They walked on a few paces. Then Nick Carter, in a natural manner, looked around him, as if taking a general view of the scene.
He saw two men, in the rich garb of Indian princes, with jewels blazing all over them, moving away from the alcove in the direction of the wide doorway at the other end of the ballroom.
It was the only way by which any one could enter or leave. There were several emergency fire exits, but all were fastened shut. They would open automatically in case of need, but were not used otherwise.
This was an invitation affair, and the famous society leader, Mr. van Raikes, was the hostess.
“You see?” she murmured. “Do be careful, sir. They are desperate and dangerous men.”
“Desperate and dangerous men are the kind one often has to meet in this world,” he replied lightly. “What do you suppose they are going to do now?”
“They will try to prevent your getting away,” was her response. “I feel sure of that. They have seen me with you, and they will know I have told you about them. Of course, they think you are Prince Marcos.”
“That means that you are in danger,” returned Nick, rather more thoughtfully than he had spoken heretofore. “We shall have to——”
“It makes no difference about me,” she answered, drawing a quick breath.
“I beg your pardon. It matters a great deal. I don’t know what this is all about, nor who Prince Marcos and these other men are. But it looks as if there is something that puts you in an awkward situation. Therefore, I must ask you to depend on me.”