"How about bail?"
"No bail."
"I've good bondsman."
"That's all right."
A moment Denman was silent and thoughtful, but at length said:
"Are you on the make?"
"What have you to offer?"
"You can drop to a big sum."
"How big?"
"Three or four thousand."
The detective smiled, and answered
"I'm in for more than that; remember the value of what's in
your storehouse on the island."
"You have that down?"
"I've been in there; your crew know it by this time if they
have rummaged around any. I was there when you decided to
come on to New York and notify your principals."
The smuggler gazed at the detective with an expression of
wonderment upon his face,
"You were there?"
"Yes."
"Where were you when we searched?"
"I was stowed away."
"And we missed you?"
"If you hadn't I would not be here now."
"You're right. I'm blowed if you don't get me, but you're
entitled to win. Still we can come to a compromise,"
"How will you manage it, Denman?"
"I will take you to the principals."
The detective mentioned the names of several of the firms.
Denman's eyes opened wider and wider,
"You tracked me well."
"Yes, I did."
"Will you open up for negotiation?"
"No."
"What is to be done?"
"You must open up."
The smuggler did not make an immediate reply,
"What have you to say?"
"I can't promise anything."
"I've got everything dead."
"I see you have."
"Then it's for you to lay in for all the favors you can get.
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