is highly probable that he has been transferred to the smugglers’ ship, and that when we capture the ship we will capture him. I’ll warrant then that he can be made to confess, and surrender the letter that he took from your murdered uncle’s hand.”

“Then,” said Leonard, “we will know the meaning of the word ‘seven o’clock.’ But how can Snags, if he is captured, be induced to confess.”

“By the promise of pardon,” replied the detective. “There are but few of these rogues that will not turn State’s evidence when a sufficient inducement is held out to them.”

“And poor Carlos,” said Leonard, musingly, “is in ignorance of the progress we are making. His last letter was very desponding.”

“That can’t be helped,” said Mr.Stark. “Jessup has worked to much better advantage in Dalton than if your cousin had known him. There would have been interviews and discussions between them, and perhaps exposure. For Carlos, being the mainly interested party, might have been impatient and officious. Only a detective knows how necessary deliberation and long suffering are at times. And you see the result justifies my course.”

“I see,” said Leonard.

“And now,” said Mr.Stark, “Ihave some important news to tell you. Asuspicious-looking steamer arrived near Rocky Beach early this morning and fired three signal guns, afterward turning about and sailing slowly toward the open sea.”

“This morning!” exclaimed Leonard. “Was it the smugglers’ ship?”

“I suspect so. At any rate, Ihave telegraphed to Jessup, and the Porter is all ready to sail. The night is going to be dark and rainy—an excellent time for them to run in their goods. Ishall expect a message from Jessup by six o’clock.”

“In regard to Haywood?”

“Yes—telling me whether he received any communication from Rocky Beach.”

“And if he does?”

“If he does, I shall hope that the time has come for which we have been waiting and hoping. Ishall hope that Haywood shall have occasion to be on hand when the goods are run in, and that Jessup will see him in conference with his employees. Then a signal will be given from the cliff—a calcium light on a rocket—and the Porter will intercept the smuggler’s vessel as it turns to go. Haywood will be masked, of course, but Jessup will descend to the beach, and follow him secretly. He will see where he goes, he will see him strip himself of his disguise, he will witness the confirmation of Felton’s story, or——”

“Or what?”

“We have made a grand mistake—that’s all.”

“But do you anticipate that?”

“No; I am confident that we are on the right track.”

The conversation ceased here. There was nothing to do but to wait for the expected message from Jessup, Mr.Stark’s secret agent at Dalton.

Leonard still retained his disguise, and was known as the Rev. Mr. Withers. There were those in the service who knew that the character was an assumed one, but they had learned by experience not to be too inquisitive in regard to affairs of which Mr.Stark had the conduct, and the actual identity of the reverend gentleman was a profound secret. He came and went without attracting any undue attention or provoking any impertinent inquiries.

A little before six o’clock the message came from Jessup. It was in cipher, and, being translated, read as follows:

“Haywood has received a summons. He is closeted in his private office. Let the revenue-cutter Porter be on hand.”

“You will, of course, go with the Porter,” said Leonard, to Mr.Stark.

“Yes, and so must you. If Snags is among the prisoners Iwill want you to identify him, so that we may take especial care of him.”

“Hurrah!” muttered Leonard, in a suppressed tone of excitement. “Now for business! This miserable affair is almost at an end.”

“I hope so,” replied Mr.Stark. “It will all depend on Jessup’s signal.”

As the needful preparations had already been made, they started forth immediately, and within ten minutes more were on board the Porter, a stout, fast-going, well-armed steamer. And in five minutes more the vessel put to sea, bending her course nearly northward. Her destination was near a portion of the coast but little frequented by ships, there being no large harbors for the accommodation of foreign trade.

It was this fact that had enabled the smugglers to operate with comparative safety. Their goods were brought to within a mile or two of the shore, and then carried to the land in yachts, as has been seen.

The Porter steamed along leisurely at the rate of eight or nine knots an hour, and between ten or eleven o’clock halted four miles off Rocky Beach.

Every light was extinguished, to guard against the smuggling craft taking alarm.

Leonard and Mr.Stark, with others, stationed themselves on the deck to keep a lookout.

About midnight faint lights were seen moving from an easterly direction. They turned northward, and slowly glided toward the shore. Occasionally a shower of sparks would puff toward the clouds.

Standing in the drizzling rain, wrapped in thick garments, the watchers on the Porter beheld the object of their pursuit glide along in fancied security. Finally it seemed to halt.

Then came a long period of waiting. More than two hours passed, and still the vigil of the pursuers was maintained. The port-holes of the revenue-cutter were open, and the grim cannon stood ready to pour forth their missiles of destruction.

“Do you suppose that Haywood will be there to-night—that the signal will appear?” whispered Leonard.

“Be patient,” was Mr.Stark’s only reply.

Suddenly a bright light appeared in the distance, and a rocket shot into the air.

“The signal!” shouted Mr.Stark and Leonard, both in the same breath.

Orders were quickly given, and the Porter, with all steam crowded on, moved toward the light.

Soon a dim form of a vessel appeared in the gloom, and on nearing it, some noise and confusion were heard.

This was at the moment Carlos and his four captors were being taken aboard the smugglers’ ship.

Then it was that the commander of the Porter gave orders to fire.

One cannon thundered forth its bellow of wrath; another sent a ball flying toward the smugglers’ ship.

Then bright lights were suspended to the masts of the Porter, casting a glow around that made all near objects visible.

The smugglers also displayed lights, for the two vessels were in such close proximity that there was danger of a collision in the darkness.

The Porter pressed close to her adversary, and fired several shots in rapid succession. The smugglers returned the compliment, and it was evident they were determined to fight.

“This fighting is not our part of the business,” said Mr.Stark to Leonard. “We must go below. Don’t object. We will only be in the way here. The villains will soon be brought to terms.”

In the safe shelter of the cabin they listened to the conflict, and anxiously and impatiently awaited the result.