“We were picked up by Dr. Klauss,” interrupted Mr. Sheldon, as he came forward to greet his nephew. “It was providential, as we had no means of progressing, and our food and water were about gone. But how did you get here, and who are your friends?”
“Our airship was struck by lightning a little while ago,” Bob explained briefly, “and we fell down, almost on top of this submarine. Dr. Klauss took us in.”
“He seems to be in the rescuing business,” said Grace, with a smile, but Jerry thought he detected a look of fear on her face as her eyes looked toward the German inventor.
“This is Professor Snodgrass,” went on Bob, motioning to the little scientist, “and these are my best chums—Jerry Hopkins and Ned Slade. You must have heard of them, Uncle Nelson.”
“Of course I have!” exclaimed the gentleman, cordially.
“And so have I,” added Grace, with a welcoming smile. “Oh, how good it is to meet you all this way—and in such a strange way!”
“Yes, it is quite a coincidence,” agreed Dr. Klauss, and though he smiled there was no warmth in it—rather it was cold and calculating. “You mentioned that you had a nephew of an inventive turn of mind,” he said to Mr. Sheldon, “and you spoke of his airship—the Comet. As soon as you boys named the craft,” he said to Jerry, “I realized that I had a surprise in store for you. But I decided to let you find it out for yourselves.”
“And now for more detailed explanations,” remarked Mr. Sheldon. “I expect all our friends think we are drowned, Bob?”
“I’m afraid so. But they’ll soon know differently. We can send them word.”
“I don’t know about that,” said Mr. Sheldon in a low voice, as Dr. Klauss stepped back a moment, evidently to communicate with one of his crew. “Bob,” went on his uncle in a low, tense voice, “we’re in a peculiar position here. We’re practically prisoners of a madman aboard this submarine. He won’t set us ashore, nor put us on some other vessel. I don’t know what to do. But I’m glad you and your friends are here. Perhaps we can find some way of escape.