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 intercourse with Carg.

But after the French officer had gone away Beth began to reflect upon this reticence.
"Isn't it queer," she remarked to Uncle John, "that an educated 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 thorough 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 Uncle John.

"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.