CHAPTER III.
CAUGHT IN AN ELEVATOR.
The Bradys felt convinced that the smuggler and his daughter were working some scheme to take some valuables ashore, duty free.
Closely watching the pair they saw them enter the cabin.
Following them in, the Bradys observed the pair gliding swiftly down a passage, out on which opened the doors of several staterooms.
La Croix and his daughter entered one of these rooms.
Rushing forward, the Bradys listened outside the partition and heard the man ask:
"Did you geet eet, Clara?"
"Yes, papa," replied the girl in a low, pleasant tone of voice. "After I left you on Maiden Lane, I came right here and mingled with the throng waiting to meet the various passengers. As soon as the gangplank was down, I slipped aboard and met the steward. He had the parcel and gave it to me."
"Open eet so we can distribute ze jewelry about our pairsons. Zen we geet ze sings ashore ver' easy, an' no wong weel see ze package bulge out our clothing. Mon Dieu, but I vas ver'—vot you call—ze—ze—worried."