“I deny anyone’s right to be responsible for me.  If you have made a promise to that effect, withdraw it,” said the German.

“If I do, they’ll put you in prison.”

“Not at present.  I am still an invalid.  In reality.  I am weak and suffering.  Yet I am already planning my escape, and that is why I insist that you withdraw any promise you have made.  Otherwise—­”

“Otherwise?”

“Instead of escaping by water, as I had intended, to Ostend, I must go to the prison and escape from there.  It will be more difficult.  The water route is best.”

“Of course,” agreed the captain, smiling calmly.

“One of your launches would carry me to Ostend and return here between dark and daylight.”

“Easily enough,” said Carg.  It was five minutes before he resumed his speech.  Then he said with quiet deliberation:  “Cousin, I am an American, and Americans are neutral in this war.”

“You are Sangoan.”

“My ship is chartered by Americans, which obliges the captain of the ship to be loyal to its masters.  I will do nothing to conflict with the interests of the Americans, not even to favor my cousin.”

“Quite right,” said Elbl.

“If you have any plan of escape in mind, do not tell me of it,” continued the captain.  “I shall order the launches guarded carefully.  I shall do all in my power to prevent your getting away from this ship.”

“Thank you,” said the German.  “You have my respect, cousin.  Pass the tobacco.”

CHAPTER XIX

THE CAPTURE

There was considerable excitement when the ambulance returned.  Part of the roof had been torn away, the doors were gone, the interior wrecked and not a pane of glass remained in the sides; yet Ajo drove it to the dock, the motor working as smoothly as ever, and half a dozen wounded were helped out and put into the launch to be taken aboard the hospital ship.

When all were on deck, young Jones briefly explained what had happened.  A shell had struck the ambulance, which had been left in the rear, but without injuring the motor in any way.  Fortunately no one was near at the time.  When they returned they cleared away the rubbish to make room for a few wounded men and then started back to the city.

Doctor Gys, hatless and coatless, his hair awry and the mask making him look more hideous than ever, returned with the party and came creeping up the ship’s ladder in so nervous a condition that his trembling knees fairly knocked together.

The group around Ajo watched him silently.

“What do you think that fool did?” asked the boy, as Gys slunk away to his room.

“Tell us,” pleaded Patsy, who was one of the curious group surrounding him.