“He cannot know that, because the Prince was arrested several days before Drummond was.
“They have probably chucked them both into the same cell,” said the Captain, but Dorothy shook her head.
“If they had intended to do that, they would doubtless have arrested them together. I am sure that one does not know the fate of the other, therefore the Czar can quite readily let Lermontoff go, and he is certain to do that at a word from the President. Besides this, I am as confident that Jack is not in the Trogzmondoff, as I am sure that Drummond is. Johnson said it was a prison for foreigners.”
“Oh, Dorothy,” cried the Captain, with a deep sigh, “if we’ve got back again to Johnson--” He waved his hand and shook his head.
The maid opened the door and said, looking at Dorothy:
“Just show them into the morning room,” said Dorothy, rising. “Captain Kempt, it is awfully good of you to have listened so patiently to a scheme of which you couldn’t possibly approve.”
“Now I want you to do me another kindness.”
She went to the desk and picked up a piece of paper.
“Here is a check I have signed--a blank check. I wish you to buy the yacht ‘Walrus’ just as she stands, and make the best bargain you can for me. A man is so much better at this kind of negotiation than a woman.”
“But surely, my dear Dorothy, you won’t persist in buying this yacht?”
“It’s her own money, father,” put in Katherine.
“Keep quiet,” said the Captain, rising, for the first time speaking with real severity, whereupon Katherine, in spite of the fact that she was older than twenty-one, was wise enough to obey.
“Yes, I am quite determined, Captain,” said Dorothy sweetly.
“But, my dear woman, don’t you see how you’ve been hoodwinked by this man Johnson? He is shy of a job. He has already swindled you out of twenty thousand dollars.”
“No, he asked for ten only, Captain Kempt, and I voluntarily doubled the amount.”
“Nevertheless, he has worked you up to believe that these young men are in that rock. He has done this for a very crafty purpose, and his purpose seems likely to succeed. He knows he will be well paid, and you have promised him a bonus besides. If he, with his Captain Kidd crew, gets you on that yacht, you will only step ashore by giving him every penny you possess. That’s his object. He knows you are starting out to commit a crime--that’s the word, Dorothy, there’s no use in our mincing matters--you will be perfectly helpless in his hands. Of course, I could not allow my daughter Kate to go on such an expedition.”