A mocking laugh came back to the detective. But it was too dark to pursue the man, and Nick went back to the hotel.
“It looks as if I shall have some little work to do before I land in Penza to put my veto on that annexation resolution in the name of Prince Marcos,” he murmured, as he lighted a cigar.
CHAPTER V.
A ONE-EYED BEAUTY.
Nothing occurred to disturb the supper which Nick Carter and his two assistants enjoyed later.
Phillips oscillated between the dining room and the kitchen regions, bringing the dishes himself.
He would not trust any one else to do this work, and Nick Carter learned afterward that he had superintended the preparation of all the viands, besides being careful that the quart bottle of red wine served had never been tampered with since its importation from Spain.
“Phillips thinks they are going to dope us, I reckon,” observed Patsy, in a whisper, to Chick.
“I shouldn’t be surprised if they did try something like that,” was Chick’s answer. “I suppose you know that Jason was around here to-night, and that he isn’t alone.”
“Gee! Is that so?”
“It certainly is.”