"There are too many officers at the port; it is a sinecure. I will appoint you to guard the Americans. You speak their language, I believe?"
The young man bowed.
"Very well; I shall hold you responsible for their safety."
They were then dismissed and compelled to follow their guard from the room.
Patsy was now wild with rage and Uncle John speechless. Even Carg was evidently uneasy.
"Do not mind," said the young lieutenant consolingly. "It is merely a temporary inconvenience, you know, for your release will come very soon. And since you are placed in my care I beg you to accept this delay with good grace and be happy as possible. Ostend is full of life and I am conducting you to an excellent hotel."