Renie had told her father that the detective had rescued her from the hands of Garcia and his men.
The old smuggler was not altogether satisfied with the young man's statement, as a suspicion ran through his mind that he was, after all, a secret emissary of the Cuban.
"You were coming to see me?" said the old smuggler.
"Yes."
"What is your business with me?"
"I can defer my business to some other time; the fact of your injury prevents me from troubling you now."
"Never mind my injury, I am all right now. I received many a worse thump when I was a younger man, but I am an old one now, and I tell you age will tell; but you can open your business."
"I am your friend, Tom Pearce."
"Many an enemy claims to be a man's friend."
"Had I known what I do now, you would never have been stricken down."