The meal over, the prisoners went on deck. Out of curiosity Denbigh walked to the rail and leant over the side. He was not surprised at what he saw. The ship's sides had been painted during the night. The black band still remained, but the yellow paint had been replaced with a coat of blue. Already the tropical sun was blistering the still wet paint, revealing patches of the original hue underneath. The funnels, too, had been redecorated. They were now red with black tops.
Some minutes later Kapitan von Riesser descended from the bridge and walked aft. Seeing the British officer he crossed the deck.
"You like our new colour scheme?" he asked.
Denbigh did not reply to the question. He asked another.
"Mr. Stirling and I both lost some gold during the night. Our cabin was entered while we were asleep and the money taken from our pockets. Was the—er—theft committed at your instigation?"
For a moment von Riesser hesitated.
"There was no theft," he replied. "The gold was taken from you prisoners——"
"Contrary to——" began Stirling hotly.
"In accordance with my instructions," continued the Kapitan. "Gold is of no use to you. Instead, you will be furnished with Notes to its equivalent as soon as we arrive."
"You may as well get your purser to write out a receipt," said O'Hara. "It will come in handy when the Zwaan—if that's her proper name—is captured."