"Captain Ackinson," he said, "do not be rash. If I have seemed too peremptory in this matter, remember that Germany as my fatherland is as dear to me as England to you, and this man whose arrest I am commissioned to effect has earned for himself the deep enmity of all patriots. Listen to me, I beg. You run not one shadow of risk in delivering this man up to my custody. He has no country with whom you might become embroiled. He is a French Royalist, who has cast himself adrift altogether from his country, and is indeed her enemy. Apart from that, his detention, trial and sentence, would be before a secret court. He would simply disappear. As for you, you need not fear but that your services will be amply recognised. Make your claims now for this detention of your steamer; fix it if you will at five or even ten thousand pounds, and I will satisfy it on the spot by a draft on the Imperial Exchequer. The man can be nothing to you. Make a great country your debtor. You will never regret it." Captain Ackinson shook his arm free from the other's grasp, and strode out on to the deck. "_Kaiser Wilhelm_ boat alongside," he shouted, blowing his whistle. "Smith, have these gentlemen lowered at once, and pass the word to the engineer's room, full speed ahead." He turned to the two men, who had followed him out. "You had better get off my ship before I lose my temper," he said bluntly. "But rest assured that I shall report this attempt at intimidation and bribery to my employers, and they will without doubt lay the matter before the Government." "But Captain Ackinson----" "Not another word, sir." "My dear----" Captain Ackinson turned his back upon the two men, and with a stiff, military salute turned towards the bridge. Already the machinery was commencing to throb. Mr. Watson, who was hovering near, came up and helped them to descend. A few apparently casual remarks passed between the three men. From a little lower down Mr. Sabin and Mrs. Watson leaned over the rail and watched the visitors lowered into their boat. "That was rather a foolish attempt," he remarked lightly; "nevertheless they seem disappointed." She looked after them pensively. "I wish I knew what they said to--my husband," she murmured. "Orders for my assassination, very likely," he remarked lightly. "Did you see your husband's face when he passed us?" She nodded, and looked behind. Mr. Watson had entered the smoke-room. She drew a little nearer to Mr. Sabin and dropped her voice almost to a whisper. "What you have said in jest is most likely the truth. Be very careful!" CHAPTER XLV MR. SABIN IN DANGER Mr. Sabin found the captain by no means inclined to talk about the visit which they had just received. He was still hurt and ruffled at the propositions which had been made to him, and annoyed at the various delays which seemed conspiring to prevent him from making a decent passage.