“Well boys, I’m very sorry,” went on the voice, which they recognized as that of Captain Needham’s “but I can’t let you out.”
“You can’t let us out?” demanded Ned. “What right have you got to keep us here, prisoners.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t think of calling you prisoners,” the captain said in a gentle tone from the other side of the door.
“What else is it?” Bart asked indignantly.
“Well, you’re only detained for a little while, that’s all. I can’t explain now, but it will be all right in a few days. I wish I could tell you, but I can’t. I’m bound to secrecy. If you will only be patient I’m sure it will be all right inside of a week.”
“Do you mean to say you’re going to keep us here a week?” inquired Fenn.
“Well, I’m afraid I’ll have to, you know. You’ll be well taken care of. Plenty to eat, but I’m sorry I can’t give you any better clothes than those you have on. You can’t run away in them, and you might if you had your own.”
“You’ll be sorry for this!” threatened Bart. “When we do get out you’ll be arrested. You can’t do this sort of thing in this country!”
“But I have done it,” the captain replied, and the boys thought they heard him laughing. “Now don’t get excited. We’ll treat you well.”
“We don’t want to be treated well!” fired back Frank. “We want our rights! We demand that you release us at once!”