"But—" Cutlip began.
Jack silenced him with a gesture.
"You'll have to change all your ideas now, Cutlip," he said. "You see that the German is not a superman. We have beaten them. Besides, your country is at war with Germany. Only a traitor, or a coward, would refuse to help his country."
Cutlip seemed a bit startled.
"I guess that's true," he said at last. "Yes, I guess you're right."
"You and your son had better remain aboard until morning," Jack continued. "We'll put you both ashore then."
"Jack," said Frank at this point, "don't you think we should make an effort to destroy the submarine before we go?"
"By George! We certainly should," declared Jack. "That had slipped my mind for the moment. We'll have one of the captured officers up and see if he will reveal its hiding place."
One of the Germans—a petty officer—entered the cabin a moment later in response to Jack's summons. Jack explained briefly what he wanted.
"Tell you? Of course I won't tell you," said the young officer. "Why should I? Do you think I am a traitor to my country, or a coward?"