“Then you are Dr Robson, sir?” he said.
“Yes. May I ask—”
“You are here carrying out a scientific research?”
“Yes.”
“In company with your consort, Count Des Saix, of the French brig Dagobert?”
“That’s quite right, sir; but may I ask—”
“Why you are my prisoners? Certainly. But I will shorten matters by telling you that your scientific research was a plot to carry off the prisoner of the British Government, the ex-emperor Napoleon Bonaparte.”
“No, sir, I’ll be hanged if it was!” cried the doctor.
“Which plot has completely failed,” added the captain. “As I have said, sir, you are my prisoner.”
“And what about Captain Chubb, here, and my nephew?”