“No, indeed.  You will be detained, of course, but you are not prisoners—­as yet.  I will keep your papers and submit them to the general staff.  It will be for that august body to decide.”

Uncle John protested vigorously; Patsy faced the old general and told him this action was an outrage that would be condemned by the entire civilized world; Captain Carg gravely assured both officers that they were making a serious mistake.  But nothing could move the stolid Germans.  The general, indeed, smiled grimly and told them in English that he was in no way responsible, whatever happened.  This was Colonel Grau’s affair, but he believed, nevertheless, that the colonel was acting wisely.

The young officer, who had stood like a statue during the entire interview, was ordered to accompany the Americans to a hotel, where they must be kept under surveillance but might follow, to an extent, their own devices.  They were not to mail letters nor send telegrams.

The officer asked who should guard the suspects.

“Why not yourself, Lieutenant?  You are on detached duty, I believe?”

“At the port, Colonel.”

“There are too many officers at the port; it is a sinecure.  I will appoint you to guard the Americans.  You speak their language, I believe?”

The young man bowed.

“Very well; I shall hold you responsible for their safety.”

They were then dismissed and compelled to follow their guard from the room.

Patsy was now wild with rage and Uncle John speechless.  Even Carg was evidently uneasy.

“Do not mind,” said the young lieutenant consolingly.  “It is merely a temporary inconvenience, you know, for your release will come very soon.  And since you are placed in my care I beg you to accept this delay with good grace and be happy as possible.  Ostend is full of life and I am conducting you to an excellent hotel.”

CHAPTER XIII

TARDY JUSTICE

The courtesy of Lieutenant von Holtz was beyond criticism.  He obtained for his charges a comfortable suite of rooms in an overcrowded hotel, obliging the landlord to turn away other guests that Mr. Merrick’s party might be accommodated.  The dinner that was served in their cosy sitting room proved excellent, having been ordered by von Holtz after he had requested that privilege.  When the young officer appeared to see that it was properly served, Patsy invited him to join them at the table and he laughingly consented.

“You are one of our party, by force of circumstances,” said the girl, “and since we’ve found you good-natured and polite, and believe you are not to blame for our troubles, we may as well be friendly while we are together.”

The young man was evidently well pleased.

“However evil your fortune may be,” said he, “I cannot fail to be impressed by my own good luck.  Perhaps you may guess what a relief this pleasant commission is to one who for days has been compelled to patrol those vile smelling docks, watching for spies and enduring all sorts of weather.”