Nita entered the cabin, and Maria Theresa arose uncertainly.
"I'll call you when I need you, Nita." There was some hidden portent in her tone which Jarvis failed to divine. He decided that discretion was the better part of valor. He rose, and walked toward the door to the promenade deck.
"We are keeping you from getting settled, I fear," he declared. "So, if you'll excuse me at this time, I'll hope to see you at luncheon.... And as for you, Duke, it's a great pleasure to meet your Excellency."
Carlos bowed with military grace.
"Thank you, Mr. Warren. I find you most interesting. I shall be glad to hear more of your remarkable profession. Good-morning, sir."
The Kentuckian turned away.
As Warren reached the deck door there was a knock upon the portal to the cabin passage.
Nita followed him, and then turned to open the second entrance. Two pompous, red-cheeked, red-necked individuals stepped forward, without so much as a "by-your-leave!"
The first one spoke, reading from a smudgy memorandum book.
"You are Miss M. T. Ar-r-ragan?"