"No; American."
"Ah! It is well. I have come here, with the permission of the premier, to request that those young men be liberated at once."
"I have but now received a message from the Ministry of Justice, requesting that I receive you. I am honored, señor. May I inquire your interest in this matter?" questioned the prefect, shrewdly suspecting the truth.
"Because I have reason to believe that a serious error has been committed."
"Indeed, señor! On whose part, may I ask?"
"I should say that it was on the part of your department, Monsieur Prefect—that a great injustice has been done to two very brave young men, who risked their lives to serve two women in dire distress."
The prefect smiled.
"If these men whom you have in custody are American or English sailors, I beg that you may quickly convince yourself of their innocence and liberate them. I ask this in my official capacity."
"The foreign governments appear to be taking a deep interest in the case of these young men, señor."
"Why say you that, Monsieur le Prefect?"