“Further denial is useless, captain,” declared Captain Ainslee. “I don’t believe you will dispute the young lady’s words.”
Von Blusen turned away angrily, and his gaze rested on Dick and the others for the first time.
“I see you are all here,” he said. Then to Dick, “And I have not forgotten that I have a debt to settle with you.”
He stepped quickly across the cabin and before the others were aware of what he intended to do, he struck Dick sharply across the face with the back of his hand.
Dick was on his feet in an instant and would have leaped upon his assailant had not the others stayed him.
“Captain!” cried the commander of the Tennessee, “you forget yourself! If that is the way you Germans conduct yourselves no wonder the whole world is against you. Another move like that and I’ll have you put in irons!”
The German captain drew back but said nothing.
“Now,” continued Captain Ainslee, “I would like to know the meaning of this affair you have been mixed up in. Is Germany seeking war with the United States?”
“Why not?” was the reply. “The United States has been against us, why shouldn’t we be against her?”
“It’s your own evil consciences that make you think that,” replied Captain Ainslee. “The United States has been strictly neutral in this war. But an accounting for this will be demanded of the Kaiser.”