CHAPTER SIX.

“I am not prepared to answer at present.  I must have time to think,” was the answer made by our hero.

“What at do you want to think about?” demanded Denman.

“I wish to consider whether or not it will pay me to become a permanent member of your crew.”

“You disappoint me, Ballard.”

“How so?”

“I’ve given you a good chance, and I expected you would say all right at a jump.  I’ve something to tell you; suspicions are aroused concerning you.  I don’t believe, myself, they are just, and I hope you will make good my conclusions.”

“Suspicions concerning me?”

“Yes.”

“Who suspects me?”

“One of the crew says you are a spy.”

“Will you bring the man face to face with me?”

“What would you do?”

“When I meet my accuser I will tell you.”

“You can save yourself the trouble.”

“How?”

“By becoming one of us.  I will deal fairly with you.  Our obligations are as binding as blood and oaths can make them; but, once one of us, you’ll make heaps of money, and be companion to as jolly a set of men as ever took chances for a good livelihood.”

“I must bind myself by oaths?”

“Yes; oaths as solemn as mortal lips ever uttered.”

“I can’t do it now.”

“Why not?”

“I must have time to consider.”

“Why do you need time to consider?”

“I’ve a reason.”

“Will you name your reason?”

“Yes, I will, captain; you have been frank with me, I will be equally frank with you.  I can’t join your crew as long as one man is a member of it.  I learn that I’ve an enemy on board.  I never can take an obligation that would compel me to be friendly with that man!”

“Who is the man?”

“The villain who has accused me of being a Government spy!”

“How do you know which is the man?”

“I know.”

“I am sorry, Ballard, I know I am to blame.  I should have mentioned before what I am telling you, but there is no alternative now; you must join our crew in regular form.”

“Never as long as one particular man is one of them.”

“Mine is an unpleasant duty, Ballard, you have got all the points down on us, you must become one of us.”

“What do you mean?” demanded the detective.

“The men demand that you join us.”

“I will not.  You will give me a chance for my life?”

“What chance do you want?”

“I wish to prove that my accuser is a liar.”

“That would not help you, unless you become one of us; the fact that you have learned our methods settles the business, whether you are an informer or not.  We run from here to the place where our goods are landed; you would have all the points down on us, and were you my own brother, it would be necessary for you to join us or be silenced.  Now what will you do?”