“I’ve got to get a wire to the port at once,” cried the scientist. “At once!” “You! What for?” “To stop off Wisner. To tell him it isn’t so.” “You’re excited, my boy,” said Mr. Brewster kindly. “Better lie down again.” “It’s true, right enough,” said the Englishman. “Sir Willet’s _cochero_ saw the mob get him.” “When? Where?” asked Fitzhugh Carroll. “Haven’t got any details, but the Government admits it.” “I don’t care if the President and his whole cabinet swear to it,” vociferated the Unspeakable Perk. “It’s a fake. How can I get Puerto del Norte, Mr. Sherwen?” “You can’t get it at all for any such purpose. How do you know it’s a fake?” “How do I know? Oh, dammit! _I’m_ Luther Pruyn!” He snatched off his glasses and faced them. The little group stood petrified. Mr. Brewster was first to recover. “Crazy, poor chap!” he said. “Luther Pruyn was my classmate.” “That’s my father, Luther L.” “Proofs,” said Sherwen sharply. “In my coat pocket. In the room. Can I have your wire, Mr. Sherwen?” “It’s cut.” “Come to the railway wire,” offered Galpy. “My eye! Wot a game!” The two men ran out, the scientist leaving behind coat and goggles. “It was our little mix-up that started the rumor,” said Carroll thoughtfully. “Somebody recognized Perk—Dr. Pruyn.” “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 Curaçao.” “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.