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." "You shall meet your accuser." "And have a fair show?" "Yes." "I have your word, captain?" "You have my word." "Good enough, you have saved your life! I'll trust your word; if you go back on me, may the sharks soon crunch your living bones." "You stand here, I'll bring the man aft." "Good enough." The captain went forward; the detective stood calm and patient, but his eyes were upon the master of the "Nancy." He saw Denman speak to the men, and then he saw the crew start in a body toward the afterdeck. Denman had proved false, the smuggler had forfeited his word. "It's now or never," muttered the detective, and he sprung beside the rudder port and stood upon the stern rail. His form towered up through the night like an apparition, as he called in a loud tone: "You and I will meet again, Denman. Sol Burton is a liar." Head first the intrepid detective dove from the vessel down into the water, and when he came to the surface he was beyond range, as the yacht was moving along with moderate speed in one direction, while our hero was swimming under water in an opposite course. "Lower away the boat!" shouted Sol Burton. The men ran to obey, but at that moment lights were seen, and one of the men shouted: "It's a cutter!" Ike Denman heard the latter shout, and commanded: "Hold fast there the boats!" The crew had not time to take up a boat when the cutter was bearing down upon them. "That man can never get ashore," said an old tar; "No living man in full toggery can go over the side of this boat and ever come unaided out of the sea!" "The cutter may pick him up," suggested Sol Burton.