The man in the rubber coat became greatly excited, and declared his innocence, and protested against arrest, while the detective, as usual, was cool and unconcerned.
"What authority have you to make an arrest?" he demanded.
"We do not need any authority. We find you two men alone; we overheard one of you accuse the other, and that is all the warrant we need."
"I did not mean what I said!" exclaimed the stranger. "I found this man here as you found him. I never met him before an hour ago."
"It makes no difference; you must both give an account of yourselves."
"You shall not arrest me!" protested the stranger.
"You are already under arrest."
The detective was revolving the matter in his mind. He could not afford to be arrested. He could not give an account of himself; explanations at that moment would be very awkward.
The leader of the three men whispered to one of his companions, and the man addressed withdrew from the cabin. Our hero discerned the purpose of his absence. He had been sent for reenforcements, and it was necessary that he should make a strike at once. He waited for the man who had been sent away, to get beyond hearing, when, in a deliberate manner, Vance said:
"I want you men to get out of this cabin!"