"They were silent for a while, as though they were drinking deeply; then Pierre started again.
"'Mind you,' he said, 'I'm not the man to bother about a case or two going the usual way—but no more than that. There's not a better paid crew on the Island than my lot, not to mention their shares of the profits. And, after all, who takes all the risks? I do. And who plans the business, and buys the stuff and gets a good cut off Giraud? Why, I do. It's easy enough to peddle the stuff when it's ashore, but it's no easy thing running along that infernal coast on dark nights with no lights showing, and making in with no more than a few inches of water to spare under the boat's keel.'
"'Aye, you've reason to say so, cap'n,' agreed Bagley. 'But it ain't all fun fer me ayther, keepin' the shore gang bunch up to the mark. And if one of 'em was to squeal, where would I be?'
"'Where you'd deserve to be,' said Pierre. 'Hang me, do you think I'd put up with you a minute if you couldn't keep their tongues still in their heads? And what do you mean by talking of squealing, anyhow? Do you mean to say there's a chance of them doing so? For if there is, by the living image, I'll put the fear of the old 'un into them to-morrow night.'
"'Be aisy, cap'n, be aisy,' said Bagley, as though he was half scared. 'Sure, 'twas only a supposition of mine. There's no one goin' to squeal.'
"'You'll be the first to pay if anyone does, I tell you that, Bagley.'
"'Ah, sure, don't I know? Be aisy, now, cap'n, be aisy.'
"'All right. I hear you. Now get back to the coast and be ready for us. And double the look-outs at the cache. I don't feel too safe since that nosy beggar turned up.'
"'I'll do it, cap'n. I'll be leavin' in a hour at most.'
"'And why not now?'