“It’s going to be ours long enough for us to get back to Boston,” declared Jerry, firmly. “Then Dr. Klauss can claim it—if he likes.”
“I almost wish we could keep it,” sighed Ned. “I’m beginning to like this under-water travel.”
“Do you mean to go off and leave him on the island?” asked Bob.
“What else can we do?” responded his tall chum. “He won’t come when we call. And, as a matter of fact, it looks as though one could live on that island for some time. There is plenty of fruit, and probably birds he can snare. Besides, he can make some sort of a signal, and a passing ship will take him off. We owe it to ourselves, and to our friends and families, not to stay here any longer than we have to.”
“I think that is so,” assented Mr. Sheldon, after some thought.
They explained matters to the old Germans, who agreed that Dr. Klauss was not entitled to further consideration. On their part, they said, they had had enough of him, and wanted to go back to their Fatherland. They related briefly that they had been fellow scientific workers with Dr. Klauss, who had asked them to make the submarine trip with him to get valuable data. But they had had enough.
“Then we’ll start for home!” decided Jerry.
They remained at the surface for some hours, to allow a few repairs to be made, to get rid of the last of the chlorine gas, and with the faint hope that Dr. Klauss might consent to be rescued. But he did not show himself. Everything was in readiness for the start.
Slowly the Sonderbaar, with her crazed commander absent, sank beneath the waves.
“Homeward bound!” exclaimed Jerry with a sigh of relief.