"See here, Curtis," Carstens said, roughly, "these fellows are my prisoners, and I am here with special orders. That will be all."
"Hardly all," was the cool reply, "for I have my gunboat in the harbor."
Encouraged by this statement, Ned stepped forward and raised his bound hands.
"May I speak a word?" he asked.
"Certainly not!" said Carstens.
"Go ahead!" the captain of the gunboat, Frederick Curtis, said. "George," he added, addressing an officer, "go to the boat and train her guns on this delightful party."
Carstens turned deadly pale but smiled, and saluted.
"I'm sure you will do nothing rash," he said.
"I shall not overstep my instructions," was the reply. "What have you to say?" he continued, facing Ned.
"I want a few words with you in private," was the reply.