“The law of necessity must be obeyed,” replied the captain.
He took his departure.
“The cold-blooded scoundrel,” declared Colonel Ashton. “This is what we get for helping him to escape.”
“And that is my fault,” declared Mabel.
“Well, there is no use talking about it now,” said Dick. “It’s too late.”
An hour later the new crew began getting out the boats, and all the passengers provided themselves with life preservers. Fortunately, the weather was calm and the sea smooth and there was little likelihood of a storm at this time of year.
With everything in readiness, Captain Von Blusen once more approached the Willing party, and drew Mabel slightly to one side in spite of the protests of the others.
“Miss Ashton,” he said, “in your cabin the other day you spoke of your sympathies to the German cause. Now I shall tell you something, for you have done much for me. Advise the others to make no attempt to reach Colon, should they be picked up.”
“And why not?” demanded Shirley.
The captain hesitated.