She wouldn't let him come back to the ship." "He was certainly at liberty to-night," answered Beth.

"Isn't this escape liable to be rather embarrassing to us, Uncle John ?" "I'm afraid so," was the reply.

"We agreed to keep him safely until the authorities demanded we give him up; and now, at the last minute, we've allowed him to get away." Anxiety was written on every countenance as they considered the serious nature of this affair.

Only Gys seemed composed and unworried.
"Is it too late to go in chase of the launch ?" asked Ajo, breaking a long pause.

"They're headed for Ostend, without a doubt, and there's a chance that they may run into a sand-bank in the dark, or break down, or meet with some other accident to delay them." "I believe it's worth our while, sir," answered Carg.