The Blue Grass Seminary Girls on the Water Part 52

"And to you," returned Captain Von Blusen.

He descended from the bridge, and made his way to where the Willing party stood gazing at him in open-eyed wonder.

The German officer first addressed Mr. Willing and Colonel Ashton.

"I am sorry that I have been the means of putting you to so much trouble," he said, with a slight bow, "but whatever I did I considered in line with my duty. Please believe that."

"I have no doubt of it," replied Mr. Willing.

"Nor I," agreed Colonel Ashton.

Captain Von Blusen now turned to d.i.c.k, and with the slightest of smiles he extended his hand.

"As you and I had a little difficulty," he said, "I pray you will overlook it."

d.i.c.k grasped the extended hand, as he replied.

"Why, of course. I guess I am a bit hot-headed once in a while."

"No more than I am," returned Captain Von Blusen. "It has been my chief fault."

He pressed d.i.c.k's hand once more, and then turned to the two girls, who had been too stunned by what they had witnessed, to speak.

The captain extended a hand to each in turn and Shirley and Mabel shook hands with him.

"I am pleased to have met you, Miss Ashton," he said courteously, "and you, Miss Willing, and I regret that I have been the means of causing you unpleasantness. But as I have said to your fathers, what I did was but in the line of duty. Now I must say good-bye, but when the war is over," he looked at Mabel, "I hope that I shall see you both again."

He bowed low, and before the girls could reply, he made his way toward the spot where the German lieutenant stood awaiting him. He motioned the latter to precede him over the side, and was just about to follow, when he seemed to think of something.

He walked quickly back across the deck to where Shirley and Mabel stood, and spoke.

"I suppose you all wonder who I am," he said quietly, "and while I would greatly like to satisfy your curiosity, I fear it is impossible at this time."

Now Shirley found her tongue.

"You can at least tell us whether you are of royal birth," she cried.

Again Captain Von Blusen bowed low.

"I cannot say yes, nor can I deny it," he answered.

"Then your name is not really Captain Von Blusen?"

The captain smiled and bowed, but made no reply.

Now Mabel spoke.

"Captain," she said quietly, "for by such name only can we know you now, we should, of course, be honored with your confidence, but if you cannot speak at this time, I for one shall ask you no questions."

Captain Von Blusen took her hand and bent over it gallantly.

"I thank you, Miss Ashton," he replied quietly. "Some day I hope to be able to confide in you."

He bowed to the others, and turning sharply on his heel, made his way to the side of the ship and clambered over the rail.

Now the pa.s.sengers hurried to the side of the ship, and gazed with something like awe at the boat that made swiftly for the German cruiser.

Captain Anderson did not give the signal to get under way until the cruiser's launch was being hoisted aboard, when there broke out from the cruiser a salvo of guns.

"A salute!" cried Captain Anderson, raising his voice to make himself heard. "He is some one of importance. Now I wonder--"

He broke off suddenly, as he counted the number of guns and, in his mind, ran over the list of relatives of the German Emperor. Then his clouded brow cleared, and he smiled.

"If he wishes to keep it a secret, I am not the man to betray it," he said to himself.

That Captain Anderson knew who "Captain Von Blusen" really was there could be no doubt, but the commander of the _Yucatan_ kept his promise to himself and confided to no one, in spite of the questions that were poured on him later.

Now Captain Anderson gave the signal to get under way, and the _Yucatan_ slowly gathered headway. The German cruiser remained stationary as the _Yucatan_ approached, and the big steamship pa.s.sed her less than a quarter of a mile away.

There, on the bridge of the cruiser, with the commander of the vessel and his officers standing at attention, stood "Captain Von Blusen." The pa.s.sengers waved their hands at him, and he, in return, lifted his cap and made a low bow.

Then the pa.s.sengers aboard the _Yucatan_ saw him turn to the man they could make out was the commander of the cruiser and give a sharp command. The latter repeated it to one of his officers, and a moment later a second salvo broke out from the cruiser. At the same time the German flag at the masthead was dipped in salute.

"That," said Captain Anderson calmly, "is a fine token of respect. Too bad we haven't the guns with which to return it."

He gave an order, however, and the American ensign at the masthead of the _Yucatan_ returned the salute.

These courtesies having been exchanged, all became bustle and hurry aboard the German cruiser, as the pa.s.sengers on the _Yucatan_ could see.

Men dashed hurriedly hither and thither, and a moment later the cruiser swung slowly about and headed due south.

"And that is the last we shall see of Captain Von Blusen," declared Shirley. "I wonder who he is."

"I haven't any idea," returned Mabel slowly, "but there can be no question that he is of high rank."

"No, there can be no question about that," agreed Mr. Willing, who had overheard this conversation. "I should say that he is a member of the Imperial German family."

"Then what is he doing in the United States?"

"I have learned a couple of Mexican words," replied Mr. Willing. "Quien sabe?" (Who knows.)

"But he said we should hear from him when the war is over," declared Mabel.

"Yes," said Shirley, "he said 'we' but he meant you."

Mabel's face turned a trifle red.

"What do you mean?" she asked in some confusion.

Shirley laughed.