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52 meet you. She's a knowing one for her years, and at the time I thought it was only the coquetry of the girl playing shy and bold; but now I've got another idea gripping me."

"Go on and tell me what you think, because all this is getting mighty interesting to me," urged Tom.

"I feel almost certain she made that request at the command of her guardian, Carl Potzfeldt," announced Jack sturdily. "Now I think her manner was one of embarrassment, as though she felt ashamed of playing a mean part but was compelled to do as she was told."

Tom frowned. From his serious manner it was plain to be seen that he attached considerable importance to the astonishing thing his companion was telling him.

"If what you suspect is really a fact, Jack," he remarked soberly, "there's only one explanation for it that I can see."

"You believe this Carl Potzfeldt may have some invisible connection with that Adolph Tuessig, the chap we suspect of being aboard this very steamer, hiding under some false name—or another name, for Adolph Tuessig may be an alias—and keeping to his stateroom during the day. Is that it, Tom?"

"Just what I had in mind, Jack. You know we've done our best to find out if that German