Jerry’s stand was determined.
“Good!” cried Mr. Sheldon, who had understood part of the talk. “That’s the way to handle them!”
Dr. Klauss, still struggling somewhat in the binding chains, shouted something in that strange tongue. The two elderly Germans seemed to hesitate, and Jerry feared they might try to effect a rescue, though he had little doubt of the ability of himself and the others to overpower them.
“Don’t try anything rash!” Jerry shouted. “We intend no harm to Dr. Klauss. We are only anxious to save ourselves. It will be best for you to do nothing.”
The old men appeared to think so, too. They talked between themselves in low voices and then spoke to the commander in the secret language. What they said appeared to displease the fanatic, but his entreaties were in vain.
“First class in arithmetic!” called Ted, in grim humor, and this seemed to settle it. The old men went back to their cabin and when the party passed it, carrying the captive commander, they were again bent over their papers, calculating, in all probability, the weight of the salt in the ocean.
“Well, so far so good!” Jerry exclaimed in relief, as they deposited Dr. Klauss in his cabin.
“I order you to release me! This is an outrage!” cried the insane man. “You shall all be punished for this.”
“We deeply regret the necessity for it,” said Mr. Sheldon courteously, for, after all, Dr. Klauss had really saved their lives. “We are only doing this,” Bob’s uncle went on, “to protect ourselves. If you would agree to set us ashore, or on some vessel that would take us to America——”