“Go ahead, captain!” requested Nick.
“Well, the acting governor has suddenly bolted on the steamer Spangled Star, which left port last night——”
“What of that?” asked Nick. “Nothing remarkable, is it?”
“Well, yes; it is very remarkable when one considers all the circumstances.”
“What are the circumstances?”
“He went from the palace to the wharf in his automobile, with his private secretary, Henry Morlein.”
“Yes?”
“Mr. Portersham went on board the ship by himself, and was shown to the stateroom that Morlein had engaged for him by telephone. He got there at the last moment, and as soon as he was aboard, the gangplank was taken in, and off went the ship.”
“I see. Well?”
“His automobile was on the wharf, with the regular chauffeur, José, at the wheel. José did not turn around to see whether the secretary was in the back seat until fifteen or twenty minutes after the steamer had gone. Then he thought he was being kept there longer than seemed necessary, and he turned his head, to ask Morlein for orders.”