“It was a close call,” said Jerry, solemnly, as he helped prop up Dr. Klauss, who had not yet fully recovered consciousness. “We must see how he escaped, and whether that water leak is a bad one. We may have to stay on this island for a time.”
“It looks an interesting and romantic place to stay,” spoke Grace Sheldon. “Isn’t it beautiful!”
It was a semi-tropical island of great charm, but the coast, of hard sand, with a heavy surf, made a landing—at least at the spot where the submarine was—out of the question.
A hurried examination of the interior of the craft showed that some sea water had leaked into the storage batteries from a sea cock, opened probably by Dr. Klauss in his mad intention of putting an end to his companions. The cock was closed, and no more water came in. The breaking of the connection between the engine room and the pilot house could easily be repaired.
“Now the question is, what are we going to do?” spoke Mr. Sheldon, when it was safe to again venture into the interior of the ship.
“Go home, by all means,” answered Jerry.
“And we’ll take good care that he doesn’t escape again!” added Ned.
“Yes, we didn’t think it was necessary to stand guard over his door in the daytime,” said Jerry. “That’s how he got away without being detected. He must have filed off his chains.”
This was afterward ascertained to be the case. The madman had managed to conceal a file about him, and though it seemed impossible of performance, had managed to cut his links.
“I guess he’ll be so weak for a while that he won’t have to be bound very strongly,” observed Bob.