He held out his hand, and the young German grasped it.
“You but did your duty, as you saw it, I suppose,” said Captain Anderson.
“What is the piece of news you have for us, Captain Anderson?” asked Colonel Willing, who had been waiting impatiently for the commander of the Yucatan to broach the subject that had called them aboard.
“Have chairs, gentlemen,” said the captain, ignoring the question.
The others sat down, the older men twisting about uneasily. At last Mr. Willing could stand it no longer.
“Captain,” he cried, jumping to his feet, “if you have any words of our daughters, tell us. Don’t keep us in suspense any longer.”
Captain Anderson gazed at him steadily for a few moments, then arose, and walked to a door in his cabin.
“I have three prisoners here I would like you to see,” he said quietly.
With a sudden movement he threw wide the door, and there stepped forth first Dick, then Shirley, then Mabel.
The two men absolutely ignored Dick, who stepped aside.