When he had gone，Lieutenant Elbl，who had beensitting in the cabin，bade the others good night and retired to his room.Most of the others retired early，but Patsy，Uncle John and Doctor Gys decided to sit up and await the return of the captain.It was an exceptionally cool evening and the warmth of the forward cabin was very agreeable.
Midnight had arrived when the captain's launch finally drew up to the side and Carg came hastening into the cabin.His agitated manner was so unusual that the three watchers with one accord sprang to their feet with inquiring looks.
"Where's Elbl？"asked the captain sharply.
"Gone to bed，"said Uncle John."When？"
"Hours ago.I think he missed your society and was rather broken up over the necessity of leaving us to—morrow."Without hesitation Carg turned on his heel and hastened aft.They followed him in a wondering group.Reaching the German's stateroom the captain threw open the door and found it vacant.
"Humph！"he exclaimed."I suspected the truth when Ifound our launch was gone.""Which launch？"asked Uncle John，bewildered.
"The one I left with the ship.On my return，just now，I discovered it was not at its moorings.Someone has stolen it."They stared at him in amazement.
"Wasn't the deck patrolled？"asked Patsy，the first to recover.
"We don't set a watch till ten—thirty.It wasn't considered necessary.But I had no suspicion of the trick Elbl has played on me to—night，"he added with a groan.Their voices hadaroused others.Ajo came out of his room，enveloped in aheavy bathrobea，and soon after Maud and Beth joined them."What's up？"demanded the boy.
"The German has tricked us and made his escape，"quietly answered Dr.Gys."For my part，I'm glad of it.""It was a conspiracyb，"growled the captain."That rascalc，Maurie—""Oh，was Maurie in it？""Of course.He was the decoyd；perhaps he arranged the whole thing.""Didn't the general want you，then？"Carg was so enraged that he fairly snorted.