The general arose to his feet as the officer and Jack approached him.
"And what have we here?" he demanded, in a loud, booming voice.
"I captured this young English officer in the act of carrying an enemy from Danish soil," replied the officer, saluting. "It was a violation of our neutrality, so I placed him under arrest."
"Good," said the general; "and the other man?"
"Hospital? Do you mean to say that they were fighting on Danish soil?"
"As to that I couldn't say, sir," replied the officer. "I heard shots, but I did not see them fired."
"Midshipman Jack Templeton, sir, of His Majesty's navy," replied the lad, with a bow.
"Explain your presence in Denmark," came the next command.
Jack explained, and, after he had concluded his recital, the Danish general was silent for some moments.
"Uh-m-m-m," he said finally, and his voice was not so harsh. "How old are you?"
"You are indeed young to have seen so much service," mused the general. "But this is a serious case. I am afraid I shall have to order you interned."
"Is there no way out of that, sir?" asked Jack, now greatly alarmed.
"I am afraid not; but, have no fear, you shall be well treated while you are our guest."
"Guest," repeated Jack bitterly, "say rather your prisoner."
"Not if you will give me your parole not to attempt to escape," said the general kindly.
"I can't do that, sir," replied Jack, taken somewhat aback by the old general's kindness.
"Then I fear that I must order you confined."
The general turned to the officer who had captured Jack; but before he could open his mouth to speak, the abrupt entrance of another figure into the room caused him to turn with his order left unspoken.
As the newcomer advanced into the room, both Danish officers saluted, and then bowed low. Instinctively Jack felt that he was in the presence of royalty, and he also bent his knee in homage.
Nor was he wrong, for the good-natured, kindly-faced smiling man, who now approached them, was none other than Christian X, King of Denmark. In his eye there was a twinkle, and there was a humorous quirk to his mouth, only partly hidden by his mustache.
Nodding to the two officers, the king walked directly up to Jack, who, being the subject of a king himself, fell upon his knee. The king extended a hand and lifted the boy to his feet.