“A plan to take possession of this boat, run her back to America and then get off!” cried Bill. “We’re tired of being cooped up here with a lunatic. No telling what he may do! Why, this boat will never stand the pressure at two miles. And as for that air test—well, I don’t want to go through it.”
“Nor do we!” cried Jerry, quickly. “Listen! I came in here to sound you, and see if you would join with us in the very same sort of plan. Dr. Klauss has threatened that we shall never see our homes again. He is going to maroon us on a desert island. He hates Americans—he hates you—his brother was shot as a spy in the Spanish-American War and he says he’s going to blow up our navy!”
“Does he!” cried Ted. “Then he sure is crazy, and I’ll do all I can to put him in irons! Blow up our navy; eh? What do you think of that, fellows?”
“That’s the limit!” cried Bill. Though the men had left Uncle Sam’s service, it was only temporarily, and they were still loyal, though working for a foreigner.
“Then you’re with us?” asked Jerry, eagerly.
“Every time!” cried Ted. “We’ll help you lock up this crazy captain, and then help you navigate the ship back home. I guess we can do it.”
“What about those other two Germans?” asked Bill.
“Just give them some problem to work on—say to figure how many drops of water there are in the ocean, and they’ll keep at that day and night—wouldn’t even eat if you didn’t make ’em. They won’t bother us.”
“Then,” said Jerry, “we’ll take Dr. Klauss into custody as soon as possible, and gain possession of this boat. I think we have a right, under the circumstances, especially after his latest order to run us all into such risks.”
“Boy, we’re with you!” cried Ted. “Shake!” and he held out his hand.