“I see it all.  I was invited on this boat by you.  Well, let it go so, but, Denman, you will not live to triumph over me.  Nothing on land or sea can save you.  I’ve got the bead on you dead!”

“What do you demand”

“Your word that I shall stand face to face with my accuser.”

“And then?”

“If he sticks to his charge, let him be my executioner.”

“This is your demand?”

“Yes, this is my demand.”

CHAPTER XX.

It was a critical moment; both men were cool and spoke in deliberate tones.

They stood alone:  well toward the after-deck, while the men were all busy forward and below handling the contraband cargo.

The night was calm; the sea was unruffled; not a cloud intervened between sea and moon and stars, and yet two human lives hung in the balance—­the lives of two brave men.

The detective was greatly disappointed.  He had not accomplished all he desired.  He had hoped not to be discovered until the schooner landed her cargo, and he had fallen upon the rendezvous and the mode of transport to the city.  Still he had obtained a large amount of information, facts which he could work up; and could he only get ashore alive, he would be able to run down close on the real backers of the contraband business, who were a band of foreigners who only made their money by illicit traffic in New York, to spend it abroad.

The chances, however, for getting ashore were very slim.  He had dared a little too much, and yet at that very moment the undaunted officer was playing a deep game.

Under a close reef the boat was heading in toward shore, and the detective was operating to gain time, as every ten minutes increased his chances of eventual escape.

After the detective’s declaration, “Your own life will pay the forfeit!” there followed a moment’s silence Vance would not break; time to him was precious while the yacht lay upon her inward course.

“You are a traitor, Ballard, you are a Government spy!”

“Who says so?”

“The charge has been made.”

“Let me meet the man who makes the charge.”

“And then?”

“I have made my demand.  I am to receive your word that.  I shall have a fair chance to settle the matter with him.”

“Your request is reasonable.”

“It is.”

“Why not join us and then make your demand?”

“I will never join a crew with that man; this is a trumped-up charge against me to satisfy private malice.”

“Why does your accuser seek to accuse you falsely?”

“I am too much of a man to bring my private quarrel to public notice; captain, the matter stands here; you know I’m no tyro; as matters stand, I am doomed; against you and your crew out here at sea I’ve no chance for my life; but as the chances have turned, I can guarantee fair play ashore.”