“You’re wrong,” said Nick. “There was a mistake. A rascal pretended to be the senator. He wanted to get to you, and now he has got away as the result of his game here.”
“I don’t see how it could be,” said Portersham, shaking his head feebly. “Who do you think the man was?”
“His name is John Garrison Rayne.”
“What?” cried Portersham. “The safe robber and bank sneak? Rayne? I’ve heard of him.”
“So have I,” added Douglas bitterly. “To my cost. If it is that blackguard, I’ll have him before he gets out of San Juan.”
“I’m afraid not,” contradicted Nick Carter. “Unless I am very much mistaken, he is on the Atlantic Ocean, well on his way to New York by this time.”
“What makes you think so?”
“I can’t give you all my reasons in detail. It would take too long. But we will inquire at the wharf, and I think we shall find that he went on the Spangled Star, pretending he was Jabez Portersham.”
“Pretending he was I?” put in the acting governor. “I don’t understand.”
“You will later,” answered Nick. “There’s a telephone on the floor, Patsy. It was knocked off the table when we shoved it away. See if you can get the agent of the steamship line, will you?”