“May I ask——” he began.
“Not just now,” interrupted Nick. “Let me look at these bracelets of yours.”
One close look at the handcuffs was enough for Nick Carter.
Taking from his pocket a jackknife, he pressed a spring, and a steel rod shot forth. With this he opened the handcuffs so quickly and easily that the sailor at the door, who had been watching him, gave vent to an involuntary grunt of admiration.
“I’m responsible for this,” remarked Nick, looking at the sailor. “Captain Lawton will tell you.”
“Aye, aye, sir!” returned the man, as he moved away from the door.
“Now we can talk more comfortably,” was the detective’s smiling suggestion. “No sense in wearing those things that I can see.”
“Who are you?” faltered Paul Clayton.
“You ought to know me,” returned Nick lightly. “We sailed from New York together.”
He said this with the drawl he had used as Joe Sykes, and Clayton started up from the bunk in astonishment.