"You are Ballard?"
"I am Ballard."
"Are you man or devil?"
"I suppose you think I ought to be floating on the sea?"
"I thought you were at the bottom of the sea, and how you
escaped to face me I can't tell."
"I'll tell you all about it some day, Denman, but, in the
meantime, do you mean fight, or does your flag come down?"
"My flag comes down. The game is up with me."
"Well, sit down."
The smuggler sat down.
"I've got the thing down pretty fine on you, Denman."
"I should say so. You were on the island?"
"I was."
"You are the man who laid out some of the crew?"
"I am the culprit."
"You beat 'em all!"
"Well, I reckon I've run this racket pretty well."
"How did you get ashore?"
"You wouldn't believe."
"I'll take your word for anything."
"I swam ashore."
"You're a good swimmer."
"I am."
"How did you snake us out down at the island?"
"I've been picking up facts for some time."
"Spencer Vance and you were 'laying in' together?"
"Well, yes."
"Where is Vance?"
"He is here."
"Where?"
"I am Vance!"
"What!" ejaculated the smuggler.
"Ballard and Vance both wear the same hats."
"This does get me."
"Yes, I reckon I've got you."
"And now, what's your play?"
"You will go to Ludlow Street."
We will explain to our rural readers that Ludlow Street is the
location of a prison where all revenue prisoners are confined.
Denman had been in Ludlow Street. He knew well enough what
the detective's declaration meant.
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