"How long have you been ashore?"
"Not more than two or three hours."
"Have you leave to be ashore?"
Dan's eyes snapped.
"We should not be here if we didn't have leave, sir. You can very easily find out all you wish to know about us, if you will communicate with our ship out there."
"The matter will have to be laid before a higher authority than mine. You have committed a very grave offence. If, as you say, you belong to one of the American ships, your conduct may bring about grave results."
"I am sorry, sir. Perhaps we have done wrong; but if so, it was not intentional. That should count for something."
"Take them away, corporal!"
"May I ask where you are taking us to, sir?" questioned Dan.
"You are going to be locked up."