Before the canvas was lowered and stowed a boat was observed putting off from the _Zug_, but Claverhouse was not one of its occupants. Seated in the stern-sheets in a white drill uniform was von Giespert. "Good-day, Sir Hugh," hailed the German, when the boat was within twenty yards of the yacht. "Your visit surprises me. I hope you are aware that the time-limit you imposed is not yet half expired?" "I am perfectly aware of that, Herr von Giespert," replied Harborough. "We are here on a very different business. I understand that one of my sea-planes is here." "Sea-planes?" repeated von Giespert, with well simulated astonishment. "I do not understand." "Let me enlighten you," said Harborough, and proceeded to outline his version of what had taken place. "You are obviously mistaken," persisted the owner of the _Zug_. "Look where you will there is no seaplane of any description here. Perhaps you are misled by taking that tent for the missing machine. And as regards your aviator, you may accept my assurance that it would be a pleasure to me to be able to restore him to you. Unfortunately, since he is not here, that is impossible." Harborough's brows contracted. "I have the right to search the island," he declared bluntly. "Are you prepared to give me permission to search your ship?" Von Giespert assumed an air of injured dignity. Up to the present he had played his part well, for, the moment the approaching _Titania_ had been sighted, he had sent a boat ashore and had quickly scuttled the _Cormorant_ by the simple expedient of smashing the floats. "Your request is an insult, sir," he replied. "As such I can only refuse it. To accede would be throwing away my dignity. Remember, that ship flies the German flag, and England is now at peace with Germany. Virtually, the _Zug_ is German territory, and should you persist----" "You would resist by force of arms, eh?" added Harborough. Von Giespert hesitated. To admit that would also be acknowledging that he feared the result of the search. "No, no," he replied; "but I would at once make for the nearest port where there is a German Consular Agent and enter a complaint of the outrage to the German flag." "Then there is no more to be said," rejoined Harborough, and, ignoring the Hun, he turned and went below. "We are certainly in a bit of a fix," he admitted, conferring with Villiers and Beverley. "There's something fishy about this business. I'm rather inclined to arm a boat and board the _Zug_, but if Claverhouse isn't on board then we'll let ourselves in for damages. I couldn't swear positively that I saw the sea-plane, neither could you. We saw something which we took to be the _Cormorant_, and, taking it for granted, we allowed an illusion to get the better of us." Both Villiers and Beverley admitted that they might have been mistaken. The powers of suggestion which had, as they now thought, conjured up the sea-plane, had now destroyed the belief.