"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.
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