The launch ran up to the landing, and Nick Carter, leaving his assistant to take care of the boat, went into the house.
He was met at the door by Claudia Solado, Marcos’ cousin. The girl was delighted to see the detective.
“Mr. Carter, I am so glad you have come,” she said, as she put her soft hand into his. “Marcos wants to start for Joyalita at once, and, really, he is not well enough. After all he passed through in escaping from Prince Miguel and my uncle, and being so nearly drowned, he is weak and feverish. I am sure that if he will stay in the house until to-morrow morning, he will be so much better that there will be no danger.”
“You have not seen Don Solado, your uncle, or Prince Miguel, near Crownledge this morning, have you?” he asked.
“No. The last I saw of them was when you saved Marcos from drowning and allowed those two men to capture you to save him.”
“That didn’t hurt me much, you see,” laughed Nick Carter. “They seemed to think they could hold me on that hired yacht of theirs up the river. But I got the better of them. If I had not, probably I should not be here now.”
“Where are they?”
“I don’t know. But so long as they are not bothering Marcos, I don’t think we need care. Where is the prince?”
“In the library.”
“May I see him?”