"But they couldn't. There ain't any policy! The Argentine Republic is a neutral country. You can't make me believe they'd do a thing like that. It wouldn't be honest, Mr. Neilsen. Of course, it's war-time; but the German Government wants to be honorable, don't it—like any other government?"
"I don'd understand the reasons; but I fear there is no doubt aboud the facts," said Mr. Neilsen.
"Have you got the letter?"
"No; I thought as you do, ad first, and I tore id up."
"Was that why you wanted to get off and go back?" the captain inquired mercilessly.
"I gonfess I vas a liddle alarmed; but I thought perhaps I vas unduly alarmed at the time. I gouldn't trust my own judgment, and I had no ride to make other bassengers nervous."
"That was very thoughtful of you. I trust you will continue to keep this matter to yourself, for I assure you—though I consider the German Government 'opelessly wrong in this war—they wouldn't do a dirty thing like that. They're very anxious to be on good terms with the South American republics, and they'd ruin themselves for ever."
"But my information is they vill sink the ships vithoud leaving any draces."
"What do you mean? Pretend to be friendly, and then—Come, now! That's an awful suggestion to make!"
At these words Mr. Neilsen had a vivid mental picture of his conversation with the bald-headed Englishman in Harrods'.