of the fellow, so that, when he rose
to his feet, he was sputtering and spitting, and coughing and swearing
when he could.

The detective left the man to make his way out of the water to dry land
as best he could, and turned coolly away to rejoin Handsome, who
approached at that moment, grinning.

"Well done, Dago," he said. "You served him just right. Come along."

They entered the scow without more words, and Handsome poled it away
from the shore, and along the waterway through the almost impenetrable
darkness--but there was never a word said about the use of the
blindfold.

"How is this?" Nick asked, after a little. "Aren't you going to tie that
handkerchief over my face again?"

"No. I ought to do it, I suppose, but it's too much trouble. Besides,
you're all right. I can tell a man when I see one."

"All right," said Nick. "It's your funeral; not mine. Only if the lady
should raise a kick--what then?"

"She would raise a kick, too, if she knew about it," replied Handsome
dubiously. "But how is she going to know it? You are not likely to tell
her, and I won't."

"No," said Nick, "I won't tell her."

"Well, then we'll dispense with the handkerchief."

They poled on in silence for a time after that; but presently Nick
asked:

"What's the lay to-night, Handsome?"

"I can't tell you that, Dago. You'll have to wait, and find out; and
you'll have to do your own part, too; for if you flunk by so much as a
hair, it's my duty to kill you."

"Which I suppose you would do, eh?"

"Sure I'd do it--why not? If you ain't what you seem to be, I'd as soon
put a hole in you as dip this pole into the water. You hear me!"

"Sure thing."

"And that notwithstanding I like you. I reckon you're all right, and I'm
going a great way toward proving what I think about it by not binding
that handkerchief over your eyes now."

"Are there any others in this thing with us, Handsome?"

"You'll find out soon enough. The best way for you is not to ask too
many questions, but to be satisfied to do as you're told."

They lapsed into silence after that, and there was no more said until
after they had arrived at the bank where the scow was to be left.

"I suppose I can ask about those other guns that we left in the woods
to-night, without giving offense, can't I?" asked Nick then.

"That depends on what you want to ask about 'em," was the reply; they
were now hurrying in the direction of the tracks.

"I want to know if Hobo H