“When his glasses fell off,” said CLuff.  “They’re some disguise.”

“He’s Luther Pruyn, sure enough!” said Mr. Sherwen, emerging from the room.  “Here’s the proof.”  He held out an official-looking document.  “An order from the Dutch Naval Office, made out in his name.”

“What does it say?” asked Carroll.

“I’m not much of a hand at Dutch, but it seems to direct the blockading warship to receive Dr. Luther Pruyn and wife and convey them to Curacao.”

“And wife!” exclaimed Cluff loudly.  He whistled as a vent to his amazement.  “That explains all the talk about a woman—­a lady in his quinta on the mountains?”

“Apparently,” said Carroll.  “May I see that document, Mr. Sherwen?”

The American representative handed him the paper.  As he was studying it, Galpy reentered, still scant of breath from excitement and haste.  “He’s gone back to the mountains,” he announced.  “Sent word for you to get to the port before dawn, if you have to walk.  See Mr. Wisner there.  He’ll arrange everything.”

“Will Mr. Perk—­Dr. Pruyn be there?” asked Mr. Brewster.

“He didn’t say.”

“But he’s gone without his coat!”

“And goggles,” said Cluff.

“And his pass,” added Sherwen.

“Trust him to come back for them when he gets ready.  He’s a rum josser for doing things his own way.  Now, about the train.”  And Galpy outlined the plan of departure to the men, who, except Carroll, had gathered about him.  The Southerner, unnoticed, had slipped into the room where the scientist’s coat lay.  Coming out by the lower door, he was intercepted by Miss Polly Brewster.  He interpreted the misery in her face, and turned sick at heart with the pain of what it told him.

“You heard?” he asked.

She nodded.  “Is it true?  Did you see the permit yourself?”

“Yes.  Here it is.”

“I don’t want to see it.  It doesn’t matter,” she said, with utter weariness in her voice.  “When do we leave?  I want to go home.  Send father to me, please, Fitz.”

Mr. Brewster came to her, bearing the news that the sailing was set for the morrow.

“I’m glad to know that Dr. and Mrs. Pruyn are provided for,” she remarked, so casually that the troubled father drew a breath of relief, concluding that he must have misinterpreted the girl’s interest in the man behind the goggles.

On his way to the patio, he passed through the room where the scientist had lain.  He came out looking perturbed.

“Has any one been in that room just now?” he asked Sherwen.

“Not that I’ve seen.”

“The coat and the other things are not there.”

Inquiry and search alike proved unavailing.  Not until an hour later did they discover that Carroll had also disappeared.  Sherwen found a note from him on the office desk:—­

Please look after my luggage.  Will join the others at the yacht to-morrow.