For the moment the fortitude of the hapless young lieutenant completely broke down when he heard these tidings. It took him a minute to control his voice, and then he said-- "Please give me back my revolver. I give you my word of honour not to use it on any of you three." Commander Blacklock shook his head. "I am sorry we can't oblige you," said he. "Poor old chap," said Phipps with genial sympathy; "it's rotten bad luck on you, I must admit." These well-meant words seemed only to incense the captive. "I do not wish your damned sympathy!" he cried. "Hush, hush! Ladies present," said Phipps soothingly. Von Belke turned a lowering eye on Miss Holland. She had said not a word, and scarcely moved since he came into the room, but her breathing was a little quicker than usual, and her gaze had followed intently each speaker in turn. "Ach so!" he said; "the decoy is still present. I had forgot." Blacklock's eye blazed dangerously. "Mr Belke," he said, "Captain Phipps and I have pleaded very strongly that, in spite of your exceedingly ambiguous position, and the fact that you have not always been wearing uniform, you should not suffer the fate of a spy. But if you make any more remarks like your last, I warn you we shall withdraw this plea." For the first time Eileen spoke. "Please do not think it matters to me, Captain Blacklock----" she began. In a whisper Phipps interrupted her. "Eye-wash!" he said. "It's the only way to treat a Hun--show him the stick!" The hint had certainly produced its effect. Von Belke shrugged his shoulders, and merely remarked-- "I am your prisoner. I say nothing more." "That's distinctly wiser," said Captain Phipps, with a formidable scowl at the captive and a wink at Miss Holland. For a few moments von Belke kept his word, and sat doggedly silent. Then suddenly he exclaimed-- "But I do not understand all this! How should a German agent be a British officer? My Government knew all about Tiel--I was told to be under his orders--it is impossible you can be he!" Blacklock turned to the other two. "I almost think I owe Mr Belke an explanation," he said with a smile. "Yes," cried Eileen eagerly, "do tell him, and then--then he will understand a little better." Blacklock filled a pipe and leaned his back against the fireplace, a curious mixture of clergyman in his attire and keen professional sailor in his voice and bearing, now that all need for pretence was gone. "The story I told you of the impersonation and attempted murder of Mr Alexander Burnett," he began, "was simply a repetition of the tale told me by Adolph Tiel at Inverness--where, by the way, he was arrested." Von Belke started violently. "So!" he cried. "Then--then you never were Tiel?"