He was a tall, good-looking man, very handsomely dressed.

I came to know him later as Captain Charles Duchatel.
"This is the man, M.le capitaine," said my guide, pushing me to the front.
"Well, my man," said the captain, pleasantly enough, "what is the important information you have to give me ?" "M.

le capitaine will perhaps permit me to explain, in the first place, that I am an Englishman," said I, with a bow.
"Truly you speak like one, mon gars," he laughed.
"That is because I am of the Norman Isles, monsieur.

I am from Sercq, by Guernsey." "Well!" he nodded.
"And therefore monsieur will see that it is not possible for me to fight against my own country." And I went on quickly, in spite of the frown I saw gathering on his face.

"I will do any duty put upon me to the best of my power, but fight against my country I cannot." He looked at me curiously, and said sharply, "A sailor on board ship obeys orders.