Now, as Jack had sought the hospital he had noted some of the localities he had passed while being led along by his own captor, so that he had a pretty fair idea of the direction in which he wanted to go. The one thing that he feared was that Hardy would recognize him before they got out of the city.
He kept his hand on the revolver he had taken from the Danish officer, whose clothes he had appropriated, for he was determined that Hardy would either be taken back to the _Sylph_ alive or stay in Denmark dead.
"He is too dangerous to be allowed to escape scot free," the lad told himself. "Besides, Lord Hastings' last words were to bring him back dead or alive. I don't think much of the job, but I'll do it if necessary."
As they walked along the street, Hardy tried to strike up a conversation. Jack walked slightly ahead of him, to prevent him from getting a good look at his face.
"What does the king want with me, do you suppose?" Hardy asked.
"How about the other prisoner? Where is he?"
"Oh, he's safe enough," was Jack's answer.
"You are not very communicative, are you?" demanded Hardy, stopping suddenly.
"Not very," replied Jack, stopping also. "But come along. The king desires your presence immediately."
"Seems to me I have heard your voice before," said Hardy, resuming his walk. "You are not the officer who took me to the hospital, are you?"
"Your imagination is running away with you," said Jack.
"No, I know your voice. Hold on, while I get a look at you," and he took Jack by the arm.
"None of that," he said, in his natural voice. "You come with me, or I'll put a hole through you."
"Yes, and you'll know me a whole lot better if you don't do as I tell you," said Jack quietly. "Come on, now, move."
Instead of obeying this command. Hardy suddenly let out a loud cry for help.
"One more like that," he said sternly, "and I'll shoot you where you stand."
"You wouldn't have the nerve," was the sneering response.
"Don't try me," said Jack quietly. "You are too dangerous to be running around loose. I would shoot you with as little compunction as I would a dog."
Hardy was evidently impressed with Jack's tone, for he resumed his walk slowly.
"What are you going to do with me?" he demanded.
"Take you back aboard the _Sylph_," replied the lad. "And now don't let me hear another sound out of you."