“I mean that we shall have to try to influence the crew against their captain. I know that is considered contrary to marine law, but in dealing with a maniac there is no law. We have to save our lives, and that is the first law of nature.”
“But will the crew help us?” queried Ned.
“That’s what we’ve got to find out,” returned Jerry. “I fancy they haven’t any love for their captain, and they can hardly refuse to help us—especially when we tell them what he said. Why, their own case is as bad as ours.”
“But there are two other Germans aboard,” spoke Bob. “They would doubtless side with Dr. Klauss.”
“That would only make three,” remarked Jerry, “and if we can get the crew to side with us we’d have nine on our side. That ought to answer. Even if the crew won’t help us, we three fellows, and Mr. Sheldon and the professor, ought to be able to hold our own against the six. Those two Germans are likely to be old men.”
“But Rowland and his mates are probably husky chaps,” objected Bob.
“I don’t believe Ted Rowland will be against us when he hears what has happened,” said Mr. Sheldon. “At worst we can but try, and really we must do something.
“When Dr. Klauss first rescued Grace and me,” he went on, “I suspected that all was not right with him. He had a most peculiar air. But it was not until I spoke of wanting to get to my friends that opposition developed. Even then it was not very strong. Dr. Klauss merely made various excuses, and I thought perhaps he wanted to complete some experimental tests before turning back to shore.
“But as a day or so passed his actions became more peculiar. Then he flatly refused to let Grace and me go. I then feared I had to do with a madman, though I did not disclose my apprehension. I did not know what to do.
“When you boys so unexpectedly and providentially arrived I took heart. It was a trick of fate. We had been traveling all that day, and at night went to the surface for air. We could hear the storm raging. Suddenly something struck the submarine, and Dr. Klauss grew much excited. He seemed to think he was being attacked. Then he investigated, turned on the light and—well, you know the rest, for you boys came in.”