"But you have broken the most vital of Borga's regulations. Can the German naval authorities overlook that? Will there be no question? Will you not be forced to produce your nephew to be confronted by—Von Salzinger?"
A look of doubt crept into the old man's eyes, and Ruxton knew that his warning had struck home.
"That possibility had not occurred to me," he said, with undisturbed simplicity.
For some moments Ruxton watched him in silence.
"How will you meet—that?" he demanded at last.
The man shrugged again.
"I must think of it. There will be a way."
"Just so. There is a way, Prince," said Ruxton, suddenly bestirring himself. "It is simple. Your real cause is the cause of humanity. Why not defy the claims of Germany? Abandon her, and yield your life to the cause so dear to your heart. Will you not land on the Yorkshire coast with me? A great welcome will await you. And—your daughter—she is in England already."
Having launched his appeal, Ruxton sat back in his seat and waited with a tense patience. Vast affairs were hanging in the balance, waiting upon the decision of this man, who was perhaps the mechanical genius of the country which claimed him.
After a while the Prince slowly shook his head. And the lack of impulse he displayed warned the other that his decision was irrevocable.