"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. "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." "There's nothing I can give away, you have it all." "Are you ready?" "For what!" "To go to Ludlow Street." "Is there no chance for a deal?" "None whatever." "All right, I'm passive." "Understand me, Denman, I'll have my eye on you; if you go quietly it's all right; if you attempt any capers down you go." "I am passive." "It's all right then, come." The two men rose, and any casual customer in that garden would never have imagined that a thrilling drama in real life was being enacted right then and there, and that two remarkable men had played a thrilling part. The men reached Ludlow Street. Denman was given in charge, and the detective called a cab and started down town. Our hero was still in the garb of the countryman. He entered the United States District Attorney's office and accosted a dandy clerk.