"Say!" he exclaimed, "are you thinking of turning German directly?" "What's that?" demanded Frank, in surprise. "I just wondered when you were going to take up the arms for the Kaiser. The way you have been praising all things German recently, I don't know what to make of you. The _Deutschland_, for instance." Frank smiled. "I just don't happen to be a hard-headed John Bull," he replied. "Hard headed, am I?" exclaimed Jack. "I've a notion to shake some of that German sympathy out of you." "You know I haven't any German sympathies," said Frank. "But I believe in giving credit where credit is due." "Well, there is no credit due there. You know that is just some cock and bull story. The Germans will never dare such a thing." "I'm not so sure," said Frank, quietly. "Well, it will never get across the sea if the attempt is made." "Maybe not, maybe yes," said Frank, with a grin. "Well----" What Jack might have replied Frank never learned, for at that moment another German officer accosted them. He was the man who was so strangely familiar to Jack and Frank. "You will be ready to accompany me the moment we dock, sirs," he said. "All right," Frank agreed. "We'll be ready." They descended to their cabin where they donned the clothing they had worn when picked up from the sea. Then they returned on deck. The great warship now was nearing the dock, backing in. Slowly she drew close to the pier and then finally her engines ceased. A gangplank was lowered and men began to disembark. The officer who was to conduct the three prisoners to Berlin tapped Jack on the shoulder. "Whenever you are ready," he said quietly. "We're ready now," returned Jack. "Then precede me ashore," was the reply. "By the way, I might as well advise you that there is no use of attempting to escape. I have my gun handy and will drop either of you at the first false step." "Don't worry, we have no intention of trying to escape--not right here in broad daylight," said Frank. "Very good. Let us move." Slowly they made their way down the gang plank and ashore. There a line of automobiles waited. The officer motioned his prisoners into the largest of these and gave instructions to the driver. He took a seat beside Jack. As the automobile started down the street, Jack glanced at his captor sharply. "Surely I have seen you some place before, sir?" the lad said. The officer shrugged his shoulders. "Who knows?" he said and became silent. "Deuced uncommunicative sort of a fellow," said Jack to himself. "But I know I've come in contact with him some place. It may come to me later." The automobile drew up in front of a large stone house and the officer motioned his prisoners out. He spoke to his chauffeur. "Keep your gun handy and follow me," he instructed. The driver nodded and stepped alongside the officer, who motioned the three friends up the steps ahead of him. Inside he motioned them into a parlor and then dismissed his chauffeur.