Watkins stooped, and almost instantly jerked erect.
"It's 'im, your ludship! It's the man that told us 'e came from you. On the Aquitania, sir! A just and 'Eavenly punishment, indeed, your ludship!"
"I'll take a little credit for it, if you don't mind," said Nikka, grinning.
"Jack, did you recognize the third man?"
I shook my head.
"The Italian was the only one whose face I saw.'
"Well, I had a glimpse of Number Three as he escaladed through the window after Teodoreschi—I'll take your word for the Italian! He—Number Three, I mean—looked very much like the Russian, the brother of that Countess you were so smitten with."
"I wasn't smitten with her," I denied indignantly. "Here, Hugh, don't drink all that whiskey."
"I like your nerve," he retorted. "Didn't I pour a quarter of the bottle down your throat?"
"Be that as it may," I went on when he had surrendered it, "I shouldn't be surprised if Number Three was the Count. Now I think of it, the Italian called 'Serge!' when they first jumped me.'