“Where has Mr. Portersham gone?”
“The steamer is bound for New York. So he must be going there. Briggs, a butler at the palace, says he heard Mr. Portersham tell Morlein that he had been called to Washington.”
“By telegraph?”
“No. Senator Micah Garnford called on him a little while before he sailed, telling him that he was required in Washington at once, on some government business.”
“Senator Garnford?” exclaimed Nick. “Why, he is in Washington.”
“No. He is in San Juan. Briggs saw him, he says.”
“Briggs? I shall have to see Briggs and ask him a few things,” said Nick thoughtfully. “I’m sure the senator could not be here now.”
“Briggs is sure he took in Senator Garnford’s card, and that he went into Mr. Portersham’s room for a talk. Afterward the senator left the palace by a back doorway.”
“Did any one see him go?”
“I believe not. But that is what Mr. Portersham said to Briggs.”