But Dave chose to remain on his feet. Again the ober-lieutenant turned to him, though with comparative courtesy. "I offered you a seat, sir. I trust you will avail yourself of the invitation." "I cannot seat myself, sir," Darrin answered, stiffly, "while a lady is forced to stand." "Then the woman will have a seat too," replied the ober-lieutenant, with a contemptuous glance in Mrs. Launce's direction. But that young Englishwoman met his look of contempt with a glance that beat the German at his own game, and remained on her feet. "Oh, very well," said the German commander, carelessly. "Now, I will enter in my log the name and other particulars concerning the master of the 'Rigsdak.'" Captain Kennor accordingly supplied the particulars, which were written down. "The English cattle next!" ordered the ober-lieutenant, gruffly. Mr. Launce therefore stated the names, ages and residence of himself and wife. "Your reason for travelling?" rasped the German commander, looking up from his record. "Health," replied the Englishman, stiffly. "Whose?"--sneeringly. "Mine." "You do not look ill." "That cannot be helped," replied Mr. Launce, as stiffly as ever. "You must have passports, since you are travelling," suggested the ober-lieutenant. "Yes; we have," admitted Mr. Launce. "Turn them over to me." Receiving the documents in question, the German commander looked them over carefully. Without comment, he handed them to a younger officer, who left the room with them, but soon returned. "Take these people away," ordered the ober-lieutenant. "And see that you obey all orders without question," he added, to Kennor and the English couple. When they had been left alone the ober-lieutenant rose to his feet, holding out his hand to Darrin though a bit stiffly. "We are brothers in arms, it seems, though just now we are enemies," said the German. "We are enemies, yes," Dave admitted, ignoring the outstretched hand. At this the German flushed, allowing his proffered hand to fall. "You shall have all permissible courtesy while you are my prisoner, and I trust you will show the same," said the ober-lieutenant. "I bespeak no courtesy, sir," Dave replied coolly, though without direct affront. "I quite understand that I am a prisoner of war, and, as I cannot help the fact, I will not resent it. You are going to confine me, I take it?" "No," said the ober-lieutenant, again seating himself and picking up his pen. "You will be given quarters, and allowed some freedom as long as you do not forfeit it. You may even eat at table with us." "Thank you," said Darrin, bowing stiffly. "I have not yet entered your name. Be good enough to supply me with it." "David Darrin." "Rank?" "Lieutenant commander." "Yankee Navy?" "United States Navy, sir." "Present detail?" "Commanding officer of a torpedo boat destroyer." "Her name?" demanded the ober-lieutenant, writing. "I decline to state." "Name of the destroyer?" insisted the German.