He was the captain of the yacht, and he had to make for a certain English port, the name of which he could not divulge: he was to keep the vessel at full steam ahead under any and all circumstances.

He seemed to be a very big, a very strong, and a very determined man, and the Prince was at a loss what course of action to pursue.

He asked several more questions, but the only effect of them was to render the man taciturn and ill-humoured.
In vain Prince Aribert explained that Miss Nella Racksole, daughter of millionaire Racksole, had been abducted by Mr Tom Jackson; in vain he flourished the revolver threateningly; the surly but courageous captain said merely that that had nothing to do with him; he had instructions, and he should carry them out.

He sarcastically begged to remind his interlocutor that he was the captain of the yacht.
'It won't do to shoot him, I suppose,' said the Prince to Nella.

'I might bore a hole into his leg, or something of that kind.' 'It's rather risky, and rather hard on the poor captain, with his extraordinary sense of duty,' said Nella.