Phillips’ eyes lighted up at this praise from the beautiful Claudia, as he replied simply:
“I did it, of course, Miss Solado. I had to, because the prince would have done it for me. He is not afraid of anything. However, I wasn’t able to help him. I wasn’t strong after being knocked over the head, and when two of them came for me at once, I had to go under.”
There was no “grand-stand play” about Phillips. He told his story with perfect simplicity, and as if he had done only what any other man must have done under the circumstances.
“It was very hard on you to lie there on that bench so many hours,” put in Chick.
“I thought it was death,” was the reply. “I felt myself growing weaker and weaker, and at last I was all in, my senses gone. The gag had prevented my shouting, or I might have attracted the attention of people going past, either on the river or the road. It would have been only an off chance, at that, but better than nothing.”
“You did not know any of the men?” asked Nick.
“They were all strangers to me.”
The girl could not help giving a slight sigh of relief. At least, her uncle had not taken a personal part in the attack on the valet.
These men who had come were doubtless hired rascals. She had heard of such men. There were bravos in all countries.
“Which way was the yacht headed when you saw her?”