The three chums looked at one another and at Mr. Sheldon. The same thought was in the minds of all. If the German left the ship might they not easily gain control of her? Then their problem would be solved. But if Professor Snodgrass went out also that would make it more difficult.
Mr. Sheldon made a sign to Jerry that he would speak to Professor Snodgrass, and Jerry nodded comprehendingly.
Dr. Klauss did not seem to have seen this byplay. He closed the little cabinet containing the gun pointer, and remarked:
“If you will come with me now, I will show you how we leave the ship and walk on the bottom of the sea. We are about at the place.”
They went with him to the engine room, where the three Americans were busy over the machinery. On the way the party, including Grace, who kept close to her father, passed a small room in which could be seen two elderly Germans, busy over books and papers. Dr. Klauss said something to them in a foreign tongue—not German, as the boys could tell, for they had studied that language at school.
The two men, who seemed like learned professors, got up and followed the party to the engine room.
“I always have them near at hand when I leave the ship to go out in my diving dress,” explained the commander. “There might be an—accident, you know,” and Jerry thought the fanatic regarded his guests in a peculiar manner.
Mr. Sheldon found a chance to hurriedly whisper to Professor Snodgrass that it might not be wise for him to go out on the bottom of the sea, and the scientist, who quickly grasped the reason, agreed not to take advantage of the offer of Dr. Klauss at this time.
“As you may have realized,” said the inventor to his guests, “a very strong diving dress is needed in working at great depths, in order to sustain the enormous pressure of water. The greatest depth to which an ordinary diver can descend is two hundred feet—seldom this. But I am going to reach the bottom of the sea at a point where it is about six hundred feet deep, and so the pressure will increase in proportion. It will be perfectly safe in my diving suit, though, and if any of you would like to try it——”
He paused suggestively.