"
"Sorry."
"What is your business with me?"
"I wanted to tell you that I knew who you were."
"Is that all?"
"No."
"What else?"
"I wanted you to know that I am a man who keeps his word."
"Is your word passed to me?"
"Yes."
"What is your promise?"
"I promised to meet you again."
"I don't recall."
"Don't you perceive?"
"Perceive what?"
"That you are in a bad hole."
Again the master of the "Nancy" made a certain movement, when
the detective repeated in a peculiar warning tone:
"Don't."
"You are a revenue officer?" said Denman.
"Aha! now you begin to open up!"
"What is your business with me?"
"You are my prisoner!"
"No, no, my friend!"
"Yes, yes, Denman."
Matters were approaching a critical climax. Denman attempted
to rise from his seat.
"Sit down!" commanded the detective.
"My friend," Said Denman, "don't fly your kite too high, your
string may be cut."
The smuggler spoke in a warning tone.
"Sit down," repeated the detective.
Denman realized that he was facing a man who was well prepared
at every turn.
"Who are you?" he asked.
"I am your old friend Ballard!" came the reply.
CHAPTER XXXI.
Denman showed signs of great excitement and trepidation.
Our readers will remember that the smuggler had never
identified Spencer Vance and Ballard as one and the same man;
and, when suspicions were aroused as to the identity of the
disguised detective, it never once entered Denman's head that
he was sitting vis-a-vis with Ballard.
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