“What has become of her?”
“She is supposed to have perished on a portion of the raft which broke a drift.”
“Ha!” replied the Commandant, who remained silent for some time.
Philip looked at Krantz, as much as to say, “Why all this subterfuge;” but Krantz gave him a sign to leave him to speak.
“You say you don’t know whether your captain is alive or dead?”
“I do.”
“Now, suppose I was to give you your liberty, would you have any objection to sign a paper, stating his death, and swearing to the truth of it?”
Philip stared at the Commandant, and then at Krantz.
“I see no objection, exactly; except that if it were sent home to Holland we might get into trouble. May I ask, Signor Commandant, why you wish for such a paper?”
“No!” roared the little man, in a voice like thunder. “I will give no reason, but that I wish it; that is enough; take your choice—the dungeon, or liberty and a passage by the first vessel which calls.”