Is it not so ?" "Surely, monsieur.

But I am a prisoner.

And as an Englishman I cannot fight against my country.

Could monsieur do so in like case ?" "This is rank mutiny, you know." "I do not mean it so, monsieur, I assure you." "And was this the important information you had to give me ?" "No, monsieur, it was this.

The man who brought me prisoner on board here,--monsieur knows him ?" "Undoubtedly! He has made himself known." "Better perhaps than you imagine, monsieur.