“Yes, we know that,” assented Jimmie, punctuating his statement with a poke at the paragraph he had just read, “but who owns it?”
“Vhell, der Chermans dey claim to haf a big share in id!”
“Then if we start out for England in this Lena Knobloch of yours how do we know that the ‘U-13’ won’t come along and take a poke at us just out of pure spite?” questioned the lad.
“Vhell, maybe she vill,” agreed von Kluck, between puffs. “Bud if you vhas like me, you iss willing to took a chance. I go, und das Lena goes, und by und by maybe we make blenty money und go ashore to shtay.”
“You take it easy, I must say!” returned Jimmie, somewhat amused.
“Are you going out just the same, Captain?” inquired Jack.
“Sure!” proclaimed the captain, in no uncertain tones.
“Then let’s be getting that truck and take the Grey Eagle boxes aboard the Lena Knobloch!” cried Jack. “The sooner it’s over the easier I’ll feel. I’m beginning to get nervous about all this ‘U-13’ business!”
After paying their bill the boys set out in company with the captain to find the trucker. That individual put up a strong protest at taking out his horses at the unseemly hour, but a piece of coin slipped into his hand at the opportune moment by Ned soon changed his mind.
Another piece of money changing hands at the proper moment secured the consent of the official in charge of the freight sheds to the delivery of the boxes containing the precious Grey Eagle.