"The launch we have is the faster, and the trip will show our good faith, if nothing more." "Then make ready to start at once," said Ajo, "and I'll dress and go along." Carg hurried away to give orders and the boy ran to his stateroom.

Five minutes later they were away, with four sailors to assist in the capture of the fugitives in case they were overtaken.
It was a fruitless journey, however.

At daybreak, as they neared Ostend, they met their stolen launch coming back, in charge of a sleepy Belgian who had been hired to return it.

The man frankly stated that he had undertaken the task in order to get to Dunkirk, where he had friends, and he had been liberally paid by a German on crutches, who had one foot missing, and a little Belgian whom he had never seen before, but who, from the description given, could be none other than Maurie.
They carried the man back with them to the _Arabella_, where further questioning added nothing to their information.

They now had proof, however, that Elbl was safe with his countrymen at Ostend and that Maurie had been his accomplice.
"I would not believe," said Patsy, when she heard the story, "that a Belgian could be so disloyal to his country." "Every nation has its quota of black sheep," replied Uncle John, "and from what we have learned of Maurie's character he is not at all particular which side he serves.".