"In the district court of Nevada."
Hank's arm gripped the Duke's.
"Take notice George Francisco Louis Duc de Montvillier, that a writ has
been issued at the instance of Henry Sleaford of Colorado Springs, Henry
B. Sant of New York and Sir Harry Tanneur of Montleigh, England, calling
upon you to establish your title to the Silver Streak----"
"Stop!"
Sir Harry, his face purple, the veins of his temples swollen, was on his
feet.
"Go on, Mr. Nape, please."
It was the Duke's gentle voice. In a dream Mr. Nape obeyed. In his not
unnatural agitation he skipped a few lines. "... therefore I call upon
you, the aforesaid George Francisco Louis Duc de Montvillier to appear
before me at 10 o'clock in the forenoon of the 28th day of October,
1907."
"The twenty-eighth!" gasped Hank, "to-day's the twentieth, the boat has
sailed----"
He heard Tanneur's laugh, harsh and triumphant.
"The _Ironic_ doesn't call at Queenstown," he said and laughed again.
"No, but the German boat will be passing through the Straits of Dover in
two hours' time," said the Duke.