[Illustration: As night fell the searchlights played with unceasing vigilance upon the harbour. Suddenly Captain Brookes turned to Gerald. "Does my compact forbid me using the Z-rays?" he asked.]
In less than a quarter of an hour the English lieutenant, accompanied by Captain Brookes, reappeared on the quarter-deck. Without betraying any of the circumstances of the interview the former went over the side, and the pinnace steamed swiftly back to her parent ship.
"Well, gentlemen, it's only right that you should know the true state of affairs," began the captain. "I have affirmed that, save for the matter concerning the detention of Mr. Tregarthen and Mr. Stockton, I have never committed any action against the British Government that warrants such interference, and therefore I question the commodore's right to demand our surrender. If, in the execution of my self-imposed duty, I have unfortunately been compelled to take stern measures with the Afrika, that quarrel is between the German authorities and myself. On that score I have made my protest to the commodore of yonder squadron."
An hour later the pinnace returned, the lieutenant bearing a verbal message from the British commodore that he was there to carry out orders, not to quibble over them, but that he was prepared to put Captain Brookes's protest before the Admiralty in a favourable light should the surrender be immediately carried out.
This message the lieutenant gave in the presence of all the officers of the Olive Branch, possibly imagining that the moral effect might be greater.
Captain Brookes's swarthy countenance darkened.
"Go back to your ship, sir!" he thundered. "Inform your superior officer that I scornfully refuse his terms. Here is the Olive Branch. If he wants her, let him come in and take her."
A low murmur of applause from his officers greeted this announcement, and once again the English lieutenant returned to his ship.
"I am beginning to repent of our bargain, Mr. Tregarthen," remarked the captain. "But, by Jove! I'll keep my word. We are safe enough for the time being, for they will never dare to enter the harbour without obtaining the consent of the Chilian Government. Meanwhile I can only hope for an on-shore gale and a dark night."
All that day and the night following the blockading squadron remained on the qui vive, but on the next morning the gale that Captain Brookes wished for had begun.