"It's all right, miss. We're going ashore now in the pilot boat. But
you should have told us that your nigger was a dummy!"

Here was the last chance for the Duke. He grasped it, hurrying toward
the door.

"One moment, gentlemen, one moment!" and he laughed in Maria's face,
confident of his success. "If this person is famous, these gentlemen
should know him.... Do you know Warren, the Ghost Breaker?"

"The what?" asked the detective.

"The Ghost Breaker!"

Both men now entered the room, grinning at each other.

"He's off his trolleys again, Jim," said the big fellow to the other.

Jarvis stepped in through the deck door.

"Is this man Warren, the famous Ghost Breaker? This man right here!"

"The guy's dippy all right, cull," remarked the nearest sleuth to
Jarvis, who nodded most seriously.

"Agree with anything he says. You know!" he muttered.

The Duke was beside himself with rage.

"Answer my question! Is this man Warren the Ghost Breaker?"

"Aw, Dook, old top, that's all right. Don't worry about it!... Sure
he's a ghost breaker, ain't he, Jim?"

"Best bet you know," replied obliging Jim. "He's the prince of all
ghost breakers!"

The Duke smote his breast furiously, while the detectives smiled
sympathetically into Jarvis' serious face.

"_Sacristi!_ Am I Carlos Hernando, Duke of Alva, to be mocked at by two
grinning bull-necked scullions?"

"Whatever you say goes, Dook!" amiably replied the first detective.

A ship's officer appeared on the promenade deck and called through the
open door at them.

"Hurry up, if you're going ashore with the pilot, officers."

The two men bowed with their best imitation of gallantry, to the
Princess Maria Theresa of Aragon. Nita, standing in the vestibule, sent
a melting glance at the faithful Jim, who stumbled over the treacherous
cabin threshold.

The superior of the two shook hands pompously with Jarvis, whose left
hand was still in his pocket.

"Be kind to the little rascal, Doc. He might not get such good
treatment from them Scotland Yard bulls, on the other side. They don't
understand human nature like us fellers--they ain't got no education
over there. Good-by, Doc! Don't let your foot slip!"

He turned toward the Duke, as he passed through the door.

"You're all right, Dook, old boy, if you do have fits! Ghost
Breaker--ha, ha!"

Carlos started toward the other door, with a bound.

"It's not too late. I'll see the captain."

Jarvis, sitting on t