Toward the last of the month Lieutenant Elbl was so fully recovered that he was able to hobble about on crutches.  The friendship between the two cousins continued and Elbl was often found in the captain’s room.  No more had been said about a parole, but the French officials were evidently keeping an eye on the German, for one morning an order came to Mr. Merrick to deliver Elbl to the warden of the military prison at Dunkirk on or before ten o’clock the following day.

While the German received this notification with his accustomed stolid air of indifference, his American friends were all grieved at his transfer.  They knew the prison would be very uncomfortable for the invalid and feared he was not yet sufficiently recovered to be able to bear the new conditions imposed upon him.  There was no thought of protesting the order, however, for they appreciated the fact that the commandant had been especially lenient in leaving the prisoner so long in their care.

The Americans were all sitting together in the cabin that evening after dinner, when to their astonishment little Maurie came aboard in a skiff, bearing an order from the French commandant to Captain Carg, requesting him to appear at once at military headquarters.

Not only was Carg puzzled by this strange summons but none of the others could understand it.  The Belgian, when questioned, merely shook his head.  He was not the general’s confidant, but his fee as messenger would enable him to buy bread for his family and he had been chosen because he knew the way to the hospital ship.

As there was nothing to do but obey, the captain went ashore in one of the launches, which towed the skiff in which Maurie had come.

When he had gone, Lieutenant Elbl, who had been sitting in the cabin, bade the others good night and retired to his room.  Most of the others retired early, but Patsy, Uncle John and Doctor Gys decided to sit up and await the return of the captain.  It was an exceptionally cool evening and the warmth of the forward cabin was very agreeable.

Midnight had arrived when the captain’s launch finally drew up to the side and Carg came hastening into the cabin.  His agitated manner was so unusual that the three watchers with one accord sprang to their feet with inquiring looks.

“Where’s Elbl?” asked the captain sharply.

“Gone to bed,” said Uncle John.

“When?”

“Hours ago.  I think he missed your society and was rather broken up over the necessity of leaving us to-morrow.”

Without hesitation Carg turned on his heel and hastened aft.  They followed him in a wondering group.  Reaching the German’s stateroom the captain threw open the door and found it vacant.

“Humph!” he exclaimed.  “I suspected the truth when I found our launch was gone.”

“Which launch?” asked Uncle John, bewildered.

“The one I left with the ship.  On my return, just now, I discovered it was not at its moorings.  Someone has stolen it.”