“No,” was the eager reply.
“I believe you bose,” said the captain. “But you could not keep your vort. It is impossible.”
“But we would,” said Vince.
“You vould try, mon garçon, but you vould be oblige to tell. Listen—von vort for all. I have faith in you bose, but no, it cannot be. You cannot go back, so you must act like ze man now.”
“Then you are going to take us away?” cried Vince.
“I ’ave take you avay, my boy, and I sall not let you go back till I no longer vant ze cavern store, and ze safe place to hide. Zen you may go back—if you like.”
“What do you mean by that?” said Vince quickly.
“Vat I say: if you like. I sink by zat time you bose say to me, ‘Non, Monsieur Jacques, ve do not vant to go.’ Now I talk no more. Down vis you!”
“Only tell us one thing,” said Vince: “where are you going to take us?”
“I tell you ven I can,” said the captain.