"That strikes me as unfair，sir，"said she."The German must henceforth be a noncombatant.He has been unable，since he was wounded and brought here，to learn any of your military secrets and at the best he will lie a helpless invalid for weeks to come.Therefore，instead of making him a prisoner，it would be more humane to permit him to return to his home and family in Germany."The general smiled indulgentlya.
"I t m i g h t b e m o r e h u m a n e ，m a d e m o i s e l l e ，b u t unfortunately it is against the military code.Did I understand that your captain will guarantee the German's safety？""Of course，"said Carg."If he escapes，I will surrendermyself in his place.""Ah；but we moderns cannot accept Pythias if Damon runs away，"laughed the general."But，there；it will be simpler to send a parole for him to sign，when he may be left in your charge until he is sufficiently recovered to bear the confinement of a prison.Is that satisfactory？""Certainly，sir，"replied the captain.
Elbl had remained silent during this conversation，appearing not to understand the French and English spoken.Indeed，since his arrival he had only spoken the German language，and that mostly in his intercoursea with Carg.But after the French officer had gone away Beth began to reflect upon this reticenceb.
"Isn't it queer，"she remarked to Uncle John，"that aneducated German—one who has been through college，as Captain Carg says Elbl has—should be unable to understand either French or English？I have always been told the German colleges are very thoroughc and you know that while at Ostend we found nearly all the German officers spoke good English.""It is rather strange，come to think of it，"answered UncleJohn."I believe the study of languages is a part of the German military education.But I regret that the French are determined to keep the poor fellow a prisoner.Such a precaution is absurd，to my mind.""I think I can understand the French position，"said thegirl，reflectively."These Germans are very obstinate，and much as I admire Lieutenant Elbl I feel sure that were he able he would fight the French again to—morrow.After his recovery he might even get one of those mechanical feet and be back on the firing line.""He's a Uhlan.""Then he could ride a horse.I believe，Uncle，the French are justified in retaining him as a prisoner until the war is over."Meantime，in the captain's room the two men were quietlyconversing.
"He wants you to sign a parolea，"said Carg."Not I.""You may as well.I'm responsible for your safety.""I deny anyone's right to be responsible for me.If you have made a promise to that effect，withdraw it，"said the German.
"If I do，they'll put you in prison."
"Not at present.I am still an invalid.In reality.I am weak and suffering.Yet I am already planning my escape，and that is why I insist that you withdraw any promise you have made.Otherwise—""Otherwise？""Instead of escaping by water，as I had intended，to Ostend，I must go to the prison and escape from there.It will be more difficult.The water route is best.""Of course，"agreed the captain，smiling calmly.
"One of your launches would carry me to Ostend and return here between dark and daylight.""Easily enough，"said Carg.It was five minutes beforehe resumed his speech.Then he said with quiet deliberation："Cousin，I am an American，and Americans are neutral in this war.""You are Sangoan.""My ship is chartereda by Americans，which obliges the captain of the ship to be loyal to its masters.I will do nothing to conflict with the interests of the Americans，not even to favor my cousin.""Quite right，"said Elbl.
"If you have any plan of escape in mind，do not tell me of it，"continued the captain."I shall order the launches guarded carefully.I shall do all in my power to prevent your getting away from this ship.""Thank you，"said the German."You have my respect，cousin.Pass the tobacco."