CHAPTER XXIX.--"CAPTAIN VON BLUSEN.

"And when we found you had escaped we didn't know where to look for you," said Mr. Willing, in concluding the story of the search.

"We never doubted that we should get away in some manner," declared Shirley. "We were sure you would find us, but when the chance for escape came we took advantage of it."

"And where did you get to when you left the consulate?" demanded Colonel Ashton of Dick.

Dick explained.

"And if Captain Anderson had not arrived so opportunely, there is no telling what might have happened," he declared. "He put the enemy to rout."

"It wasn't much of a job," replied the captain, waving aside Mr. Willing's thanks. "I just touched two of them with my fists and they went down."

"I reckon you didn't touch them very gently, captain," said Colonel Ashton, with a grim smile.

"Well, perhaps not," answered Captain Anderson, "but it was no time for half way measures." He turned to Captain Von Blusen. "And what am I to do with you?" he asked.

"I should be glad if you would take me to San Francisco," was the reply.

Captain Anderson turned this over in his mind.

"You have made much trouble for me," he said finally, "and besides, the United States authorities may be looking for you, for all I know. However, I have no such information, and as you seem to have turned over a new leaf, I shall do so."

"Thank you, captain."

"I would advise you, however," continued the captain, "to go ashore at the first American port instead of going to Frisco. The authorities may be on the lookout for you, and I don't know what they would do with you. Your theft of the _Yucatan_ was nothing short of piracy."

"I suppose you are right," returned Captain Von Blusen, "and I shall act upon your advice. What is the first United States port at which you shall touch?"

"San Diego."

"Then I shall go ashore there."

"Very well, unless, of course, in the meantime I should receive word to hold you."

"But you won't report the captain's presence here?" exclaimed Shirley hopefully.

"No; I shall say nothing about it unless I am asked."

"Thank you again, captain," said the young officer.

He turned on his heel and left the room.

"When shall we get under way again, captain?" asked Colonel Ashton.

"First thing in the morning," was the reply. "We'll probably be out of sight of land when you tumble out."

"We can't get away from here any too quick to suit me," declared Shirley.

"No, indeed," Mabel agreed. "We have had trouble enough to last us for a long time to come. The sooner we get back to civilization the better."

"And that goes for all of us," agreed Mr. Willing.

"I'm glad to have you back aboard the _Yucatan_," declared Captain Anderson. "To tell the truth, I didn't expect to see you in Mazatlan. I felt sure you would eventually find the young ladies safe and sound, but I feared I should have to make the rest of the trip without you. I tell you, it made me feel good to run across young Stanley here this afternoon."

"It didn't make you feel as good as it did me, captain," returned Dick significantly.

"Well, perhaps not under the circumstances," laughed the captain. "The only one of our passengers who will not complete the trip is Mrs. Sebastian."

"And a good thing for all concerned," declared Colonel Ashton. "I don't see how she fooled us so completely, Willing."

"She did though," returned Mr. Willing. "I would never have suspected her of having any ulterior motives."

"You wouldn't listen to me," said Dick. "I suspected her from the first. Now I can say 'I told you so.'"

"We'll place more confidence in your foresight in the future," declared the colonel.

"I don't want to run you away," said Captain Anderson, "but it's my belief you had all better turn in. You look fagged out, the whole bunch of you. Sleep is the best remedy."

"You are right, captain," declared Shirley. "I feel as though I could go to sleep standing on my feet."

They bade the captain good-night, thanked him again for his assistance, and made their way to their cabin, where, after some further talk, all turned in.

So completely were they exhausted that it was after eight o'clock the following morning when Shirley, the first to awake, sprang up. She glanced out the window of her stateroom. The sun shone brightly, and from the barely perceptible motion of the steamer she knew they were moving.

She called Mabel, and the girls dressed quickly. Shirley knocked on the next door and aroused the others, and an hour later, after a hearty breakfast, all stood forward on the promenade deck enjoying the fresh morning breeze.

There was not a speck of land in sight and would not be for hours. An hour later Captain Von Blusen joined them and after awhile Captain Anderson stopped to exchange a few words.

It was while the commander of the _Yucatan_ was there that there came a hail from the lookout.

"Smoke to the leeward, sir!"

All glanced in the direction indicated. There, upon the distant horizon, was a faint cloud of smoke. As they gazed it presently took shape, and half an hour later it did not take the second cry of the lookout to tell them the approaching vessel was a battle cruiser of the first class.

"Wonder what this one is?" said Shirley, as the vessel drew nearer.

"I don't know. It might be German. It has been supposed there were two German vessels in these waters, but we have already encountered one. This may be another."

"It's hardly possible, though," said Mr. Willing. "Captain Von Blusen, to your knowledge, are there any German ships of war in these waters?"

"I can't answer that question definitely, sir," he replied. "All I can say is that it is possible."

"I don't believe this is a German," said Dick. "But whatever she is she is coming right toward us."

It was true. The stranger was shaping a course that would intercept the _Yucatan_ several miles ahead.

"I wonder if she will stop us?" said Mabel.

"Of course," replied Captain Von Blusen. "The commander will probably come aboard to have a look at the ship's papers."

"Will he interfere with you?" asked Mabel.

"Hardly," was the reply. "In spite of the fact that I am a German, he will not dare to interfere with me aboard a neutral ship."

"Boom!"

It was the sound of a great gun aboard the cruiser.

"Signal to heave-to," said Captain Anderson.

He made his way to the bridge, and in response to his command, the _Yucatan_ came to a pause. Then all eagerly waited for the cruiser to show her colors.

"German!" was the audible gasp from the passengers as the red, white and black of the German Empire were unfurled at the masthead.

"I am coming aboard you," was the message the German commander flashed to Captain Anderson.

A small boat put off from the cruiser and soon bumped alongside the _Yucatan_. A moment later an officer in a smart uniform came over the side. He made his way at once to where Captain Anderson stood on the bridge.

"Is this the way you meet a German naval officer?" he demanded angrily.

Captain Anderson looked at him in surprise.

"What would you have me do?" he demanded, taking a step forward.

"And when you address me, say sir!" exclaimed the German, who seemed rather young and possessed of much self-importance. "You should have met me as I came over-side."

"Say sir to you, eh?" exclaimed Captain Anderson. "If you don't get off my ship in five minutes I'll throw you over the rail."

The German officer stepped back, and half drew a revolver. Captain Anderson advanced another step.

But interference came from an unexpected source.

Captain Von Blusen, who had stood close enough to overhear this conversation, suddenly ascended to the bridge. He walked quickly up behind the German officer, and seizing him by the shoulder, swung him around sharply.

"You forget yourself, Lieutenant Von Meyers!" he said angrily. "Get back to your boat!"

The German lieutenant gazed at this newcomer threateningly, then a look of the greatest astonishment passed over his face. He took three quick steps backward.

Captain Von Blusen stood perfectly erect, one hand pointing toward the small boat from which the German lieutenant had just climbed to the deck of the _Yucatan_. He said no further word.

And while officers and passengers of the _Yucatan_ looked on in amazement, the German lieutenant took two quick steps forward again, fell upon one knee, took Captain Von Blusen's other hand and touched it with his lips!

Then he arose, saluted, and walked rapidly away.