vies! how am I for a prophet? I'm a mind reader, and I'll set up
for a professional. These fagots are carrying out my programme to the
letter. I tell you I know the ways of smart gals like the one who has
that poor dude in tow. She is going for him right smart. She will clean
him out. I shouldn't be surprised if she sandbagged him and left him
lying on the beach. Well, well, won't we have a haul! I saw that wad,
and I tell you it's a big one; and the watch and the diamonds! Ay, ay,
we will just have a jolly time for a week. Talk about betting, eh! well,
this little trick beats all betting. We play to win, not to lose, every
time. There is no chance here. That gal is walking the dude right into
our trap. We've got the wad already, and won't we have a surprise for
the smart, bright-eyed little miss! Why, she is laying out her cash
already, she is so sure of getting all the chap has; but we'll do the
shopping on his wad, not she, you bet."

As stated, Oscar and Cad wandered down to the beach and here as before
they enacted their role to perfection, and it was at this moment that
one of the men asked:

"How shall we do it?"

It was then the man uttered the words with which we open our narrative:

"_Let's duck him and steal the girl._"

The three laughed. It all looked so easy. The young fellow was, as they
supposed, such a "sweetie," such a little darling, who would turn pale
and plead for mercy the instant one of the three men spoke to him. The
latter discussed their plan, and it was arranged that their leader
should approach the young people and engage them in conversation. The
man did approach and Oscar remarked to Cad:

"Now the fun commences. Well, well, what a real pretty surprise we have
in store for those rogues! Cad, I enjoy this; yes, I do--it's immense!"

"Don't forget yourself, Oscar, and laugh too soon."

"Don't fear me, but there will be two or three sore heads around here in
a few moments."

Meantime the man approached. The two detectives did not appear to see
him until he stood directly in front of them and said:

"Good-day."

Oscar elevated his glasses to his eyes and stared at the man in true
dude style, and Cad recoiled as though shocked at being addressed by a
stranger.

"I beg your pardon, my friend," said Oscar, "I haven't the pleasure of
your acquaintance."

"Oh, you haven't?"

"No, I can't say that I ever saw you before."

"Is that so?"

"Indeed it is true, my friend."

"What a