"A warrant," Dronestein continued, drawing an imposing looking document from his breast pocket. "If you will examine it you will perceive that it is in perfect order. It bears, in fact," he continued, pointing with reverential forefinger to a signature near the bottom of the document, "the seal of his most august Majesty, the Emperor of Germany." Captain Ackinson glanced at the document with imperturbable face. "What is the name of the gentleman to whom all this refers?" he inquired. "The Duc de Souspennier!" "The name," Captain Ackinson remarked, "is not upon my passengers' list." "He is travelling under the alias of 'Mr. Sabin,'" Baron Von Graisheim interjected. "And do you expect me," Captain Ackinson remarked, "to hand over the person in question to you on the authority of that document?" "Certainly!" the two men exclaimed with one voice. "Then I am very sorry indeed," Captain Ackinson declared, "that you should have had the temerity to stop my ship, and detain me here on such a fool's errand. We are on the high seas and under the English flag. The document you have just shown me impeaching the Duc de Souspennier for 'lèse majestie' and high treason, and all the rest of it, is not worth the paper it is written on here, nor, I should think in America. I must ask you to leave my ship at once, gentlemen, and I can promise you that my employers, the Cunard ss. Company, will bring a claim against your Government for this unwarrantable detention." "You must, if you please, be reasonable," Captain Dronestein said. "We have force behind us, and we are determined to rescue this man at all costs." Captain Ackinson laughed scornfully. "I shall be interested to see what measures of force you will employ," he remarked. "You may have a tidy bill to pay as it is, for that shot you put across my bows. If you try another it may cost you the _Kaiser Wilhelm_ and the whole of the German Navy. Now, if you please, I've no more time to waste." Captain Ackinson moved towards the door. Dronestein laid his hand upon his arm.