"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: