“Can’t I?” cried Nick Carter. “I believe I can. Anyhow, there is something else you will be called on to explain, that may get you into an American jail, in spite of the titles you wear in your own country.” “What is that? What are you talking about now?” “I am talking about a very valuable jeweled watch that you took from Prince Marcos without his knowledge, and that you lost at the ball at the Hotel Supremacy.” The two rascals glanced at each other in the dim light of the dawn that now showed itself, and the detective saw that they were trembling. “What do you know about such a watch?” demanded Miguel. “I know that you had it, and lost it. I also know that Don Solado went to see Mrs. van Raikes, the hostess at that ball, and confessed to her that the watch was lost.” “Well, where is the crime, even if what you say is true?” blustered Don Solado. “It consists in the fact that you stole it from Prince Marcos----” “What rubbish!” interrupted Miguel. “Is it likely I would condescend to such a contemptible crime as picking a pocket?” “I don’t know anything about that,” returned Nick. “But I do know you took the watch. Moreover, I know where it is now. It will be brought up in evidence against you if necessary.” “Where is the watch?” asked Solado. “In the possession of Prince Marcos.” “Are you sure of that?” “Quite.” “Then there is nothing in that to warrant your making us prisoners,” retorted Solado triumphantly. “We’ll see about that later,” answered Nick. “The charge of abduction will do for the present. Ready, Chick?” “All ready!” replied Chick, from below. “Come on, gentlemen!” said Nick, leading his two prisoners to the gangway. They looked around, as if to seek some avenue of escape. Then, giving it up, they went down the ladder and seated themselves in the stern of the skiff, as Chick directed. “Throw your gun on them, Chick!” called out Nick Carter. “I want to speak to one of the gentlemen of the crew before I go. Shoot, if either of those men gets too obstreperous.” In the absence of the captain and first mate, the second mate had been left in charge of the yacht. The second mate had been in his stateroom, and so little noise had been made by Nick Carter and Chick in making the two temporary owners prisoner that he had not been disturbed till the door was broken open. Even then he had not got up at once. He was an honest, heavy-headed sort of man, who was a good-enough sailor, but afflicted with an abnormal love of sleep when once he got to his bed. The fact that he could keep on deck forty-eight hours at a stretch if required--as he had done on one occasion when fighting a tearing gale in an old-fashioned windjammer in the China trade--did not interfere with his ability to sleep almost as long when there was no demand upon him. “These gentlemen are going with me, Mr. Jarvis,” said Nick politely. “I am Nicholas Carter. You know me, I think, for I recognize you.”