“But there must be others,” reasoned Jerry. “He can’t run this all alone, and his crew can’t all be as crusty as he seems to be. I guess we’ll be all right. Anyhow, it’s all we could do—come aboard her.”
The aged commander turned and faced his guests.
“Perhaps,” he said, “I had better ask your names, and then I will tell you all that is necessary to know about myself—and my vessel.”
Jerry responded to the implied request by giving the names of his companions and himself. He also briefly related their object in being so far to sea in their airship, and told how they were practically assured of the safety of Mr. Sheldon and his daughter. They had intended to return home in a day or so, but the bolt of lightning had wrecked their craft.
“And you thought to have a little sport in chasing me; eh? Did you not?” asked the German gruffly.
“Well, we meant no harm,” said Jerry, in some confusion. “To tell you the truth we are much interested in submarines. We had some idea of getting one of our own, and we wanted to talk to you about it.”
“I see,” said the German, a little mollified. “I have a wonderful craft here, even though I invented her myself. Allow me to tell you my name. I am Dr. Emanuel Klauss, of Hamburg, and I——”
“I have heard of you!” interrupted Professor Snodgrass, eagerly, while Ned looked at his chums as much as to say: “This is the man I was telling you about.”
“Are you not the inventor of the Klauss refracting microscope?” went on Professor Snodgrass. “That instrument which has been such an invaluable aid to the proper study of insect life. Are you that Dr. Klauss?”