He tossed his grip to Rusty, and turned toward the Duke.
"It strikes me that I won my bet, your Excellency!"
"Where did you come from? We thought you were drowned at sea."
"I was nearly drowned when I slid down a rope, outside the ship and flopped into the harbor as she lay at the dock. After hiding under the cover of a lifeboat for twelve hours, I was so stiff that my quarter-mile swim was the hardest job I ever did. On shore I bought new clothes, and took the first train. Q.E.D."
"How did you get here ahead of us?" asked the Princess, still misbelieving her senses. "I knew you would make it—but how so fast?"
"I had a good day's start of you—even without this automobile. But let's get on up to that castle of yours, for I want to finish up my job and get back to America."
The Duke had been watching the expression of the American, trying in vain to fathom the mystery.
"This has been a wretched hoax—you have all been in league to trick me!" he began.
But Jarvis interrupted menacingly.
"Now, listen. No whining. I stood for a good deal—I knew about that wireless, and I guess tricks can be played both ways. May I ride with your chauffeur, your Highness?"