"That's all right too, Byrne," said Theriere. "Of course you

can do it if anybody can, provided you get the chance; but

Ward isn't the man to give you any chance. There may be

shooting necessary within the next day or so, and there's

nothing to prevent Ward letting you have it in the back,

purely by accident; and if he don't do it then there'll be all

kinds of opportunities for it before any of us ever see a white

man's port again. He'll get you, Byrne, he's that kind.

"Now, with my proposition you'll be shut of Ward, Skipper

Simms, and Divine. There'll be more money in it for you, an'

you won't have to go around expecting a bullet in the small

of your back every minute. What do you say? Are you game,

or shall I have to go back to Skipper Simms and Ward and

tell them that I caught you eavesdropping?"

"Oh, I'm game," said Billy Byrne, "if you'll promise me a

square deal on the divvy."

The Frenchman extended his hand.

"Let's shake on it," he said.

Billy took the proffered palm in his.

"That's a go," he said; "but hadn't you better wise me to

wot's doin'?"

"Not now," said Theriere, "someone might overhear just as

you did. Wait a bit until I have a better opportunity, and I'll

tell you all there is to know. In the meantime think over

who'd be the best men to let into this with us--we'll need

three or four more besides ourselves. Now go on deck about

your duties as though nothing had happened, and if I'm a bit

rougher than usual with you you'll understand that it's to

avert any possible suspicion later."

"I'm next," said Billy Byrne.

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