“In a few words, here is the state of things,” continued Claudia: “Joyalita has been asked to join an alliance with some of the smaller States in South America--for mutual protection and advantage. That is the way it is put by the agitators. Marcos is bitterly opposed to the change, but unless he can get home before the eighteenth of this month, there is every fear that it will go through.” “And these two gentlemen who jumped on me at the ball are doing their best to keep him here?” suggested Nick. “That’s it exactly. A big vote will be taken at a council meeting in Joyalita on the eighteenth, but if Prince Marcos is there, he will sign a negative resolution, and the whole scheme will fall through. This is the tenth, so there are eight days in which Marcos could get back home. He could get there in very much less time than that, but he meant to go at once, so that there should be no danger of his arriving too late.” “What do you want me to do?” “Marcos has been taken away from Crownledge, I am convinced. He will be held somewhere until too late to get to Joyalita by the eighteenth. If you could suggest some way of finding out where Marcos is----” “The enemy has taken away the servants, too,” mused Nick, half aloud. “They did their work thoroughly, while they were about it.” “That is what will make it so hard to trace Marcos,” she murmured, shaking her head. “We can’t even get into the house.” “But that is just what we will do,” corrected Nick. “And as for our tracing Prince Marcos; well, I have an assistant who will be a great help, unless I am much mistaken.” He touched a bell, and Chick came in from the other room, glad of an opportunity to gaze again upon the lovely Claudia Solado. “Where’s Captain?” asked Nick. “Downstairs,” was Chick’s answer, as his glance wandered to the fair face of the visitor. “All right! We’ll use him this afternoon,” announced the detective. “May I go with you with this gentleman--Captain--Captain--what is his name?” asked the girl. “Is he a soldier?” Nick Carter and Chick both laughed. The former answered, with considerable emphasis: “Yes, Captain is very much of a soldier, in the sense that he is always ready to fight--and to obey orders. He is our bloodhound, trained to police work, and, we think, one of the finest dogs in the world.” “Oh! I should like to see him. I may go, may I not?” “If you will,” returned Nick. “You will be a great help, and we will try to keep you from harm.” “I’d like to see the man that will harm you when I’m around,” blurted out Chick, clenching both fists. “Chick!” warned Nick Carter. “That will do. Miss Solado has perfect faith in you, I have no doubt. Meanwhile, do not frighten her by making her think we shall meet people who will put your chivalry to the test.” Claudia gave Chick a smile that quite counterbalanced his chief’s gentle rebuke. CHAPTER V. THE MAN IN THE SUMMERHOUSE.